Office-bearers of All Pakistan Motor Dealers Association (APMDA) have expressed concern over abrupt changes in practice for allowing depreciation of customs value for import of old and used vehicles. APMDA's Chairman HM Shahzad in a statement issued here said that a Customs General Order (CGO) had been issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) without any consultation with stakeholders to favour local manufacturers of cars.
APMDA, being at the centre for trading of such vehicles, has become secondary stakeholder, protecting interests and rights of overseas Pakistani workers who had planned for import of such vehicles or whose vehicles were in the pipeline when the subject CGO was issued abruptly.
"It is clear that CGO is neither legally an effective piece of legislation for enhancing customs value to increase duties or curtail exemptions on import of second-hand vehicles nor it is in consonance with the rulings of superior courts nor best international practices," he said.
Shahzad requested the FBR to withdraw the CGO and said that it had been issued by ignoring poor overseas Pakistanis to favour powerful lobbies, adding that the use of first registration abroad should be restored and date of entry of vehicle in Pakistan should be used as parameters for assessment. All stakeholders may be taken on board to discuss the issue and arrive at an amiable resolution protecting the rights of all stakeholders.