KARACHI: The All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA) has withdrawn its planned strike following successful negotiations with Senator Faisal Vawda, averting potential trade disruptions worth billions of rupees.
The strike was scheduled to begin on February 25 and could have impacted the clearance of goods, leading to supply chain delays and increased costs. Speaking at the Customs Agents office, Senator Vawda highlighted the sector’s role in collecting approximately Rs400 billion in monthly customs duties and warned that a strike would result in significant losses.
To address industry concerns, Vawda invited customs agents to a Senate Finance Committee meeting, chaired by Saleem Mandviwalla, on February 26. He assured them of his commitment to resolving their grievances and tackling corruption within the customs system, stating that his office had requested a list of corrupt officials for action.
Beyond customs issues, Vawda pointed to broader maritime sector reforms, including efforts to recover encroached land at Port Qasim, which he said could contribute to reducing Pakistan’s debt. He also proposed limiting dump truck speeds to 40 km/h to improve road safety.
Following the discussions, APCAA Chairman Saifullah Khan, along with Karachi Customs Agents Association President Muhammad Aamir and other trade representatives, announced the strike’s cancellation.
