The Collector of Customs Gilgit-Baltistan has requested the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to enhance enforcement efforts to prevent the illegal movement of Untaxed Imports into areas outside Gilgit-Baltistan.

In a letter to both the Member Customs Operations and the Member Inland Revenue Service, the Collector asked for the implementation of a “Restraining Order on Collection of Sales Tax and Income Tax at Import Stage” issued by the Chief Court of Gilgit-Baltistan on August 9, 2024.

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The letter noted that importers have been permitted to clear their goods until the next court hearing by submitting Post Dated Cheques for deferred taxes, as per the board’s instructions. A Standard Operating Procedure has been established to clarify and standardize the clearance process.

Importers have been informed both in writing and verbally about the acceptance of their request to submit Post Dated Cheques as security and have been advised to proceed with clearing their goods immediately.

The Collector also mentioned that Regional Tax Offices in Peshawar and Abbottabad have been asked to implement monitoring measures through check-posts at three identified entry points in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) from Gilgit-Baltistan.

Additionally, the Home Department of Gilgit-Baltistan has been requested to allow Customs staff to be stationed at three exit points from Gilgit-Baltistan.

The letter urged the FBR to issue instructions to the Directorate General of Intelligence Customs, IRS, and other relevant enforcement bodies, and to set up a mechanism for enforcement and coordination to prevent the pilferage of untaxed goods outside Gilgit-Baltistan.

The GB Collector also requested the FBR to establish check-posts and mobile squads to be operated by RTO Peshawar and RTO Abbottabad, as well as to deploy six inspectors and twelve sepoys to this customs collectorate. He also asked for the filling of a vacant Assistant Collector position in MCC Gilgit-Baltistan as a priority.

It is important to note that cross-border trade at the Sost Dry Port in Gilgit-Baltistan has been suspended since April this year due to customs clearance issues.