21 January 2004	Wednesday	28 Ziqa'ad 1424

FAISALABAD, Jan 20: The Faisalabad Dry Port has been rendered deserted and desolate due to highhandedness of the collectorate of Customs and levy of extra charges on importers in excess of the tariff fixed by the government.

This was stated by Machinery Importers Association of Pakistan president Mohammad Tufail and vice-president Muhammad Afzal here on Tuesday. They said the importers, who used to contribute billions of rupees to the exchequer annually in the form of duties, had turned to other ports of the country due to indifferent attitude of the local Custom staff.

They alleged that Customs functionaries were misusing their powers and were bent upon ruining the business of thousands of people whose livelihood was dependent on the export trade. They said the Faisalabad Dry Port had lost its hustle and bustle and looked stagnant.

They condemned the action of the local Customs staff about the registration of case against an importer and termed it highly unjustified. They demanded of the government to take stock of the situation and direct the Custom officials not to victimize the importers otherwise they would be left with no option but to abandon their business.