President All Pakistan Paper Merchants Association (APPMA) North Zone, Ali Asif Bukhari has said that government imposed duty on import of paper and paper products on February 3rd 2009 with the SRO 105 as a result of which, the prices of paper increased.
The same day, government issued SRO 106 according to which, it withdrew duty on potatoes if imported by International Food Chain Franchise. He alleged that the government lifted the ban on import of potatoes to give benefit to the international food chains whereas they imposed duty on the import of paper and paper products, which increased the prices of books and copies.
Bukhari was addressing the press conference along with the vice-chairman APPMA Yousaf Jamal and convenor of paper and board committee of the LCCI Friday. He said the government on one hand claims that they are serious in increasing the literacy rate and on the other, they are increasing import duty on paper.
He observed that paper is an essential commodity, which is used in the printing of textbooks, especially used in newspapers and photo state while the paperboard is used in the packaging of medicines. President APPMA North Zone said the prices of paper are on the highest point and if the government is serious in increasing the literacy rate, it should bring down the import duty rate on paper.
He feared that if the government does not lift ban on the import of paper, then after the budget, the prices would be increased three times. He demanded government to lift the ban so that people would get quality books and copies. Speaking on the occasion, Khamis Butt said that there is a 'paper mafia' involved in massive invoicing and causing the loss of millions to the exchequer.
He demanded that government should withdraw regularity duty imposed duty on paper and paperboard as well as anti dumping duty on paper and paperboard. He also demanded that custom duty imposed on the paper should be reduced by 10 percent. He demanded that government should take into consideration the proposals of APPMA before announcing the prices of paper and paper products.
He observed said that traders have rejected the imposition of Value Added Tax and demanded that government should defer its imposition at least for a year. He also demanded that government should take practical measures to make competition commission a dynamic organisation and take practical steps to stop the smuggling of paper through Afghan transit trade.
Comments
Comments are closed.