ISLAMABAD, May 2: The customs authorities have seized 13 luxury vehicles imported under Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) at Chaman checkpost.

Well-placed sources told Dawn on Thursday that the customs officials seized as many as 13 Land Cruisers at custom house, Chaman, saying that their import was not allowed to Afghanistan via Pakistan.

The import of vehicles is not included in the negative list of items which could not be imported via Pakistani ports under ATT.

The tax-men say that these vehicles are right-hand drive (traffic in Afghanistan is left-hand drive) and there is fear that these would be smuggled back into Pakistan.

The tax authorities have reportedly asked the importers that they will release the vehicles only after payment of 250 per cent customs duty, and 15 per cent sales tax.

The customs officials have communicated their stand to the Central Board of Revenue.

Top customs officials, when contacted, confirmed that such vehicles were not included in the negative list.

The officials said that they have received a formal letter from the customs house, Chaman, and it will be discussed with the commerce ministry shortly.

The officials said that the inclusion of such vehicles in the negative list was being considered. The decision to this affect was likely to be announced in the 2002-3 budget.

Sources further said that around 300 right-handed vehicles were waiting in Dubai to be imported to Afghanistan under Afghan Transit Trade in the near future.

According to officials the smuggling of vehicles into Pakistan via Afghanistan is on the increase, apparently, due to the heavy Afghan influx in the aftermath of Sept 11 incident.

Several thousands non-duty paid vehicles are plying in various districts of the NWFP, Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh and Northern Areas, the officials added.