KARACHI: The assessment/appraisement staff at MCC Appraisement West observed a partial strike on Friday after a Deputy Collector was transferred and two appraising officers were put on duty-off on the complaint of an importer.
An official said Customs officers and officials were working 12 hours a day and yet they were being harassed by influential importers through complaints, while senior officers transferred the staff without hearing them.
A tyre scrap importer had lodged a complaint with the Chief Collector Surayya Ahmed Butt that certain officer/officials were harassing him and the consignments were being subjected to delaying tactics through undue examinations. He claimed that appraising officers were demanding monetary benefits against smooth clearance of the consignments.
Ms Surayya Ahmed Butt advised Collector Appraisement West Nasir Jamil to investigate the compliant and identify whether the importers were actually being harassed; and whether the examination of importer’s consignment was being created to harass him as claimed.
However, Collector Nasir Jamil transferred Deputy Collector Ms. Sakina from Group-III and from MIS also. Appraising Officers Rabnawaz and Hafiz Shabbir were put duty off.
Sources quoted Deputy Collector Ms. Sakina that she was creating the examination on the basis of information of mis-declaration. Rabnawaz said he had been transferred to Group-VIII and he had nothing to do with the importer’s consignment, which were in Group-III.
Appraising staff would decide the course of action on Saturday morning.