NATO, ISAF in Afghanistan easily receiving Indian goods through Pakistan

Islamabad, Feb. 1 (ANI): While Pakistan had refused to let Indian products pass to Afghanistan through its territory, Indian goods are easily reaching Afghanistan via Pakistan under the tags of ISAF and NATO.

According to The Dawn, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) personnel are receiving Indian goods transported through Pakistan under special arrangements.

A recent information sheet of cargoes meant for NATO transported through Pakistan carries the name Tata-a 66-seater bus-scores of other Indian brand items, which are mentioned only as 'Provisions for ISAF and ISAF'.

Soon after the US attacked Afghanistan, the military regime of General Pervez Musharraf offered a special concession to ISAF and NATO to import their cargoes through Pakistani ports and airports.

Such goods were given customs duty exemption and Pakistani customs officials were neither allowed nor they had any mechanism to check details of imported items and had to accept the information provided by the countries in the international alliance.

The present government made no changes in the arrangement introduced by the Musharraf regime.

According to Pakistani Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Hina Rabbani Khar, this arrangement was worked out in consultation with the Federal Board of Revenue, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Commerce and it had since been working smoothly. (ANI)