ISLAMABAD: Despite sending request by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the National Bank of Pakistan has not established its branches at border customs stations of Kharlachi, Terimengal, Burki and Kurram Agency so far to facilitate the traders to deposit duty and taxes.
Sources said that NBP has not opened its branches at aforementioned customs stations so far. As a result, the importers/exporters as well as customs staff were facing inconvenience, adding that the traders have to deposit duty and taxes at NBP Parachnar branch causing delay in clearance of imported/exported consignments.
The sources said that the FBR vide SRO 102(1)/83 dated Feburary12, 1983 amended vide SRO (1)/2004 dated December 30,2004 and SRO 1175(1)2005 has notified the Border Customs Station above mentioned for clearance of goods came from Afghanistan.
As per law, the clearance of imported/exported goods is allowed by the customs department after payment of leviable duty and taxes at the designated branches of NBP.
As most of the consignments import/export from Afghanistan through these customs stations were perishable and delay in their clearance in due course resulted in worsening of the same, they added.
They informed that the FBR has requested NBP to establish its branches at Kharlachi, Burki, Terimengal and Kurram Agency.
The purpose of the branches was to enable the importers/exporters to conduct their business smoothly as well as clearance of the of the import and export consignments without delay.
