KARACHI, May 13: The Towel Manufacturers’ Association of Pakistan (TMA) has urged the government to take action against freight forwarders’ (consolidators) for issuing fake bill of ladings in connivance with shipping lines. In a statement issued here on Friday, TMA Patron-in-Chief S M A Rizvi said that a large number of exporters had approached the association complaining of misappropriation of their shipments by freight forwarders’ by issuing fake bill of ladings.

He said that the freight forwarders were getting the bill of lading issued in their own name showing them as the shipper and consignee, making them the owner of the consignments. He said this practice of freight forwarders was in violation of the State Bank of Pakistan rules Chapter XII and gross misuse of circular No 23 dated Feb 19, 1992.

He further said that the practice had already been termed fraud and criminal act by the KCCI and the Collector of Customs (Exports) was also of the view that this practice was gross violation of the State Bank rules. Mr Rizvi urged the government to take immediate action to stop the freight forwarders from the ill practice of issuing fake shipping documents.