Imported goods start piling up at ports

Lack of coordination between federal and provincial governments over the COVID-19 preventive measures, Karachi ports is about to choke with arriving consignments, due to absence of transport service during the lockdown.
According to details, the import consignments are being arrived uninterruptedly at ports under the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan, but importers remain unable to lift the import cargos due to unavailability of transport following the 14-day lockdown imposed by the Sindh government.
Resultantly, containers backlog has started piling up at terminals, which are about to choke in coming days.
"The division between federal and Sindh governments over COVID-19 preventive measures has started creating devastating impacts at ports and if it is not resolved then the shortage of essential items, including medical equipment, medicines, food and others in the markets is expected to be visible soon.
On the directives of PM Imran Khan to allow imports uninterruptedly, despite 14-day lockdown announced by the provincial government in Sindh, all types of import cargos are coming to Karachi ports but importers remain unable to lift these consignments due to unavailability of goods' transport during the lockdown," Arshad Jamal chairman All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA) said.
Replying to a question, Arshad said that ports are now facing congestion issue and if these import consignments were not lifted on immediate basis, ports would be choked in a few days.
To another question, he said that the PM's directives to allow imports was aimed at ensuring uninterrupted supply of foods, medicines, medical equipment and other essential items during this hard time. However, the purpose was not being served as all consignments were presently stuck at ports due to lockdown.
Therefore it is requested to restrict imports only to essential items to avoid choking the ports, he said and urged the Sindh government to evolve strategy for smooth movement of cargos of essential items during the lockdown.
Moreover, Arshad said that penalty on late filing of goods declarations should also be exempted as the traders were facing financial issues during the lockdown and added the federal government should ensure the release of consignments without port demurrage charges and container rents. He also lauded the efforts of the FBR to facilitate the trade 24x7 and suggested the Directorate of Transit Trade to clear all ATT shipments through scanning.