20000122

'Airport police

won't be allowed

to check Customs

cleared goods'

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Airport Police will in future neither intercept Customs cleared goods arriving at the Airport Freight Unit (AFU) nor harass overseas Pakistanis returning home.

This assurance was given by Sanaullah Abbasi, SSP Malir, to a delegation of Karachi Customs Agents Group (KCAG) who had complained about the harassment by the police.

The delegation headed by Shakil Anwer, vice president of KCAG, had complained that the Airport Police stopped trucks loaded with legally cleared import consignments on their way from the airport to the factories and godowns and released the goods only after accepting illegal gratification. Similarly, there have been instances of looting of overseas Pakistanis returning home from abroad . These incidents were not checked by the police and in some cases police was found indulging in criminal acts.

Abbasi assured the customs agents that he would ensure that no such incidents were repeated in future and he would take stern action against the policemen involved in harassment of citizens.

Javed Hashmi, Secretary Information of KCAG said that the assurance given by the SSP would help in smooth flow of imports and exports.