ISLAMABAD: Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Karachi has strongly recommended to the Federal Board of Revenue to set up new anti-smuggling/customs checkposts on Pak-Afghan border and constitute a committee of Pakistan Customs, Frontier Constabulary, Police, Rangers, Levies and Anti Narcotic Force (ANF) to collectively check any pilferage of Nato/Isaf cargo destined for Afghanistan.
A customs official from Karachi told Business Recorder here on Wednesday that the Collector MCC Port Qasim Karachi has submitted a report on the pilferage from Nato/ISAF containers to the FBR. The Collector of MCC Port Qasim has categorically conveyed to the Board that no single case of pilferage or theft has so far been reported in the past but the two cases were detected outside the jurisdiction of Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Karachi.
According to sources, Collector MCC Port Qasim Karachi said that to examine the issue as indicated by Ministry of Interior regarding pilferage from Nato containers the concerned clearing agents, who are also authorised to run a yard within the vicinity of PMBQ, Karachi, with the name of CMA Yard for storage of Nato/Isaf cargo after gating out from the Entry Collectorate, PMBQ and thereafter to make arrangement for transportation to their final destination, were called in this Collectorate. The issue of pilferage from Nato containers was discussed with the representatives of concerned clearing agent and it has been found that no single Nato/Isaf cargo being released without submission of an undertaking to the effect that the British High Commission and their contractor (concerned clearing agents) will jointly take responsibility for theft loss or damage of their cargo.
It added that the consignments imported by Nato/Isaf are neither open for examination nor de-sealed by customs inside the Port area, PMBQ, and containers are released with original seal intact and subsequently application of Customs Seals for temporary storage at CMA Yard.
However, in the recent past, on April 16, 2011, a consignment comprising 47 containers imported in the name of British Forces in Afghanistan were released for onward transportation to Afghanistan through their authorized contractors/agent, however, two containers were intercepted by some unscrupulous elements at Serinam, nearby Quetta and Chaman and taken away, which were later recovered by the Frontier Corps and Levies before pilfering could have been occurred. However, the FIR had been lodged accordingly.
It is further informed that two more containers out of a lot of 55 containers imported by British Forces in Afghanistan, after release from PMBQ, Karachi, were intercepted by some unscrupulous elements at Razzaqabad within the jurisdiction of Bin Qasim Town, Karachi, on December 2, 2010, however, both the containers were recovered by the local Police before pilfering could have been taken place and arrested the persons and thereafter FIR has also been lodged, sources said.
As far as the clarification of the issue of pilferage at Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Karachi, as pointed out in the letter of Ministry of Interior is concerned, it is stated that no single case of pilferage or theft has so far been reported in the past but the above referred two cases were outside the jurisdiction of Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Karachi, official added.
It is to inform that this Collectorate has also held a meeting with Pakistan Freight Forwarders Association (PIFFA) on April 28, 2011, whereby the participants raised the following main issues: Firstly, the current sealing system has become obsolete as the doors of containers were removed by opening hinges while seals remained intact at the doors of containers.
Secondly, the instances of pilferage in the consignments of Nato/Isaf en-route Chaman to Afghanistan, are being brought to the notice of Customs authorities with the copies of FIRs, however, instead of initiating appropriate action against the transporters, clearing agents, the Customs authorities asked to deposit the leviable duty and other taxes, sources referred to Collector MCC Port Qasim Karachi saying in her report to the FBR.
Accordingly, the following action were proposed and agreed in the meeting: Firstly, the temper proof sealing system and geographical fencing system through tracking devices may be introduced at the earliest. Secondly, the Freight Forwarders Association is ready to finance/assist FBR for taking these measures. Thirdly, 3-4 anti-smuggling/Customs check posts may be established on routes to create deterrence to the elements involved in such practice.
Fourthly, a co-ordination committee comprising various law enforcement agencies ie Pakistan Customs, Frontier Constabulary, Police, Rangers, Levies & Anti Narcotic Force may be constituted as a deterrence to stop pilferage of Nato/Isaf cargo. Fifthly, proper area for Afghan Transit Cargo should be assigned at Peshawar and Quetta with controlled entry and exit points manned by Customs Department. The issue of pilferage from Nato containers as raised by the Ministry of Interior is to be treated as a national issue and accordingly requires to be addressed, the Collector MCC Port Qasim Karachi added.