20000208

CBR asks FPCCI to give list of smuggling prone items

KARACHI: The member, (Customs), CBR, Mir Fuad, has asked the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to identify smuggling prone list, and suggest fiscal measures separately for items manufactured and not manufactured locally.

During a meeting with members of FPCCI anti-smuggling standing committee here on Monday he said present government was keen to eradicate smuggling from the country.

He said that a special committee has been set up under the chairmanship of Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider, and governors of the four provinces, Chairman CBR and Secretary of Commerce Ministry are the members of the committee which recently held a meeting where detailed discussion took place.

The question of involving paramilitary forces, Coast Guards and political agents was also considered in the meeting. It was also agreed to activate regional anti-smuggling committee and constitute Federal anti-smuggling committee to monitor the whole effort. As far as the fiscal measures are concerned the government has to look at the overall impact on local industry as well as on the economy.

The President of FPCCI, Fazal-ur-Rehman Dittu, stressed that only fiscal measures can be more effective in curbing smuggling.

The vice-chairman of FPCCI anti-smuggling standing committee stated that in view of the geographical and political situation preventive measures have not proved successful and there are some items which are smuggled totally and nothing goes to the kitty of the CBR. Such items should be specially marked and the total incidence of taxes on them should not be more than 20 percent.

The misuse of Afghan Transit Trade was highlighted by most of the participants which, in their opinion, was the main source of smuggling. It was stated that the government officials and anti-smuggling agencies were also involved in the smuggling. PPI