Customs' anti-corruption department is allegedly minting money by harassing importers and clearing agents on non-issues. This was stated by Arshad Jamal, senior vice chairman All Pakistan Agents Association (APCAA) while talking to Business Recorder here on Wednesday.
He said that responsibility of the clearing agents was being misled that damaged the clearing agents name and reputation. APCAA has started working to reframe existing customs Licensing Rules to address issues related to customs clearing agents. He said association, which has been approved by the Directorate General Trade Organisation (DGTO) Federal Ministry of Commerce and got membership from FPCCI, was going to bring all customs agents countrywide at a single platform to provide maximum facilitation and protection to the members by defining their roles. He said that following the harassment of customs' anti corruption department over non-issues to get undue gains, the association had decided to address the issue at high forum. Moreover, Arshad said that APCAA in this regard had issued circular to publicise its priorities to its members.
He termed the role defined in existing Transshipment and Transit Rules as illogical, saying that it was not only impracticable but also against the Customs Act 1969.
He said that there were several grey areas in customs clearance system due to procedural lapses and incomplete development of the software that not only resulted revenue loss but also creating problems for the stakeholders.
Arshad further said that importers were facing long delays in containers grounding and examination, due to irregularities at terminals, which also needed to be addressed. He said that transactional value for the clearance of goods was the most important issue and remained unsettled for long, albeit attempts were being made on regular basis either by the department or by the trader/customs agents and added that APCAA would put all of its efforts to make it transparent and get rid of black mailing or harassment from customs side.
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