ISLAMABAD: After continuous protests by the local business community, the federal government has revoked the Customs Act 1969 in the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (Pata).
The Pata territory comprises of districts of Buner, Chitral, Dir Lower, Dir Upper, Malakand, Swat, Shangla, and some parts of Kohistan district.
Addressing a press conference, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that on 15th May 2015, Chief Minister KP requested to extend Customs Act 1969 to Pata. Later, the KP government moved a summary for extension of Customs Act, 1969 to Pata in light of the recommendations of Apex Committee.
The President of Pakistan approved the request and notification was done on 28th March 2016. The people of PATA protested. The SAFRON Ministry forwarded a summary moved by the KP government of 5th May 2016 which recommended that the President may approve repealing the extension of the Customs Act 1969 to Pata due to economic situation and poverty of the region.
During the budget session several parliamentarians from KP and Fata requested for the repeal of the Customs Act in the region. The finance minister promised in the budget session to place the matter before the prime minister on his return from abroad. On advice of the prime minister, the President has repealed the extension of Customs Act 1969 to Pata.
