The National Logistic Cell (NLC) is trying to have monopoly on freight carrying under Afghan Transit Trade Agreement, on security grounds, but the government wants to provide level playing field to both NLC and the private sector.
Replying to questions from National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance members here on Friday, Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Salman Siddique said that NLC also complained that the private sector was being given preferential treatment. In reply to a question that how much tax the NLC was paying to the government, Salman said that the organisation was paying nothing. Similarly, the FWO is also not paying any tax. However, Fauji Foundation is paying taxes on commercial and business activities.
The committee across the board strongly proposed utilising the services of Pakistan Railways for freight forwarding to Afghanistan, and investment could be made in the bleeding entity for this purpose. Bushra Gohar, of Awami National Party, said that transportation of goods through Pakistan Railways to Afghanistan would save the road infrastructure.
The committee was informed that goods could be transported through Pakistan Railways up to Jamrod. Hence, all members as well as FBR were supportive of Pakistan Railways' role in freight transportation under APTTA. The committee members strongly believed tax authorities were accomplice in tax evasion and, without their support, no one could evade taxes. The members said that FBR Chairman should also let the committee know about the staff involved in such activities.
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