KARACHI: A Pakistani-Australian woman has written a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif complaining that customs officials had shut down the Green Channel for foreign passengers at the Karachi airport.
The female passenger, in her letter, said that she had to stand at the customs counter for hours due to closure of the channel.
Meanwhile, a customs official said the PM gave no instruction about sending overseas Pakistanis through the said channel.
The Karachi airport sources said foreign passengers who have dutiable or restricted goods are passed through the Red Channel for customs clearance and the ones who do not have dutiable goods are passed through the Green Channel.
She told the customs officials that the Green Channel facility was available at all airports as per order of the prime minister, the passenger said.
"The customs officials did not give a reasonable answer to my query," she told the PM and demanded action against the customs inspector and collector.
Customs Collector Shafiq Latki said the allegation of closure of the Green Channel was not true. He said as per the policy, foreign passengers' luggage are checked based on suspicion, therefore, the woman was sent to the Red Channel.
Furthermore, he apprised, that there was no instruction from PM Shehbaz to send overseas Pakistanis through the Green Channel.
The incident was a result of a personal enmity, says home minister
Public gatherings, rallies and protests banned for 3 days amid terrorism threat, says home department
Complainant reveals she's fifth wife of the suspect as he married four other women with same motive
FO spokesperson says PM's visit attests to commitment by two countries to strengthen leaders' engagement
Weapons, ammunition and explosives recovered from terrorist Ali Jan, says military's media wing
Counter terrorism unit says complainant Tasnim Haider didn’t produce evidence to support his allegations