Karachi: The Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement (South) has taken decisive steps to curb large-scale mis-declaration at the examination level, which has been reported across Karachi’s major terminals.
According to Office Order No. 41/2025-Estt. CC(Appr) issued on December 24, Deputy Collector Mr. Saif Ullah Khan has been transferred from the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement (West), Karachi to the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement (SAPT), Karachi. Meanwhile, Deputy Collector Syed Imtiaz Hussain has been moved from SAPT to Appraisement (West), Karachi.
This reshuffle comes amid growing concerns that enforcement units lack sufficient resources and authority to check consignments thoroughly. Officials note that the faceless clearance system has allowed large-scale mis-declaration to slip through undetected. Collectors in Appraisement South are reportedly constrained, as they do not have direct authority over examination, while the Risk & Selectivity (R&S) system has been deactivated — making detection of irregularities increasingly difficult.
In response, Chief Collector Wajid Ali, widely regarded as Pakistan’s most experienced officer in the field of appraisement, has deployed high-profile officers to sensitive examination points. These officers have been tasked specifically with curbing mis-declaration at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) and the South Asia Pakistan Terminals (SAPT), where irregularities have been most frequently reported.
The move underscores the administration’s determination to restore transparency and strengthen oversight in customs clearance operations.