Japan taking action against illegal car trade in Pakistan

• Japan takes measures to curb illegal car trade in Pakistan
• Customs in Karachi recently unearthed frauds regarding clearance of used-vehicles on the basis of fake/forged documents
• Government has weak system to ensure policy of transfer of residence and gift and baggage schemes are not misused

ISLAMABAD: A crackdown has been launched by the Japan government on the clearance of imported cars on forged and fake documents in Pakistan.

The Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo says it is taking all legal measures both in Pakistan and Japan to address the matter under applicable laws and to mitigate any possible unease that might be caused to legitimate trade, The News reported Friday.

Japan is the main source of used-car imports to Pakistan. Cars are imported in Pakistan under baggage rules or gift scheme as commercial imports are not allowed.

Read more: Car sales in Pakistan witness 18% increase in first half of fiscal year

But the government has a weak system to ensure the policy is not misused.

Recently, Customs in Karachi recently unearthed frauds regarding clearance of used-vehicles on the basis of fake/forged documents.

Avoiding exploitation and fraud in future

“On December 24, 2020, Trade and Investment Counsellor (TIC) reported to the relevant authorities in Pakistan – Chief Collector Customs (Appraisement) Karachi, Federal Board of Revenue and Ministry of Commerce, submission of fake/forged documents for clearance of a vehicle in Karachi bearing fake seals/stamps of the Embassy and forged signatures of TIC,” the embassy was quoted as saying.

An inquiry into this case unearthed additional cases of fraud, the statement said.

In Japan, the Trade and Investment Section has already reported this to relevant authorities for verification and further investigation.

Read more: Pakistan needs to get tough on smuggled vehicles

“While intimating the customs authorities well in time to avoid wrongful clearance of the vehicle fraudulently on the basis of fake/forged documents, the mission has already proposed to review the scheme of importing used vehicles in Pakistan and automating clearance process for vehicles as a module of WEBOC [web-based one customs) to avoid such exploitation and frauds in future,” said the embassy.

The customs authorities in Karachi have assured the embassy of smooth clearance of genuine cases of import of used vehicles in Pakistan.

If a Pakistani living in Japan faces problems, the can contact the trade and investment section on [email protected] for assistance.