Islamabad (Ehsan Bukhari – Special Correspondent):
Office bearers of the Pakistan Goods Transport Association approached the Member Customs with a long list of complaints regarding harassment and extortion by customs officers and personnel at various customs check-posts across the country. They alleged that transporters are being threatened with vehicle impoundment and goods confiscation if they refuse to pay bribes, while those transporting retail goods are particularly targeted.
The transport association representatives submitted a written complaint to Member Customs, Junaid Jaleel, highlighting the growing trend of unethical behavior by customs personnel. They stated that thousands of rupees are extorted daily at customs check-posts and that vehicles are often impounded without any prior notice if payments are not made.
They specifically pointed out repeated harassment by anti-smuggling squads in areas including Rawat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khyber Abad, Mardan, Nowshera, Kohat, and Peshawar. According to the transporters, these squads frequently stop freight vehicles under the pretext of checking, looting both drivers and transport business owners without any legitimate cause or verified intelligence.
The association lamented that such actions are not only damaging the goods transport business but also negatively impacting Pakistan’s wider business sector. They mentioned that they have been raising this issue with FBR officials and other relevant authorities for several years. While temporary actions have been taken in the past, they claimed that the same issues reemerge within weeks, with no lasting resolution.
In response, Member Customs Junaid Jaleel took immediate notice and ordered the Chief Collector Customs to investigate the matter and submit a detailed report. The transport association urged authorities to take effective measures to address their grievances and save the transport sector from further decline by acting against corrupt elements within the customs department.
2025-06-04
