PESHAWAR: The importers and exporters on Torkham Border have staged a protest demonstration against the clearance of exports and imports through Web Based One Customs Service on Tuesday in Khyber Agency.
The importers also showed their concerns about the blackmailing and fraud being done at the Qasim Port by the customs officials which has increased the worries of importers who have to wait for the clearance of their consignments on Torkham Border. But still they have to wait for the arrival of their consignments on Torkham Border from Karachi.
The importers demanded that the customs high-ups at Peshawar should find early solution to the problems faced by the importers to provide relief to them by saving their time and wealth wasted due to corruption rampant at the Qasim Port.
Customs Collector Mohammad Saeed Jadoon along Additional Collector Ziaullah Shams took minutes to meet the importers at Torkham Customs Station and inquired about the issues due to which their consignments remain stranded on ports without getting clearance on Tuesday at Torkham customs station.
The importers informed the Collector Customs about the problems frustrating them since quite long time. The importers stated that, since long, the Customs Department has ordered the elimination of the risk and loss which had caused them but still few importers have been favored.
The Customs Department is concerned that the establishment of Web OC based trade will increase the tax collection on Torkham Border and it will be easy for importers to clear their goods without leakage to the net collection, said by Additional Collector Customs at Torkham Customs Station.
The Web OC service, which was made mandatory in 2015 and all imports were to be cleared through it, now has been made compulsory for all exports.
The Additional Collector said that Mohammad Saeed Jadoon thoroughly replied to the queries of importers whose trade has been associated with Torkham trade route.
The importers demanded provision of much needed facilities to customs clearing agents by removing the hurdles which are causing the customs exchequer losses of millions of rupees.
