Customs department says businesses to be helped

Department has been computerised to facilitate and clear hindrances

PESHAWAR: The Customs Department has embarked upon a policy of facilitating business community of the country by providing them maximum facilities besides generating revenue for the official kitty. This was said by Qurban Ali Khan, Collector Customs Peshawar, while speaking at a reception hosted by Peshawar Dry Fruit Traders and Merchants Association.           

Speaking on the occasion, Qurban Ali Khan said the whole customs department has been computerised ensuring speedy processing of documentations relating to clearance of goods for imports and exports.

Collector Customs Peshawar said about 20 years ago, the department had only one Collector for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), FATA and Gilgit Baltistan, but now there are around 1,000 officials in K-P. “Now, Custom Collectorate has become a progressive organisation where no one can fleece the traders in name of documentation.

“Now around 600 trucks are crossing border from Parachinar to Afghanistan on a daily basis and similarly trucks are coming here loaded with goods including fresh fruit and other items.”

He said the Custom department is opening its station in Lower Dir district, Mohmand Agency, Shangla district and other few districts of KP.

He said special attention has been given to Torkham post where a modern system has been launched for the facilitation of business community.

Khan said he is also providing facility of importing cars from Torkham post, in accordance with rules under which vehicles are cleared at Peshawar dry port. “For the very first time, import of furnace oil has been allowed from Torkham boder. Similarly, import of coal has also started from Torkham border creating more economic activities in the region.”

He also disclosed that the establishment of Azhakhel Dry Port has been approved and needs only a formal notification after which work would start on the project. Khan said special attention has been given to Torkham post where a modern system has been launched for the facilitation of business community. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2015.

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