KARACHI: In a significant move aimed at streamlining trade processes, Zubair Motiwala, Chairman of the Businessmen Group (BMG), and Muhammad Rehan Hanif, President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), have praised the Federal Board of Revenue’s recent amendment to the transshipment procedures. The amendment, detailed in Customs General Order (CGO) No. 08/2025, introduces key operational changes for consignments headed to Azakhel Dry Port.

The business leaders emphasized that the new regulation supplements an earlier directive, ensuring consistency and minimizing delays in the movement of transshipment cargo. This development is seen as a positive response to long-standing calls from the business community for clearer and more secure transshipment procedures.

Motiwala and Hanif highlighted the importance of requiring a Customs escort when tracking devices are unavailable. This measure is expected to prevent misuse and irregular movements, ensuring that all consignments are tracked and cleared solely from authorized locations.

The KCCI has frequently addressed the need for these reforms in discussions with authorities, and the amendment reflects the government’s effort to address traders’ operational challenges with practical solutions. The new procedure is projected to enhance transparency, strengthen regulatory controls, and facilitate legitimate trade by reducing ambiguities and procedural delays.

The structured mechanism introduced by the amendment will enhance the efficiency of cargo movement, reduce the risks of tampering or diversion, and confine the clearance process to the designated dry port. This is expected to safeguard government revenue and support legitimate business operations.

Both Motiwala and Hanif reiterated their commitment to collaborating with policymakers to further reforms that aim to improve Pakistan’s trade environment, bolster compliance, and enhance the ease of doing business.