The members of Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Quetta, on Sunday called off their strike and resumed normal Customs clearance activities after the Chairman FBR, Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed, gave them patient hearing and assured them of his fullest support in immediate resolution of their legitimate issues.
The Chairman FBR/Secretary Revenue Division, accompanied by Dr. Muhammad Saeed Khan Jadoon, Member (Customs Policy), FBR visited Customs House, Quetta. They were warmly welcomed by Muhammad Sadiq, Chief Collector Customs (Balochistan), Rashid Habib, Collector Customs, Appraisement, Dr. Farid Ahmed, Collector Customs, Enforcement Quetta and Ch. Muhammad Javed, Collector MCC, Gwadar.
The Chairman FBR visited the CCI, Quetta. The chamber President warmly welcomed the Chairman FBR. The members highlighted the problems being faced by the importers and exporters of Balochistan and urged for their speedy solution.
The major issues of traders pertained to contravention cases initiated by the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation, Quetta against various importers. They further complained that they were being subjected to unwarranted checking of imported consignments by the Customs and different LEAs. They also raised the valuation issues pertaining to goods originating from Iran and Afghanistan.
The members of Chamber of Commerce, Quetta lamented that owing to the above issues they were constrained to go on strike and boycott the clearances at Custom House which resulted in stoppage of transportation of legally imported goods to the other provinces.
Earlier, the Chief Collector Customs (Balochistan) gave a detailed presentation on the performance of Collectorate of Customs, Appraisment / Enforcement Quetta and MCC, Gwadar during the FY 2021-22. He briefed the Chairman FBR about the overall performance of all the Collectorates under his jurisdiction in addition to current operationalization of anti-smuggling check posts.
