ISLAMABAD, March 8: The value of dutiable imports was up by 11.48 per cent to Rs280.587 billion during the July-February period of the current financial year against Rs251.710 billion during the same period of last year.

Official statistics released by Central Board of Revenue (CBR) here on Saturday showed that goods worth Rs280.587 billion value were imported during the eight months of the current financial year against Rs251.710 billion worth goods imported during the same period of last year, showing an increase of 11.48 per cent.

The value of total imports during the period under review stood at Rs469.169 billion this year against Rs418.103 billion over the corresponding period of last year, showing an increase of 12.21 per cent.

Further break up showed that value of duty free imports of goods during the July-February period this year stood at Rs188.582 billion against Rs166.393 billion over the corresponding period of last year, showing an increase of 13.3 per cent.

According to a customs official, the rise in the value of dutiable imports during the eight months this year showed that economic activities in the country is constantly picking up.

He said that a constant growth of 11 per cent was registered during each month of the current financial year over the corresponding months of last year.