KARACHI: Karachi Customs Agents Association informed through press release that in order to resolve certain issues relating to exports & imports the delegation of Karachi Customs Agents Association led by its President Wasiq Hussain Khan, General Secretary Mehmood-ul-Hasan Awan, former President and Chief Coordinator Export Mohammad Amin Essani and former General Secretary Arshad Khurshid held a meeting with the Chairman Mohammad Javed Ghani on 22nd February 2021 in the Office of Large Taxpayers Unit Karachi. High-level meeting was also attended by the Chief Collector South (Appraisement & Facilitation) Madam Surriya Ahmed Butt and Chief Collector South (Enforcement & Compliance) Dr Saifuddin Junejo, wherein the agenda points submitted by the KCAA were discussed in detail.

The worthy Chairman FBR gave a very patient hearing to the problems being faced by the Customs Agents. The delegation of Karachi Customs Agents Association is very much appreciated the sympathetic attitude of the Chairman FBR. He very kindly issued necessary instructions with regards to the agenda points as highlighted by KCAA, which are as under:

Shortage of staff. It was assured that sufficient number of staff will be deputed by the FBR at all Collectorate in order to avoid delay in the clearance of import and export consignments.

In order to avoid long delay in the process of contravention with regard to the export shipments The Chairman FBR instructed to expedite the process of contravention meanwhile the adjudication of exports shipment would be finalized within the Export Collectorate instead of forwarding to Adjudication Collectorate.

Formation of joint committees: Upon request of KCAA, the Chairman approved that under the supervision of Chief Collectors joint committees should be formed comprising of Customs Officials including two representatives of Karachi Customs Agents Association respectively in each committee, in order to address issues being faced by the traders. It was also decided that once a month meeting of the said joint committees will be arranged by the collectorate.

Regarding blocking of Customs agents licenses, the worthy Chairman directed to the concerned quarter that matter should be reviewed in the meeting of joint committee on merit, in order to avoid unnecessary blocking of customs agent’s license until and unless the customs agents proved guilty after final decision by the concerned authorities.

KCAA grateful for the positive attitude and certainly appreciate for the prompt decisions taken by the worthy Chairman FBR for the betterment of our beloved country’s economy.—PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021