MULTAN: Multan Dry Port Trust (MDPT) is facing severe financial issues due to decline in import clearances after the imposition of Punjab infrastructure levy.
Sources told Customs Today that the import clearance from Multan Dry Port has dropped due to levy of Punjab Infrastructure Development cess. The levy has put negative impact on the clearances of import consignments from Multan Dry Port after the imposition of 0.9% PIDC in the recent few months.
Local manufacturers and importers are avoiding their import clearances from Multan Dry Port after the imposition of Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess on import consignments from Punjab government. Multan Dry Port Trust is also handling less import containers from average numbers after the imposition of Punjab Infrastructure Development cess.
Sources told that Multan Dry Port Trust has handled 318 import consignments including 149 containers of 20 inches, 157 containers of 40 inches and 12 LCL from July 31 to end of the April. Multan Dry Port Trust has also handled 475 and 287 vehicles of import during this period. The number of import batches decreasing day by day from Multan Dry Port Trust after the implementation of Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess.
Local Importers have moved from Multan Dry Port to Karachi for the clearances of their import consignments to avoid dual taxation on their import consignments.
The income of the Multan Dry Port trust is also decline due to handling of less import consignments. Multan Dry Port Trust charged Rs.6000 for handling of import container and MDPT have handled only six import containers during first 20 days of May. The decline in the import consignment creating financial issues for the Multan Dry Port Trust and their major income from import handling of containers has been shifted to Karachi after the imposition of Punjab Infrastructure Development cess.
Due to decline in the import, MDPT authority is facing financial issues in meeting their port expanse. Multan Dry Port Trust has 32 members staff and it’s almost challenge for MDPT to pay salaries of their staff. Sources told Customs today that it’s very tough to run Multan Dry Port Trust with Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess and Provincial government is not ready to give any concession to importers on their import clearances.
