LAHORE: Customs authorities of both Afghanistan and Iran have started cooperating with Pakistan in order to establish customs border markets at border areas of these two neighboring countries.
The policy will be drawn out with the help of Afghan authorities and Iranian customs for establishing border markets in these areas.
Regarding this, the FBR is also interacting with the customs department of Iran and Afghanistan on a regular basis.
In a report, it was revealed that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is closely working with Afghanistan and Iran to finalize a new tax policy to control smuggling by establishing customs border markets at border areas of Iran and Afghanistan.
There are such kinds of markets in the world where border trade is permitted and the FBR is also studying international models to finalize a new tax policy to control smuggling by establishing customs border markets.
When asked whether the FBR will create black markets at border areas and provide benefits to the elite and powerful, FBR officials responded that globally such markets exist for border trade.
The FBR is actively engaged with the authorities of Iran and Afghanistan for establishment of such markets.
The markets on the Pak-Afghan and Pak-Iran borders will offer better business and trade opportunities to people living in the border areas, a businessman said.
In September 2020, chairing a meeting on the establishment of border markets, Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced the establishment of 18 border markets on the country’s international frontier with Afghanistan and Iran, three of which would be completed and activated by February next year as a pilot project. These markets would not only provide better trade opportunities to the people living in the border areas but also help check to smuggle.
