- Australian passenger of Pakistani origin demands action.
- She said customs officials did not give a reasonable answer.
- Customs officials said the allegations were not true.
KARACHI: An Australian passenger of Pakistani origin has complained to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that the Green Channel has been closed by customs officials for foreign passengers at Karachi airport.
The Australian woman wrote to the Prime Minister about the incident, saying she had to wait for hours at a customs counter due to the closure of the Green Channel.
However, a customs official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said foreign passengers’ luggage was inspected for suspicious items.
According to sources at Karachi Airport, there are two channels for customs clearance: Red Channel and Green Channel. Passengers with taxable or restricted goods will pass through the red channel, while passengers without taxable goods will pass through the green channel.
According to the passenger, she informed customs officials that green channel facilities are available at all airports as per the Prime Minister’s order.
“Customs officials did not give decent answers to my questions,” she told the prime minister, demanding action against customs inspectors and collectors.
Customs Collector Shafiq Latki said the allegations of green channel closure are not true. He said the woman was sent to the red channel as, as per policy, baggage checks of foreign passengers are carried out on suspicion.
He further pointed out that there was no instruction from the prime minister to send overseas Pakistanis through the green channel.
