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ISLAMABAD: The customs authorities at Karachi have blocked the shipment of imported goods of the IT traders at the Karachi Port in cases where the shipment reached before banning of items under SRO598 of 2022.

Founder Chairman of the Pakistan Computer Association Munawar Iqbal told reporters on Monday that the ban on the import of 38 goods is not applicable on those imported consignments where letters of credit (LCs) have already been opened with the banks or goods have already reached Pakistan for clearance at ports.

According to the list, a ban has been imposed on the import of headphones and loudspeakers.

He stated that the government has to allow the import of these items in cases where the letters of credit (LCs) had been opened before the imposition of the ban. There are cases where the consignments of these banned items have already reached ports for clearance from customs authorities. In such cases, the ban would not be legally applicable and the imported consignments would have to be cleared by the customs authorities.

He demanded of the FBR and Finance Division authorities to order the Karachi Custom Authorities for clearance of the container shipments of imported goods of the IT traders stuck at the Karachi Seaport.

Munawar Iqbal said the situation is very grave and worsening as even after the signing of the practice agreement with the government by the IT traders for the import of goods the issue has not been resolved and that container shipment is still locked causing huge financial losses to the IT importers and heading to the closure of IT import business in the country.

He said that thousands of workers associated with the IT business have also been rendered jobless.

He called upon the FBR and the Finance Division to direct the Karachi Custom officials to clear the shipments of IT importers to facilitate doing business in a conducive environment.

He said the delay in clearance of goods will affect the IT business in the country and will consequently, encourage large-scale smuggling and hoarding and create shortages of these items in the country.

He also called upon the government to allow imports of raw materials for industrial consumption without any obstacle to ensure increased production by local manufacturing units.