Chairman Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), Zubair Motiwala has opposed an increase in regulatory duty on Afghan fresh products, saying it would increase economic suffering for the people on both sides of the border.

He said the imposition of duties on basic needs like vegetables and fruits at this moment would make life difficult for people, who were already suffering due to high inflation and destruction by floods.

Zubair asked the government to reconsider its decision while taking into consideration its effects on border area trade, which was already badly affected by the recent floods. He said Pakistan’s agri-products had been destroyed and the country was facing a severe shortage of fresh fruits and vegetables including tomatoes and onions.

He appealed to the Minister of Commerce to take action as goods would not be cleared by importers unless duties were withdrawn, rendering goods damage and wastage. It would result in financial loss to Pakistani importers, Afghan exporters, transporters, labor and revenue of both governments, he added.

The Pakistani government had recently abolished all duties and taxes on the import of tomatoes and onions from Afghanistan to meet the local demand. It was positively taken by Afghanistan, however this unnecessary imposition of duty on fresh fruits was negatively impacting the trade community, he said.

Chairman PAJCCI recalled a recent meeting with the Minister of Commerce and said many issues were discussed in it, and the long pending SRO of cross stuffing was issued. However, its effect was nullified by the duty imposition, he added.

The business had been halted due to imposition of regulatory duty, he said and added that both countries needed each other for economic well-being.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk