Customs Urges FBR to Tighten Controls on Untaxed Imported Goods Leaving Gilgit Baltistan

The Collector, Collectorate of Customs Gilgit Baltistan has asked the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to strengthen enforcement measures in order to stop the pilferage of untaxed imported goods into areas outside GB. The collector, Collectorate of Customs GB in a letter to the Member Customs Operations as well as Member Inland Revenue Service asked to implement a “restraining Order on Collection of Sales Tax and Income Tax at Import Stage Issued By Chief Court Gilgit-Baltistan in Writ Petition No. 201/2024” on August 9, 2024. The Customs collector asked the high-ups of FBR to take measures immediately to stop the pilferage of untaxed imported goods into areas outside GB. He explained that the importers have been allowed clearance till the next date of hearing on submission of Post Dated Cheques for deferred taxes as instructed by the board. A Standard Operating Procedure has been notified to facilitate imposters, bring clarity, and maintain uniformity in the clearance process, the letter added. The petitioners ie. The importers association has been informed in writing and verbally that their demand for submission of Post Dated Cheques as security has been accepted, and they have been advised to clear their goods immediately. They further explained that Regional Tas Offices Peshawar and Abbottabad have been requested to put in place monitoring mechanisms through check-posts at 03 identified entry points in KPK from GB. The Collectorate of Customs has also asked Home Department Gilgit-Baltistan to allow placement of Customs staff at 03 exit points from Gilgit-Baltistan. The collector requested the board to take measures such as issuance of instructions to Directorate General of Intelligence Customs, IRS, and relevant enforcement formations and installing a mechanism for enforcement and coordination thereof to stop the pilferage of untaxed imported goods outside Gilgit-Baltistan. The GB Collector has also asked the FBR to notify check-posts and mobile squads to be operated by RTO Peshawar and RTO Abbottabad besides posting 6 inspectors and 12 sepoys to this customs collectorate along with posts and budget to man 03 check-posts on exit points within GB and also filling up one vacant post of Assistant Collector in MCC Gilgit-Baltistan on an urgent basis. It merits mention here that the cross-border trade at the Sost Dry port GB was suspended due to customs clearance issues since April this year.