By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: Chief Collector Customs (North) Khawaja Khurram Naeem visited the Torkham Customs Station on Wednesday, inspecting various departments and operational systems at the Pak-Afghan border.
He was accompanied by Collector Customs Appraisement Mateen Alam, Additional Collector Shakir Muhammad, and other senior officials.
The chief collector also met with Customs Agents Association president Mujib Shinwari and his cabinet members including Manan Shinwari, Hazrat Umar, Nisar, Jamshed, Aflan, former president Aimal Shinwari, transport union president Azeemullah Shinwari and other customs agents. He issued directives on the spot to customs officials to address their genuine issues.
Speaking to the media, Khawaja Khurram Naeem stated that recent reforms in customs were not limited to transfers, postings, or officer promotions but aimed at delivering tangible benefits to the business community and stakeholders. He emphasized improving Pak-Afghan trade by facilitating importers, exporters and traders and pledged to use all available resources to assist customs agents at Torkham.
He highlighted the mutual role of customs agents and the customs department in strengthening the economy, referring to them as part of the same family working towards national prosperity and trade enhancement.
At the conclusion of the visit, Customs Clearing Agents Association president Mujib Shinwari expressed gratitude to the Chief collector, collector Appraisement and additional collector for their visit and for addressing the agents’ issues. He appreciated their prompt resolutions and assurances for tackling the remaining challenges.
