What could be termed a big relief for the Pakistanis travelling to the Gulf countries on labour visa, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday announced a marked reduction in the federal excise duty (FSD) levied on their air tickets by releasing the SRO 2024/1191, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Earlier, the government in the recently presented budget had announced an increase in the FSD for these passengers by Rs7,500.
Therefore, a person who travelled to these countries in the Economy Class from July 2024 onwards was charged Rs12, 500 in duty for his ticket.
But now, as per the FBR spokesman, he will be charged Rs5,000 only after a cut by Rs7,500.
However, the FBR, in its notification, while laying down a condition said that only those passengers would be able to avail the facility whose passports would bear the stamp of labour visas attested by the Bureau of Immigration and the Overseas Employment.
Reporter: Ashraf Khan