The meeting took place in a highly cordial and comfortable atmosphere. Opening the discussion, Munawar Iqbal gave a brief history of the establishment of the PCA and its mission objective to serve the interests of the IT business community and its stakeholders. He dilated upon the issues confronting the IT industry, particularly the importers of computers and accessories.
He cited several instances of harassment and illegal seizure of computers consignment by customs officials being transported from Karachi to Lahore en route Peshawar upland during the past six months. He said the computer importers were very disturbed despite customs clearance of goods in Karachi. He said the computer importers are still being made target of illegal intervention by customs officials despite withdrawal of GST on computers last year by the government.
He said despite the zero-tax regime on computers, the importers are facing difficulties in the form of illegal confiscation of their computer consignments bearing valid custom clearance document. He said that PCA had struggled to discourage undocumented business in the IT sector and to end smuggling of the computers and it was disturbing to face illegal intervention by the Customs officials which would encourage the Khepia culture in the country.
He said some members of the PCA had complained that their consignment are being stopped and seized by customs officials with no valid reasons. He said one of the members from Lahore chapter Shakkela's consignment being routed to Peshawar was illegally stopped and taken into custody on Sunday night near Chakri Interchange (M-1) despite bearing valid documents and that she had to travel from Lahore to meet customs officials, who said, that her consignments did not carry GD documents. Similar incidents by other members were also reported whose consignments were also being kept under custody by customs officials, which was highly embarrassing to run a smooth IT business.
On this occasion Chief Collector Customs Sarwat Tahira asked several questions about the import consignments, payment of customs duties and the reason for seizure by the customs staff. She immediately called one of the concerned Collectors of Customs, Shalra Khan in her room and sought her views on the incidents, who said that the consignments were withheld due to lack of GDs documents by the consignee and that the matter now lies with Adjudication Branch of the Customs. She asked Shalra Khan to clear the matter for return of consignments to the PCA members and report the matter back to her.
She also advised IT importers to always keep their valid customs duty documents and GDs with their consignment at the time of check by customs officials to avoid embarrassment and loss of time for both sides. In the end, Munawar Iqbal thanked Sarwat for listening to their problems with patience and dignity and assured her of PCA's support and assistance in settling disputes arising in future between the IT importers and customs officials.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017