ISLAMABAD, March 14: The government has decided to release the CNG buses imported from Sharjah that were withheld on the charges of their Indian origin.

A customs notification issued by the FBR here on Friday said that the clearance of the 15 imported buses would be subject to payment of leviable duty and taxes in addition to the redemption of fine equivalent to 30 per cent of their cost and freight value.

These CNG buses were assembled in the UAE using components/parts imported from India. Therefore, a question arose regarding determination of origin since under the Import Policy Order such buses from India were not allowed.

In order to mitigate the hardship faced by the importers and to safeguard the interest of local manufacturers/assemblers, it was proposed by the FBR and the ministry of commerce to the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet, as a special dispensation, to allow one-time import authorisation of the already imported 15 buses on the condition that such buses would not be imported in future.

The ECC in its last meeting accorded its approval for the release of the 15 CNG buses on one-time authorisation.