Backlog of containers creating financial burden in demurrages on trade

Following the shortage of examination staff at Karachi International Containers Terminal (KICT), the containers backlog rose to over 1000 containers, creating excessive financial burden of demurrages on the trade. The customs department has transferred all 20 examiners, reportedly involved in malpractices, from KICT and posted some 11 inexperienced examiners, who lack ability to maintain smooth clearance process that resulted in backlog to 1000 containers within a week.
Talking to Business Recorder, Arshad Jamal, chairman, Supreme Council All Pakistan Customs Agents Association, said that the association had already raised the issue before the customs authorities but no positive measure was witnessed so far.
He criticized the decision of replacing all 20 experienced examiners with novice staff, saying that customs department should have trained fresh examiners before posting them at KICT. He said that the excessive financial burden of demurrages after this backlog was estimated to around Rs 100 million per day and urged the customs authorities to depute more examiners and ensure 24/7 examination including Sunday to dispose of the containers backlog.
Meanwhile, Chief Collector Abdur Rasheed Sheikh brushed aside the impression of transferring 20 examiners over the charge of corruption, saying that it was routine departmental transfers. He further said that they knew the problems being faced at KICT and would direct the concerned collector to increase the staff at the terminal in order to resolve the issue.