In a major move to facilitate importers/ exporters, the government is likely to announce Sunday as 'working day' at ports from December 15, for 24x7 working hours clearance of trade consignments.
Sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday that the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) have agreed, in principle, to declare Sunday as 'working day', and have started preparations for implementation of the plan. Banks, terminal operators, bonded carriers and shipping agents may be approached to finalise the arrangements.
In this regard, Ports and Shipping Ministry officials have sent their views to CBR for necessary action. The ministry said that ports were already working 24 hours a day. However, clearance of goods depends upon availability of bank and customs officials; otherwise, practically, ports have no role to play.
It was pointed out that ports do not issue delivery orders on Sundays, and labour is also not available on ports, and, if found, they charge extra for working on a holiday.
The officials of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) were of the view that customs staff was not available on Sundays for examinations, and bank staff is also on weekly off.
Keeping in view the observations made by concerned departments, the CBR has decided that it was necessary that Sunday should be made a working day according to business needs of the people.
All relevant officials, departments, banks and organisations working at ports would have to be informed to make arrangements for availability of their relevant staff, the CBR said. It was further decided that the issue of labour availability would be taken care of by KPT and terminal operators. The CBR will co-ordinate and inform all concerned organisations, including banks, customs, Minfal, terminal operators, bonded carriers, shipping agents etc for implementation of this decision.
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