GILGIT BALTISTAN: Collectorate of Customs Collector Tahir Qureshi said that the Collectorate of Gilgit Baltistan achieved assigned revenue collection target of entire financial year 2019-20 till December 2019.
Talking with Customs Today, Qureshi said that this success achieved due to full implementation of WeBOC at Sost dry port, adding that during current season “99% of GDs processed through WeBOC” whereas imports ratio was low during present season compared to same corresponding period of last year.
He said the collectorate earned extra revenue pursuing proper measurement and weight of the goods, adding that the GB Customs staff also continued its operations on Saturdays and Sundays for providing facilities to business community.
He said that during current seasonal trade period (April to December), the imports of Gilgit Baltistan paid huge taxes because of following proper examination, adding that during same period last year importers were on strikes against implementation of WeBOC but during current season everything is going perfectly and WeBOC is 100 percent functional. He informed that half of the work for implementation of WeBOC was installed during last financial year while rest of WeBOC implementation has successfully completed this year.
Answering a query, Qureshi replied that round-the-year trade could not be continued here at GB because Sost border of GB (Khunjrab top) weather is very harsh as “the temperature rises to -25 and above in winter season”. He suggested that all weather work is only possible if a tunnel is made from top of Khunjrab to China border.
Replying another query, he said that SCO (Special Communication Organization) has provided internet service to the Customs authority but it is not a hi-fi arrangement as available here at Islamabad or other parts of the country and the Customs department required facilities of internet on high speed to work as per international standers, adding that China has outstanding infrastructure at its border adjacent to Khunjrab.
Answer another question regarding revenue performance, the Collector GB Dr. Tahir Qureishi said that during month of November till 28th, the GB Customs earned Rs 1401 million under all heads against assigned revenue collection target of Rs 404 million. He added that Collectorate achieved 346.89% percent revenue performance during the said month against assigned revenue target.
The Collector further told that during month of November, the Collectorate received Rs 555 million under head of CD (customs duty) against assigned revenue collection target of Rs 160 million, in this way the Collectorate achieved 347.19% performance against assigned target as well as the GB fetched Rs 647.782 million under head of ST (sales tax) against allocated target of Rs 191 million whereas it achieved 339.15% average against assigned revenue target.
The GB received Rs 198.502 million under head of WHT (withholding tax) against assigned target of Rs 53.1 million while it showed 373.83% achievement under same head against assigned revenue collection target of month of November 2019-20. Above achievement happened due to hard work of Customs officials and officers of GB, he concluded.
