In order to facilitate legal trade and to ensure the smooth flow of
import and export between Pakistan and Afghanistan, it has been decided to extend the date of implementation of the plant protection certificate requirement from 18.09.2023 to 02.10.2023.
According to document provided to mahsool.net said that in consequence of Department of Plant Protection (DPP) letter No. DPP(H)015-
2022(Misc) dated 25.08.2023, the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement Peshawar issued Office Order TEC/C.Station/App/2023/637 dated 13.09.2023, wherein it was decided that no agricultural goods requiring any License, Permit, Certificate or other documents (LPCOs) will be released
without requisite regulatory compliance as required under Para-IV of Appendix-B of Import Policy Order, 2022 with effect from 18″ September, 2023.
The office order further said that the FBR was also requested to
approach Ministry of National Food Security & Research and Department of Plant Protection (DPP) to make all necessary arrangements at border Customs stations for implementation of the aforesaid requirements. Partial implementation of the above mentioned rules started on 18.09.2023 and more than 200 vehicles were cleared after issuance of Release Orders by the Department of Plant Protection (DPP).
However, during its implementation, certain operational issues surfaced as the traders as well as Department of Plant Protection (DPP) were not fully prepared for implementation of the relevant rules despite affording them ample time and it was found that the import consignments of perishable goods such as fresh fruits and vegetables were being adversely affected.
Therefore, in order to facilitate legal trade and to ensure the smooth flow of
import and export between Pakistan and Afghanistan, it has been decided to extend the date of implementation of the subject Office Order from 18.09.2023 to 02.10.2023.
The Department of Plant Protection (DPP), traders and all other stakeholders are once again requested to make necessary arrangements for implementation of relevant rules as mentioned in the letter of Department of Plant Protection (DPP) and in Import Policy Order 2022.
After 2nd October 2023 implementation of the Plant Protection Quarantine Certificate will be fully implemented and no vehicle will allow without providing this certificate the sources of Customs Torkham informed the mahsool.net, sources added that currently the Torkham border is functioning normal.
