The new customs evaluation system is more traders' friendly, and those raising objections on it are status-quo elements who want continuation of the past practice to secure their vested interests. Custom Evaluation Director General and PCA, Abdul Wadood Khan said speaking in a PTV programme on Monday. He denied the impression that the new system would decrease the volume of revenue, adding, it was mere propaganda by the vested interests, who indulged in under invoicing in the past.

It had been the priority of the government to enhance confidence between traders and the revenue collecting machinery and a number of reformatory measures had been taken in that regard, he added.

He said the custom administration reform system was being implemented by the end of March next, under which the business transactions of 90 to 95 percent good profile traders would get cleared immediately.

There would be no prospects of behind the scene dealings and under-invoicing in that system, he said, adding consequently the volume of revenue would increase.

He said the remaining five to 10 percent traders would also be given an opportunity to defend their position before the arbitrary committees so that proper invoicing on their imported goods was done.

The committees would try to take rapid decisions, however if there was some delay in the process, the traders would be allowed to move their goods by submitting a guarantee bond, he added.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005