GILGIT: The Collector of the Gilgit-Baltistan Customs has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to strengthen enforcement measures to prevent the smuggling of untaxed imported goods into areas outside of GB.
In a letter to the FBR’s Member Customs Operations and Member Inland Revenue Service, the Customs Collector, requested the implementation of a restraining order on a collection of sales tax and income tax at the import stage issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court. This order allows importers to clear their goods by submitting post-dated cheques for deferred taxes, as per the instructions given by the board.
He explained that a standard operating procedure has been notified to facilitate the importers, bring clarity, and maintain uniformity in the clearance process. The importers’ association has been informed in writing and verbally that their demand for the submission of post-dated cheques as security has been accepted, and they have been advised to clear their goods immediately.
Furthermore, the collector has requested the Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) in Peshawar and Abbottabad to establish monitoring mechanisms through check-posts at three identified entry points in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from GB. He has also asked the Home Department of Gilgit-Baltistan to allow the placement of Customs staff at three exit points from Gilgit-Baltistan.
He has urged the FBR to take measures, such as issuing instructions to the Directorate General of Intelligence Customs, Inland Revenue Service, and relevant enforcement formations, as well as installing a mechanism for enforcement and coordination, to prevent the pilferage of untaxed imported goods outside Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Collector of Customs in Gilgit-Baltistan has also requested the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to take the following additional measures:
Notify check-posts and mobile squads to be operated by the Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) in Peshawar and Abbottabad to monitor the entry points from Gilgit-Baltistan.
Post 6 inspectors and 12 sepoys to the Customs Collectorate of Gilgit-Baltistan, along with the necessary posts and budget to man 3 check-posts on the exit points within Gilgit-Baltistan.Urgently fill the vacant post of Assistant Collector in the Model Customs Collectorate of GB.
Earlier, the ongoing protest by Gilgit-Baltistan traders against the Federal Board of Revenue and Pakistan Customs has intensified, with protesters blocking the Karakoram Highway (KKH), also a key CPEC route, suspending travel and trade between Pakistan and China through Khunjerab Pass.
A large number of foreign passengers, including tourists from the United Kingdom, Spain, France, as well as China, who were travelling to China from Pakistan, have been stranded at Sost.
The protest outside Sost Dry Port by those affiliated with trade between Pakistan and China through Khunjerab Pass entered the 13th day, as they pressed the authorities to implement court decision and meet their demands.
