Pakistani government under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Pakistan and the US related to the restoration of Nato/Isaf supply on July 31, 2012 has allowed transit of military equipment to Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), Business Recorder learnt on Friday.
Sources said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) through its customs general order (CGO) 10 for 2012 has permitted the US and its allied forces to transit military equipment under the head of ANSF. They said that although the FBR has issued a list of 24 lethal weapons that prohibited for transit to Afghanistan under US cargo, there is no direction related to military equipment destined for ANSF, thus allowing the US and its other allied forces to transit any lethal weapon under the name of ANSF.
According to CGO-10, 2012, "the lethal items, such as arms and ammunition, and hazardous and dangerous materials defined under the applicable laws, rules, and regulations of Pakistan, are not permitted for transit to Afghanistan under the MoU, with the exception of military equipments intended for the capacity building of ANSF."
Replying to a question, the sources said the installation of tracking devices on the US cargo under the latest US-Pakistan agreement would not serve its purpose. They said the decision to install tracking devices on US cargo containers is to ensure its security would not serve its purpose as it did not look effective enough to ensure that the US cargo could safely reach its destinations through Torkham and Chaman borders. The sources said the transit cargo under the aforesaid CGO would only be transported by an authorised bonded carrier or transport operator licensed under Customs Rules 2001 or by Pakistan Railways.
The authorised carrier will move the cargo only through the routes designated by the National Highway Authority (NHA) from time to time and the transportation of the cargo from the port of entry to the port of exit in a safe and secure manner will be the responsibility of the concerned authorized carrier.
In case of any accident, emergency or sabotage on the cargo or transport unit en route to the port of exit, the authorized carrier will immediately report the incident to the nearest collector of customs under intimation to collectors of the port of entry and exit, and will remain to be the custodian of such goods till the transfer of its custody.
Moreover, the sources said during transportation of transit goods under this CGO, the carrier will be responsible to comply with the relevant customs formalities including the provisions of Customs Rules, 2001, the applicable laws of the country including those relating to laden or axle weight restrictions or specifications and third party insurance.
They said if the goods are found missing, stolen or removed due to any reason, penal action would be taken against the concerned persons including the carrier, authorized agent and focal person along with the recovery of the duty and taxes involved in accordance with the provisions of Customs Act, 1969. order (CGO) 10 for 2012 has permitted the US and its allied forces to transit military equipment under the head of ANSF.
They said that although the FBR has issued a list of 24 lethal weapons that prohibited for transit to Afghanistan under US cargo, there is no direction related to military equipment destined for ANSF, thus allowing the US and its other allied forces to transit any lethal weapon under the name of ANSF. According to CGO-10, 2012, "the lethal items, such as arms and ammunition, and hazardous and dangerous materials defined under the applicable laws, rules, and regulations of Pakistan, are not permitted for transit to Afghanistan under the MoU, with the exception of military equipments intended for the capacity building of ANSF."
Replying to a question, the sources said the installation of tracking devices on the US cargo under the latest US-Pakistan agreement would not serve its purpose They said the decision to install tracking devices on US cargo containers is to ensure its security would not serve its purpose as it did not look effective enough to ensure that the US cargo could safely reach its destinations through Torkham and Chaman borders.
The sources said the transit cargo under the aforesaid CGO would only be transported by an authorised bonded carrier or transport operator licensed under Customs Rules 2001 or by Pakistan Railways. The authorised carrier will move the cargo only through the routes designated by the National Highway Authority (NHA) from time to time and the transportation of the cargo from the port of entry to the port of exit in a safe and secure manner will be the responsibility of the concerned authorised carrier.
In case of any accident, emergency or sabotage on the cargo or transport unit en route to the port of exit, the authorised carrier will immediately report the incident to the nearest collector of customs under intimation to collectors of the port of entry and exit, and will remain to be the custodian of such goods till the transfer of its custody.
Moreover, the sources said during transportation of transit goods under this CGO, the carrier will be responsible to comply with the relevant customs formalities including the provisions of Customs Rules, 2001, the applicable laws of the country including those relating to laden or axle weight restrictions or specifications and third party insurance.
They said if the goods are found missing, stolen or removed due to any reason, penal action would be taken against the concerned persons including the carrier, authorised agent and focal person along with the recovery of the duty and taxes involved in accordance with the provisions of Customs Act, 1969.
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