Suspect Emerges Due to Unchecked Clearance of Pakistani Cargo Vessels On September 1, Pakistan’s High Commissioner, Syed Ahmed Maruf, met with Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed.
Sources confirm a controversial agreement: Pakistani cargo vessels would bypass manual inspections in Bangladesh ports.
Despite the agreement, once the notification reached Chittagong, cargo from Pakistan was subjected to 100% manual inspection. On September 29, the Customs Automation Wing issued a directive about inspecting Pakistani cargo. A Pakistani cargo vessel docked at Chittagong seaport on November 12. The vessel quickly discharged its cargo and departed without incident.
However, two customs officers—Walid Hossain and Mohammad Russell—demanded to inspect the containers. Their insistence led to their sudden transfer, raising eyebrows within the customs community. This incident has ignited suspicions about why clearance rules were altered for Pakistani cargo.
The public and port officials are questioning the motives behind this unchecked clearance policy.
The media has highlighted the controversy, demanding accountability from the Yunus administration. Uninspected cargo could pose economic and security risks for Bangladesh. Critics argue that standard customs procedures should never be compromised. Many are calling for an independent investigation into this matter. Was this incident a one-time exception or part of a larger trend? As Bangladesh’s busiest port, Chittagong cannot afford unchecked vulnerabilities. The Yunus administration faces growing pressure to address the controversy. Experts emphasize the need for transparency in port operations. As the nation navigates these challenges, its focus remains on protecting economic and security interests.
What lies behind the unchecked clearance of Pakistani vessels? The truth must come to light.