RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: Customs Clearing Association (CCA), Torkham suspended clearing process as protest against introducing of new clearing process, Web Base One Custom (WEBOC) system on Tuesday.

The clearing agents were on the view that prior to implement the latest clearing process, the custom needed to facilitate them as per necessary for the system.

CCA, Torkham President, Haji Hayatullah Shinwari said that although it was the modern clearing system however, the custom should meet all facilities needed for the process.

“The newly clearing system is mainly on line and net base system but ironically Torkham custom satiation is lacking all basic needs including electricity, net system and other related formalities”, he said and adding if facilities were provided they would accept imposing of the new clearing process without hesitation.

He lamented that the custom high authority choose Torkham custom center to set up WEBOC system and had not been so far introduced in custom stations of Karachi, Chaman, Thafthan and Kharlachi.

When Deputy Collector (DC) Torkham custom center, Najeeb Arjuman was contacted on the matter he said that WEBOC was a modern system that was implemented only on concession imports.

In WEBOC, clearing process is done on line and role of clearing agent is negligible and for the purpose training facilities will be provided to the custom clearing community.

The clearing process remained discontinue for four hours that caused long queues of trucks, standing on both sides of the border loaded with different merchandise commodities . However following successful dialog between the CCA and custom and administration officials, the clearing agents called off their boycott and resumed clearing activities at the border under an old clearing system.