ECC may remove ban on imported items considering certain directions

Miftah Ismail, the federal finance minister presided over a meeting conducted by the Economic Coordination Committee earlier and discussed about the consignments currently stuck at port due to an implemented ban on items. The ECC is said to have considered lifting the ban on items that landed here in Pakistan till the date of 18th August 2022.  The consignments of the banned items are said to be released according to the rates of surcharge contained in MOC’s management regulations. The items landing after the above mentioned date will not be covered under the decision being taken.

It was also decided during the meeting that the imposition of Regulatory Duties (RDs) on the said items is subjected to be delivered to the ECC as soon as possible. The ministry of commerce had submitted a summary regarding the imposition of new RDs and ACDs (Additional Custom Duties) on the said banned items. These new RDs and ACDs had also been implemented on the items earlier.

The goods that were imported in violation of the SRO 598(1)/2022 and were stuck at their respective ports shall also be permitted to be released after the payment of penalties and surcharges is implemented. The surcharges will be decided according to the value of the item under consideration.

ECC also provided necessary directions in the sector of health for proper supply and availability of certain medications and the supply of wheat through Gawadar Port. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan, Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Abdul Qadir Patel, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghous Pasha, Coordinator to the PM on Economy Bilal Azhar Kayani, Chairman NDMA, Chairman FBR, federal secretaries, and senior officers.