QUETTA: In order to efficiently handle the flow of cargo through CPEC, the Pakistan Customs is establishing a dedicated Directorate General for the purpose to handle CPEC related activities, however Quetta Customs will continue to assist the relevant authorities till establishment of the Directorate General.
These views were expressed by Collector Ashraf Ali during an exclusive interview with Customs Today. He said continuous engagement with the stakeholders in the process of reforms and clearance practices is hallmark of the Quetta Collectorate.
He added the local traders are in close contact with all relevant customs staff while local chamber of commerce and trade associations are always well represented in the various functions of the Collectorate which enables both the Customs and traders to exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
The officers of the Quetta Customs are always present in meetings of the chamber and all assistance is being extended to the traders for resolution of their genuine demands. Collector Ashraf said the friendly relationship between trade and the customs department help in sorting out hurdles in the way of smooth flow of legitimate trade.
Collector Ashraf said that Customs Quetta is planning to expand the jurisdiction of customs control to inaccessible areas by establishing customs stations en route, improve the quality of the work through stricter controls, make the customs processes transparent, expand the scope of non-intrusive inspections, use of technology for speedy clearance of goods, expand the coverage of the Customs Computerized System (WeBOC) and data based risk management system for providing a secure business environment for sustainable economic development of the country.
Answering a query regarding revenue performance, he said that MCC Quetta received 16% extra revenue against assigned revenue collection target under the head of customs duty (CD) during first two months of current financial year 2018-19. He added MCC Quetta received Rs 1532.091 million under head of customs duty against assigned revenue collection target of Rs 1323.00 million for first two months (July to August) Fiscal Year 2018-19.
Ashraf Ali said MCC showed 44% increase under the head of sales tax (ST) against assigned revenue collection target for the above-said period while showed 18% hike against assigned revenue collection target under head of federal excise duty (FED). The collector said MCC showed 34% increase against assigned revenue collection target under head of withholding tax (WHT) during said period, to concluding the exclusive talk he added that MCC received Rs4205.267 million of net revenue under head of all duty taxes during first two month of FY18-19 against assigned revenue collection target of Rs.3233 million with increase of 30% against assigned revenue collection target for said period under same heads.
