FAISALABAD City News

0.9pc duty on import cargo

Customs clearing agents observe strike in Faisalabad

From Our Correspondent

FAISALABAD: The customs clearing agents observed strike against levy of 0.9 per cent duty on import cargo by the Punjab government at the Faisalabad Dry Port on Tuesday.

The agents also suspended the work to register their protest. Due to the strike, not a single import container was handled at the dry port. All Pakistan Clearing Agents Association chairman Amjad Chaudhry vowed to continue the strike till the withdrawal of the tax.

Meanwhile, talking to The News, Faisalabad Dry Port Trust chairman Mukhtar Ahmad Sheikh said that dry ports of Faisalabad, Multan and Sialkot observed a token strike from 9am to 1pm against the clamping of 0.9 per cent tax. He said that imports and exports at the upcountry dry ports were declining and they were unable to meeting their growing expenses. He said that industrial sector was already in deep crisis and the imposition of the duty on import cargo would further deepen the crisis, which would ultimately result in closure of the dry ports in the province. He demanded the chief minister withdraw duty on import cargo.