Customs officers stage pen-down protest against arrests by FIA

All activities at Customs House on Saturday came to a halt as the customs appraisers and examiners staged pen-down protest to express resentment over the arrest of their two colleagues by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), providing financial shocks of around Rs 1.75 billion to the national exchequer.
According to details, the protest was joined by Pakistan Customs Appraisement Officers Association (PCAOA) and Examining Officers Association (EOA) to register antipathy against the FIA act. The customs agents, importers and exporters thronged customs department to clear consignments but the department, which is supposed to process around 1400 Goods Declarations (DGs) daily, did not clear a single GD during whole day, putting excessive financial burden on the stakeholders in terms of demurrage, detentions, etc.
When contacted, the representatives of customs officers associations dispelled the impression that they were on strike for indefinite period, saying that it was just a pen-down protest to register grievance over the unjustified act of FIA and would remain continued till the release of their colleagues.
They said the associations have tabled the issue before high-ups of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and added that the authority concerned has given assurance to find possible means to resolve the matter. Meanwhile, the chairman of FBR in his statement termed the said act of customs officers as unjustified, saying that the matter could be resolved amicably. However, sources in FIA said the circle of investigation would be extended to some more customs officers and added that the arrests of customs officers were based on concrete evidence.
The representatives of Karachi Customs Agents Association said the customs officers, without taking the clearing agents on board, went on strike, which led to severe financial shocks to the country. They also appealed to the high authorities especially President and Prime Minister to intervene in the matter and send directives for initiating fair inquiry in this connection.
Meanwhile, the corporate circle of FIA on Friday arrested three customs officers namely Bhatti and Riaz and a clearing agent Azharullah Khan over the charge of tax fraud. The accused were allegedly involved in minting millions of rupees by attesting fake Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The FIA officials have also lodged an FIR (5/11) in this case.