ISLAMABAD: Amid the measures of the Ministry of Commerce to enhance trade with Afghanistan, the ministry has sought input from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in the assessment of revenue loss to the country due to stalled trade traffic at Torkham due to recent tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A source told Customs Today that the volume of trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan was $ 2.28 billion in 2014-15. Pakistan exported $1.962 million worth of goods while imports from Afghanistan were at the level of $ 323 million.
However, due to recent escalations, the Torkham border was closed. As a result, business and commercial activities remained suspended. Hundreds of trucks and trailers loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables were stranded on both sides of the border.
On the Pakistani side of the Durand Line, the source said that there were long queues of vehicles with perishable items from Peshawar to Torkham. “Although the exact figures are not available, however, in view of curfew like situation at the border, it can safely be assumed that exports as well as the revenue collection were affected during the period of tension,” the source said, adding that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had been requested for input on the matter.
To a question about recent measures taken by the MoC to enhance bilateral trade with Afghanistan, the source said that both Pakistan and Afghanistan has agreed in a meeting of Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Coordination Authority (APTTCA) that the provisions of the APTTA-2010 would be revised and amended appropriately with a view to further facilitating the transit trade.
Moreover, both sides agreed in principle that the provisions of TIR Convention – to which both Pakistan and Afghanistan are signatories, will be adapted in APTTA to the extent possible. In this connection Afghan side had agreed to share a draft text of amended APTTA, However, the draft has not yet been received.
Similarly, the source said that Afghan side agreed to issue WeBOC user IDs for non-commercial importers of Afghanistan through its Ministry of Commerce and Industries. In this regard, Pakistan Customs also handed over the list of non-commercial importers to Afghan Customs.
“Pakistan agreed to consider Afghan proposal to waive guarantee requirements for items not prone to diversion. Pakistan agreed to consider the Afghan proposal to abolish the current negative list for Afghan Transit Trade” the source maintained.
Moreover, the source said that Afghan request for change in destination of transit cargo from Torkham to Chaman and vice versa, filed by the Afghan traders was agreed to by Pakistan Customs.
