Karachi, December 21, 2024 – The Pakistan Chemicals & Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA) has voiced grave concerns over the escalating backlog of consignments at the nation’s ports, citing insufficient administrative capacity under the recently implemented Faceless Customs Clearance Assessment system, part of the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Transformation Plan.
Salim Valimohammad, Chairman of PCDMA, highlighted the severe impact of delayed customs clearance on importers, who face significant financial losses due to demurrage and detention charges. Addressing the issue, he urged FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial to take immediate action to alleviate the growing bottleneck at ports and ensure the system’s efficient functioning.
While recognizing the potential advantages of the faceless customs clearance initiative, Valimohammad stressed that the transition lacked adequate administrative preparation. “The absence of proper groundwork has led to massive congestion at ports, leaving large volumes of imported goods stranded and posing critical challenges to importers,” he said.
The PCDMA Chairman warned of a cascading effect on the country’s industries if the backlog remains unresolved. “Delays in clearing consignments containing essential raw materials could severely disrupt industrial supply chains, delay export order deliveries, and ultimately harm Pakistan’s overall export performance,” he cautioned.
In his appeal, Valimohammad called on FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial to personally oversee the daily status of pending consignments. He proposed urgent measures to expedite clearance and reduce the financial strain on importers. The PCDMA believes that prompt action would ensure the smooth supply of raw materials to industries, enabling uninterrupted production and safeguarding the nation’s economic growth.
The PCDMA also emphasized the need for collaboration between customs authorities and stakeholders to address systemic inefficiencies in the clearance process. Valimohammad underscored that a proactive approach, including resource optimization and regular monitoring, is crucial to preventing such crises in the future.
PCDMA reiterated its support for initiatives aimed at modernizing customs operations but insisted that their implementation must be accompanied by sufficient infrastructure and administrative readiness. “Timely action is essential to restore confidence in the customs system and facilitate trade without unnecessary disruptions,” Valimohammad concluded.
The association called on the FBR to prioritize resolving the port concession issues to avoid further economic repercussions, underscoring that the nation’s industrial and export sectors are reliant on swift and efficient customs clearance processes.