lahore -


The PTA has been reluctant to issue NOC for the import of tablet PCs under the pretext of preventing terrorist activities in the country.
“The PTA is seeking various test reports including safety, EMC and Radio Test Reports from the importers of tablet PCs having WiFi, HSPA, UMTS, GSM, EVDO and WiMax features in order to prevent terrorist activities but the point is that the said PCs had never been used in any subversive activity while reportedly handheld mobile sets and PDA mobile phones were mostly were mostly utilised in acts of terror but no approval certificate has ever been sought for import of such mobiles, observed Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Farooq Iftikhar, while taking a strong exception to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for creating undue hurdles in the way of genuine importers.
He pointed out that the lengthy procedures of the Customs Department are increasing demurrage charges and encouraging smuggling as well.
“When the PTA had already issued an NOC for one model of tablet PCs on the basis of above said test reports therefore it must not have any objection to the import of other models upon the submission of required test reports.”
He said that if the PTA continues with this practice, no businessman would dare import his goods legally. He said that the PTA is meant to supplement government’s efforts aimed at promotion of documented economy but it seems that the PTA’s priorities are different that of the governments.
It is to be noted that the Chamber had already appealed to the Federal Board of Revenue to relax import procedures as cumbersome and lengthy documentation and involvement of large number of government departments strengthening the hands of smugglers.
He said that only because of bureaucratic hurdles the size of undocumented economy was increasing with every passing day. He said that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority should take necessary steps to discontinue the practice of seeking unnecessary reports and documents from genuine importers.