May 04, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 27, 1429

PESHAWAR, May 3: Federal Bureau of Revenue Chairman Mohammad Abdullah Yousaf has asked the customs authorities in the provincial capital to stop smuggling of Pakistani export items, particularly edible oil, back into the home markets.

Speaking to the office-bearers and members of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Saturday, Mr Yousaf expressed his concern over the fraudulent game being played in the name of exports to Afghanistan. He asked his local customs subordinates to check the unlawful practice and stop it. He said it was unfair on the part of some exporters, which needed to be stopped forthwith.

SCCI senior vice-president Inyat Khan briefed the FBR chairman about the problems being faced by the business people. He demanded of the government to withdraw the SRO 48-1, 2008, which was repugnant to the interests of business and trade community. He asked the government to consult elected bodies of traders during the budget-making process.

He also complained about the complicated procedure of tax returns, which according to him had become a permanent source of confusion and mental torture for semi-literate shopkeepers. He drew the attention of the FBR chairman to the non-cooperative attitude of the scheduled banks.

Mohammad Akhtar and Ishaq Khan also spoke on the problems of their community, but the FBR chairman asked them to send all problems and proposals in written form to his office.

Commenting on the hardships being confronted by the business and industrial community owing to unscheduled loadshedding, he said it was a national crisis and the government would provide them some sort of relief in the next annual budget. “The government will exempt them from the certain taxes if they import generators to cater to their energy needs,” he added. He said everybody was aware of the power crisis, which had affected the course of life across the country.

To a question about shifting of dry port from Amangarh, Nowshera to Jamrud in Khyber Agency, he said the port had been completed and the National Logistic Cell was about to move into the area. He said he was aware of the security problems in the tribal agencies, but it could be solved. He said he would talk to NWFP governor to ensure security in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

Earlier, a number of traders drew the attention of Mr Yousaf to the lawlessness in the Fata, where NLC had built its new dry port. They were of the view that kidnapping for ransom was on the rise in the tribal areas and they could not initiate any business activity in Khyber Agency. “Who will ensure us safety of business and life in tribal area? Our community members are even not safe in settled areas,” they added.