The strike of importers and exporters in Northern Areas entered in 15th day on Saturday and country has lost over Rs 200 million revenue due to strike against octroi tax at Dasu Kohistan check post and non-provision of basic facilities at Sust Dryport.
Talking to reporters at Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Javaid Hussain, secretary general of Importers and Exporters Association and Yahya Khan, executive members of Northern Areas Chambers of Commerce and industry (NACCI), said that if immediate measures were not taken by the government, material for various mega projects including Diamer-Basha Dam, Bisham Hydro Power Project, Satpara Dam, Allai new city and earthquake-hit areas would not be transported there.
"We are major contributors of revenue. The CBR has fixed Rs 520 million revenue target for NAs and we deposit more than Rs 760 million last year. It was expected to cross Rs one billion this year", they said.
They said in 1998, octroi system was abolished all over the country but unfortunately NWFP government is still charging this tax at Dasu Kohistan to create problems for importers of Northern Areas. "We raised the issue with former NWFP governor, ministers including Sirajul Haq and Idrees Muhammad but in vain as in spite of promises they did nothing", they added.
They were critical about the Sust Dry Port saying that there was no facility at the dry port and a fee of Rs 10,000 is charged while all over Pakistan it is only Rs 4,000.
The government should take stock of the situation and stop these people from playing havoc with the economy. They said that more than 15,000 to 20,000 people are trading with China who would face starvation. They also threatened to continue strike till government withdraws this tax.
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