Pakistan cuts taxes on imports from Afghanistan

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan has slashed taxes on imports from Afghanistan, says the federal information minister.

Fawad Chaudhry told a media briefing in Islamabad: “Measures are being taken to ease imports from Afghanistan. We have slashed taxes.”

He said Pakistan would also discuss the looming humanitarian crisis with Afghan delegates, who are due in the federal capital today (Wednesday).

The freezing of Afghanistan’s assets and a halt to foreign aid had left its economy in tatters besides sparking concerns about a possible humanitarian catastrophe, he added.

In view of the state of emergency under the World Food Program, the minister said, flour exports to Afghanistan were recommended.

The cabinet approved the extension of the Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement 2010 for six months to boost trade ties with the neighbour.

The cabinet decided to dispatch wheat and rice to Afghanistan in large quantities and abolish taxes on all imports from the war-torn country.

Foreign ministers from Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries will meet in Islamabad next month. Muslim countries will be urged to help resolve Afghanistan’s food crisis.

mud