PESHAWAR: Custom Collectorat Peshawar has proposed to increase the valuation ratio of 33 imported items coming from Afghanistan to Pakistan via Torkham border up to 30 percent.
Sources in Customs House Peshawar told Customs Today that the imported items include leather, fruits, medicine herbs and vegetables. The proposal was given by the Modal Custom Collectorate Peshawar with the consultation of custom officials at Torkham border. However the Khyber Paktunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Frontier Customs Agents groups has opposed the decision and said that in order to improve trade ties with Afghanistan, government needed not to increase in valuation ratio more than 10 percent.
In this connection a meeting under the chairmanship of Deputy Collector Custom was held in Customs House Torkham. Speaking on the occasion Dr Fareed said that the local valuation committee had proposed 10 percent increase in valuation ratio but in the last three years no increase was made in valuation process. He said that Customs official has decided to add the values of previous three years and make 30 percent increase in the valuation of imported goods.
The representatives of Trade Union and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed reservations over the decision and termed it an attempt to create impediments in the routine trade on Pak-Afghan border. They said this decision will also encourage smuggling of these goods through illegal routes.
They suggested to bring only 10-15 percent increase in the valuation of the imported goods and demanded to include Customs officials in local valuation committee who have the power to specify valuation of such goods.
The meeting was also attended by Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce Director Ziaul-Haq Sarhadi, Faiz Mohammad Faizi, member of Valuation of Committee Khaldi Shehzada, Deputy Collector Kohat Dr Juned Mahmood and others.
On this occasion Customs Agent Association Vice Chairman Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi expressed the hope that their suggestion would be given due consideration
