Fruit, vegetable traders want duty hikes retracted

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): The governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan have been urged to retract massive hikes in tariffs and duties on fruits and vegetables.

In a resolution, which was unanimously endorsed during a meeting at the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), fruit and vegetable merchants made the demand.

SCCI President Fuad Ishaq presented the resolution, seeking the withdrawal of taxes on both sides to address traders’ problems and spur Pak-Afghan trade.

The resolution also demanded a free trade agreement between the neighbours. It opposed the idea of setting up new markets and asked for fostering the existing ones.

Ishaq noted doing business in the current difficult situation had become an uphill task. He called upon the government to review its policies and make them trade-friendly.

Alaf Jan, president of the Peshawar Fruits Traders’ Association, voiced concern over the imposition of ‘unnecessary taxes’ and sought their immediate withdrawal.

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