Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Atif Ikram Sheikh has urged the Punjab government to immediately withdraw the 0.9% Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess (PIDC) imposed in the province, according to a statement issued on Monday.

Sheikh said eight dry ports in Punjab have become largely non-operational. If revived and customs clearance is shifted from Karachi to Punjab, it would significantly reduce business costs and create new employment opportunities.

FPCCI Regional Chairman Zaki Aijaz said cargo transported by rail is considerably more economical, and demurrage charges would also be reduced substantially. He noted that when clearance takes place in Sindh, business costs rise considerably. Demurrage charges of $100 to $200 per day must be paid in foreign exchange, ultimately benefiting multinational companies.

The business community also called upon the governments of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to withdraw the infrastructure development cess imposed in their respective provinces.