LAHORE: The Punjab government has asked the Federal Board of Revenue to waive Rs 500 million customs duty on Orange Line Train Project-related imports.
However, the country’s top revenue authority has not taken any decision in this regard. The FBR has already given duty-free concessions to the firms working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Chinese contractors are also importing heavy machinery for the Lahore Metro’s Orange Line project.
According to Orange Line Steering Committee Chairperson Khawaja Ahmad Hassan, the Punjab government had agreed to pay customs duty on the train project related imports through Chinese contractor, CR-NORINCO. He said the provincial government has decided to refund the Chinese contractors from its own kitty.
“If the board later allows the waiver, the government will settle the amount with the federal government,” Hassan disclosed.
The 27-km Orange Line is being funded through $1.65 billion in soft loans through Chinese Exim Bank. The project will connect Raiwind, Multan Road, Mcleod Road, Lahore Junction Railway Station and the Grand Trunk Road.
