LAHORE: Customs agents from across the country on Tuesday demanded of the government to withdraw recent amendments in the Customs Act 1969 to protect diminishing cargo activities at all dry ports.

They also warned of protest in case the government did not withdraw the amendments.

Lahore Customs Agents Association chairman Mohammad Amjad Chauhdry, flanked by All-Pakistan Customs Agents Association chairman Arshad Jamal and others, said that recent amendments had literally reduced the utility of internal dry ports as customs clearance of all import and export cargo had only been limited to Karachi.

He said only eight per cent import cargo was being cleared from internal dry ports, but this share was also being usurpe d.

Amjad Chaudhry said a system of T/P-GD had been introduced while amending Transshipment Rules which had limited the dry ports to the extent of cargo delivery only while importers and exporters had been left at the mercy of Karachi Customs and Karachi ports.