Karachi, August 2, 2025 – The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has strongly objected to the ongoing raids being conducted by Customs officials at shops and godowns across Karachi, calling them illegal, unannounced, and highly disruptive.
In a letter addressed to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, KCCI President Jawed Bilwani raised serious concerns over the way Customs Enforcement is carrying out raids, particularly during late-night hours without any prior notice or presence of business owners.
“These raids are happening in the dark of night. Officers break into shops, godowns, and markets without informing anyone. In most cases, they find nothing illegal and leave without securing the premises,” said Bilwani.
KCCI highlighted that this reckless approach is creating fear among the law-abiding business community. The absence of proper procedures has led to massive inconvenience and security risks. After breaking locks, Customs teams often leave places open, making valuable legal goods vulnerable to theft or damage.
Bilwani reminded the FBR that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were issued in May 2024, clearly stating that anti-smuggling raids must be done during daylight hours and in the presence of owners. If owners are absent, the place should be sealed and secured until their arrival. These SOPs are being ignored, damaging the trust between the authorities and Karachi’s traders.
KCCI warned that false intelligence and irresponsible actions by enforcement teams are destroying the image of Pakistan Customs. Legitimate businesses are being harassed under the label of anti-smuggling, with no evidence found in most cases.
The KCCI demanded urgent action to stop night-time raids and ensure full compliance with existing SOPs. It proposed a coordination system between Customs and KCCI to plan future operations in a transparent and respectful manner.
Karachi, being the economic heart of Pakistan, deserves a secure and fair business environment. KCCI emphasized that it is ready to assist in anti-smuggling efforts, but all actions must follow the law and protect the rights of honest traders.