LAHORE: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Inudstry (LCCI) organized a convention to express their concerns over unnecessary raids of customs and FBR teams and specially growing misuse of green channel facility at Port Mohammad bin Qasim.
Addressing the participants President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malik Tahir Ali Javed has said that misuse of green channel facility directly effecting our national economy. He said that recently lot of cases were reported in media that few importers with the help of some corrupt elements in customs are involved in misuse of green channel facility and caused huge loss to national kitty. He said that smuggling of betel nuts are growing day by day. He appeal to government to take necessary measures in this regard which is harming our economy.
He also appealed to federal minister for finance to take notice of unnecessary raids of Federal Board of Revenue and customs teams at business centers and godown. He said that Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan assured them that no such raids will be conducted but the raids are still going on.
He said that FBR is sending notices for conducting audit to those companies who already completed audit but they are being pressurized for audit again. He said this situation invite immediate attention of high ups.
Prominent among those who take part in the gathering includes vice president Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Khawaja Khawar Rahseed, vice president Zeeshan Khalil, Khalid Pervez, Shahid Nazir, Ashraf Bhatti, Haji Naeem Hafeez, Sohail Mehmood Butt, Mian Mehboob Ali Sirki, Javed Shahzada and others.
Talking with Customs Today President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that businessmen are the backbone of national economy and they will extend all support to genuine importers to solve their problems. He said that there are credible reports that some black sheep in customs department specially those who are deputed at Port Qasim are involved in corrupt practices. He appealed to Member Customs Federal Board of Revenue Zahid Khokar to intervene in this matter and take stern action against all those persons who are involved in corruption.