FPCCI Welcomes the Steps to Resolve Container Grounding Delays, Cargo Mishandling and Restricted Terminal Hours Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI

Karachi: Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, has said that the Federation of Pakistan
Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) welcomes the facilitative and consultative
approach of FBR and appreciated the significant measures announced by Customs Appraisement
South in a stakeholders meeting aimed at removing operational bottlenecks that have been
hampering trade efficiency at Karachi ports.

The meeting was attended by leading trade bodies including, FPCCI – the apex body; Karachi
Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI); Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA); All
Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA); Chief Collector Appraisement; all three
Collectors of Appraisement South; terminal operators and off-dock terminal representatives.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh outlined major issues faced by trade as: (i) persistent delays in timely
grounding of containers by terminal operators (ii) frequent incidents of cargo damage, pilferage
and mishandling during examination (iii) restricted delivery hours at off-dock terminals causing
congestion and additional costs.

In response, the Chief Collector Appraisement South said that under the leadership of Chairman
FBR, the team of Customs Appraisement was committed to reduce port dwell time as per
international best practices. He issued following directives for immediate implementation:
off-dock terminals must extend cargo delivery hours; trained and certified packers should be
deployed for cargo stuffing/de-stuffing and strict timelines should be followed for grounding of
containers.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh welcomed the development and announcements: “The business
community has been raising these issues for a long time. The meeting and the firm instructions
given by Customs are a major step forward in trade facilitation. FPCCI remains fully committed
to working hand-in-hand with FBR, Pakistan Customs and all stakeholders to eliminate hurdles
and promote ease of doing business for legitimate trade and industry.”

Mr. Asif Sakhi, VP FPCCI, who represented FPCCI in the meeting, stated: “The directives to
resolve the issues highlighted by trade bodies will significantly reduce delays, protect valuable
cargo from damage and ease congestion at cargo terminals. This is a clear demonstration that
when stakeholders sit together, practical solutions are found quickly.”

Mr. Asif Sakhi reiterated that continuous dialogue and swift enforcement of such decisions are
essential to strengthen Pakistan’s competitiveness in regional and global trade.