ISLAMABAD, Feb 7: Dutiable imports surged by 0.65 per cent to Rs220.746 billion during the July-January period of the current financial year against Rs219.327 billion over the corresponding period of the last year.

However, in January the dutiable imports fell by 12.54 per cent to Rs32.69 billion against Rs37.38 billion in the same month last year.

On the other hand, the total imports bill during the seven months, however, increased by 7.2 per cent to Rs375.364 billion against Rs350.113 billion during the same period last year. While the total import bill during the first six months surged by Rs11.3 per cent to Rs322.26 billion during against Rs289.53 billion last year.

Similarly, the dutiable imports surged by 24.82 per cent in December 2001 to Rs31.23 billion against Rs25.02 billion during the same month last year. While the dutiable imports during the July-December period increased by 3.36 per cent to Rs188.05 billion against Rs181.94 billion during the same period last year.

Official figures released here on Wednesday by the CBR, showed that the value of dutiable imports during the July-January period was Rs220.746 billion against Rs219.327 billion during the same period last year, showing an increase of 0.65 per cent.

The value of the duty-free imports have surged by 18.22 per cent during the seven months of the current financial year to Rs154.61 billion this year against Rs130.78 billion during the same period last year. However, during the first six months of the current fiscal the duty-free imports declined by over 24 per cent to Rs134.21 billion against Rs107.59 billion during the same period last year.

The value of dutiable imports in January, however, decreased by 12.54 per cent to Rs32.69 billion against Rs37.38 billion during the same month last year.

The total import bill in January stood at Rs53.09 billion against Rs60.57 billion, registering a decrease of 12.34 per cent.

The revenue receipts from imports in January stood at Rs3.36 billion against Rs5.03 billion collected during the same month last year, showing a decrease of 33 per cent.

A senior official told Dawn that the decrease registered in the dutiable imports was due to the prevailing tension in the region. He, however, expressed the hope that in the next five months the dutiable imports will register rise.

The official said that if normalcy did not return in the region, the import duty may register a massive decrease in the next months.