Pakistan Fails To Stop Indian Products From Entering Its Market Despite Suspending Trade With India

After Pakistan banned the import of Indian products, media reports reveal that now Indian products are being smuggled through the ports of other countries.

The Indian products are being smuggled to Pakistan after changing their packaging and labels, the Jang reported.

Federal board of revenue Chairman Shabbar Zaidi confirmed that Indian products are being imported to Pakistan through the ports of other countries.

Several such cases have been registered and strict action will be taken against those involved in illegal imports of Indian products, Zaidi said.

India revoked Pakistan's most-favoured nation status following the Pulwama terrorist attack that killed over 40 CRPF personnel. Pakistan suspended trade with India after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir. Both the steps had a huge impact on Pakistan's economy.

India’s total exports to Pakistan for the financial year 2018-19 stood at just over $2 billion and imports came in at around $495 million, according to a report from the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), CNBC has reported.

On the other hand, informal trade through third-country ports like Dubai between the two countries was larger. ICRIER said India’s informal exports to Pakistan were estimated to be nearly $4 billion and imports stood at $720 million for the financial year 2012-13.