Dispute resolution/facilitation committee has been constituted comprising of custom officials and FCCI nominees, while additional collector custom Ghulam Mustafa and Deputy Collector Custom Falak Shair included. SVP FCCI Rao Sikandar Azam, Sheikh Ashfaq, Muhammad Asghar Member Executive Committee, Rashid Muneer, Yaqoob Awan and a clearing agent, would be included in committee which was notified with in a week.
A large number of importers, exporters and FCCI members were present during the meeting. Sadiq further said that the basic objective for constituting the committee is to resolve the issues of importers of old machinery and auto parts, and to facilitate the FCCI members. Muhammad Sadiq, Collector Customs appreciated the Chairman FDPT Sh Mukhtar Ahmad for abolishing the demurrage period for a time being. He further disclosed that 1 percent Tax levied by the Punjab government is not in the ambit of Faisalabad custom Collectorate. Hence the matter may be taken up with the Punjab government. He assured that once the examination process of container is carried out there is no need of re-examination by the Authority. He has cleared the previous 6 months cases on assumption of charge as collector custom. He further disagreed with the impression that Karachi dry port is generating majority of tax revenue. In this regard 70 percent of tax is generated by Punjab dry ports. He further announced that in case of ambiguity or complaint the importers may directly contact with additional or Deputy Collector.
He further announced that awareness session on Rebate issues shall be conducted on FCCI platform. While replying to a question regarding the Customs Intelligence he said that he will personally take up matters with concerned quarters of custom intelligence.
Earlier in his welcome address, Engr Muhammad Saeed Sheikh congratulated Sadiq on the assumption of charge as Collector Customs. He said the business is already on the verge of collapse due to the multiplicity of taxes and high cost of doing business, he highlighted the problems confronted by the business community pertaining to the customs. He further added that due to the 1% tax levied by the Punjab Government the importers prefer to import their products from Karachi and other Dry ports of Pakistan, where the tax levies and clearing cost is less than the Faisalabad Dry Port. Moreover, he referred the cases of used machinery and auto parts importers whereby the Customs Intelligence is time and again hampering the imports by un-due checking and below standard attitude. While suggesting he referred and recommended National Textile University state of the Art testing laboratory likewise PTEA Laboratory wherein the customs authority may carry out the testing procedure in minimum time. While commenting on unjustified levy of 1 percent duty by Punjab Government, the Chairman FDPT Mukhtar Ahmad announced that within two weeks a protest rally shall be carried out in front of Chief Minister's Punjab Secretariat Lahore till the abolishment of said levy.
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