PESHAWAR: The Collector Customs Collectorate Qurban Ali Khan visited Landi kotal and Khyber Agency to get a know about the on going issues faced by traders to enhance trade to collect more revenue for Pakistan Customs.
The Collector Customs said that Asian Development Bank funded Central Asian Economic Corporation Corridor border crossing points will soon be established upon which a sum of Rs 22 billion be spent to facilitate traders.
The collector was consist of delegation including Fazale Samad Addiitional Collector , Ali Asad Khan Deputy Collector, Suleman Yaqub Deputy Collector, Fazli Shakoor Deputy Collector and Muhammad Amin Deputy Director Transit Trade.
During his visit Qurban Ali Khan also attended a meeting with traders and business men along customs clearing agents to know about the problems faced by the community regarding the situation at borders and its effects on the trade activity.
The delegation informed the Collector about the issues faced by them in order to get relief. The delegation demanded that their should be a strict policy to determine the security at borders for safe trade activities. The collector assured the delegation that their demands will be raised in order to meet relief.
He stressed upon the need to construct close coordination with the Frontier Corps, Political authorities as well as with the Afghan Customs authorities.
He said that good relationship in fast have resulted in extending border closure timing for Two hours easing the problem of unhindered flow of commercial vehicles’ entry to Pakistan and reducing the soaring transportation charges.
He termed the need to promote regional trade and strengthen national economy, the Collector said that traders and Customs Agents must rise to the occasion and adapt themselves to the changing trade environment in the region.
Referring to the border security mechanism, he informed that the measures especially passport and visa restrictions were aimed at bringing Torkham- one of the important crossing points- as par with other international borders to facilitate traders, regulate trans boundary movement of cargo and people.
He said though there were some teething problems due to border management yet the mechanism would benefit both national security and economic interests in the long run.
Also highlighted the importance of Torkham border for regional connectivity through CPEC which usher a new era of trade and business activities in the region.
Qurban Ali Khan emphasized the need to promote bilateral and regional trade and curb the menace of smuggling by adopting “carrot and stick” policy.
Much needed efforts has been carried out to reopen all Land Customs Stations in Kurram Agency, North and South Waziristan and showed satisfaction over the increase in volume of imports and exports during April 2017.
