Karachi, August 8, 2025 – The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has expressed serious concern over recent anti-smuggling raids by customs authorities that, according to the Chamber, have targeted legitimate businesses alongside illicit operators.
In a statement issued on Friday, KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani reaffirmed that the Chamber is firmly opposed to smuggling in all its forms, as it undermines Pakistan’s economy, damages fair competition, and erodes government revenues. However, he cautioned that genuine traders and businessmen—whose goods are legally imported, locally purchased, or acquired through public auctions—should not suffer wrongful confiscation during such enforcement actions.
“These unwarranted seizures cause substantial financial losses, disrupt business operations, and harm reputations built over decades,” Bilwani stated. He urged that rather than creating law and order situations through surprise raids in Karachi’s marketplaces, enforcement agencies should strengthen mechanisms to intercept smuggled goods at entry points such as borders, seaports, and airports.
The KCCI president stressed the importance of strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure legitimate businesses are not victimized. If nighttime raids are unavoidable, he suggested that premises be sealed instead of removing goods immediately, with proceedings resumed in daylight in the presence of owners or their authorized representatives.
Reiterating the Chamber’s willingness to cooperate with the Customs Enforcement Department, Bilwani emphasized that KCCI will continue to defend the rights of lawful businesses while supporting fair trade enforcement. “Our goal,” he said, “is to promote an environment where genuine commerce thrives and illicit trade is decisively curtailed.”