SIALKOT: Exports from Siakot have declined while 70 percent exporters are sending their consignments to Karachi for clearance due to 0.9 percent duty in the wake of Infrastructure Development Cess which was imposed by the Punjab government.
President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry Maj (r) Mansoor Ahmed told Customs Today that the imposition of 0.9 duty in the wake of Infrastructure Development Cess, imposed by the Punjab government, is intolerable for the exporters of Sialkot.
The representatives of the Sialkot Chamber Of Commerce and Industry, Pakistan Surgical Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Customs Clearing Agents Association and others related associations have protested against the imposition of 0.9 percent duty which was imposed on transportation of goods through dry ports by the Punjab government.
They have demanded to Punjab government to withdraw this duty otherwise exporters will stage sit in opposite Punjab Chief Minister Secretariat till the withdrawal of duty. Chairman Pakistan Surgical Manufacturers And Exporters Association said that the exporters of Pakistan are paying so many taxes where exports are decreasing day by day but the Punjab government has imposed 0.9 duty whereas the exporters of Sialkot sending their consignments Karachi for clearance.
He said the government of Punjab should consider this issue seriously. An official of Customs Collectorate said the export from Sialkot is witnessing sharp decrease after imposition of said duty and Punjab government should take serious notice to end said duty so that the export increase and exporters did not send their consignments Karachi for clearance.
Chairman Sialkot Dry Port Trust (SDPT) Khawaja Khawar Anwar said that the imposition of said duty has destroyed the business of dry port and exporters of Sialkot has contacted Customs Clearing Agents of Karachi for clearance of their consignments and Government of Punjab should take return said duty as soon as possible in the favor of Sialkot Exporters otherwise exporters will protest on roads against brutal decision of government of Punjab.
