KARACHI: Decrease in customs duty by 5 per cent in the recent federal budget for the Fiscal Year 2014-15 will certainly put a positive impact on imports and play an imperative role in curbing smuggling, mis-declaration and tax evasion.
This was stated by Mian Zahid Hussain, President of Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) while talking to Customs Today during an exclusive interview.
Commenting on the discretionary powers conferred to Federal Board of Revenue, Mian Zahid said that it was unjustified, as the FBR officers were misusing those powers by harassing the importers, traders and businessmen. He emphasised on proper check by FBR high-ups on their subordinates regarding use of discretionary powers.
Replying to a query, Mian Zahid said that the automation in Pakistan Customs was imperative to facilitate the trade, adding that it will enhance the business activities in the country.
He further said that Customs should evolve a comprehensive strategy to halt the smuggling of items, adding that 40 to 50 items including tyres, tubes, alloy steel, black tea and others are being smuggled from Afghanistan and Bandar Abbas in Iran.
Shedding light on the working of Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation-Customs, Mian Zahid said that the role of Customs Intelligence remained very crucial in recent days to curb smuggling activities. However, they should not create hindrance for the genuine importers in clearance of their consignments.
To a query, President PBIF said that the Directorate of Customs Intelligence should verify the documents of the importers through automated system, so that the speedy disposal of the consignments could be made possible and the genuine importers could save their money, which they had to pay in share of detention and demurrage charges in case of delayed clearance of the consignments.
Answering another question, Mian Zahid said that the government should be facilitating local businessmen and traders first before attracting foreign investors. If the local investors are facilitated through healthy business environment, the foreign investment would ultimately be multiplied.
“The most important thing is to ensure a conducive business environment that can be generated by offering lower taxation and a friendly business system along with elimination of corruption and bureaucratic obstacles,” he maintained.
Hussain further said that Pakistan has great potential for progress and the business community was working in complete harmony with the government. However, the government should play its due role in restoration of law and order in the country, particularly in Karachi for boosting trade and economic activities.
“I believe if business community is provided with support from the government, we will be able to attain our objectives soon and contribute towards generating more revenue for the exchequer,” he added.
To another query, Mian Zahid said that the enhancement of Information Technology was vital for development and progress of the country, as the country could not be strengthened without growth in this field.
Profile:
Mian Muhammad Zahid belongs to a Shaikh family from Chiniot. He was born in Punjab in 1955. He is the owner of two factories located in Korangi Industrial area Karachi and Faisalabad respectively. He is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kenlubes. He was honoured with Sitara-e-Imtiaz by the federal government for his tireless efforts for business community.
Mian Zahid Hussain served as the Chairman of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) in 2003. He also acted as the Chairman of All Pakistan Lubricant Manufacturers Association (APLMA), Chairman of Sindh Chapter of Workers Employers Bilateral Counsel of Pakistan, Chairman of Alternate Disputes Resolution Committee of Customs and Chairman of Internal Trade Committee of FPCCI.
