Karachi, January 22, 2026 – The Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and government authorities to enhance customs infrastructure and increase staffing at Karachi’s sea ports to accelerate the clearance of import and export consignments.
Highlighting the critical role of maritime trade in Pakistan’s economy, the KCAA warned that port facilities have not kept pace with the significant rise in trade volumes over the past decade. While national revenue and tax collection have surged, aging terminals such as KICT and KGTL (formerly PICT) continue to operate at near-20-year-old capacities. Limited yard space and outdated cargo-handling machinery are causing congestion, leading to idle containers and delays of five to six days for customs examinations.
The association noted that the daily number of containers requiring inspection at Karachi International Container Terminal and Karachi Gateway Terminal has increased from roughly 100 to 150–200, placing an immense burden on existing customs staff. Overstretched examiners and a shortage of Assistant and Deputy Collectors have further slowed decision-making and created administrative bottlenecks.
The KCAA emphasized that despite resource constraints, customs officers continue to perform professionally. However, immediate measures are needed, including hiring additional examination officers, modernizing port machinery, and deploying experienced officers at the AC/DC level.
By addressing these challenges, the KCAA said, Pakistan can streamline port operations, reduce delays and costs for importers, and strengthen trade efficiency, ultimately boosting the country’s economic growth and competitiveness.