GILGIT BALTISTAN: The importers and exporters of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) have filed a petition against Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) before the Chief Court of GB to continue manual system of assessment and customs clearance of goods till settlement and enforcement of tax law in GB.
According to the copy of petition provided to Customs Today, the petition has been filed by the importers and exporters associations of GB, GB Chamber of Commerce and Industry against the Government of Pakistan through Ministry of Finance, Federal Board of Revenue, Chief Collector North and Collector Customs Collectorate GB.
The respondents write petition under Article 71 (2) of Gilgit Baltistan (Empowerment and Self Governance) Order 2009 and enabling Articles of Constitution of Pakistan 1973 to the effect that the respondents may be restrained from introducing Web-Based Online Customs (WeBOC) system at Sost dry port and be directed to continue manual system of assessment and clearance of customs goods till settlement and enforcement of tax law in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Customs Today when contacted Assistant Collector GB Ali Asad, he said that a petition has been admitted for hearing and the Pakistan Customs will defend it in Chief Court GB. He added, “This is a petition admission and it is no issue at all we will defend our WeBOC.”