In Karachi, a Pakistani-origin Australian traveler has filed a grievance to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, stating that customs officials at the airport shut down the Green Channel specifically for foreign passengers.
An Australian woman penned a letter to the Prime Minister, expressing her frustration about having to spend hours at the customs counter due to the closure of the Green Channel.
Nevertheless, an anonymous customs official mentioned that the luggage of the foreign traveler was inspected due to suspicion.
According to information from Karachi Airport, there are two paths for customs clearance: the Red Channel and the Green Channel.
Travelers carrying dutiable or restricted items are directed through the Red Channel, while those without dutiable goods are led through the Green Channel.
The passenger informed the customs officers that, according to the prime minister’s directive, the Green Channel facility is accessible at all airports, she stated.
She informed the Prime Minister, stating, “The customs officials failed to provide a satisfactory response to my query.” She then requested appropriate measures against the involved inspector and collector.
Customs Collector Shafiq Latki denied the claim that the Green Channel was shut down. He explained that according to their policy, foreign passengers’ luggage are inspected based on suspicion, which led to the woman being directed to the Red Channel.
Moreover, he informed that there was no directive from the Prime Minister to allow overseas Pakistanis to use the Green Channel.
