By SKM
March 19, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s textile sector has raised serious concerns over mounting delays in customs clearance, warning that systemic bottlenecks at ports are threatening export competitiveness and driving up costs for businesses.
In a detailed seven-page letter to Dr. Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah, Adviser to the Prime Minister, the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Chairman Mr Kamran Arshad described the situation as “rapidly deteriorating” and urged immediate government intervention, cautioning that continued delays could inflict “irreversible damage” on the country’s largest export industry.
Export Sector at Risk
Textiles and apparel account for roughly 60 percent of Pakistan’s exports and employ more than 15 million workers. Industry leaders say timely import of raw materials such as cotton, polyester fibre, yarn, dyes, and chemicals is critical for production.
However, clearance times for imported consignments have surged from the international standard of two to three days to an average of 10 days, creating significant disruptions for just-in-time production models.
Multi-Layered Delays
At the heart of the crisis is the intensified scanning and examination regime under the WeBOC system. Containers flagged for inspection undergo multiple steps, including scanning, physical examination, grounding, and reassessment, which cumulatively extend clearance times. Scanning alone reportedly takes three to four days.
APTMA has criticized the “indiscriminate” application of these checks, noting that the lack of a risk-based approach penalizes compliant importers and undermines Pakistan’s commitments under global trade facilitation frameworks.
Concerns Over Proposed “Super Auditor” System
Further complicating matters is the proposed “Super Auditor” system, which would involve external auditors in physical inspections alongside customs officials. While intended to enhance accountability, APTMA warns it could increase delays, create conflicts of interest, and add uncertainty for importers. The association has urged the government to halt implementation until a legal and operational framework is clearly defined in consultation with the private sector.
Overlapping Enforcement and Systemic Inefficiencies
Importers also face overlapping scrutiny from multiple agencies, including Customs Intelligence, Preventive Collectorates, and Post Clearance Audit authorities, which often operate at different stages of the clearance process. The government’s faceless assessment initiative, designed to reduce human interaction and curb corruption, has been criticized for arbitrary valuations, classification disputes, and technical glitches in the WeBOC system, further exacerbating delays.
Operational inefficiencies at port terminals, especially in Karachi, add another layer of difficulty. Containers are frequently delayed due to congestion, equipment shortages, and slow inspection processes, with importers bearing demurrage and detention charges.
Financial and Reputational Impact
APTMA estimates the industry is losing millions of dollars each month due to delays, production stoppages, and penalties imposed by international buyers. There is also growing concern over Pakistan’s reputation as a reliable supplier, with global buyers reportedly shifting orders to countries such as Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, and Turkey.
Call for Urgent Action
In its letter, APTMA urged the Prime Minister to form an emergency task force including representatives from the Federal Board of Revenue, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Finance, and the private sector. The association proposed a 30-day window to implement corrective measures, stressing that coordinated reforms are essential to restore efficiency and predictability in customs operations.
“Every day of delay at our ports is a day Pakistan loses export orders, employment opportunities, and valuable foreign exchange,” the letter states.
As Pakistan seeks to boost exports and stabilize its external account, industry stakeholders warn that resolving these bottlenecks will be crucial to sustaining economic momentum. Ends
