October 13, 2001	Saturday	Rajab 25, 1422

ISLAMABAD, Oct 12: The dutiable imports in the NWFP have registered positive growth of over 281 per cent in September to Rs2.4 billion against Rs0.63 billion during the same period last year.

The total import bill in the province, however, was Rs2.5 billion in September against Rs1.87 billion over the corresponding period last year, showing an increase of 38.88 per cent.

Similarly, the duty free imports in September decreased by 92.33 per cent to Rs0.095 billion against Rs1.24 billion over the corresponding month last year.

Official sources attributed the increase in the dutiable import items to the closure of the Afghan boarders in the wake of US-led attacks on Afghanistan.

They were of the opinion that due to decline in the volume of Afghan Transit Trade (ATT), which was believed to be the main source of smuggling back into Pakistan, the volume of dutiable imports increased in the province.

Yet another source said that it was noted that many items prone to smuggling were imported under the garb of ATT, which were smuggled back through the sprawling borders to Pakistan, causing huge revenue loss.