Tax on fruit, vegetable import rejected

PESHAWAR: The All Pakistan Agriculture Produce Traders Federation on Monday rejected the tax on the import of fruits and vegetables.

Speaking at a press conference, the federation’s president Malik Sohni said the government had imposed heavy tax on fruit and vegetable imports which was unjust. He asked the government to withdraw the tax, saying the traders were already paying several taxes as the country was being run by taxes.

Malik Sohni said the government did not consult the stakeholders before imposing the tax. He said the policies of the government were flawed which would bring the country’s agriculture produce export and import to zero.

Malik Sohni said the government should withdraw the tax imposed from July 1 to avoid problems. He said that officials at the Torkham border were getting Rs25000 per small vehicle in the name of fumigation while large trucks were charged Rs35000. Malik Sohni said the official did not allow the vehicles to enter the country when a driver refused to pay such a huge amount which caused them losses.