ISLAMABAD: As a goodwill gesture from Pakistan, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has waived sales duty on the import of fresh fruits from Afghanistan.
Fruits such as pomegranates, watermelons, and other fruits may be imported from Afghanistan without paying sales tax, according to the FBR, the country’s primary tax collecting organization.
The FBR has issued a notification in this regard. The move was made as a show of goodwill from Islamabad to Kabul. At a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee, it was decided to repeal the sales tax on imported fruits (ECC).
Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered the urgent shipping of Afghanistan of humanitarian aid worth five billion rupees, including wheat, essential medical supplies, winter shelters, and other items.
During his visit to the newly constituted Afghanistan Inter-Ministerial Coordination Cell in Islamabad today [Monday], he provided these directives while chairing the first Apex Committee meeting.
All departments have been directed by the Prime Minister to provide the greatest possible assistance to Afghans. He also agreed to a decrease in tariffs and sales taxes on major Afghan exports to Pakistan in principle.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has previously refuted rumors of money smuggling, claiming that commerce between Pakistan and Afghanistan is conducted in rupees rather than dollars.