During 2007 to 2009: 262 Isaf containers missing, National Assembly body told

The Federal Board of Revenue here on Friday informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance that out of a total of 350,000 containers imported during 2007 to 2009, around 23,952 containing commercial cargo were missing of which 262 containers were of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operating in Afghanistan under transit trade regime.
Briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance here at parliament house, FBR Chairman Salman Siddique informed that 23,952 containers did not cross the Pak-Afghan border. The national exchequer has suffered Rs 50 billion revenue loss due to these missing of containers. The amount of penalty has not been included in Rs 50 billion revenue loss. While calculating revenue loss, it has also been assumed that the goods have been consumed in Pakistan.
The investigation is already underway and many officials are under investigation as well as clearing agents have been issued notices on missing of containers. There is a significant fall in imports under the commercial Afghan Transit Trade ie 54 percent for February 1 to June 30 2011. Similarly, there is also significant fall in imports under the non-commercial Afghan Transit Trade ie 32 percent for February 1 to June 30 2011. The import of black tea declined by (41%); textile fabric (74%); electronics (63%); tyres (79%) and import of vehicles declined by 44% and shift of ATT cargo to regular import channels generated Rs 3.6 billion in duties and taxes, strengthening efficiency and effectiveness of tax system.
He said that transportation of containers is being done through carriers authorised by National Logistic Cell, responsibility lies with transporters and a notice have also been issued to NLC in missing containers case. FBR Chairman said that Afghan side is not fully co-operating for verification of data/cross border certificates of containers, which enter Afghanistan. He, however, said that if Afghan side co-operates with Customs authorities, FBR would be able to complete this investigation within 14 days period.
FBR Chairman disclosed that under new transit trade agreement with Afghanistan, private sector bonded carrier have been authorised to transport Transit containers. On the other hand, National Logistic Board is pressurising FBR to maintain it''s monopoly of transportation of containers by citing security reasons. Tax authorities principally agreed with the committee members that Pakistan railways should have exclusive right of transporting transit containers to avoid pilferage within the country in future.