PTA flays India over levy of 200 percent duty on imports from Pakistan

The Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) has expressed its concern over the Indian government's decision to impose 200 percent customs duty on all imports from Pakistan and termed it a childish act. PTA Chairman Agha Saiddain while talking to Business Recorder on Monday said that the Indian government's decision to levy 200 percent duty on the imports from Pakistan is more damaging to India than Pakistan. In the backdrop of Pulwama incident, he said the Indian government has also withdrawn the status of Most Favourite Nation (MFN) status that was granted to Pakistan in 1996.
He said the total trade volume between India and Pakistan stands at $2.41 billion out of which Pakistan's share is only $480 million. He said India would be a loser in trade war between the two countries as the trade balance always remained in favour of India.
He pointed out that one of the major exports to India is leather as the Indian businessmen love to import leather from Pakistan because of its quality. India also imports fresh fruits, cement, petroleum products and mineral ore from Pakistan. Presently, about 50 containers loaded with finished leather are at the initial stage of clearance at different Indian ports including Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata. Following levy of 200 percent duty on the Pakistani leather, he said the Indian importers are in a fix, he said.
The PTA chief was of the view that the Indian traders would be facing more problems if Pakistan slaps same sanction on the Indian goods. He termed the Indian act as immature and intoxicated with hatred and bias against Pakistan. Agha Saiddain further said that being the World Trade Organization (WTO) signatory, the Indian decision is clear violation of the WTO Agreement. Pakistan can challenge the levy of such huge duty on the Pakistani goods under the WTO protocol signed in 2009 among all the nations of the world, he said, and urged the government to take up the matter with the Indian authorities.