Merchants must bring valid receipts to collect confiscated items or pay taxes
Chaos ensued near Karachi’s Maymar Square on Monday, when traders retaliated against a raid by customs officials. At least two people were injured.
A team of Customs personnel, supported by Sindh Police and Rangers, raided the textile market located on Tariq Road in search of contraband goods. Angered by this unexpected search, the traders threw stones at the raiding group, some even opened fire.
The police opened fire in retaliation to disperse the crowd.
Read: Customs will coordinate raids with traders to restore confidence
Two people, injured in the exchange of fire, were transferred to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, where they were identified as Share Masih, 21, and Sameer, 36.
The enraged traders burnt tires on the road near Liberty Chowk on Tariq Road, even setting a Shahzor truck on fire.
According to police, customs officials recovered contraband fabrics worth millions. The customs department informed traders that if they had valid customs receipts for the seized material, they could go to the customs office and collect the seized items. Otherwise, they must pay the required fees.
