According to the note released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), it has issued its guidelines for freight forwarders, which some exporters claim, give rise to the theft of export consignments.

Moreover, the central bank said that the name of the real owner of the goods will appear in trade documents along with that of freight forwarder, transferring goods from one place to another.

It said, “The master bill of lading, issued in name of the freight forwarders will now carry the name of exporters and details of the export consignment.”

In the past, the shipping line was responsible for releasing the master bill of lading in the name of the freight forwarder.

While talking to reporters, a senior central bank official said, “In addition, the trade documents, like the house bill of lading, will be sent to the bank of the buyer by the exporter’s bank, leaving no chance of any misappropriation.”

On the other hand, the Pakistani exporters have failed to note the changes took place in the way of doing international business.

According to them, global buyers like Wal-Mart, Nike, Gap and Levi Strauss are looking for direct agreement with the freight forwarders, who provide value-added services.