Afghanistan Transit Trade cargo should not be stopped en route: Chairman, PBIF

Businessmen dealing in transit trade facing heavy losses Afghan Transit Trade can shift to Iran if hindrance continued, Effective Consultation with Chaman Chamber will be fruitful.

President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), President All Karachi Industrial Alliance (AKIA), Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of FPCCI and Former Provincial Minister Mian Zahid Hussain on Friday said the Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) cargo should not be stopped illegally on the way to Afghanistan.

The practice of impounding vehicles carrying ATT cargo in Balochistan on the pretext of smuggling has resulted in heavy losses to the business community and the trade can shift to Iran if immediate steps were not taken, he said.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that authorities should ensure smooth flow of trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan lest if start hurting already fragile relations.

He said that ATT cargo is thoroughly checked in Karachi, the containers are sealed and a tracking device is installed after full verification of the documents.

These containers are stopped in Balochistan by Frontier Corps and impounded for as long as twelve days without any reason, he said.

In this regard the Directorate of Afghan Transit Trade of the FBR has written a letter to the FC authorities in which it is said that FC was given task of anti-smuggling on December 01, 2010 by FBR through SRO 1090(1)/2010 and the same was withdrawn on July 22, 2014 through SRO 681(1)/2014.

The letter further said that whenever the services of FC were required, it will be asked for it in written form under section 7 of the Customs Act.

It has asked the FC officials to stop taking actions unilaterally on the pretext of smuggling lest it damages the trade. He also urged the Officials to resolve this matter in consultation with Chaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry.