The federal government is to amend Import Policy Order 2016, doing away with the role of Commerce Division in import-cum-export of arms/ammunition for foreign hunters, well-informed sources told Business Recorder.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet will formally consider a summary of Commerce Division prepared on the instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is also Minister-Incharge of Interior.
The hunting/sporting activity couple with improved law and order situation in Gilgit-Baltistan region has huge potential to attract foreign hunters/tourists, which will contribute to the government's endeavors of revenue generation and fetch much needed foreign exchange for the country.
However, lengthy and cumbersome procedure for getting NoC from Ministry of Interior for carrying hunting arms and ammunition and other NoC from Commerce Division for temporary import-cum-export of arms/ammunition has discouraged the growth of this sub-sector tourism.
The procedure in vogue involves issuance of NoC by Ministry of Interior for carrying arms/ammunition by foreign hunters on receipt of request from Gilgit-Baltistan Council.
Afterwards, the Gilgit-Baltistan Council forwards the case to Commerce Division for issuance of necessary NOC for temporary import-cum-export or arms and ammunition. Commerce Division issues required NOC following approval of Cabinet under para 20 of the Import Policy Order, 2016, wherein the existing prohibitions/restrictions for import of arms/ammunition are relaxed in favour of foreign hunters for temporary import-cum-export of hunting arms and ammunition.
In order to make the process of issuance of NoC for temporary import-cum-export of hunting arms/ammunition easy, Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved the proposal of Ministry of Interior (MoI) suggesting that NOC from Ministry of Interior by foreign hunters may be considered sufficient for temporary import-cum-export of hunting arms, and hence the requirement of another NOC from Commerce
Division for temporary import-cum-export of arms/ammunition by foreign hunters may be done away with.
The sources said the proposal of the Ministry of Interior, however, necessitates appropriate amendment in the Import Policy Order, 2016. Section 3(1) of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1850, empowers the federal government to prohibit, restrict or otherwise control the import and export of goods of any specified description subject to such conditions and exceptions as may be stipulated for such import and/or export.
The Commerce Division has proposed that after clause (q) of the Para 12 of Import Policy Order, 2016, the following clause(s) may be inserted, to allow temporary import-cum-export of arms and ammunition by foreign hunters temporary import-cum-export of arms and ammunition by foreign hunters shall be allowed subject to NOC from the Ministry of Interior.
The other items of the ECC agenda are: (i) approval of Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) of Rs 202.637 million of CA&DD (defunct) and Rs 12.409 million of Pakistan chairs abroad in favour of Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training; (ii) TSG of Rs 156.327 million for current expenditure of M/s OP&HRD for CFY 2018-19; (iii) transfer of Directorate of Workers Education to Ministry of OP&HRD, TSG of Rs 41.671 million; (iv) approval of the budget proposal for the year 2018-19 & revised budget estimate for 2017-18 for EOBI; and (v) release of funds for temporary dislocated persons from North Waziristan in the wake of operation Zarb-e-Azb.