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Daily

Vol 1 Issue No. 178

Karachi, Thu September 10, 2015

KARACHI

AFTAB CHANNA

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he Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation (Customs Anti-Smuggling), has activated and directed its informers to trace out the places of transportation and depots and godowns of smuggled goods, particularly the Iranian petrol

Price Rs. 14.00

and diesel.

In an exclusive interview with Customs Today, Director Asif Marghoob Siddiqui said that smuggling trend had changed in the city and the smugglers were now choosing residential areas as hot spots for storing smuggled goods and oil.

“We are also undertaking a survey pointing out the residential areas where the movement and flow of smuggled goods and oil and diesel is reported,” he added.

Islamabad Customs collects Rs 189m customs duty in eight months

Sargodha ASO impounds Toyoata Hiace Van worth Rs 1.8m

Metro train to bring revolution in transport sector: CM

DG Customs Valuation determines customs values of ceramics,porcelain tiles

ICCI, Riphah University sign MoU to promote industry-academia linkages

The Customs Investigation Lahore has seized contraband goods worth Rs 18.4 m | See pAge 02 |

The Customs ASO Sargodha has impounded a non-duty paidToyota Hiace | See pAge 03 |

CM Shahbaz Sharif has said that the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train | See pAge 04 |

The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has determined the customs | See pAge 12 |

ICCI and Riphah International University, Islamabad have signed a memorandum | See pAge 09 |

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First Pakistani company starts dealing in digital cash Thursday, September 10, 2015

National

WAH CANTT: IMEC Solutions Pvt Limited, pumps manufacturers, has started business in digital cash for the first time in Pakistan.

The firm has become first Pakistani enterprise which has joined LEO coin community by starts business in digital cash which is also called Crypto Currency.

Engineer Motasim Khan of IMEC Solutions Pvt Limited while talking to newsmen here said that the firm which deals with world famous KSB Pumps has said that the firm has got distinction by becoming first pump company of the world which has starts business in Digital Cash.

Customs intelligence sezies contraband items worth rs 18.4m

LHC orders FBr to unfreeze Arslan iftikhar’s bank account LAHORE

m imrAN meHAr

LAHORE

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he Customs Investigation and Intelligence Lahore has seized contraband goods and articles worth Rs 18.4 million in two different cases, ofRicial sources told Customs Today on Tuesday.

The sources said that on the instructions of Customs Intelligence Director Imran Saud the staff of the intelligence, during persistent antismuggling activities, intercepted two trucks TAD-264 and LOT-7702 which were coming from Balochistan. On examination, a huge quantity of auto parts, tyres, zinc ingots, welding electrodes worth Rs 7.176 million were seized. It is worth mentioning that the seized goods were concealed under other goods cleared from Model Customs Collectorate, Quetta against two goods declarations. The staff of the Range OfRice, Gujranwala of the Directorate, acting upon an information received from the Director General, also intercepted two trucks LES8457 and IDT-3467 and recovered smuggled LEDs, cloth and shoes worth Rs. 11.3 million. It is noteworthy that after interception, several unknown persons attacked customs staff in a bid to forcibly snatch truck IDT-3467. However, the staff reclaimed possession of the truck after resorting to aerial Riring and

he Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday has ordered the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to unfreeze the bank accounts of Arslan Iftikhar captured due to alleged tax evasion of Rs 3.7 million.

During the hearing, counsel for Arslan Iftikhar argued that his client has no any concern with the FEA Private Limited which is found involved in tax evasion as per the investigations of FBR. He further added that FBR has no right to freeze the bank account of Arslan Iftikahar as he did not own it.

After hearing the arguments, the LHC suspended orders of the FBR and asked it for further reply as well.

As per details, Regional Tax office (RTO) Zone-I Lahore, after freezing the bank account of Arslan Iftikhar, son of former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry, had recovered Rs 2.8 million out of a total outstanding amount of Rs 3.7 million. According to sources, Arslan is director of a company FEA (Private) Limited situated in Gulberg.

During the audit of fiscal year 2012-13, it was found that a sum of Rs 3.5 million was evaded by the said company.

bursting the tyres of the truck. A criminal case has also been regis-

tered against the culprits. The directorate aims to continue its untir-

ing efforts to thwart smuggling, the customs ofRicial sources said.

Dar urges all political parties to ink charter of economy ISLAMABAD

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ederal Finance Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar emphasized the need for all political parties to ink a charter of economy which, he said was the way to ensuring sustained economic development and continuity

of policies. The Federal Minister said there should be “no politicking on economic matters, economy should be placed above all other considerations”, he remarked.

The Minister was addressing the Roundtable conference on Investment opportunities in Pakistan. The Minister said it was investment that helped countries like China, India and other developing nations make economic headway. After achieving economic stability, we are now tread-

ing on the path to economic growth and foreign investment can be a leading contributing factor in our quest, Dar added.

The Minister said that with dedicated efforts we have achieved the merger of three stock exchanges of the country into one Pakistan Stock Exchange which has sent a positive signal to the foreign investors. We hope it would attract known international companies to our market, the Minister said.

Minister Dar said that on one

hand we have cut down on nondevelopment expenditure by 3040% and on the other increased development expenditure. In 2013, development expenditure was recorded at Rs.315 billion while we expect it to reach Rs.700 in this fiscal year. The country’s forex reserves stand at $18.5 billion, a record high and all international rating agencies hold our economy in high esteem, Dar added. He acknowledged that for economic growth it was necessary

to ensure supply of energy. “We are working on that, we are all set to add over 10,000 MW of electricity to the national grid by the end of 2017”.

In step with that we are developing the evacuation and transmission system to ensure that the additional power could be properly utilized, Dar remarked. He said the government did not stop at that but also had initiated steps that could help generate more energy beyond 2018.

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Customs finds irregularities in clearance of imported items KARACHI: Port Qasim Collectorate revealed a large number of irregularities in imported Indian clothes, auto parts, scrape and other items.

According to sources that false PCTs are being shown during the process of clearance for Indian clothes and other auto parts, therefore national kitty bears huge losses.

Source told Customs Today that the officials of Port Qasim are examining the consignment of Indian clothes shipped from Dubai and the consignments are being cleared by taking speed money.

peshawar Customs takes action against sugar mill on charges of fraud ISLAMABAD

SHAHiD miNHAS

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ustoms Collectorate, Peshawar, has seized a sugar mill allegedly involved in export subsidy fraud and tax evasion case. According to details, an FIR has been registered against Choudhry Sugar Mills, M/s Ibrab Customs Clearing and M/s Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) for ‘deceptive’ export of 500 MT sugar from Torkham border to Afghanistan during the period between April and August 2015. The FIR was lodged by Customs Inspector Yaqoob Shah of Torkham police station.

Sources told Customs Today that the estimated customs value of the case was Rs 1.836 million on duty/taxes.

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PCA issues contravention report against Lyallpur Chemicals KARACHI

AFTAB CHANNA

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he Customs Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Karachi issued Rs 3.23 million contravention report against M/s Lyallpur Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited Lahore Road Jaranwala for taking illegal benefits under SRO 551(I)/2008 dated 11.6.2008. The scrutiny of import data by the officials of the PCA revealed that M/s Lyallpur Chemicals and Fertilizers had imported a consignment vide GD No. KAPR-HC-60588 dated 22.1.2011 under PCT heading 2510.1000 through MCC Appraisement (West) Custom House, Karachi, containing “Natural Rock Phosphate 30 percent Un-Ground”and got the consignment cleared on payment of 1 percent Income Tax, by claiming SRO 551(I)/2008 dated 11.06.2008, for sales tax.The claimed SRO for sales tax exemption is issued under section 13 of Sales Tax Act 1990, therefore, the same is not covered under zero rating regime of sales tax.

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Thursday September 10, 2015

National

rs 31.204m evasion: Customs serves 4 show-cause notices on Fatima Fertiliser KARACHI

AFTAB CHANNA

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ustoms, Collectorate of Adjudication-II has served four show-cause notices on M/s Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited Lahore for taking illegal beneRits under SRO 575(I)/2006, causing serious Rinancial losses to the national exchequer, it is learnt.

The scrutiny of the import data revealed that Fatima Fertilizer Company imported consignments of stainless steel piping, cables, scaffolding, ladder, tube etc through MCC Appraisement (East), Custom House and illegally availed the beneRit of inadmissible exemption of custom duty as in excess of 5 percent under Sr No 20 & 21 of SRO 575(I)/2006 dated 5.6.2006.

Therefore, an amount of Rs 31.204 million was short paid on account of custom duty, withholding tax and sales tax.

Hence, the importer has violated the provisions of Section 32(1)(2) and (3A) of the Customs Act, 1969, punishable under clauses (1), (14) of section 156(1) of the Customs Act, 1969 read with section 33 of the Sales Tax Act 1990, chapter X of the Sales Tax Special procedure Rules 2007 (special procedures for payment of sales tax by the importers ) and section 148 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

When contacted, Director PCA Karachi told Customs Today that the

contravention reports had been forwarded herewith for initiation of adjudication proceeding.

Now, the Customs AdjudicationII has issued show-cause notices to the importers or appear before the Collector Adjudication-II Chaudhry Javed and present their view point.

Meanwhile, The Collectorate of Customs Adjudication-II has issued an Order-in-Original (ONO) against M/s Shan Traders for evading duty/taxes worth Rs 1.1 million by taking undue beneRits under SRO 1125(I)/2011 dated December 31,

2011. According to the details, the Directorate of Post Clearance Audit,

The amount was short paid on account of custom duty, withholding tax and sales tax

Levy of WHT: Traders strike in Multan

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ll trade bodies have unanimously announced a nation-wide protest strike against the imposition of withholding tax on banking transaction today. All Pakistan Anjuman-iTajaraan chairmen Khawaja Muhammad ShaRiq said in a media brieRing that traders in Multan will march around the Federal Board of Revenue Regional Income Tax Of-

Rice Multan and hold a sit-in there on Wednesday.

He demanded the government constitute a central committee and 14 regional committees to settle the withholding tax issue. ShaRiq said that they had not ruled out talks with the government. He urged the government to discuss the matter with “real” stakeholders.

He said that they had presented a charter of demands to the government for the solution of this is-

sue. He said that they had also asked the government to defer the imposition of withholding tax on bank transactions till December 31.

“The 0.3 per cent tax on cash withdrawal should be suspended for those Riling tax returns and tax collected since August should be refunded,” he said.

He said the government could amend the Sales Tax Act 1999 and recover wholesale tax from manufacturers and importers.

Customs Karachi, while scrutinizing data of importers, found that the importer had illegally availed the beneRits of concessionary rates under aforesaid SRO on importing acrylic bulky bright yarn In the ONO, Additional Collector Customs Adjudication-II Syed Mahmood Hassan stated that the importer M/s Shan Traders Gujranwala had intentionally caused loss to the government exchequer by availing the beneRits of SRO 1125(I)/2011 which was evidently not admissible to them at the time of imports.

Customs Court remands smuggling suspect to FiA he Customs Court has granted physical remand of an alleged smuggler and handed him over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further investigation. According to details available with Customs Today, the FIA arrested Ghafar Khan son of Durani on charges of smuggling of different kind of hardware items from Central Asia through KPK and Chaman.

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FFC Annual Report 2014 wins best reporting award Thursday, September 10, 2015

Business

ISLAMABAD: The FFC Annual Report 2014 has won the Best Corporate Reporting and Sustainability Award.

The award was jointly organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) and Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP). The Report was adjudged sector best, overall first and also first in sustainability by the evaluation board, says a press release.

On the occasion, CE&MD FFC Shafqaat Ahmed (congratulated the management of the company for achieving this honour.

milk sellers observe strike against government’s crackdown KARACHI

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n protest against the government’s crackdown, the milk sellers are observing strike by closing their shops and refused to sell milk at the official price of Rs70 per litre. The milk retailers in the city raised the prices of milk and yoghurt – from Rs10 per litre and Rs20 per kilogramme to Rs94 and Rs140, respectively the other day against the official rates

0.3% wHT: Traders on strike again LAHORE

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of Rs70 per litre and Rs100 per kilogramme.

The All Karachi Milk Retailers Association said farmers had increased the price of milk from Rs79 per litre to Rs86. It claimed that gas and electricity rates had also increased and there were other expenses that the milk retailers had to put up with, stating the prices of the dairy products could not be reduced.

However, late on Monday night the Karachi Dairy Farmers Association announced it was taking back its decision to increase the milk price by Rs10 per litre after the city administration launched

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that the wholesalers and retailers, too, had to revise the prices.

All Karachi Milk Wholesalers Association representative Mohammad Rafiq, while talking to media, said that the dairy farmers supplied milk at the rate of Rs2,765 per 37.5 litres till Sunda, but they started supplying milk at Rs3,150 per 37.5 litres from Monday evening.

He claimed that the wholesalers had to pass on the price difference to the retailers. Subsequently, the milk was being sold in the retail market at prices ranging between Rs90 and Rs95 per litre.

Centre, kp govt agree to increase hydel profit from rs6b to rs18.8b

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he business community is once again observing strike against the imposition of 0.3 per cent withholding tax on all banking transactions.

Different factions of the traders held different press conferences to announce the complete shutter down strike today. They said that after this strike, they will announce their future plans of protests and strikes which would be for an indefinite period.

a crackdown and made more than 90 arrests to thwart the move.

The association said the authorities had assured it of redressing its grievances before taking a final decision.

Meanwhile, The milk sellers have hiked the milk price by Rs10 per litre to Rs90 to Rs95 against the official price of Rs70 per kg in the provincial capital.

The hike in prices was observed after the government crackdown on milk sellers.

The wholesalers claimed that dairy farmers had increased the rate of milk from Rs73 to Rs84 per litre and it was for this reason

ISLAMABAD

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he Central and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments have agreed to increase net hydel proRit from Rs6 billion to Rs18.8 billion per year.

The provincial government has demanded the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to allow hike in hydroelec-

tronic power tariff by Rs1.10 per unit to raise share of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in net hydel proRit or water use charges.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government raised this demand in a public hearing chaired by Nepra Chairman Tariq Sadozai.

However, the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) had sought an increase of Rs2.11 per unit in hydroelectric power tariff from Rs1.74 per unit in 2013-14 to Rs3.85 per unit for 2015-16 in order to recover Rs122 billion from the consumers.

Senior Wapda executive Anwarul Haque told Nepra that the utility used to pay Rs6 billion per year to KP under a 1991 formula and was instructed by the Ministry of Water and Power to collect Rs1.10 per unit from the consumers for paying net hydel proRit/ water use charges to the provinces and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Accordingly, the share of KP would increase to Rs18.8 billion from Rs6 billion while Punjab and AJK would start getting Rs9.5 billion and Rs6.5 billion on the basis of Rs1.10 per unit net hydel proRit/water use cost.

Agri dept launches SmS service for farmers ISLAMABAD

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ith the aim to facilitate growers and to boost production, the Punjab Agriculture Department has announced to send crops-related information along with weather forecast among farmers through SMS. While talking to the state-owned news agency, Additional Secretary Task Force on Agriculture Ahmed Ali Zafar has said that the department had provided Android phone sets to field assistants for better working in agriculture sector. He said the field assistants were paying farm to farm visits for guidance as well as registration of farmers. The official said that registration of farmers was meant to impart certain information to them only for the sake of better crops management. He added that 850,000 farmers had been registered and it was ongoing process. He said for this purpose the department was monitoring performance of field assistants on daily basis by taking the benefit of Geographical Positioning System (GPS) facility provided in their Android phone sets. “Farmers must contact agriculture department for soil analysis as balanced use of fertilizers would offer them economic benefits not only by reducing use of fertilizers but also enhancing crops”, he concluded.

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Metro train to bring revolution in transport sector: CM Shahbaz LAHORE

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hief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train is a unique project, which will revolutionise the transport sector in the country. While presiding over a

meeting to review progress on the train project, he said that the project has special signiRicance for the people of the Punjab as well as for the rest of the country.

The CM said that work would be carried out round-the-clock on the project to complete the project on time. “Modern transport facilities will become available to more citizens after the completion of the project. The government is committing resources for the provision of

safe, comfortable and affordable transport facilities to the masses,” he said. He said that the project would be completed speedily and in a transparent manner. He said that government was working hard to make the project a success.

He directed the departments concerned to ensure high construction standards. “No compromise will be made on the quality of construction work. Safety arrangements of international standards should be made

during implementation of the project,” he said. He said that steps should be taken for maintaining the Rlow of trafRic during the construction. “A vigorous public awareness campaign should be launched during the construction phase. The federal and provincial departments should work in a coordinated manner for removal of utility services from the project route,” he said. Shehnaz said the committee overseeing the project should meet twice a month. Lahore Transport Com-

pany chairman Khawaja Ahmed Hassaan, the Planning and Development Board chairman, the Lahore division commissioner also attended the meeting. LDA awaits prime minister’s word on opening Orange Line construction The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has completed arrangements for the launch of the Orange Line Metro Train project. It has sent a request to the prime minister’s ofRice seeking his participation in the groundbreaking ceremony.

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has summoned the officials concerned of the Pakistan Customs to explain why 60, 000 liters of smuggled Iranian diesel was seized after it was auctioned.

Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, who headed a division bench, was hearing the petition filed

by Abdullah against auction of the Iranian diesel. The petitioner submitted that the customs officers had seized 138,000 liters of smuggled Iranian diesel in February 2015. Subsequently it was auctioned and Kepler Petroleum (Private) Limited purchased it for Rs 8.197 million. He said that later the firm sold 120,000 liters to him out which 60, 000 liters were transferred into an oil tanker with registration No.TLE-229 for its transportation to Sindh province. He added that Pakistan Customs’ Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) intercepted the oil tanker carrying 60,000 liters diesel at Mirpur Khas Road and seized it illegally even after the driver tried to convince the officials that the diesel was purchased legally at an auction.

The petitioner said the customs officer had issued the driver a notice dated May 2015,

telling him about disposal of the diesel through an auction. He stated that he had run pillar to post to recover the seized diesel but the respondent customs authorities were adamant to sell it. He prayed to the court to restrain the customs officials from auctioning the seized diesel and issue directives for them to release it.

Meanwhile, The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday conditionally allowed an importer to dump 20,000 metric tons the coal at the Karachi Port Trust’s coal terminal.

Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, who headed the division bench, directed the importer to ensure that the coal is removed from the terminal within 15 days.

Applicant Awan Trading Company (Private) Limited moved the court, submitting that a vessel carrying over 50,000 metric tons of the coal has arrived at the Karachi Port. A vessel carrying over 40, 000 metric ton coal cannot berth at Port Qasim, therefore, if it is once allowed to lighten its weight approximately 20,000 metric tons, it can sail into the berth at Port Qasim.

Therefore, the counsel for the applicant requested the court to allow the applicant to dump 20, 000 metric tons of the coal at KPT’s coal handling facility.

Earlier, the bench while hearing a petition

against KPTs coal terminal for posing serious threats to the health of the area’s residents and causing marine pollution had directed KPT authorities to adopt various preventive measures to ensure minimum eruption of dust from the terminal.

It further ordered them to ensure that the premises where the coal was kept, as well as the vehicles transporting the coal, should be completely covered.

Observing that the terminal is located in close proximity to the densely populated area, the Court directed the KPT to allow importers to offload only 15,000 metric tons of the coal for only 15 days at the terminal in order to lighten the weight of vessels for their sailing into berth at Port Qasim where the rest of the coal would be offloaded. The judges observed that meager storage charges are inducing people to store coal for longer period of time which is causing pollution and effecting public at large. Therefore, they said, they feel that some stringent measures be put in place to compel importers to remove stored coal within shortest possible time.

The Court had ordered imposition of penalty of Rs 20 per metric ton per day upon failure of the importers to remove the coal within 20 days of storage. The penalty should be recovered and deposited with the Nazir of the Court.

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Founder & Chairman Zulfiqar Ali Editor rahil Yasin editor@customsbulletin.com.pk For advertising & subscription marketing@customsbulletin.com.pk www.customsbulletin.com Phones: 042-35781643-4, Fax: 042-35781645 Address: 627, Siddiq Trade Centre, Gulberg, Lahore

eDiToriAL

$6 billion ADB loan

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he Asian Development Bank has approved a five-year $6 billion loan to support development projects in Pakistan, including energy and transportation sectors amid reports in the international media that the nation’s public debts have touched $163 billion mark. The latest package will provide the government an average $1.2 billion annually until the end of fiscal year 2019 to develop infrastructure and introduce institutional reforms. At least two-third of the loan is attached with commercial modules and the remaining third will be concessionary.

The ADB has allocated just $15 million under the head of technical assistance for Diamer-Bhasha Dam out of the proposed funding of $14 billion.

The donor agencies are in the habit of attaching strings to the loan agreements, following which the ADP requires the government to introduce energy sector reforms and maintain public finances to qualify itself for the disbursements. Despite the approval of loan, the bank has expressed dissatisfaction over the capacity of the government to devise a mechanism to handle growing corruption, irregularities in the procurement process, bureaucratic rigmaroles, lack of internal control and professional ability to implement reforms. The financial package will also assist the government in achieving various targets, covering from energy, transportation, agriculture, natural resources, rural development and water sectors development to urban infrastructure and public sector programs. However, the lion share of the assistance will be spent on the improvement of infrastructure, power, transport, agriculture and urban services sectors. The country’s electricity distribution and transmission network is in a shambles and over $2 billion are earmarked to ensure reduction in line losses, electricity theft and maintain financial viability in the energy sector.

At least $1.7 billion will be spent to improve transportation infrastructure, including the road network and building mass transit systems in Peshawar and Karachi while $500 million has also been allocated for public sector management and restructuring of lossmaking organisations. The bank has also planned to lend $1.3 billion, including $400 million in budgetary support for the energy sector, $200 million for post-flood highways rehabilitation, $170 million for the construction of GojraShorkot highway and $150 million for improving border services. As the country’s total public debt has reached $163 billion, the government will have to check the loopholes within the management and administrative cadre to save the precious money from leakage. As the ADP chief has pointed out, the country has failed to achieve millennium development goal as poverty has increased instead of decreasing. There is a need to put the country back on track as several government departments need to be purged of corrupt elements and writ of the government must be ensured not only on defence and security, but also in the financial sectors.

Case of provincial economy A

LAHORE

Dr AFTAB AFZAL

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fter provincial autonomy has been entrusted on the federating units, it is the main responsibility of the provinces to devise trade and investment policies in their respective jurisdictions.

However, treading on the beaten path, the political leadership as well as the ofRicial machinery has failed to launch progressive plans in any of the province, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is in power with a slogan of a “change”. According to newspaper reports, the KP has emerged as the most unfriendly province from business point of view while Balochistan is regarded

comparatively a better place for business and investment. The provincial government in KP is collecting 24 kinds of taxes. The number of taxes in Punjab is 17, in Sindh 14 and in Balochistan 13 which the provinces are collecting through various agencies. A host taxes are collected through a host of agencies, but the provinces still look toward the federal government for assistance and it provides them required funds by taking loans from international donor agencies.

In Sindh province, the Sindh Revenue Board and the Excise and Taxation Department are the collecting agencies while in Punjab; four departments are involved in tax collection, including Punjab Excise and Taxation Department and Punjab Revenue Authority. Five depart-

ments each collect taxes in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but the element to provide essential human services is missing in all four provinces what to speak of Gilgit-Baltistan, FATA and Azad Kashmir. Political parties make tall claims during elections that they will change the lot of the people after coming to power, but forget everything after assuming the ofRice. The answer is simple.

Most of the political leadership is incapable of progressive vision and is the regular traveller of the beaten tracks. Unfortunately, Pakistan is the only country in the world where the investors have to pay 47 kinds of taxes to start a business. In United States, a businessman gets all his legal and utility work done just in one day, but a businessman

in Pakistan has to deal with several provincial departments and ‘pen of approval’ only moves when it is injected with money. Otherwise, the investor is harassed to the extent to pack and leave for another destination. However, the federal government is held responsible for every woe, which has its own merits and demerits. Things will not move in right direction unless the provinces take full responsibility of the proRit and loss in their respective domains. The provincial governments should wake up and enact such laws which provide protection not only to local businessmen, but also to foreign investors. No one will stop them from embarking on the journey of development and prosperity if they have a will to do something for this nation.

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WHT on banking transactions: Govt-traders stalemate can become major problem ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) and former provincial minister President Mian Zahid Hussain has said that the impasse between the government and business community over imposition of withholding tax on bank transaction can become a major problem in the country.

While talking to representatives of traders, he said that the issues of bank tax must be resolved as it continues to hit banking industry while promoting parallel banking system which is adding to black economy.

LCCi demands NeprA to fix power tariff he Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has demanded of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to freeze the electricity tariff to keep Pakistani merchandise competitive According to a statement, the LCCI President Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that government would have to evolve a mechanism to fix the electricity prices in collaboration with the stakeholders for at least one year so that the consumers could know how much they have to pay and how much input cost they have to bear. Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that the NEPRA method to raise electricity tariff by issuing a single notification for millions of its consumers is not only unjustified but unethical as well. “At a time when trade & industry is in deep trouble due to massive power shortage, WAPDA has reportedly moved an application to NEPRA for hike in power tariff”, Ijaz A. Mumtaz said. He said that there was a time when a businessman calculates Return on Investment keeping in view the two factors including cost of electricity and the cost of raw material but now it is very unfortunate that even local investor has no idea of the prices.

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Business community flays hike in gas tariff he business community, strongly rejecting the recent hike in gas tariffs, has said that the government should not punish masses but try to reduce rampant corruption in gas utilities touching Rs40 billion annually. Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Patron Shahid Rasheed Butt, in a statement, said that the IMF condition to jack up prices was an excuse as the government only act according to the conditions when it is in their own interest. He said that gas prices are linked to oil which continue to recede therefore the gas price should have been reduced which makes the recent tariff rise illegal.

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Thursday September 10, 2015

Chambers

iCCi, riphah university sign mou to promote industry-academia linkages ISLAMABAD

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slamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and Riphah International University, Islamabad have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen mutual cooperation for promoting academia-industry linkages.

The MoU ceremony was held at Chamber House and Prof Dr Anis Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, Riphah International University and Muzzamil Hussain Sabri, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed the MoU. Both organizations agreed to collaborate for promotion of entrepreneurship in students, provide opportunities for practical application of theoretical knowledge and exchange experiences in the areas of mutual interest.

The MoU will also facilitate both organizations to promote innovation and competitiveness in the local industry through joint research activities and share academic material and information for the beneRit

of students and industry. Riphah University will offer 15 percent discount on fee to ICCI recommended candidates for admission in MBA and Public Policy.

Speaking at the occasion, Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmed said that the strong partnership between industry and academia was essential to ensure that the research and development activities in universities are oriented towards the demand of industry. He said the countries having higher

level of industry-academia linkages achieved higher productivity and Pakistan will have to follow this model to achieve fast economic growth. He hoped that the MoU of cooperation between ICCI and Riphah University will go a long way to achieve these objectives.

Muzzamil Hussain Sabri said that Riphah University should reserve a seat for ICCI that would help in bridging the gap between private sector and the academia. He was

kpCCi, iranian Consulate general sign mou to improve trade activities PESHAWAR

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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KPCCI) President Faud Ishaq and Iranian Consulate General in Peshawar Syed Hamayun Amer Khalili has sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two countries to improve the trade, visiting of traders of both the countries

and improving of education sector between the two countries.

KPCCI president Faud Ishaq said that after lifting international embargo of EU and US on the Iran now the Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project will also be completed and export of power from Iran will also exceed which will have positive impacts on Pakistan exports.

On the occasion Iranian Consul General Hamyun Ameer said that Pakistan and Iran has good relation in all sector including trade and commerce, adding but more work will be needed to improve the

trade between Pakistan and Iran.

He further said that Pakistani investors should to invests capital in Iran , adding that the impediments to Pakistani investors will be removed and would be provided all possible help and support to Pakistani investors to invests in Iran.

He also added that education is an important sector and Pakistan and Iran will both work together to improve the education sector of both countries and both sides universities and academia will work together to improve the standard.

optimistic that the MoU of cooperation between both the organizations would play positive role in enhancing the usefulness of research work of universities for industry and entrepreneurship development in students. Muhammad Ashfaq Hussain Chatha, Vice President ICCI thanked Riphah University for signing MoU with ICCI and said it was a step in the right direction to work for promoting knowledge economy in the country.

LCCI decides to support strike hile supporting the stance of traders on the issue of withholding tax on banking transaction, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has decided to observe strike today (September 9). According to a statement issued, the LCCI president Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has decided to go with the traders as they are backbone of the economy and playing role of a silent soldier for economic uplift of the country.

He said that unfortunately government has not shown any flexibility on the issue of withholding tax on banking transactions and forced business community to observe strike to register their protest.

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Russian Trade Ministry to ban loans in foreign currencies Thursday September 10, 2015

World

MOSCOW: Many large developers took loans out for their projects in foreign currencies and, if rental rates are tied to the ruble, they could experience problems servicing such loans.

Russia’s Trade and Industry Ministry has prepared legislation that would ban the use of foreign currencies in commercial lease deals.

The amendments to the Civil Code would put tenants and property owners on an equal footing amid ruble fluctuations, Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Viktor Yevtukhov told.

Most owners of shopping centers and other retail properties protect themselves from currency shocks by setting rental rates in dollars or euros, Yevtukhov said.

uS Customs arrests man wanted for murder, robbery CALEXICO

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S. Customs and Border Protection ofRicers at the Calexico downtown port of entry apprehended a fugitive with a felony warrant for homicide and robbery. “CBP ofRicers remain ever vigilant in intercepting those travelers that need further scrutiny,” said Calexico Port Director Billy Whitford. “Our efforts, in coordination with state and local law enforcement agencies, are part of the ongoing effort to keep communities safe.”

On Sept. 5, at about 8 p.m., Carlos Ivan Flores, a 19-year-old U.S. citizen and resident of Turlock, arrived at the downtown port of entry to cross into the U.S. on foot.

When he arrived for inspection, he presented a CBP officer with a U.S. passport card. The officer queried Flores’ information in law enforcement databases and was alerted to

uk gas prices fall on strong Norway flows rompt natural gas prices in Britain fell on Thursday morning as strong flows from Norway and maintenance at Britain’s biggest gas storage site Rough reduced demand, offsetting lower flows from the UK continental shelf.

Gas for delivery was trading at 40.50 pence per therm by 0845 GMT, down 0.43 pence from its previous settlement.

The within-day contract eased 0.45 pence to 40.50 pence per therm.

With supply flows at 201.9 million cubic metres (mcm) per day and demand expected at 201.5 mcm, the system was broadly balanced, National Grid (LSE: NG.L – news) data showed.

“More comfortable supplies despite outages on the UK continental shelf have seen prompt prices to soften,” one UK gas trader said.

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edmonton lawyer sentenced for smuggling drugs www.customsbulletin.com

an active felony warrant. CBP officers escorted Flores to a secure location for further investigation.

CBP officers conducted a ten-print query utilizing the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System, confirming Flores’ identity, and that he was wanted on murder and robbery charges by the Turlock Police Department.

Flores was taken into custody

and turned over to ofRicers with the Calexico Police Department. He was later booked into the Imperial County Jail to await extradition.

In addition to this apprehension, CBP officers at ports of entry in San Diego and Imperial counties over the weekend also captured 20 fugitives wanted for crimes such as assault, burglary, and larceny, among others.

Ireland police seize illicit steroids worth £30K, man arrested

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33-year-old man has been arrested in Londonderry after the seizure of steroids said to have a potential street value of £30,000. The drugs were intercepted in England en route to an address in Derry. Police said a large amount of suspected counterfeit DVDs and electronic equipment were recovered during a search of the address. The operation was assisted by the National Crime Agency.

Meanwhile, Irish consumers spent a record €28.4 billion on their Visa cards in 2014, an increase of 32 per cent on 2013, as online shopping rose to almost €5.6 billion. According to Visa, the record expenditure reRlects the continued shift by Irish consumers from cash and cheques to electronic payments; the introduction of new payments technologies such as Visa Personal Payments; and the momentum behind contactless payments.

n Edmonton lawyer who smuggled drugs into the remand centre has been sentenced to spend four years behind bars.But a pending appeal will keep him out of jail, at least for the next little while.

Justin Sidhu was convicted in June 2015 of bringing six grams of methamphetamine, hidden inside birthday and Christmas cards, into the remand centre while meeting with an inmate in 2013.

The cards were found inside an envelope that Sidhu passed to the inmate in the remand centre’s interview room. The lawyer had told guards the envelope contained privileged documents.

Sidhu was sentenced Tuesday afternoon in an Edmonton court room. Justice John Little said the four-year sentence is appropriate as Sidhu “abused a position of trust,” adding he brought the practice of law into disrepute.

“We cannot maintain a peaceful society if those who are incarcer-

ated get access to dangerous drugs,” said Little. The Crown had called for Sidhu to get a four-year sentence, two years more than the mandatory minimum required for the offence.

Sidhu’s lawyer Peter Royal argued for 30 to 36 months.

Royal said his client intends to appeal. Until the appeal is heard, Little said Sidhu can remain out of custody. During his trial, Royal argued there was no evidence his client knew the drugs were inside the cards. Sidhu is currently listed as a non-practising lawyer with the Law Society of Alberta.

Meanwhile, Two Canadian pension plans are part of a consortium that purchased South Korean supermarket chain Homeplus from British retailer Tesco for around US$6 billion. The Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board said it spent US$534 million for a 21.5 per cent stake in the company.

The Public Sector Pension Investment Board, which manages investments for the federal public service and the Canadian Forces among others, was also a part of the deal but did not disclose its contribution.

miT announces Vietnam’s trade deficit with China increases

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he Ministry of Industry and Trade announced that Vietnam’s trade deRicit with China continued to grow, presently at US$22.3 billion, and with another quarter of the year left to go. The situation is not new however. The recently released Rigure predicts 2015

will result in a year-on-year increase of 29 per cent. The $28.9 billion deRicit in 2014 was 21.8 per cent larger than that of 2013. Independent economic expert Nguyen Tri Hieu, who holds a PhD in business management, told Vietnam News that the deRicit in trade.

Australian jailed in Vietnam for smuggling heroin

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CANBERRA

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n Australian woman of Vietnamese origin was sentenced to 20 years in prison today for trying to smuggle heroin in her underwear, state media reported.

Lam Thi Kim Hong Hanh, 38, was caught with 376 grams (13 ounces)

of the drug at Ho Chi Minh city’s Tan Son Nhat airport in December last year, the Cong An Nhan Dan newspaper reported on its website.

Hanh told the court she was planning to transport the drugs from Vietnam to Australia for a fee of USD 3,480. The court in the southern Vietnamese city “sentenced her to 20 years imprisonment for the charge of illegal trans-

port of drugs”, the Cong An Nhan Dan said.

Communist Vietnam has some of the world’s toughest drug laws.

Anyone found guilty of possessing more than 600 grams (20 ounces) of heroin, or more than 20 kilos of opium, can face the death penalty.

Convictions and sentences are usually revealed only by local media, which is strictly under state con-

trol. The “Golden Triangle” region covering part of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand was once the world’s top source of opium but has been overtaken by Afghanistan.

Vietnam has sentenced dozens of foreigners to death for drug offences many of them Australian nationals of Vietnamese origin but it has been decades since a foreign national was executed in the country.

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GAC Turkey signs contract with Salén Ship Management ISTANBUL: GAC Turkey has announced its appointment by Sweden based Salén Ship Management as agent for MS Island Sky’s port calls for the remainder of 2015 and throughout next year. The deal, which covers the Noble Caledonian 114 passenger vessel’s 64 calls, comes hot on the heels of GAC UK clinching the PONANT Le Boréal and L’Austral business two weeks ago. The contract covers ship agency, husbandry services, ship spares logistics and bunker fuels, and passenger and crew support services. Per Flodberg, Salén Ship Management’s Head of Operations, said GAC’s network of seven offices covering all Turkish ports was one of the main factors in their selection of a ship agent: “GAC’s presence throughout Turkey together with their decades of expertise and focus on long term relationships impressed us.

Labour had ‘very little to do’ with cargo disruptions: Slangerup NEW YORK

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he Port of Long Beach, which is poised to overtake neighboring Los Angeles next year to become the No. 1 shipping gateway in the country had a record month in July, with cargo volume up 18 percent from July 2014. Figures being released later this month will show unprecedented traffic again in August, and early signs in September are “very very encouraging,” Jon Slangerup, the Long Beach port’s chief executive officer, said in an interview at Bloomberg’s offices in New York last week.

The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles lost business during a dispute between the labor union for 20,000 dockworkers and their employers.

Slangerup said in February that labor issues accounted for 80 percent of a bottleneck that kept as many as 36 vessels idling at sea for days at a time.

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Maersk acquires Grup Maritim TCB to boost APMT port network P. Moeller-Maersk A/S’s terminal unit said it agreed to buy a Spanish rival to expand its port network by almost 20 percent.

APM Terminals will pay an undisclosed sum for Barcelona-based Grup Maritim TCB, thereby adding 11 container terminals to its existing network of 63, the company said in an e-mailed statement. The Spanish family-controlled company is the world’s 23rd largest port operator, according to the statement. APM Terminals ranks third.

Adding Grup Maritim TCB’ facilities in Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Spain and Turkey will raise the Danish company’s volume capacity by 5 percent, to about 40.3 million standardsized containers.

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Ports & Shipping

‘Canadian shipping firms made no attempt to hire local sailors’ OTTWA

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he Seafarers International Union of Canada is preparing to take the federal government to court over the use of foreign sailors some of whom are allegedly being paid as little as $2 per hour on internationally-Rlagged ships in Canadians waters.

The labour group, which represents unlicensed sailors in all of the country’s coastal waters, has been Riring warning shots for month over the growing refusal of shipping agents to hire Canadian crews — something to which the federal government has allegedly has turned a blind eye. The Canadian Press has learned the union intends to ask the Federal Court in Vancouver for a judicial review of the practice of issuing the foreign sailors temporary work permits.

The union points to the 60,000 ton, Greek-owned tanker Almathea, which was just in the Port of Mon-

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treal and licensed to be transporting crude oil in Canadian waters until Sept. 13. Fourteen employment contracts, obtained by The Canadian Press, show hourly wages for non-licensed crew members range from as little as $2.13 to $8.80, depending upon the job and before overtime.

Seafarers union president Jim Given said such exploitation is common in international shipping, where companies will hire sailors from the Philippines, Indonesia or other poor countries for a tiny fraction of what Canadians would make. “The Govern-

ment of Canada is letting foreign ships replace thousands of qualiRied Canadian workers at a time when 25 per cent of our workforce is unemployed,” said Given. “The law is very simple.

They’re giving work permits to foreign workers on ships in Canadian waters when the law says those jobs should go qualiRied Canadians Rirst.”

Canada Border Services Agency last year issued 142 exemptions to foreign ships so their crews could work legally in Canada, even though the union says shipping companies made no attempt to hire Canadian sailors.

Thomas Miller acquires marine law firm

homas Miller the international insurance, professional and insurance services provider announces the acquisition of the partners and staff of specialist marine law firm, Davies Johnson & Co of Plymouth.

The acquisition brings an additional six fee earners to the Thomas Miller Law Ltd (TM Law) team. The Rirm will operate from Plymouth

and London in addition to TM Law’s main ofRice in Newcastle, where it forms part of the Group’s claims handling and risk management consultancy business.

Davies’ Johnson’s existing clients will continue to be able to instruct the Plymouth Rirm, and there will be no change to the service they enjoy currently. As part of TM Law, the acquisition will bring the Plymouth team’s

highly regarded skills and experience to a wider global audience, through Thomas Miller’s signiRicant presence in the major shipping markets. TM Law offers the full range of English marine law services, including cargo and collision liability, hull and property, disputes arising under charter, vessel sale and purchase and other non-contentious work, injury to crew, cruise ship and large yacht claims.

Thursday September 10, 2015

global terminal operators launch go green initiative eading container terminal and port operators have teamed up to launch the ‘Go Green’ – the first ever joint industry initiative to promote environmental awareness and make a sustainable difference in the communities in which they operate.

Global marine terminal operators DP World, Hutchison Port Holdings Limited (HPH), APM Terminals, PSA International and Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG), joined by the Port of Rotterdam Authority (PRA), will start the one-week campaign on September 14 with focus on three main themes: re-use and recycling, climate change, and the communities in which they operate. “This is the right thing to do for the environment, for the communities we operate in, and our employees. Working together, we can address the critical issues facing the environment and act as a catalyst for global change,” APM Terminals CEO Kim Fejfer said. The campaign will also try to identify local partners in the effort to improve the environment. Creating and upgrading local green spaces, launching educational programmes, adopting waste recycling measures and community engagement are some of the activities that will take place. ”Safeguarding the environment is the responsibility of all of us and by joining forces across the industry this initiative will make greater impact worldwide. I nternational efforts require partnerships to make them a success and by coming together we can all make a sustainable difference in the communities in which we operate,” DP World Chairman HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said.

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Dubai exports agency hosts business forum in Nairobi

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ubai Exports, the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, hosted a business forum in Nairobi, marking the conclusion of a Rive-day trade mission to Kenya, which provided varied opportunities for companies

from the UAE and Kenya to come closer and mutually explore new opportunities. The mission attracted a large number of Kenyan businesses, encouraged by the growing bilateral relations between the two countries and the increasing importance of the UAE, particularly Dubai, as a gateway to high-growth markets.

The mission was part of Dubai Exports’ focus on promising African markets during the last three years

and following the overwhelming response received in Kenya. The agency will now work on a new strategy to vigorously pursue regional markets, including Africa. The business forum in Nairobi focused on the importance of the UAE as a source market for Kenyan businesses as well as ways to familiarise UAE companies with government tenders and export procedures in Kenya. The forum was organised in co-operation

with the UAE Embassy and Chamber of Commerce in Kenya. Speakers in the business forum included Their Excellences Abdul Razak Mohamed Hadi, UAE Ambassador to Kenya; Amina Mohamed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Kenya; Head of Kenya’s Chamber of Commerce; and Mohammed Ali Al Kamali, Deputy CEO of Dubai Exports as well as Arab diplomats and businessmen in Kenya.

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Customs Court rejects bail plea of suspect involved in alcohol smuggling KARACHI: The Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling on Tuesday rejected the bail application of a suspect who is behind bars for allegedly smuggling a huge quantity of alcohol into the country. Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi dismissed the bail application of Shahid Khatri, who moved the court through his counsel seeking his release on bail. According to the prosecution, Pakistan Customs’ Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation had seized a huge quantity of whisky.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

DG Customs Valuation determines values of ceramics, porcelain tiles KARACHI

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he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has determined the customs values of household appliances through Valuation Ruling No 758/2015. The customs values of ceramics and porcelain tiles were determined under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969 vide Valuation Ruling No 538/2013 dated 16-1-2013. The importers of tiles have repeatedly agitated against the higher determination of values and requested for revision of value on the grounds that the existing Valuation Ruling is more than two years old and prices in international market, especially China and Iran have gone down considerably. As per the Valuation Ruling, the ceramic tiles below 04×4 10x10cm imported from China would be assessed to duty and taxes at $2.00, Europe $3.50, Far East and Middles East $2.20 and Iran $1.85; 04×04 10x10cm and above at China $2.20, Europe $3.79, Far East and Middles East $2.42 and Iran $2.05; 8×8 20x20cm and

above China $2.40, Europe $4.48, Far East and Middles East $2.65 and Iran $2.20; 8×12 20x20cm

and above China at $ 2.40, Europe $5.25, Far East and Middles East $2.65 and Iran $2.20; 10×13

25x33cm and above China at $ 2.25, Europe $5.53, Far East and Middles East $2.75 and Iran

$2.30; 12×12 30x30cm and above China at $ 2.85, Europe $5.75, Far East and Middles East.

KP NAB arrests assistant chief of Planning Dept in Rs 110m corruption case PESHAWAR

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AB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) arrested accused Tehsil Zaman, Assistant Chief (BPS-18), Planning and Development Department, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who in connivance with others, allegedly embezzled Rs 110.00 million in the procurement of sanitation vehicles for the local

government department on exorbitant rates.

An NAB spokesman said that a complaint was lodged in NAB KP wherein the plea of the complainant was that the procurement of sanitation vehicles by the local government department was not transparent and the ofRicers of the local government were allegedly involved in corruption. During inquiry, it was revealed that the ofRicers of the local government department neglected the lowest bidder in the process of technical evaluation and awarded the contract to the higher bidder. It was

prima facie established that the contractors M/s Meraj Limited worked in connivance with ofRicers of the local government department and sold the sanitation vehicles and equipment on exorbitant rates. The accused Tehsil Zaman Assistant Chief was the representative of Planning and Development Department in the Intra Departmental Purchase Committee constituted for this procurement. He was also the member of sub-committee constituted for technical evaluation. He worked in connivance with others and signed technical evaluation

without getting any report from the sub-committee members. Potential lower bidders were knocked out on Rlimsy and illegal grounds in technical evaluation approved by him. The accused Tehsil Zaman, Assistant Chief (BPS-18), Planning and Development Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was presented before the Accountability Court Peshawar. The Accountability Court Peshawar has remanded him to NAB custody for 10 days.

Meanwhile, The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has arrested Khiyal

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Ahmed, a private person, who allegedly transferred property worth millions of rupees in connivance with ofRicers of the Revenue Department Peshawar. As per details, the matter was brought into the notice of NAB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa authorities. Taking cognizance of the matter, an inquiry was launched to ascertain the real facts and collect requisite evidence regarding the subject matter. During the course of investigation, it was revealed that in the year 1991 Supreme Court on a reference of Custom court had forfeited the property worth millions.