ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: The Central Board of Revenue has notified establishment of customs port at Sost, situated at Pakistan-China boarder, for the clearance of goods imported or to be exported. The port has been named “Silk Route Customs Port, Sost,” said a notification issued here on Tuesday.

The government has allotted an area of land, belonging to Silk Road Dryport and Sost village organization, measuring 201.1 kanals, situated at Hussainabad, Sost, Tehsil Gogal at Gulmit, District Gilgit.

Sost, situated in upper Hunza some 200 km from Gilgit, has become a hub of trade activities.

According to a relevant official, the project was initiated some four years back at the request of the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas but due to dispute on the site selection it was delayed.

The port is aimed at facilitating exporters and importers in clearance of their goods, which will ultimately promote trade between Pakistan and China, he added.

Earlier, exporters and importers had to place their consignments in the open area for clearance from customs which took a couple of days. The delay was causing damages and losses to the merchandise of the traders.

Justifying the setup of the port, a senior officials said that in lieu of the open clearance and without any proper surveillance, most of the imported items were being smuggled to Gilgit and other cities of the country.

The main items imported from China, include crockery, electronic appliances, toys, computer hardware and games.

The notification reads: “The CBR is pleased to declare the place described below to be a customs port for the clearance of goods imported or to be exported, namely: Silk Route Customs Port, Sost — An area of land measuring 201 kanals and one marla belonging to the Silk Route Dryport Trust, bearing Khasra No415, situated at Husainabad, Sost, Tehsil Gogal village Gulmit, District Gilgit, bounded on the North by uncultivated piece of land owned by village organization, Sost, on the East by uncultivated land owned by village organisation, Sost, on the South by Hussainabad Link Road leading to Karakoram Highway, on the West by uncultivated slope owned by village organization, Sost”.