KARACHI: Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), reaffirmed the Chamber’s unwavering opposition to all forms of smuggling, which he said severely harms the national economy, undermines legitimate businesses, and reduces government revenue.
While endorsing all lawful actions against smugglers, Bilwani emphasized KCCI’s responsibility to advocate for genuine traders whose lawfully imported, locally acquired, or auction-purchased goods are wrongfully seized during anti-smuggling raids. Such actions, he noted, inflict significant financial losses, disrupt business activities, and tarnish the reputation of legitimate entrepreneurs.
He criticized the practice of raiding Karachi’s commercial markets, suggesting that enforcement agencies focus instead on intercepting smuggled goods at their entry points—such as borders, seaports, and airports—rather than creating unrest in local markets.
The KCCI president stressed the need for strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent the harassment of lawful traders. He proposed that if night-time raids are unavoidable, goods should not be removed immediately. Instead, the premises should be sealed and the inspection resumed in the presence of the business owner or their authorized representative during daylight hours.
Bilwani reiterated KCCI’s full support for Customs Enforcement efforts to curb smuggling, while also committing to protect the interests of legitimate traders to promote a secure and lawful business environment.
