GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GBCCI) has reportedly lodged a complaint with Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) against the customs officials posted at Sost dry port. In a letter written to Chairman FBR, the president GBCCI, Javed Hussain, alleged that customs officials are openly charging Rs 1.5 million per container to clear goods being imported/exported at the Pak-China border.
“Customs officials charge excessive tax and duties in case an exporter refuses to pay the lofty amount of Rs 1.5 million for the clearance of each container,” he added. The names of Customs Collector Gilgit Baltistan Dr Kamal Azhar Minhas, Assistant Collector Tahir Khatak, Superintendent Sohail Qureshi and appraiser Jamal are mentioned in the complaint.
The traders who make payment are facilitated which, according to GBCCI president, results in a huge loss to the country’s revenues. He further stated that due to an unlawful demand by these officials, around 100 containers of perishable items are parked at the port for the last one month as the traders were unable to pay demanded by the customs officials.
As the trade through Silk Route has become almost unviable due to the natural disaster in the shape of Attaabad Lack from where goods are shifted through boats, the traders were even unable to pay full tax to FBR. They are fighting for the survival of trade via the Khunjrab Pass. But the Customs officials were deliberately making the business through this route unviable which will ultimately result in a huge loss to FBR in terms of tax collection. The G-B traders, exporters and importers have jointly demanded chairman FBR to constitute a high-level committee to investigate the matter to avoid any untoward incident.
