Dismissing media reports Treasury says it has not been flooded with applications from government officials who are eligible to receive imported duty free vehicles following the tax hike on imports.

“We have received only about 100 applications from the eligible government officers for import of vehicles on duty concessions after the recent excise duty revisions” said Director Department of Trade Tariff and Investment policy in the Treasury.

These applications might have been forwarded by them at least two weeks ago as the applications are channeled through the respective line ministries, she added.

Due to rapid increase of motor vehicle imports, the government intends to keep it at a manageable level by increasing excise duty on vehicle imports from last March 31st midnight, the Ministry of Finance and Planning said.

However such measures will also help reducing the demand pressure on the foreign exchange and future excessive demand in petroleum imports too, the Ministry further said.