ISLAMABAD, Oct 1: Pakistan will provide technical assistance as well as a plan for introduction of an effective taxation system in Afghanistan.

Well-placed sources told Dawn on Wednesday that a three-member customs officials would leave for Kabul on Thursday to identify areas where necessary assistance would be provided.

The World Bank would provide funds for the project particularly for setting up an effective customs administrative system in that country, the sources said.

To control Afghan transit trade, Pakistan had already prepared customs tariff plan for Afghanistan, the sources said. But, according to the source, the earlier Rabbani government did not respond favourably to the effort of Pakistan government.

Besides, Pakistan had also prepared the customs tariff in Dari language, which the sources said could be used as a source of information for making an effective system.

The sources said the customs officials, during their stay, would meet Afghan Deputy Minister of Customs and Revenue, Mr. Popal, the representatives of USAID and customs adviser.

They would also visit Kabul Custom House and Kabul airport to identify areas for technical and any other support.

According to the sources, training would be provided for the human resource development of their tax-men along with helping Kabul in drafting customs procedures.

Since there was no check post on the Afghan boarders to stop the smuggling of goods and narcotics into that country and its smuggling back into the neighbouring countries, the tax authorities would also prepare anti-narcotics and anti-smuggling laws for that country, the sources said.

Moreover, a data bank would be established within the taxation system for the compilation of the data related to exports and imports of the country.

As Afghanistan is a land-locked country, therefore, the tax officials would work out the requirements for the establishment of dry ports along with personnel to be employed there to carry out the work.

Justifying the immediate need for the establishment of dry ports in Afghanistan, the sources said, it would facilitate imports and exports of that country with neighbouring countries.

Presently, as there was no proper system of taxation in that country, the immediate arrangement for the effective system would be necessary to support the re-construction activities of that country.