GILGIT-BALTISTAN: Ali Asad, Assistant Collector, MCC Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) said the collectorate has given many options to the importers for ending one monthlong strike against the new developments at the GB, but they are unwilling to do so. They have a one-point agenda that they do not want theWeBOC at the Sost.
According to details given by Ali Asad, newly appointed Assistant Collector at the Model Customs Collectorate GB, that “we have done many things for the importers but their agenda is against the policy decision of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
He said “the arrangements for WeBOC are completed and there is an online NBP along with the internet and all upgrade at the Sost Dry Port”. The Sost Dry Port has been operational since 1st of April after a winter seasonal shutdown while importers are not filing Goods Decelerations (GD) against their consignments were reached the Sost Dry Port a month ago. The Chinese companies are also not clearing their consignments due to threatening slogans raised by importers of the GB. “we will block the Krackrom Highway if our demands are not be fullfilled”, many slogans like the one mentioned.
Assistant Collector told CT that “we are waiting for importers to file GDs which they are not doing because of strike, he said while answering to a query. He said if demurrage could be applied on consignments which are stuck at the Sost Dry Port and it would be collected by the National Logistic Cell (NLC) who is terminal’s custodian, but I don’t think NLC will charge the demurrage in starting days as port is also undergoing upgrade, Asad said.
