Its role in developing a secure business environment for economic development is pivotal

MCC, Preventive Custom House, Karachi falls within the eastern alignment of the CPEC route. Its role in developing "A Secure Business Environment for Economic Development" is pivotal. The term eastern alignment signifies the road network that is to be laid under CPEC from Lahore to Karachi. The entire eastern alignment motorway is divided into four sections i.e. a 136 km long section between Karachi and Hyderabad, also known as Karachi-Hyderabad motorway, a 296 km long section between Hyderabad and Sukkar, a 378 km long section between Sukkar and Multan and a 333 km section between Multan and Lahore.
The third section of the project falls under the jurisdiction of MCC Preventive; Karachi which will provide high speed road from the port city of Karachi to the city of Hyderabad and interior Sindh. This is existing M-9 (Motorway-9).
In order to ensure safety and security of goods, services and in turn the businesses, along the route there exists an infrastructure of checks posts such as CP Guardian, New Fish Harbour, Ibrahim Hyderi, Korangi Fish Harbour, Keti Bandar, Baghan, Sajawal and Jati.Furthermore, to safeguard the legitimate business concerns and government revenue, CP Guardian Check Post has been established. It is a notified check Post and is stationed at the east of main navigational channel in the low Harbor, opposite Keamari Groyne and Manora in the harbor of Karachi port. Its functions include: Verifying the Port Clearance and issuing Port Clearance to make sure that no fishing boat is engaged in movement of contraband goods and watch their movement for any suspicious signs. At present it is a confiscated wooden boat which is being utilized on a floating check post. This needs replacement by a barge having complete office accommodation and relevant infrastructure. A comprehensive proposal in this case is in the pipeline.
Being cognizant of the jeopardy and risks that can be involved in case of a hostile business environment, besides these notified check Posts, there also exist alongside following non-notified checks posts to supplement the existing check posts in their carrying out of anti-smuggling activities i.e. Ghaghar Phattak, Super Highway and Moachko.
These new posts were temporarily established in the follow up to Supreme Court of Pakistan's Judgment in "Karachi badamni case." The check posts / facilitation centers are supposed to be equipped with appropriate facilities and basic amenities.
MCC Preventive, has proposed the establishment of additional check posts in order to safeguard the route for safety of movement of goods at Marina Club, Lal Bhakkar (Hawksbay), Bund Murad Khan (Hub Dam), Kathore (M-9), Boat House (Karachi Harbour), Floating Check Post at Do Darya, Zero Point (Makran Coastal Highway), and Lyari (Makran Coastal Highway).
In line with the aforementioned improvements, Pakistan Customs is in the process of procuring two high speed patrol boats for MCC Preventive. These boats will serve as a major equipment for carrying out intelligence based operations all along the coast. However, keeping in view the quantum of vessel movements more boats, their staff and allied equipment would be required to patrol the entire coast line of Pakistan extending from Jiwni to Sir Creek (almost 550 nautical miles). In addition to above all the field formations including check posts, choke points, mobile units, marine units and operational staff needs to be equipped with adequate VHF and HF radio communication system. A complete project after analyzing the actual requirement is on the cards.
The system of end to end tracking and monitoring of cargo has to be effectively devised keeping in view the reported quantum of trade and are pending approval at policy stage.
Currently, this Collectorate is deploying enforcement staff at Choke Points located at Moachko at the border between Baluchistan (Hub) and Karachi, on Super highway Toll Plaza, and on link road connecting super highway with the national highway at Ghaggar Pathak. These deployments are having only makeshift facilities which need to be properly built and upgraded.
In a constructive futuristic approach, it is suggested in the fitness of things that it would be appropriate to construct check posts and facilitation centers throughout the country with a similar outlook. Same facade of the Customs building will also help facilitate global trade by projecting professional image of the service for facilitation of legitimate trade.