Shaban Khalid, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said more than 18000 containers have piled up at ports leading to their non-clearance by customs and port authorities causing congestion at the port and all arrangements should be made to clear such stuck up consignments as early as possible from the port area by providing relief in demurrage and detention charges to the consignees.
He said due to unfavorable circumstances for business in the last couple of years, many commercial importers could also not get clearance of their cargoes due to which they are now facing heavy demurrage & detention charges. The government should realize their constraints and give them due relief by providing them exemption from such charges.
He was of the view that relief in demurrage and detention charges will also help in optimum utilization of space at terminals at it would create more space to easily handle the inbound cargoes.