RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Chairman, Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA), Amanullah Aftab on his behalf and on behalf of entire Central Executive Committee of PTA congratulated Imran Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on achievement of the success in general election 2018.

He said Imran Khan will face several tough challenge of economical revival after forming government at center and assuming charge of Prime Minster of the country. Amanullah Aftab highlighted the significance of leather sector of Pakistan being 2nd biggest export oriented Industry and major contributor to country’s GDP and he also articulated the severe grievances being confronted by this important export sector industry of the country which are rendering them in competitive in international market in comparison with neighbor competing countries, owing to high cost of doing business in Pakistan with the major plea 1)high cost of production 2) higher electricity & gas charges 3) unnecessary taxes hurdles on export & import stages 4) huge pending claims for duty drawback, sales tax refund, income tax refund claims and DLTL claims, which are stuck up in million of rupees at SBP and particularly DLTL claims for 2.5% effective from July’2017 irrespective of 10% incremental exports, while the leather industry is eagerly awaiting for the DLTL procedures for the remaining portion of 2.5% with the incremental exports despite assurance made to the Industry.

He said that this vital Industry I.e. Finished Leather, which is the most value added product of Leather Sector as mother Industry has unfortunately been made in Isolation in the next DLTL scheme for the year 2018-21 already announced earlier without consultation of PTA/major stake holder of the Industry.

The leather industry has been in severe clutches/problems and facing declining trend for the last 5 years consecutively, resultantly 40% Industry of the country has already been closed down, while rest are suffering a lot severely owing to the wrong policies adopted earlier.

Amanullah Aftab expressed hope that under Imran Khan’s leadership all the obstacles/problems of the industry would be resolved to provide level playing field to leather Industry of the country. Chairman, PTA assured to extend full cooperation to Imran Khan Government.