Ludhiana: A day after Union government hiked custom duty to 200% on goods imported from Pakistan to India in the wake of the Pulwama attack, businessmen have hailed the decision. The businessmen have also assured government that they are ready to incur losses in national interest and government should not hesitate in taking strong measures to end terrorism from across the border.Speaking to TOI, Harish Dua, leading garment manufacturer and president of knitwear and apparel exporters organisation said, “Hiking of import duty on the goods being imported from Pakistan is definitely going to hurt the economy of Pakistan. At the same time, this step is also going to hurt the business prospects of our fellow Indian businessmen who are importing Pakistani goods as the cost of goods will shoot manifold and the sales will be hit hard. But, we are ready for bearing this loss in national interest as we no more can bear the loss of lives of our brave jawans and innocent citizens.”Narinder Chugh, executive council member of Apparel Export Promotion Council, said, “On one side we are importing goods from Pakistan and on the other hand it is exporting terrorism into India and killing our soldiers and officers. The step of imposing high import duty on Pakistan should have been taken way back. We have no enmity with the businessmen of Pakistan, but we will support every step of our government as long as its in India’s national interest.”According to Inderjit Singh Navyug, president of United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA), “Entire business community is in the support of the hike of import duty on Pakistani goods.”Some of the major items which were being imported from Pakistan under the relaxed import duty structure of 0% to 30% duty include gypsum, cement, dry dates, soda ash, leather, surgical goods and blended cloth.

Stay updated with all the Latest Ludhiana headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.