ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Saturday assured the traders of providing all facilities for the clearance of goods at the Pak-Afghan border.
Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmad accompanied by Syed Tariq Huda Member(Customs Operations) and Saeed Jadoon Member (Customs Policy) on Saturday visited Torkham Border and reviewed the pace and quality of services being provided by Pakistan Customs to facilitate trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Immediately after his arrival, he ensured the clearance of about 1400 trucks loaded with fruit from Afghanistan which had got stuck at the border.
The customs staff assured him to accelerate the process of 100 more trucks awaiting clearance.
Earlier, he held an important meeting with traders from both sides of the border and assured them of all possible assistance by FBR in ensuring the smooth and easy flow of bilateral trade.
He positively hoped that the Customs staff posted there will maintain the highest standards of professional conduct in the discharge of their official duty.
It is pertinent to mention that on Friday FBR had issued an important circular granting special exemption from Sales Tax to the import of fresh fruit from Afghanistan.
This rare concession by FBR is being appreciated by traders from both sides as a landmark decision that will certainly promote trade between the two neighboring countries.
A day earlier, the FBR issued a press release stating that the chairman would visit the Pak-Afghan border to oversee the function of currency declaration.
The FBR through the press release denied reports of currency smuggling.
It said Pakistan Customs has made it mandatory for all passengers flying out of the country to undergo thorough personal scrutiny and 100 per cent declaration of currency through an automated process in order to ward off this nefarious illegal activity. This leaves the little possibility of the subject undesirable practice.
