LAHORE: Pakistan FMCG Importers Association (PFIA) has claimed that the Lahore High Court (LHC) orders of suspension of the Regulatory Duty (RD), levied by the government on several items being imported in the country, is not being implemented by the customs department.
Talking to media on Monday PFIA President Anjum Nisar, Patron in Chief Naseem Chawala and Vice Chairman Ejaz Tanveer said that the judiciary had provided a big relief to the importers and those doing business honestly by suspending the regulatory duty levied on import of different items including raw materials of some export oriented industries and food items. However, they claimed that this suspension order was not being implemented in letter and spirit by the Authorities concerned.
They urged the customs department execute the decision of the Lahore High Court of interim suspension of the duty and clear the goods worth millions of rupees awaiting clearance at the ports. They said that not following the orders of the higher courts was equal to contempt of the court and the officials should avoid such steps.
They said that the importers were right from day one opposing this duty and demand that it should completely be withdrawn in consultation with the stakeholders concerned. They said such duties instead of bringing any positive change in favour of the government would boost smuggling and under invoicing. He said that increase in smuggled goods discourage the honest importers as well as deprive the government of duties being paid by the law-abiding businessmen
