Issues resolved: Pak-China border reopens for trade

Traders withdraw demand related to income, sales tax collection.

ISLAMABAD: After remaining closed for over 20 days, Pakistan-China border has finally been reopened for trade with successful negotiation between traders and the central government in Islamabad.

After a series of meetings held with the commerce minister, FBR chairman, minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Affairs, the traders’ representatives here on Wednesday announced the reopening of Sost dry port for all kinds of imports and exports.

The announcement was made at the Ministry of Kashmir and G-B Affairs after a detailed meeting held with Minister Chaudhry Barjees Tahir and other officials of the ministry. The delegation of traders was also accompanied by members of G-B Council including Advocate Amjad Hussain and Ataullah Shahab.

According to official sources, all the demands of traders have been accepted by the authorities concerned and following the development, the dry port has been opened for bilateral trade on Wednesday. One of the major demand of the traders regarding an end to the existing two-day-a-week closure of the port has been accepted and a notification regarding the development will be issued by June 10, 2014.

Federal Board of Revenue and custom officials have assured that the consignments of importers/exporters will not be opened for any re-check and inspection in other parts of the country once they are cleared from the dry port.

“The traders have withdrawn their demand related to Income Tax and Sales Tax being collected at the port keeping in view that the issue needed new legislation,” said former president of the G-B Chambers of Commerce and Industry Javed Hussain. Apart from the issue of having technical complexities, 80% of the taxes would now go towards G-B. Since the larger part of the taxes will benefit the people of G-B, the traders will not object for their collection.

He concluded with saying that the traders strike was very successful.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2014.

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