Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the Civil Aviation Authority to stop overcharging and impose equal rates across the country as importers have shifted their 40 percent business from Lahore airport to other airports due to heavy overcharging.
LCCI Vice President Nasir Saeed stated this while talking to the Civil Aviation Authority, Karachi's Director, Commercial & Estate, Alqera Atiq here at the Lahore Chamber on Thursday. He said that overcharging is being done at Lahore airport with the active connivance of the Civil Aviation Authority Management which has forced majority of the importers to shift their business from Lahore to other airports.
He said that Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has repeatedly drawn attention of the CAA DG towards the matter, but no action has been taken so far. He said that some well-reputed organizations engaged in the business of import have also contacted LCCI for the redress of their grievances. He said that ultimately, with the shifting of importers to other airports will make difficult for Civil Aviation Authority to meet revenue targets this year.
LCCI vice president urged the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure equal imposition of Cargo Throughput Charges which is a federal tax and its receipt should also be computerized. He said that Cargo Throughput Charges should be charged two percent instead of five percent if shipment in case of same day clearance of shipment. He said that list of Cargo Throughput Charges and its evaluation formula should be in the knowledge of all stakeholders while its evaluation should be on the basis of real weight.
He said that some airlines raise their tariffs in the peak export season that is sheer injustice. This routine should be stopped, he added. The Civil Aviation Authority should adopt a friendly approach towards the business community who is backbone of the economy, he maintained.
Director Commercial & Estates, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, Karachi Alqera Atiq said that genuine reservations of the business community will be addressed on priority. "I visited the Lahore Chamber on the instructions of high-ups with the clear instructions to facilitate the business community," he said.