The unnecessary checking and inspection of goods that come from all over the country at various ports in Karachi by Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) is hampering country’s exports.
Though the packed goods are being checked by Customs and ANF staffs along with sniffer dogs, at dry ports in Punjab to rule out any presence of narcotics concealed in consignments, rechecking at ports in Karachi by the force is causing major losses to exporters as the damaged consignments are invariably rejected by importers.
In a recent letter sent to Director General ANF, Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed serious concerns over practices of the force which is causing losses to exporters.
Through the letter, dated July 5, 2011, which has also sent to secretary Ministry of Industries and Production, Chief Executive of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and collector customs at Karachi dry port and Port Qasim, says that “containers shipped from Sambrial Dry Port are rechecked at ports in Karachi by ANF staff on their own without any intimation to exporters or the clearing agents. They tear off the cartons in a cruel manner, while leaving the consignments packed in shabby conditions. Thus, nobody is ready to purchase these at various international ports. Due to this very reason, business community is facing lots of difficulties, including delays in shipment of consignments, cost of labour, demurrages and cancellations of export orders”.
The unnecessary move on part of ANF was damaging industries and consequently the economy of Pakistan that is already tottering on the verge of a collapse, it added.
On the other hand, sources claimed that rechecking at ports was aimed to force exporters to offer bribe and other kickbacks for clearance of the consignment.
The letter further said, “Most of the local firms exporting their products from Sambrial Dry Port get their consignments thoroughly checked jointly by Customs and the Anti-Narcotics Force along with sniffer dogs. They check each and every carton in order to ascertain that no narcotics have been concealed in the consignment. Once checking is complete, the Customs and ANF sign the shipping bill of the consignment verifying that it does not contain any contraband material. The Customs then puts a seal on the container which bears the Pakistan Custom Container Sealing System (PCCSS) number. As per international laws, once the container has been sealed by Customs, it will be opened at the point of destination.”
The chamber, in its letter said if containers were already checked and sealed by concerned departments at Sambrial Dry Port, they should not be reopened at ports and if there still remains a hint of doubt, ANF should use modern technology to avoid damages to valued goods of exporters.
Referring to problems faced by exporters, the GCCI said that some actions from government departments are hampering the growth of exports, especially those of the utensils sector which is a matter of grave concern for exporters from Gujranwala. According to the chamber, Gujranwala is the hub of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and known for kitchenware of alloy metal and non stick (utensils), ceramics, rice, and light engineering products. Industry of Gujaranwala has developed by leaps and bounds in the said sectors.
