Senate's body asks government to steamline taxation.

Islamabad -- Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Textile discussed the issue of imposition of taxes on import of apple from districts Taftan and Chaghi in Balochistan giving way to smuggling of the fruit.

The meeting was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi here at the parliament house.

The mover of the resolution Senator Kauda Babar told the committee that this problem is arising mainly due to absence of quarantine offices who can streamline the process of import through proper taxation. Representatives from customs and food security department told the committee that the quarantine act was in place since 1976 but wasn't being implemented but since 2017 it's been made mandatory and new draft will be brought to cabinet soon to curb smuggling of Apple from Iran and pave ways for legal import and issuance of import permit.

The adviser told the committee that eradicating the menace of smuggling is the goal of the government and steps are being taken to achieve the same. The adviser suggested holding a meeting with the Quetta Chamber of Commerce to resolve these issues and address the grievances of importers.Similarly while discussing the matter ofimport of onions and tomatoes the same issue was raised.The committee observed that prohibiting import of onions and tomatoes has not strengthened our farmers and has not helped in reducing prices as otherwise claimed. The commute was assured by Secretary Commerce that ask that is required will be done to address the issue. The committee recommended earliest possible appointment of quarantine officers in Balochistan to curb smuggling and support legal import.

While discussing allowing import of re-rollable scrap, mutilation of scrap and petroleum products like white spirit andhydrocarbon the committee was told that the restriction on import on three containers of an importer was due to thedispute in whether the contents of the containers qualify as scrapor not. Chief Collector Balochistantold the meeting that the case has been sent to court and will be decided...