QUETTA: All business activities, including import and export, remained suspended at Quetta Dry Port and Chaman and Taftan border crossings with Afghanistan and Iran, respectively, on Wednesday as traders observed protest against alleged misconduct of Customs Intelligence.

The Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) had announced the other day that the businessmen would suspend trade activities at Quetta Dry Port and Chaman and Taftan border crossings to protest against taking the trucks loaded with dried and fresh fruits into custody and misconduct of Customs Intelligence officials with the traders and drivers.

President of the chamber Fida Hussain Dashti told the media that the protest would be extended to other parts of the province and it would continue till the transfer of the director of Customs Intelligence, Balochistan, Mohammad Ismail.

He said Mr Ismail had been given the additional charge in 2020 and the traders had filed a petition against him on which the Balochistan High Court had restricted him from registering cases against the importers and exporters of dried and fresh fruits.

However, Mr Dashti said, trucks laden with fruits and having required documents were still being stopped by the customs officials due to which the government and the customs department were facing losses and there was uneasiness among the importers and the exporters.

He said the drivers of trucks stuck at the dry port and the border crossing were also facing difficulties due to the strike.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2021