Pakistan Ships Agents Association has urged the Federal Board of Revenue to introduce urgent amendments to transshipment rules so the country can benefit from disruptions in maritime trade caused by tensions in the Middle East.
In a letter sent to FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, the association’s chairman, Mohammed A Rajpar, said the ongoing regional conflict has disrupted shipping routes and forced global cargo operators to search for safer alternative ports.
The association said Pakistan’s geographic position places it in a strong position to attract transshipment cargo and potentially earn billions of dollars in foreign exchange if timely policy changes are introduced.
However, current customs regulations do not allow transshipment cargo to be stored at off-dock terminals. With limited storage capacity available at port terminals, the association warned that Pakistan risks missing a major commercial opportunity.
The association has requested the government to allow storage of international transshipment cargo at off-dock terminals through an immediate SRO amendment so that Pakistan can attract cargo flows diverted due to the regional crisis.
