Serious health risks: Inferior quality betel nuts being imported with impunity

The customs department has reportedly granted utter immunity to the importers of inferior quality of betel nut that poses serious health risks against undue gains, it was learnt here on Wednesday. According to sources, consignments of betel nuts, which were imported from Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, are being cleared at Karachi ports under an arranged system.
Sources said that some unscrupulous elements, who were involved in the clearance of betel nut consignments, had established a pool to collect 'speed money' from importers and clearing agents on behalf of customs and its subsidiary departments - Examination, Appraisement and Custom Intelligence department.
According to sources, betel nut is an edible item and comes under chapter 1-27 of Customs Laws, which requires certification by Plant Protection Agency (PPA) for clearance. However, the customs department instead of enforcing PPA certificate requirement in true spirit is clearing the consignments of betel nuts under arranged system where consignees have to pay Rs 20, 000 'speed money' for swift and examination-free clearance.
Resultantly, an inferior quality of betel nut is being imported. This fungus-infected betel nuts are being used in different mouth fresheners and chew tobaccos, contributing towards a high incidence of oral cancer in the country. It is estimated that around 15,000 betel nut consignments were imported per annum in the country and customs and its subsidiary departments shared 'speed money' amounting to around Rs 300 million during its clearance under an arranged system.
When contacted, official sources in customs department, on a condition of anonymity, confirmed that the clearance of betel nut consignments was continuing for years with immunity. According to them, although PPA certificate is required for the clearance of betel nut consignments as per Trade Policy 2013, the said requirement is utterly neglected when the clearance of betel nuts or any other edible item is carried out through arranged system.
"Despite imposing a high rate of duty and taxes - Rs 300 per kg customs duty, 17 percent sales tax and six per cent withholding tax on the import of betel nut, the government could have neither generated substantial revenue nor discouraged its import, due to high corruption," they said.
Therefore the government should either impose a ban on the import of betel nuts or enforce a strict procedure to avert the clearance of inferior quality of betel nuts, they exhorted. Replying to a question, official sources said that they were not against trade facilitation but it should not be at the cost of human life. They said that authorities could make laboratory tests a mandatory condition under 'Post Importation Checks' in order to avoid examination of each betel nut consignment, which may lead to port congestion. For the purpose, the authorities should make suitable amendments in Import Policy for effective implementation, they added.
Meanwhile, according to Dr Qaiser Sajjad of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), it has been proved that betel nut is itself carcinogen, a substance or agent that could cause cancer. He said that around 122 different products of betel nuts were available in the market. Resultantly, oral cancer has now replaced breast cancer, which was earlier ranked as widely spread disease in the country.
He urged the government to promulgate strict laws and impose severe penalties to ban the import and sales of betel nuts, completely. Similar views were expressed by Arshad Jamal senior vice chairman All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA). According to him, nothing is more important than human life and if anybody is involved in this business, the authority concerned should take him to task. He said that APCAA always supported and strived for a transparent and corruption-free clearance system.