Local Furniture and Wood Industry Faces Risk:
Lahore: The Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) has raised alarm over the government’s decision to allow duty- and tax-free imports of Chinese goods into Gilgit-Baltistan, saying the move could seriously harm Pakistan’s local manufacturing sector.
PFC Director Shahbaz Aslam stated that domestic industries, especially furniture and wood-related businesses, are already struggling due to high energy costs, expensive raw materials and heavy taxation. Allowing tax-exempt imports, he said, would create unfair competition for local producers who pay full duties and taxes.
He warned that similar exemptions in the past led to smuggling and the spread of untaxed goods into mainland markets, damaging local industry and reducing government revenue. Shahbaz Aslam also pointed out that monitoring imports through the Gilgit-Baltistan route would be challenging due to limited enforcement capacity.
According to him, Pakistan’s furniture industry has enough production capacity to meet local demand, including development needs in Gilgit-Baltistan. He emphasized that sustainable development should focus on improving infrastructure, supporting local businesses and offering transport facilitation rather than relying on import-based concessions.
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