ISLAMABAD, Oct 18: The total import bill in July-September period increased to Rs159.91 billion this year from Rs139.87 billion in the corresponding period of last year, showing a positive growth of 14.32 per cent.

The value of dutiable imports increased by 3.07 per cent during the first quarter (July-September) of the current financial year, and stood at Rs94.49 billion against Rs91.67 billion over the corresponding period last year.

However, despite an over all increase in the value of total imports during the first quarter of current financial year, the import duty receipts declined by 17.8 per cent as it stood at Rs14.06 billion during the first quarter against Rs17.1 billion netted during the same period last year.

According to final figures released by Central Board of Revenue here on Thursday, the value of dutiable imports during the first quarter of current financial year was Rs94.49 billion against Rs91.67 billion over the corresponding period last year, showing an increase of over 3 per cent.

The analysis said that in the first two months of the current fiscal the dutiable imports registered a growth of 6.33 per cent in comparison to the same period last year, which showed that in September the dutiable imports declined in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in US.

The value of total duty free imports during the first quarter of current financial year was Rs65.42 billion as against Rs48.19 billion over the corresponding period of last year, showing an increase of 35.75 per cent.

Similarly, during the first two months of the current financial year, however, the duty free import surged by 58.48 per cent, which showed that in September it was decreased.

Official source attributed the decrease in the duty free imports in September to the low import bills of the three items— edible oil, POL products and chemicals—due to which the duty free imports declined as compared to the same period last year.