Large quantity of Indian origin goods seized

Customs authorities have seized a large quantity of Indian origin goods including coconut, black paper, red chillis, black tea and onion from tariff areas of Pakistan which were traded through Cross Line of Control (LOC) Trade. Sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday that the Cross LOC Trade is to facilitate the Kashmiri people of both the sides. The primary aim of the Cross LOC Trade is to encourage the trading between the Kashmiri businessmen of Pakistan and India.
However, the Indian origin goods imported through the Cross LOC Trade are meant for Azad Jammu and Kashmir and these goods have to be consumed within the non-tariff area of the AJK. The goods traded under the Cross LOC Trade could not be sold and consumed in the tariff areas of Pakistan. Contrary to this, the goods seized by the customs authorities included those Indian origin items which were sold in the tariff areas of Pakistan.
Customs department has seized and imposed redemption fine on those Indian origin goods which were traded through the Cross LOC Trade, but sold in the tariff areas of Pakistan. Customs department has no objection on the Cross LOC Trade where the goods have been imported and subsequently consumed within the non-tariff area of AJK. Once the non-duty paid goods comes to the tariff areas of Pakistan, these goods are liable to be subjected to normal rates of duties and taxes.
Customs authorities have seized and imposed duties and taxes including redemption fine on following Indian origin goods including coconut, big cardamom, black paper, almond, red chilli, black tea, raisin, polyester, red chilli seed, ladies shawls and onions.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested the FBR to ensure smooth flow of the Cross LOC Trade between Pakistan and India following seizure of Indian goods by Pakistani customs authorities. As per Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Cross LoC Travel and Trade Authority has informed this Ministry that the customs department at various places has seized the traded goods relating to Cross LoC trade. The customs department has given this argument that the items have been illegally smuggled from India to Pakistan and the items are no part of the Cross LoC Trade List.
They have further informed that several meetings had been held with the DG Custom Intelligence, Collector Custom, customs authorities and Chairman FBR but without any positive outcome.
Recently, Custom Department seized large quantity of goods (traded through Cross LoC trade) at Islamabad and as a result traders went on hunger strike and parked the trucks in front of the Prime Minister Secretariat Muzaffarabad. According to AJK Travel and Trade Authority, AJK Prime Minister has discussed the matter with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who has assured that the goods would not be seized in Pakistan. It may be mentioned that Cross LoC trade is a Confidence Building Measure (CBM) meant for reducing the sufferings of the Kashmiris. This CBM has generally been welcomed by the Kashmiris on both sides. It would be important that the Cross LoC trade continues as agreed without impediments, Ministry of Foreign Affairs added.
According to the letter of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Cross LoC Travel and Trade Authority to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is intimated that Cross LoC Trade has successfully completed three years, LoC Trade has been conducted fairly and transparently under strict supervision and control to avoid being misused. People have welcomed the initiative taken by the Government of Pakistan.
In the last few weeks, Custom Department has seized a lot of traded goods at Islamabad, as a result the traders went on huger strike and parked the trucks in front of Prime Minister Secretariat Muzaffarabad. Subsequently Prime Minister of AJK discussed the matter with Prime Minister of Pakistan, who has committed that those goods will not be seized in Pakistan. The Prime Minister of AJK held meeting with the Cross LoC Traders and announced that Cross LoC traded goods will not be seized by custom officials, and traders should do trade with full confidence. Custom Collector was contacted but he has different view point on the subject.
Keeping in view the current situation, the Authority has requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to call the meeting of all stakeholders to resolve the issue amicably, otherwise traders have decided to go on strike and Cross Loc Trade will be stopped which will portray a very negative message to India and international community, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Cross LoC Travel and Trade Authority added.