KARACHI, Nov 27: Imports of goods under Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) have started tapering off as lesser number of bill of entries with much reduced volume and value of goods are being filed with the customs for clearance.
The war in Afghanistan has hurt Pakistan’s economy and has also brought the border trade with Afghanistan at a standstill.
And the imported goods under ATT are piling up at Peshawar dry port, Quetta and Chaman customs post or are lying at Karachi Port. As a result, importers are seeking government permission to allow them to dispose of these goods in the local market after paying normal duties.
On an average, the Karachi Customs used to handle between 350 to 500 bill of entries per month. This quantum was maintained even in September when 369 bill of entries having value of Rs1.199 billion were filed with customs.
However, the latest figures released by the customs show that in October 2001, only 222 bill of entries with total value of Rs300.729 million were filed with customs authorities. In October last year (2000), 397 bill of entries valuing at Rs672.79 million were filed.
Most of the goods imported under ATT somehow make their way back to domestic market but not before moving out up to Pak-Afghan border. For security and safety reasons, importers are now reluctant to take their goods into Afghanistan.
As a result of this, the flow of imports under ATT on Nov 20, 2001, dwindled further as only 90 bill of entries valuing at Rs154.277 million were presented before the customs authorities for clearance of goods. During the corresponding period of last year i.e November 2000, a total of 345 bill of entries with a value of Rs846.799 million were cleared by the customs.
During Sept to Nov 20 this year, a total 681 bill of entries having a value of Rs1.655 billion were cleared by the customs whereas in the corresponding period of last year a total 1107 bill of entries valuing at Rs2.261 billion were cleared by the customs.
The chairman, Pakistan Commodity Traders Association (PCTA) Raees Ashraf Tarmohammad told Dawn that slowdown in ATT will greatly help Pakistan economy as smuggling to a tune of one billion dollars will come to an end.
He said many goods prone to smuggling are being imported under the garb of ATT, which results in millions of rupees loss in revenue and also damages to local industry.
Besides the ATT, he said Indo-Pak border, Sust border near China and Pak-Iran border are other sources of smuggling . Raees said goods worth between four to five billion dollars are annually smuggled into the country and if smuggling is not checked loss in revenue will reach to Rs100 to Rs150 billion.