Pakistan also hit by drawback rate crisis

The reduction of duty drawback rates on leather and leather made-ups has been strongly criticised by Gulzar Feroze, chairman of the Export and Duty Drawback Sub-Committee, Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA). He said that the reduced rates were not acceptable as they have been included into the budget without the PTA's approval. The PTA had been in close contact with the IOCO Input/Output Co-efficient Org-anisation, Customs House in Karachi and had been assured that any reduction in rates would only be applicable for three months after the date of notification. Feroze has appealed to the Finance Minister not to reduce the rates at least until September 30, 2001. The new rates would then be applied after consultation with the PTA from October 1.