ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: The import value of Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) surged by more than 100 per cent during July-October period of the current financial year over the corresponding period of last year.

Official figures released by the Central Board of Revenue here on Friday showed that the import value of ATT during the first four months stood at Rs7.164 billion against Rs3.298 billion during the same period last year, showing an increase of 117 per cent.

During the first quarter (July-Sept) period of current financial year the import value of ATT rose by 50 per cent over the corresponding period of last year.

A senior customs official in the CBR said the massive rise in import under ATT was due to the fact that the Afghan importers were actively taking part in the reconstruction of the war-torn country.

The Afghan government have already sent a request to the Pakistani government for re-negotiation of the ATT agreement signed in 1965. It further demanded the exclusion of all items from the negative list of ATT. However, the official said the government was considering removing around 8 items from the ATT negative list.

He said in case more items were withdrawn from the negative list, then the volume of the Afghan transit trade would further increase in the preceding months.

On monthly basis, the import value of ATT stood at Rs2.617 billion in October 2002 against Rs0.298 billion during the same month last year, showing an increase of Rs2.319 billion.

Currently, major items transit trade were sugar, plastic goods, blankets, heaters, padlocks, battery cells, pencils, lighters, etc.