Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan have surge by 17.02% in first 8 months of fiscal year (2022-23).
(more…)Tag: Torkham Border
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First consignment from Uzbekistan arrives in Pakistan
A consignment of four cargo trucks from Uzbekistan arrived at the Torkham border, marking the commencement of trade between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.
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FBR assures traders of facilitating Pak-Afghan trade
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.
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Prime Minister inaugurates 24X7 Torkham Terminal to boost Pak-Afghan trade
PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday inaugurated 24X7 crossing terminal at historic Torkham border which will help bolster bilateral trade Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The prime minister cut the ribbon to formally inaugurate the Integrated Transit Trade Management System at Torkham border, completed at a cost costing Rs16 billion that would ease immigration facilities besides bolstering trade activities.
The prime minister came all the way from Islamabad to Torkham border, located in Khyber Tribal district, reflecting his deep commitment to further improve trade ties and strength bilateral relations with brotherly country of Afghanistan.
The prime minister was received by Governor Khyber Patkhunkhwa Shah Farman, Chief Minister Mahmooad Khan and other senior officials of the KP Government at the helipad.
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi, PM adviser on Establishment Arbab Shahzad also accompanied the Prime Minister.
The opening of crossing terminal for provision of 24-hour service is a landmark decision of PTI-led Government that would immensely help accelerate pace of economic, industrial and agriculture development besides taking bilateral trade between the two countries to a new height.
It would create enormous employment opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people, skilled labour and bring boom in transport sector, especially in Khyber Pakthunkhwa and erstwhile FATA.
The landmark decision would make positive impact on industries, small and medium entrepreneurship (SMEs), investment and enhance imports and exports between the two countries for their mutual benefits.
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Pak-Afghan Chamber hails decision to open Torkham border round the clock
KARACHI: The announcement of keeping the Torkham border open for 24/7 was highly well-received by the business communities across the border and is surely a step in the right direction, however, it is critical to ensure that upgraded infrastructure and well-equipped & competent staff is in place to tackle the challenges.
Zubair Motiwala, Chairman, Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) Chairman, appreciated the initiative of Prime Minister with an aim to increase bilateral trade ties between the two countries, but he also iterated that this single step needs to be intertwined with other confidence building measures that should reduce the trust deficit across the border.
The Border management system, including quick processing at the border, scanning facility in place, appropriate number of manpower with the desired skill set should also be ensured. The congestion and infrastructure challenges at port leading to delays which is further aggravated by dilapidated road conditions also reduces the speed of consignments reaching the border, which needs to be looked into to reap the benefits from this endeavor.
During a meeting with customs officials, it was highlighted that Torkham border has one gate which is used for the movement of all types of cargo, including Transit, Trade (Import / Export) and Empty Containers that limits the efficacy of border facilitation, this not only increases the time of processing but also creates a backlog.
The electricity and internet disconnects also cause significant issues as it hampers the operation of WeBoC system, leading to the piling of documents that needs pre-processing for clearance of the consignments. The most critical issue highlighted was limited manpower on the border, which in normal working conditions is also not sufficient.
Motiwala commented that it is heartening to see that these matters were taken under perspective by the Government and as highlighted during the visit of Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, the arrangement at border for ensuring round the clock functionality were deemed satisfactory. PAJCCI Chairman believed that if these issues are curbed then this investment at the border will surely support enhancement in trade and facilitation of transit.
He also iterates the need to ensure the same across the border so that the benefits can be achieved mutually through an efficient border system on both the sides.
Co-Chairman PAJCCI, Khan Jan Alokozai also welcomed the initiative of Pakistan Government to keep the border operational 24/7 and hope to see it replicated at the Chaman and Ghulam Khan borders as well.
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Pakistan Customs deploys staff for round the clock operation at Torkham border
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs has deployed additional staff at Torkham border to activate round the clock operation to facilitate trade, a statement said on Friday.
It said that in compliance with the directions of Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Pakistan Customs has deputed additional staff at Torkham border to facilitate trade and expedite clearance of baggage and cargo.
In this regard, the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Establishment matters Arbab Shezad had convened meetings to address the matter on war footing, accordingly Dr. Jawwad Uwais Agha, Member Customs (Operations), Federal Board of Revenue, Islamabad has deployed a large number of customs personnel to cater to the urgent requirements at Torkham Customs.
While elaborating FBR’s seriousness, Chairman FBR Syed Shabbar Zaidi said that the exports and Transit to Afghanistan bear much promise for expansion of the customs operations at Torkham and the customs department being the premier agency has put its teams in place to brace upto this situation.
Chairman further informed that around 12 thousand passengers traverse across this border station daily and their facilitation and baggage clearance is an area being addressed by Customs, besides around 300 empty containers (after offloading their cargo in Afghanistan) are also sent back daily from the Afghan side.
To implement the directions, 54 customs personnel consisting of Superintendents, Appraisers, Inspectors and other supporting staff have been withdrawn from other formations and deployed at Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement Peshawar for Torkham.
Although the customs formations are badly short in strength and request for creation of different posts is under consideration of Finance Department, however in order to give compliance to the directions of Prime Ministers Advisor on Establishment and the urgent need for expansion of the operations at Torkham, the Member (Customs Operations) has made all efforts and withdrawn customs staff for deployment in order to facilitate and expand the trade at Torkham.
The customs clearance will be managed through three shifts. The day and night customs clearance operations will greatly facilitate the import and export at Torkham leading to significant reduction of transport charges and fast movement of trade.
As a prelude the customs operations have already been expanded starting from 7.00 A.M. in the morning till 9.00 pm, since the past two months. The senior Customs Operations hierarchy have paid visit to Torkham to ensure launch of these operations in the coming days.
The connecting requirements for equipments and support apparatus are being placed on ground through the cooperation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
The said operations for round the clock are going to be started shortly for which formal ceremony will also take place in the presence of federal government high ups and FBR administration.