SC asks if quality check is Customs’ job

Top court irked by ‘hindering’ of Pak-Afghan transit trade

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday observed that Customs authorities were unnecessarily hindering Pak-Afghan transit trade by checking the quality of products even though they were not authorised to do so.

A three-member bench of the top court headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial was hearing a petition against Customs authorities stopping container trucks carrying sugar to Afghanistan at the border crossing.

The Customs deputy director informed the court that the trucks were stopped from proceeding to Afghanistan because they were carrying substandard sugar.

Justice Yahya Afridi inquired as to whether or not it was the job of the Customs authorities to check the quality of the products.

“The Pak-Afghan transit trade has its own rules. The quality of the sugar is a matter between the buyer and the seller. The Customs authorities are creating hurdles for the transit trade,” the judge remarked.

Justice Bandial noted that though only products of quality standard should be exported to other countries, the Customs authorities could only stop a consignment if they were authorised to do.

The Customs deputy director general argued that his department had the authority to stop the export of a product that was dangerous in nature.

Justice Faisal Arab noted: “Since when has sugar become dangerous?”

Justice Bandial remarked that the Customs department failed to present its argument effectively in most of the cases.

“Even today the Customs authorities are unable to explain as to under what law did they stop the trucks carrying sugar,” he added.

The judge further said before sending its officers to the court, the Customs department should ensure that they were fully aware of the laws and the case.

The court adjourned the hearing for a week allowing time to the Customs officials to come to the court prepared.

Customs authorities stopped around 262 container trucks carrying sugar to Afghanistan last year.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has recently approved a project costing 250 million euros to scan imported containers shipping goods under the Afghan transit trade project.

According to a Federal Board of Revenue senior officer, the project was planned under previous government’s tenure. However, the PM has approved the project in a special meeting on Sunday after which it would be initiated.

The project would be completed in three phases by December 2020 and the pilot operation would kick off in April 2020. Under the project, special scanners would be installed at all crossing points and custom clearing stations used for trade, including Torkham and Chaman border.