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Tag: Pakistan Customs

  • Customs directs shipping lines, agents to withdraw delay, detention charges

    Customs directs shipping lines, agents to withdraw delay, detention charges

    KARACHI: Pakistan Customs on Friday directed shipping companies and shipping agents to extend waiver of delay and detention charges during lockdown to contain coronavirus.

    Model Customs Collectorate (Enforcement &Compliance) Karachi issued instructions to chairman All Pakistan Shipping Association and chairman Pakistan Ship Agents Association to allow free time to importers.

    The customs authorities said that Pakistan is currently facing a great challenge to address the issue of spread of coronavirus outbreak.

    As a result of lockdown and restriction of movement of people / vehicle, the time duration of lifting the cargo from ports is exceeding the free-time as allowed to the importers under normal course of business.

    The FBR has already issued similar instructions to container terminal operators on March 31, 2020 to waive demurrage and detention charges in order to facilitate importers and trade community in difficult times.

    The collectorate said that considering the challenging scenario for importers and trade community the shipping lines and their agents should extend free-days in respect of container detention and not charge container detention charges and other charges in connection of late delivery of goods for the period from March 25, 2020 to April 16, 2020 in addition to free days already allowed by shipping lines and their agents.

  • Coronavirus prevention: Clearing agents advised avoid unnecessary visits to Custom House

    Coronavirus prevention: Clearing agents advised avoid unnecessary visits to Custom House

    KARACHI: Customs clearing agents have been advised to avoid unnecessary visits to Custom House Karachi as a preventive measure against coronavirus.

    In a circular Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) on Saturday, informed its members that the association had conducted meetings with the Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement & Facilitation (East) & (West) regarding outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and decided to take appropriate precaution measures in order to avoid unnecessary visits and long sit-ins at visitor’s area of Custom House, Karachi.

    It is highly recommended for the general public to reduce exposure and limit the risk of spread/transmission of Novel Coronavirus.

    Members and their employees are advised to avoid unnecessary visits at Custom House Karachi and wear masks by following other safety instructions as already displayed on the notice boards at Custom House, Karachi.

    However, in case of any emergency meetings/hearings are required to be attended, a written applications by mentioning the reasons to the officers concerned should be submitted for the redressal of grievance.

    In case of any assistance members are advised to contact the CHO-Office of MCC Appraisement & Facilitation (East & West).

  • Pakistan Customs offers fresh lot of imported cars for auction on March 7

    Pakistan Customs offers fresh lot of imported cars for auction on March 7

    KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has announced auction of fresh lot of vehicles lying at Bay West, West Wharf Road, Karachi to be held on March 07, 2020.

    Following vehicles to be presented for auction:

    01. Suzuki Escudo, Chassis No. TDA4W-271562, manufacturing year 2013, capacity 2400CC

    02. Toyota Aqua, Chassis No. NHP10-6450900, manufacturing year 2015, capacity 1500CC

    03. Toyota Passo, Chassis No. NGC30-0028061, manufacturing year 2015 capacity 1.3L

    04. Daihatsu Hijet, Chassis No. S321V-0244061, manufacturing year 2016, capacity 658CC

    05. Toyota Passo Car, Chassis No. M700A-0011255, manufacturing year 2016, capacity 996CC

    06. Suzuki Lapin Car, Chassis No. HE33S-157788, manufacturing year 2016, capacity: not shown

    07. Daihatsu Mira ES, Chassis No. LA300S-1412557, manufacturing year 2017, capacity 658cc

    08. Mitsubishi EK Wagon, Chassis No. B11W-0209546, manufacturing year 2016, capacity: not shown

    09. Suzuki Alto, chassis no. HA36S-282005, manufacturing year 2016, capacity: not shown

    10. Toyota Aqua Hybrid Car, chassis No. NHP10-2560634, capacity 1496ml, manufacturing year 2016

    11. Suzuki Every Van, chassis No. DA64V-838690, model 2014

    12. Suzuki Every, chassis No. DA64V-848504, manufacturing year 2014

    13. Suzuki Every, Chassis No. DA64V-849366, manufacturing year 2014

    14. Daihatsu Mira, Chassis No. LA300S-1376089, Capacity 658CC, manufacturing year 2016

    15. Toyota Aqua Hybrid, Chassis No. NHP10-6567616, manufacturing year 2016, capacity 1496ml

    16. Honda N-WGN, Chassis No. JH1-1359525, capacity: not shown, manufacturing year 2017

    17. Honda Acty Van, Chassis No. HH5-1913290, capacity: not shown, manufacturing year 2014

    18. Honda van, Chassis No. HH5-1913288, manufacturing year 2014, capacity: not shown

    19. Daihatsu Move Car, Chassis No. LA150S-011718, manufacturing year 2017, capacity 658CC

    20. Suzuki Alto, Chassis No. RU3-1211698, manufacturing year 2017, capacity: not shown

    21. Honda Vezel, Chassis No. RU3-1211698, manufacturing year 2016, capacity: not shown

    22. Suzuki Alto, Chassis No. HA36S-297791, manufacturing year 2016, capacity: not shown

    23. Honda N-WGN Car, chassis No. JH2-1110932, capacity: not shown, manufacturing year 2016

    24. Daihatsu Move Car, Chassis No. LA150S-0140712, manufacturing year 2017, capacity 658CC

    25. Toyota Fielder Car, Chassis No. NKE165-7146560, manufacturing year 2016

    26. Suzuki Alto Car, Chassis No. HA36S-269634, capacity: not shown, manufacturing year 2016

    27. Suzuki Hustler, Chassis No. MR41S-231305, capacity: not shown, manufacturing year 2016

    28. Suzuki Hustler Car, Chassis No. MR41S-618818, capacity: not shown, manufacturing year 2016

    29. Daihatsu Hijet Van, Chassis No. S321V-02286632, manufacturing year 2014, capacity 658CC

    30. Daihatsu Hijet Van, Chassis No. S321V-0231498, manufacturing year 2017, capacity: not shown

    31. Nissan Dayz Car, Chassis No. B21W-0424159, manufacturing year 2017, capacity: not shown

    32. Toyota Pixis Car, Chassis No. LA360A-0001264, Capacity: 658CC, manufacturing year 2017

    33. Toyota Passo, Chassis No. M700A-0023868, manufacturing year 2016, capacity 996CC

    34. Toyota Prius Car, Chassis No. ZVW51-6049019, capacity 1797mL, manufacturing year 2017

    35. Daihatsu Hijet Van, Chassis No. LA250S-0039904, manufacturing year 2016, capacity 658CC

    36. Toyota Pixis Van, Chassis No. S321M0011982, Capacity 658CC, manufacturing year 2015

    37. Daihatsu Move, Chassis No. LA150S-1055880, Capacity 658CC, manufacturing year 2017

    38. Toyota Vitz Car, Chassis No. KSP130-2166216, manufacturing year 2016, capacity 996mL

    39. Daihatsu Mira, Chassis No. LA300S-1401705, Capacity 658CC, manufacturing year 2016

    40. Suzuki Wagon R Car, Chassis No. MH44S-182602, manufacturing year 2016, capacity: not shown

    41. Honda Vezel, Chassis No. RU3-1039552, manufacturing year 2014, capacity not shown

    42. Nissan Van, Chassis No. DR17V-117715, manufacturing year 2015, capacity not shown

    43. Sabaru Pleo, Chassis No. LA350F-0004571, manufacturing year 2018, capacity 658CC

    44. Daihatsu Move, Chassis No. LA150S-0118900, Capacity 658CC, manufacturing year 2017

    45. Toyota Passo Car, Chassis No. M700A-0044070, manufacturing year 2016, capacity 996CC

    46. Suzuki Every, Chassis No. DA64V-863676, manufacturing year 2014, capacity not shown

    47. Daihatsu Move, Chassis No. LA150S-0085181, manufacturing year 2016, capacity 658CC

    48. Suzuki Wagon R Car, Chassis No. MH34S-530465, manufacturing year 2016, capacity: not shown

    49. Honda Vezel, Chassis No. RU3-1039633, capacity: not shown, manufacturing year 2014

  • Customs clearance suspended due to mysterious gas threat

    Customs clearance suspended due to mysterious gas threat

    KARACHI: Port activities and customs clearance were suspended on Monday as precautionary measures in the wake of mysterious toxic gas which claimed at least five lives.

    The unidentified leakage of poisonous gas claimed around five lives and around 100 were faint yester day. The authorities have so far unable to find out the root cause of the gas leakage.

    An official at Pakistan Customs said that the Custom House Karachi had been evacuated as precautionary measures as officials were facing breathing problems.

    “Not a single person at Custom House Karachi was faint,” said Syed Ifran Ali, senior customs official. “However, taking precautionary measures the Custom House has been evacuated,” he added.

    He said that customs clearing has also been suspended and main branch of National Bank at Custom House, Karachi was also closed.

    The official said that the port activities had also been suspended while taking precautionary measures.

    A day earlier leakage of poisonous gas from unknown place on Sunday killed at least four people and faint many others.

    Sources said that the location of gas leakage was still unknown. At first instance it was assumed that a shipped docked at the Karachi Port was main reason for gas leakage. However, port authorities rejected such claims saying no such ship was arrived at the port.

    Faisal Edhi of Edhi Foundation has confirmed four deaths due to the incidents. “Two bodies were at Ziauddin Hospital and other two were at Kutyana Memon Hospital,” he said.

    Faisal Edhi further said that the effected persons due to gas leakages were brought at the nearby hospitals of Kharadar and Kemari.

    Ali Zaidi, Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, in a tweet message said that he was shocked on the casualties due to poisonous gas.

    “The incident was not occurred at the port. However, officials of Karachi Port Trust (KTP) have been sent to the location for the investigation,” he added.

    He requested everyone to refrain from making any comments on the media till the facts are not known.

  • Customs clearance of used cloth, shoes without banned

    Customs clearance of used cloth, shoes without banned

    KARACHI: The Central Health Department of the federal government has advised the customs authorities not to clear imported used cloths and used shoes without proper fumigation in the wake of coronavirus threat.

    The collectorates of Pakistan Customs have been informed through the fresh advisory on Saturday about the Pneumonia outbreak due to Novel CoronaVirus.

    According to the advisory, the customs stations have been asked that second hand clothings, used shoes and other worn articles should not be cleared without fumigation under the supervision of Port Health Establishment, Karachi till further orders.

    However, the department has no objection to clear other consignments.

    Earlier, on January 27, 2020 the Port Health Establishment in a letter to customs collectorates that cargo imported from affected areas in China should not be cleared without proper fumigation.

  • FBR chairman praises customs for working professionally

    FBR chairman praises customs for working professionally

    ISLAMABAD: Syed Shabbar Zaidi, Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has praised Pakistan Customs for working professionally and innovatively.

    He was addressing at an event to celebrate World Customs Day at Custom House, Islamabad.

    The chairman praised customs for working very professionally and innovatively and engaging the Customs administrations of the leading trade partners of Pakistan for social, economic, and environmental development and protection of Pakistan.

    He said that Pakistan Customs has achieved milestones in ensuring social, economic, and environmental development and safety for the people of Pakistan.

    He stated that, in addition to existing automated (WeBOC) system, Customs has initiated a project namely WeBOC-GLO and Pakistan Single Window for updating and modernizing the system keeping in lines with international best practices prevalent around the world for facilitating and securing trade.

    He stated that, in addition to these initiatives, Customs has implemented Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), Global Travelers Assessment System (GTAS). At the end of his speech, while felicitating the officers and officials of Pakistan Customs on this important occasion, he expected them to continue to strive for greater professionalism in line with international best practices and transform the organization into a business friendly, forward looking and a partner in the economic development of Pakistan.

    He emphasized that customs’ efficiency can be improved best with alignment of its operations with internationally recognized/recommended practices.

    He also underscored that customs’ role now is more of facilitation and regulatory.

    International Customs Day is celebrated by 183 Customs Administrations of the World on 26th January of every year under the auspices of the World Customs Organization (WCO) that has chosen the theme “Customs fostering sustainability for People, Prosperity, and the Planet” for this year (i.e. 2020).

    The purpose being to urge upon the customs administrations world over to attach requisite priority to this theme and make practical arrangements to ensure tangible achievements in this regard.

    Member (Customs Policy), in his address to the officers and officials of Pakistan Customs, highlighted the milestones, especially during the last one year, in fostering sustainability for people (who represents society), for prosperity (which represents economic gains), and for the planet (which represent environment in Pakistan and the world).

    He referred to the enforcement tools like National Customs Enforcement Network (nCEN) which Pakistan Customs has installed.

    With nCEN, Pakistan Customs is included in the club of 35 customs administrations in the world,/ who are using nCEN and now Pakistan is the seventh country in the Asia-Pacific region where nCEN is operational.

    He further stated that, by streamlining its operations, Pakistan Customs has achieved a milestone in increasing its ranking by thirty one (31) positions in the ‘Trading across border’ Index.

    This has also significantly contributed to Pakistan’s improvement in East of Doing Business Index by twenty eight (28) positions.According to him, Pakistan Customs developed model Customs, Mutual Assistance Agreements and MoUs, which included all the required provisions to have cooperation from other/important customs administrations in this arena.

    To this effect, Pakistan Customs finalized the draft agreements and MoUs in consultation with all the ministries and departments in Pakistan and have sent the same for finalization (and signing) to USA, European Union (EU), Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Moreover, significant headway has been made regarding Green Corridor and other Customs initiatives with China.

    At the end of his speech, he congratulated the officers and officials of Pakistan Customs and the International community on the occasion of International Customs Day and hoped to work in close coordination with them to achieve the common objective of sustainable future where social, economic, and environmental needs are at the heart of viable actions.

    After the speeches, destruction ceremony was held wherein Chairman FBR, Syed Shabbar Zaidi and the Member Customs-Policy, Mr. Muhammad Javed Ghani inaugurated destruction of seized contraband goods and items by setting those on fire.

    International Customs Day was also attended by a big number of the Customs officers and officials, representatives of the industry/business community, and the media persons.

  • Dr. Hafeez asks Customs to focus on improving perception

    Dr. Hafeez asks Customs to focus on improving perception

    KARACHI: Pakistan Customs should prioritize perception of the organization as its name is attached with the country, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, said on Sunday on the occasion of International Customs Day.

    He said that the Customs had made great achievement. However, along with efficiency the perception is also important, he added.

    The advisor said that the customs authorities should ensure maximum facilitation to trade and business so they feel comfortable in paying duty and taxes.

    He said that the revenue collection was important and Custom had key role in it. He asked the customs authorities to ensure revenue collection in order to make Pakistan independent economically.

    Pakistan should make efforts for promoting business and tourism. He said that such service delivery should be adopted as per expectation of people inside Pakistan and coming from abroad.

    He assured the Pakistan Customs that government would provide all necessary support in terms of human resource and technology advancement.

    On the occasion, Dr. Agha Jawwad, Member Customs (Operation) said that around 182 countries of the world are celebrating the customs day.

    He said that as per slogan for this year the Customs had extended facilities to trade and business.

    He said that the customs had invoked provisions of Intellectual Property Rights and destroyed around Rs7-10 billion worth counterfeit and fake goods during last one year.

    Jawwad further said that Pakistan Customs had signed MoUs with 35 countries for exchange of information.

  • Customs announces auction of used vehicles on Jan 20

    Customs announces auction of used vehicles on Jan 20

    KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has announced auction of used vehicles to be held on January 20, 2020 at Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Headquarters, NMB Wharf, Ghas Bandar, East Wharf, Karachi.

    Following used vehicles to be presented for auction:

    01. Toyota Lexus Car – Reg No. UC-868 -Model-2006-(As per seat Belt) Chassis: JTHBG 963905034702 / Engine EMH-3 GR-FE158467 – 3485 cc.

    02. Toyota Harrier Jeep – Reg.No-JAA-454 – Model-1998 – 2999cc – Chassis No-MCU-10-0013510 – Engine No- IMZ-FE6688090.

    03. Toyota Mark-II Saloon Car / Reg. No-BBL-708 / Model-2000 / 1800 HP Chassis No-JZX110-6000922 / Engine No-1JZ-075010

    04. Toyota AXIO-X car – White Colour – Reg.No.BFE-068 – 1496 cc – Model-2007 Chassis : NZE-141-6028039 / Engine : INZ-C0360547

    05. Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep – Silver Colour Reg. No. BG-1131 – Model-1989 – 3400 cc. Chassis : BJ 60-023765 – Engine : 3B-1098887(As per Reg.Book). DIESEL

    06. Mercedes Benz Saloon Car – Black Reg. No- BFF-014 / – Model- 2007 Chassis No. WDD2193222A117436 / Engine No. 64292040471958 / 3200 CC

    07. Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep – P.White Reg.No. LZN-888 – Model – 1999 – 4663 CC Chassis No-UZJ 100-0081129 / Engine No- 2 UZ-0132269.

    08. Toyota Surf Jeep – White Reg.No.BF-9252 – Model-1998 Chassis No. RZN185-9019896 / Engine No. 3RZ-FE.

    09. Toyota Hilux Surf Jeep – Reg. No. CJ-4242 (Sindh) – Model-1990 – 2446 CC Chassis No LN130-0026273 / Engine No. 2L-2264058

    10. Nissan X-Trail 5 Door Jeep – Pearl White Reg. No. GR-621 – Model-2005 ( As per seat Belt Model-2000 ) Chassis No. NT 30-100374 – Engine No. QR 20 (DE)

    11. Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep – ( Petrol ) White Reg. No. BF-5933 – Model-1995 – 4476 CC Chassis No. FZJ 80-0109507 / Engine No.

    12. Honda Civic Hybird Car Reg. No. AND-312 – Model-2008 – 1339 CC Chassis No. FD 3-1203642 / Engine No. DAA-1984158

    13. Toyota PASSO car Reg. No. GS-6996 – Model-2010 – 996 CC Chassis No. KGC 30-0044392 / Engine No. IKR 1144091

    14. Toyota AIXO Car Re.No. KCH-434 – Model-2006 – 1496 CC Chassis No. NZE141-6003694

    15. Mercedes Benz Saloon Car (AG) – Reg.No. # AB 1001 Chassis No-WDB1240312B476728

    16. Toyota Hilux Surf Heep – Reg,No. UU-691 – Modle – 1992 – 240CC. Chassis – LN130-7022502 – Engine No-3244904

    17. Toyota Mark-X Car Reg.No. BGD-647 (Karachi) – Model – 2005 – 2499 CC Chassis No. GRX120-004523 Engine No. 4 GR-0119104

    18. Toyota RURIO Saloon Car Reg. No. BFA – 954 (Karachi) – Model – 2006 – 1496 CC – Colour Sky Blue. Chassis No. NCZ20-0051360 Engine No. 1NZB-240903

    19. Honda Civic Hybird Car Reg. No. AXC – 614 – Model-2012 Chassis No – JHMFD-36208S205131 –

    20. Toyota Surf Jeep – Reg.No. AFR-2019 – Model – 2000 – 2693 CC. Chassis No-RZN185-0040063 Engine No. 3RZ-FE

    21. Toyota VITZ Car Reg. No. AKV – 219 (Sindh) – Model – 2006 – 1296 CC. Chassis No. SCP90-5081452

    22. Toyota AXIO Saloon Car – Reg.No. AWB-204 – Model – 2008 – 1496 CC Chassis No. NZE141-6088775 Engine No. INZ – C837894

    23. VITZ Car Rsg. No. BFB-648 (karachi) – Model – 2003 – 997 CC – White. Chassis No. SCP10-0432762 – Engine No. 1107800

    24. Toyota Premio Car Reg. No. BFL-098 – Model – 2005 Chassis No. ZZT – 240-0096078 Engine No. IZZ-FE

  • Pakistan Customs assures eliminating import barriers

    Pakistan Customs assures eliminating import barriers

    KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has assured commercial importers of eliminating import barriers and improve facilitations through online system WeBOC.

    Dr. Mohammad Nadeem Memon, Collector of Customs, has assured to solve the problems facing the commercial importers at the import level and also provide all possible facilities.

    He was talking to a delegation called by Pakistan Chemicals & Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA) Chairman and former Director of Pakistan Stock Exchange, Amin Yousuf BalgamWala. Amjad Yaqoob, Muhammad Idrees and Mohammad Sabir were also present in the meeting.

    The meeting discussed the issues with delegation including WeBOC and said that would be tried to resolve the difficulties of the members of the association on priority basis so that there would be no barrier to imports.

    Amin Yusuf Balgamwala, Chairman, PCDMA and former Director of Pakistan Stock Exchange informed about problems and said that PCDMA was always helping in customs price valuation for the last 30 years, but at the import level, commercial importers are facing various problems that need to be addressed.

    He requested to the collector of customs that PCDMA represents commercial importers across Pakistan and regional offices are established in Lahore and Faisalabad besides headquarters in Karachi, therefore, the recommendations of the association in the WeBOC should be accepted on regular basis and facilitate PCDMA members with regard to ID.

  • Pakistan Customs’ security, integrity at mercy of lappus

    Pakistan Customs’ security, integrity at mercy of lappus

    KARACHI: The sensitive data of Pakistan Customs and integrity of the department are totally at mercy of privately hired persons ‘lappus’ by Customs officers.

    These lappus are not only accessing sensitive data of Pakistan Customs but also doing all illegal work for their bosses, which is commonly known as ‘settlement’.

    The gravity of situation can be gauged with the recent example where a lappu auctioned of huge amount consignments where importer had paid duty and taxes.

    The customs authorities apprehended one person in the case, who was identified as lappu and was working and representing customs officers for the last five to six years.

    According to details a First Information Report (FIR) dated November 15, 2019 was lodged at Research and Development Department, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement (East) Customs House, Karachi.

    The FIR was lodged by Shakeel John, Appraising Officer following a crime of removing goods from Shaheen Container Yard after an illegal auction of goods.

    The FIR nominated persons included: Muhammad Zaki; Adeel Ahmed; Meer Rizwan Ali; and concerned staff and management of M/s Pak Shaheen Container Yard.

    In the case three lots of consignments were auctioned valuing over Rs12 million on which importer had paid duty and taxes.

    The importer namely Abid Japanwala made strong protest on illegal auction by customs authorities and demand recovery of his consignments.

    The text of relevant paragraphs of reply submitted by Pak Shaheen to the FIR stated:

    “… an LCL cargo bearing IGM No. 402/18 consisting of 10 pallets STC Copper Foil weighing 6053kgs was imported on 21.08.2018 by M/s. Paramount Radiators and forwarded to Pak Shaheen Container Terminal for clearance by the freight forwarders i.e. Facilities Shipping Agency.

    “Since the cargo was not cleared within the prescribed time period as per Section 82 of the Customs Act, 1969, an auction lot number PS-216-10-18 was assigned to it and the customs was informed accordingly on October 15, 2018.

    “On November 11, 2019, the importer namely Abid Japanwala approached the Terminal and informed that his cargo has been cleared by the customs and requested for rebate in storage charges as his cargo remained at the terminal for more than a year incurring heavy amount of storage charges.

    “On receipt of such request from Japanwala the record of the terminal was checked and it was found that, as per record, the said cargo was auctioned by the Customs and on November 08, 2019 the delivery was made to the bidder Babar Saleem through his agent Mir Rizwan Ali.

    “When Abid Japanwala was informed about the auction of his cargo, he showed his out of charge GD to the Head of Commercial Naveed Nabi Khan and appeared to be shocked and stated that how can his cargo be auctioned when he deposited the Customs duty.

    “After seeing the out of Charge GD, Abid Japanwala was informed that as per customs rules no duty paid consignment can be auctioned and that he should take up his case with Collector (East) directly.

    “He was also given a complete set of auction/delivery documents to take up his case with the Collector (East).

    “We were later informed that the importer approached the Collector (East) along with the auction documents provided by the terminal as it was feared that some unscrupulous element managed to play fraud depriving the importer of his consignment and depriving the client of demurrage charges.”

    The reply further pointed out:

    “… On November 15, 2019, the Customs apprehended one Zaki who was working with the Customs staff at the terminal since last five to six years as customs assistant commonly known as ‘lappu’ and during all these years h ad attained the status of focal person of Customs and for all practical purposes he was representing the customs official.

    “On November 16, 2019, Akmal Durrani, Assistant Collector posted at Pak Shaheen Terminal, called the concerned staff of Customer Services and interrogated them and also took the video recording of November 08, 2019 in which Zaki can been seen taking subject document from his car.”

    The detailed reply by Pak Shaheen Terminal helped the terminal operator to clear its position in this fraud. This resulted that interim challan presented by the customs authorities at the Special Judge Customs and Taxation, Karachi dated December 02, 2019 the name of Pak Shaheen was excluded from the case.

    The revelation of Pak Shaheen in its reply is eye opener for Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other relevant authorities that how privately hired persons or lappus were authorized access to customs records.

    This is also surprising that how these unauthorized lappus getting entry to terminal yard.

    The presence of lappus in Pakistan Customs is not new. The lappus are working for long time in the department and conducting official works on behalf of senior customs officials.

    It is commonly known that the customs officers hire these people for their ‘speed money’.

    The lappus as agent create win win situation for both customs officers and importers at the cost of national revenue. As facilitators lappus get huge commission beside their fixed income set by the customs officers.

    These lappus have direct interaction with importers on those consignments where misdeclaration made. The customs officers are no where or have no direct links in such illegal activities.

    The dangerous aspect of presence of lappus is access to sensitive data of Pakistan Customs, which has also strategic importance.

    Recently, Prime Minister Imran Khan pointed out massive corruption in Pakistan Customs. Although the prime minister quoted exaggerated amount but the instant case may be an example that how much the customs collectors are earning through illegal means.

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued many warnings to field formations to avoid the presence of unauthorized persons working within their jurisdictions. But all in vain as presence of lappus are still in the key places of Pakistan Customs.

    FBR chairman Shabbar Zaidi, in May 2019 soon after becoming chairman, while taking notice of presence of large number of visitors for making the entire clearance system doubtful, had ordered Customs Wing to strictly restrict, entry into Customs Houses, only to the concerned traders, their authorized representatives and members and relevant trade bodies/ associations.