KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has re-issued the policy guideline on Taiwan for the Pakistan Customs.
In this regard, Secretary Enforcement & Coordination, FBR, Rahmatullah Vistro forwarded a letter to the Collector Appraisement East, West, Preventive, Export, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Quetta, Gwadar, Hyderabad, Multan, Faisalabad, Sambrial, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Gilgit Baltistan for compliance.
“It has come to the notice that a number of ministries/division are not abiding by the Policy Guidelines on Taiwan, which were issued earlier. It is hereby clarified that there is no change in Pakistan’s policy towards Taiwan. Pakistan does not recognize Taiwan as a state but as an integral part of the People’s Republic of China. In view of Chinese sensitivity towards issues relating to Taiwan, circumspect handling of such matters become necessary”, according to a letter available with Customs Today.
According to guidelines, Pakistan does not recognize Taiwan as a separate entity but part of China. Accordingly, Pakistan does not have any diplomatic/consular relations with Taiwan. Similarly, no official contact, of any type, is maintained with Taiwan.
Pakistan remains strongly opposed to any attempts by Taiwan to create two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan or Taiwan independence.
This commitment is reflected Article II of the treaty of friendship, cooperation and good neighbourly relations between Pakistan and China concluded in 2005. The term Republic of China can not be used in any form/communication which might imply recognition of Taiwan. If necessary, it instead can be referred to as Taiwan, China or Chinese Taipei. No official contacts are allowed with Taiwan.
Taiwanese authority owned vessels are not allowed to enter Pakistan. Non-governmental Taiwan ships, not flying the Taiwan flag, can touch our seaports. Vessels flying Taiwan flag can not enter Pakistan’s seaports.
There are no restrictions on trade with Taiwan subject to the following conditions that include trade is conducted strictly on un-official basis and through private sector only, no direct contacts to be made with Taiwan authority agencies, no Pakistani government functionary can visit Taiwan, no Taiwan authority functionary can visit Pakistan, government/official investment from Taiwan is not allowed into Pakistan, exchange of delegation(s) is not allowed, no publicity is given to Pakistan’s trade or commercial contacts with Taiwan while private businessmen can, technically, interact with Taiwan parties.
The various chambers of commerce may also be appropriately briefed regarding their dealing with Taiwan.
