Traders are asked to bring valid receipts to recover confiscated items or pay duties
Chaos ensued near Karachi’s Maymar Square on Monday as traders responded to a raid by Customs officials. At least two people were injured.
A team of Customs personnel, supported by Sindh Police and rangers, carried out a raid at the textile market located on Tariq Road in search of smuggled goods. Angered by the unannounced search, the merchants threw stones at the raiding party, and some allegedly even opened fire.
Law enforcement officers opened retaliatory fire to disperse the crowd.
Read: Customs will coordinate raids with merchants to restore confidence
Two people injured in the crossfire were taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, where they were identified as Share Masih, 21, and Sameer, 36.
Angry traders burnt tires on the road near Liberty Chowk on Tariq Road and even set a Shahzor truck on fire.
According to police, Customs officials recovered smuggled fabrics worth millions. The Customs department told traders that if they have valid customs receipts for the seized material, they can visit the Customs Office and claim the seized items. Otherwise, they must pay the required fees.
