protest held against Pakistan's customs officials at Torkham

LANDIKOTAL: Transporters and custom clearance agents' unions jointly staged a protest demostration against the tax increas on import and exports goods from and to Afghanistan.

A large number of transporters and union workers participated in the demonstration held at Torkham border town on Wednesday.

Speakers included Azeemullah Shinwari, Yadullah Shinwari and Khitab Jan Shinwari said that they would not accept the illegal increase in the tax amount by the custom authorities.They said it was sky rocketing tax increase at once which was impossible for them to pay.

Azeemullah said sale's tax increased from three to 17 percent while income tax was imposed one percent to six percents. He said the tax burden imposed recently was not acceptable and would compell traders to smuggle these items eat her to pay the huge amount of tax. He said if the tax ratio was not revised it would badlly suffer import and export with Afghanistan.

The union leaders said 15 loaded trucks of coal, fresh fruits, dry fruits and animals skins had been parked at Torkham border since last two weeks.They said the owners of the goods were able to pay the huge tax while the goods would go waste if not transported soon.
The protesters demanded of the Pakistan's highups to revise the tax plan which would boostup import and export between Pakistan, central Asian countries and Afghanistan.

They also threatened if Pakistan's custom authorities did’t take their decision they would start a series of protestss across the country.