Karachi, The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has voiced significant concerns regarding the customs preventive and anti-smuggling operations affecting businesses across the country. FPCCI President, Atif Ikram Sheikh, highlighted the issues of unnecessary stops and rechecks of consignments by anti-smuggling staff, which he believes could be mitigated by reducing human interaction in these processes.

According to Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the daily interference by anti-smuggling personnel involves stopping consignments already assessed and cleared by appraisement staff, and these actions lack justification unless backed by solid intelligence or information. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Senior Vice President of FPCCI, criticized these practices, emphasizing the need for such interventions to be conducted only by responsible officers at or above the rank of an Assistant Collector.

Magoon also called for a thorough review and update of the relevant laws and regulations governing customs and clearing agents. He affirmed that FPCCI’s committee on customs enforcement is ready to provide full support from its platform to redefine the role of clearing agents and streamline procedures.

Furthermore, Asif Sakhi, Vice President of FPCCI, argued that clearing agents are unfairly held accountable in FIRs lodged by customs, despite their limited role, which only extends to filing the Goods Declaration based on documents provided by importers. Sakhi pointed out that clearing agents should not be implicated in violations committed by importers.

Arshad Jamal, Convener of FPCCI’s Central Standing Committee on Customs Enforcement, also addressed the financial burdens placed on importers when goods are detained on the roads, questioning why customs officials are not held accountable for actions based on incorrect information or reasons.

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