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pAkIStAN’S FIrSt INDepth NewSpAper oN cuStoMS

Daily

Vol 1 Issue No. 164

Karachi, Fri August 21, 2015

ISLAMABAD

M FAIZAN

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to bring professional doctors and lawyers in the loop of taxpayers who charge large fees but avoid to pay taxes. Sources told Customs Today that FBR Chairman Tariq Bajwa has also passed strict directions in this regard to all Oield formations of

Inland Revenue. In his directives, the chairman asked the Oield formations to collect all the data of these professionals who are working in their jurisdictions and send them to the FBR headquarters for further action.

He also directed Directorate General Inland Revenue, Intelligence and Investigation and RTOs to take strict action against these professionals who are avoiding to pay taxes despite having reasonable resources of income. It is perti-

Price Rs. 14.00

nent to mention here, that there credible reports that some doctors who are working in Islamabad Polyclinic, PIMS, CDA hospitals are getting taxable salary and also operating private clinics and receiving huge amount as fees from customers.

Some of these doctors are generating Rs 1 lakh per day as income.

Sources said that in the Oirst stage notices will be send to them asking them to clear outstanding amount in speciOied time.

Customs Lahore staff bid farewell to collector Zahid Khokhar

Cu s t o m s Fa i s a l a b a d s e i ze s H i n o t r u c k

Pakistan, Nepal committed to further enhance trade activities

ASO Hyderabad seizes smuggled Iranian diesel worth Rs 9m

ICCI calls on Islamic banks to focus on SMEs development

Employees of Customs Lahore Appraisement bid farewell | See pAge 02 |

The Customs Intelligence has seized a Hino ranger truck | See pAge 03 |

Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar arrived here to attend the 7th SAARC .| See pAge 04 |

FBR has extended the date of submission of sales tax/federal excise duty | See pAge 03 |

The ICCI in collaboration with FPCCI Standing Committee on Islamic Banking | See pAge 09 |

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Iranian gas delivery to EU via Azerbaijan easier than direct export Friday, August 21, 2015

National

TEHRAN: An Iranian official says the Islamic Republic and Azerbaijan have been talking on transiting gas to Europe.

Azerbaijani and Iranian officials have in recent weeks discussed in Tehran ways to export Iran’s gas to Europe via Azerbaijan, the Fars news agency quoted an unnamed official as saying Aug. 18.

Recently, on Aug. 4, an Azerbaijani delegation headed by Economy and Industry Minister Shahin Mustafayev traveled to Iran and met with Iranian top officials, including Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.

Lahore customs staff bid farewell to ex-collector Zahid khokhar

prA seals 10 restaurants over non-payment of sales tax MULTAN

IMrAN ALI

LAHORE

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M hAYAt

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mployees of Customs Lahore Appraisement bid farewell to the outgoing collector of customs Appraisement Zahid Khokhar at the Lahore Gymkhana here.

Central region chief collector of customs Rozi Khan Burki was the chief guest on the occasion.

The chief collector of customs addressed the employees and acknowledged the hectic work and services of collector of customs Appraisement Lahore Muhammad Zahid who has been promoted as chief collector of customs enforcement Karachi. On the Occasion, Customs union president Ameer Haider also addressed the gathering.

New collector of customs Muhammad Sadiq, collector of customs Preventive Lahore Mukarram Jah Ansari, additional collector Zahra Haider, deputy collectors Moazam Raza, Ammara Durrani, Umar Qasmi, Zeb Butt and a large number of staff members of MCC Lahore Appraisement were also present.

Meanwhile, He said that as a result of collective efforts, the collectorate was able to collect a major chunk of revenue in one day that normally takes about a month.

“Mainly, the revenue proved deci-

unjab Revenue Authority has sealed 10 restaurants in Multan during a crackdown against defaulters of sales taxes. The Deputy Commissioner and Additional Commissioner have briefed the media about recent crackdown in the Multan City against tax defaulters. Deputy Commissioner Punjab Revenue Authority Multan Region Zeeshan Nazeer Khan stated that crackdown was initiated after giving them several warning notices for the payment of taxes due against them.

Deputy Commissioner PRA, Zeeshan Nazeer Khan told that we are operating a regional camp office at Multan which was inaugurated two months ago. Regional camp office of Punjab Revenue Authority includes the jurisdiction of Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan. He told that they have sealed 10 various restaurants in the Multan City including Eaon, BarBQ, Papa Ginos, Allah Wasaya and Mushtaq Sheedan located in the different locations. Punjab Revenue Authority has not taken any action against them in the respect of holy month of Ramzan against the sales tax defaulters and PRA Multan have continuously issued notices to concern authorities to register and pay outstanding taxes as soon as possible.

sive in exceeding the Lahore Appraisement target,” the collector explained. Replying to a question, he said that the Lahore Appraisement collected customs duty to the tune of Rs 3.6 billion during the month of June against the target of Rs 3.1 billion; Rs 4.4 billion as sales tax against Rs 3.6 billion; and Rs 718 million as income tax against the target of Rs 445 million.

“Overall, we were to collect Rs 7.2 billion, but we collected Rs 8.7 billion during the month of June 2014-

15. The board has given us a target to achieve revenue of Rs 53.9 billion, but we collected Rs 55 billion, exceeding the target by 2 percent, which is very rear. It was an extraordinary thing that the target was achieved.”

To a question, he said that throughout the year, his collectorate adopted an open-door policy and importers and exporters felt free in discussing their trade-related issues. “Importers came to me and discussed their issues and they were given so-

lution to their problems immediately in order to keep the process of smooth trading through the port intact,” he stated. To a query, Zahid Khokhar said that importers had to face difOiculties in getting their goods and articles cleared from the Lahore Dry Port, as per unit cost of the goods shoots up due to double freight and carriage charges. “First, they have to unload their goods at the Karachi Dry Port and then they have to pay additional load and unload, storage and labour charge.

Show cause notices issued to 17 silo importers for evading Rs 83.9m tax KARACHI

AFtAB chANNA

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s many as 17 show cause notices have been issued to various importers for evading taxes and duties to the tune of Rs 83.9 million on import of silos classiOiable under PCT. According to sources, the Pak-

istan Customs’ Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Karachi had detected sales tax evasion to the tune of Rs 83.9 million on import of silos. It was found that the importers availed concession of 8th (sales tax) dated 25.6.2014 and paid 5 percent sales tax on the import of grain storage silos with all standard accessories classiOiable under PCT 9406.0030.

“Since the imported silos are for storage purpose and do not qualify the deOinition of machinery and

equipment, therefore, the beneOits of reduced rate of sales tax is not admissible in these cases and are chargeable to sales tax at the rate of 17 percent,” sources added.

The sources further disclosed that these silos were imported from different countries, including Turkey, China and the United States.

Adding, the Directorate of PCAKarachi forwarded the contravention report to the respective collectorates and the Customs Adjudication for initiating adjudica-

tion proceedings and recovery thereof, sources concluded.

The show cause notices have been issued to M/s Al-Meezan Poultry Feeds – Karachi for Rs 1.42m tax evasion; M/s Dummer Flour Mills – Faisalabad for Rs Rs3.81m; M/s Asia Flour Mills – Sheikhupura Rs 2.24m; M/s Faisalabad Oil ReOinery Pvt Ltd Rs 3.33m; M/s Ahsan Feed Mill – Gujranwala Rs 0.54m; M/s Al-Hamza Flour Mills Pvt Ltd – Karachi Rs 4.4m; M/s Ali Daniyal Industries – Karachi Rs

3.24m; M/s Interlink Corporation – Lahore Rs 0.15 m; M/s Ghani Hilal Feed Mill – Lahore Rs 7.19m; M/s Salwa Feed Mills Pvt Ltd Rs 4.56m; M/s Royal Roller Flour Mills – Lahore Rs 5.33m; M/s Rameez Trading Company – Lahore Rs 0.42m; M/s Mukhtar Feeds – Summundari Rs 2.62m; M/s Islamabad Feeds Pvt Ltd Rs 16.49m; M/s JSK Feeds Ltd Rs 5.83m; M/s Pak Agro Oil Mills Rs 1.97m; and M/s Jadeed Feeds Industries – Rawalpindi for Rs 20.62m tax evasion.

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Solexel keens to invest capital in Saudi Arabia RIYADH: Solexel, a leading US-based producer of high-performance solar PV technology, has finalised a round of financing that included Riyadh Valley Company, the venture capital investment arm of King Saud University of Saudi Arabia.Through investor introduction services provided by naseba, the investment will be used to help transition Solexel into revenue, said a statement.Solexel’s innovative high performance, lightweight solar PV panels will deliver low cost energy, it said.

govt imposes rs 5,000 air travel tax on pilgrims ISLAMABAD

ShAhID MINhAS

Friday August 21, 2015

National

hyderabad ASo seizes smuggled Iranian diesel worth rs 9m

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he federal government has withdrawn tax exemption on intending pilgrims and has imposed Rs 5,000 tax on each pilgrim. All the field formations and airline have been directed to collect this tax from the pilgrims. After receiving these directions from the Federal Board of Revenue, all the airlines have started collecting Rs 5,000 tax from pilgrims.

It is important to mention here, that hajis were exempted from the air travel tax in 2006 but now the government has decided to impose air travel tax again. Sources told that with the imposition of this tax, the tickets of all airline will become more expensive and it will be a overburden on intending hajis.

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govt asked to devalue currency or withdraw slew of taxes LAHORE

M hAYAt

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akistan should devalue its currency or withdraw a slew of taxes and surcharges to help industries grow.

Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Shah Faisal Afridi said this while commenting on the current yuan devaluation policy of China.

Pakistan has to devalue its currency emulating Chinese strategy to curtail diminishing exports” it was stated by He said that other strategies such as policy rate cuts and interest rate relaxations in Pakistan have not helped exporters because government borrowings and reliance on banks have always dominated the lending scene.

He regarded currency devaluation indicated by China as valiant step in its move to a more market-determined exchange rate.

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HYDERABAD

ASLAM QureShI

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he Hyderabad Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation has seized 30,000 liters smuggled Iranian diesel worth Rs 9 million.

Sources told Customs Today that Collector Ghulam Mujtaba Memon received information regarding smuggling of Iranian oil from Quetta to Punjab. Soon after receiving the information, he instructed collector Omer ShaOique to form a special raiding team comprising inspector Khair Muhammad Pathan and other staff. They intercepted truck near Loni police station at superhighway and recovered smuggled Iranian diesel which was loaded on a vehicle with fake number plate .

The smuggled diesel was being transported from Quetta to Punjab.

The customs raiding party asked driver of the vehicle to produce legal documents regarding possession of the diesel but he failed to produce the same. Upon his failure customs team seized the Iranian diesel and vehicle and registered a case against its owner.

Meanwhile, The Customs AntiSmuggling Organisation (ASO) has impounded a non-duty paid unregistered vehicle, Suzuki Jimny approximately worth Rs 1.2 million during the raid in Hyderabad.

According to the details, ASO team following instructions of Col-

lector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Hyderabad Dr Ahmed Mujtaba Memon under the supervision of Additional Collector Omer ShaOique conducted raid to hold the unregistered vehicle.

The ASO team comprising Inspector Waqar Ahmed Baig and other intercepted the vehicle 7number Latifaabad in Hyderabad.

The ofOicial asked the driver to produce any documents showing the legal possession and import of the

vehicle. But he could not show any documents on which customs im-

the hyderabad customs Anti-Smuggling organisation has seized 30,000 liters smuggled Iranian diesel worth rs 9 million.

Faisalabad Customs seizes Hino truck

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he Customs Intelligence and Investigations has seized a Hino ranger truck, bearing registration No. AE-0326 model 1997, from Chiniot. The CIF value of the truck is around Rs 4 million.

Sources told Customs Today that Additional Director Customs Intelligence and Investigations M. Ismail received a credible information about the said vehicle.

After receiving the tip Additional Director M. Ismail constituted a raiding team comprising Riaz Hussain, Malik Javed Iqbal, Muhammad Tahir Iqbal Muhammad Saleem ( SIO ), Masood Iqbal, Ghulam Ghous, M. Aslam (sepoys ).

The raiding team intercepted the vehicle at Faisalabad Road Chiniot City and asked driver Ali Ahmed son of Bakht Muhammad who is resident of Killi Mughtiyn Bostan, tehsil Karaiz Ddstrict Pashin to produce le-

gal documents regarding possession of the vehicle but he failed to provide the same. Upon his failure customs party seized the truck and registered a case against its owner, while further proceedings are still in progress. Meanwhile, The Customs Intelligence team acting upon credible information conveyed through the Additional Director Muhammad Ismail intercepted a truck bearing Registration No. LIT-4643 near Jhang bypass, Faisalabad.

pounded the vehicle following the prevailing customs laws. Meanwhile, The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) has seized 495 kilograms smuggled gutka worth Rs 2.3 million involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 1.2 million in an operation.

Following a tip-off received through Model Customs Collectorate Hyderabad Collector Dr Ahmed Mujtaba Memon, the ASO team conducted raid at Hyderabad Railways Station to foil the smuggling bid.

waheed promoted as Zone II eto ssistant Excise and Taxation Officer Region A Mohammad Waheed has been promoted as Excise and Taxation Officer and he will perform his duties in Zone II. According to a notification, he will assume the charge of his new responsibilities within next few days. Talking to Customs Today Mohammad Waheed said that he would try his best to perform his services.

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Turkish traders to invest in mining, hydel sectors in Pakistan ANKARA: Turkish Minister for Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey Taner Yildiz during a meeting with a high level delegation from Pakistan that met him here said Turkish government will encourage Turkish entrepreneurs to invest in mining and hydel sectors in Pakistan.

Minister for Mines and Minerals of the government of Punjab Sher Ali Khan led Pakistan side during the meeting. The delegation included Ambassador of Pakistan Sohail Mahmood, Additional Chief Secretary Punjab Dr. Jehanzeb Khan and Secretary Mining Dr. Arshad Mahmood.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Business

pakistan, Nepal committed to enhancing trade activities

ISLAMABAD

KATHMANDU

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ederal Finance Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar arrived here to attend the 7th SAARC Finance Minister’s Meeting scheduled to be held on 20th August (today).

Soon after his arrival, the Finance Minister accompanied by members of Pakistani delegation visited Hanuman Dhoka in darbari square at Kathmandu which was badly af-

tevta appoints 20 institute placement officers LAHORE

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he Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) has appointed 20 institute placement officers (IPOs) to provide jobs to its pass-outs.

The appointed IPO will visit industries of their districts concerned to arrange jobs. These appointments will help Tevta to achieve its target to place 60,000 graduates in industry during the year across Punjab.

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fected in the earthquake. It used to be a palace surrounded by temples and was highly revered by the Nepalese people who visited it in large numbers.

Finance Minister was briefed about the scale of destruction that was caused by the earthquake.

The Minister met a number of people during the short visit, conveying them warm sentiments of goodwill from the Pakistani people and said his country was always in the fore to help out the Nepalese brethren in the hour of need and would also extend all possible help in future.

Later Suraj Vaidya, acting presi-

CPEC a test of Pakistan’s abilities, says Humayun Akhtar cuStoMS BuLLetIN report

C dent of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry called on Finance Minister along with promi-

nent businessmen. Suraj Vaidya welcomed the Minister to the 7th Finance Minister’s Meeting.

Bioequivalence can increase exports of pakistani drugs by 1,000 times KARACHI

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he government must take concrete steps to declare bioequivalence mandatory for the local pharmaceutical market so that a commoner could access to the low-priced medicine of international standards in the country. The bioequivalence facility can multiply the exports of Pakistani drugs a

hina-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would test Pakistan’s ability to administer mega-economic ventures proficiently and in transparent manners, said Pakistan’s former Commerce Minister and Chairman Institute for Policy Reforms, Humayun Akhtar Khan here.

Addressing a dialogue focusing on the profound political and economic changes in South and Central Asia and in the Middle East, he said that CPEC was a revolutionary project which would reshape the region. On the occasion, prominent experts including: former Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar, Moeed Yusuf, Director South Asia, United States Institute for Peace, Washington, and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood Chairman Institute for Strategic Studies Islamabad were also present. Humayun Khan, stated that recent developments held hope for stability and growth in the region.

Yet the outcome depended on how leaders shaped these developments.

He said that there was a risk that opportunities may turn into challenges.

Khan stated that China’s increased role built on the One Belt One Road programme and an active Shanghai Cooperation Organization held promise for the region.

thousand times.

As compared to India, Iran and Bangladesh, Pakistan’s share is near to the ground in the international drug market of annual three trillion dollars.” Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Director International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) University of Karachi (UoK), stated this while speaking at the closing ceremony of the 3rd National Symposium on Bioanalytical and Bioequivalence Studies held at ICCBS-UoK. Over 200 scientists and researchers from various institutions of

the country attended the two-day national meeting, organised by of the Center for Bioequivalence Studies and Clinical Research (CBSCR) of Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), UOK. Dr. Iqbal Choudhary said that in the international drug market India, Iran and Bangladesh contributed considerable share because of their GNP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and Capacity to Prove Bioequivalence. He urged the government to take tangible steps towards development of quality drugs in the local market with the good research practices.

Pakistan Customs, International Air Transport Association ink MoU ISLAMABAD

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akistan Customs and International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on technical

co-operation for the implementation of Air cargo XML and Advance Passenger Information (API) standards. In this regard a ceremony was held at a hotel here, which was attended by Nasir Masroor Ahmed, Director General, Directorate General of Reforms and Automation (Customs) FBR, Tariq Huda, Collector of Customs Preventive, S M Muneer,

TDAP Chief and other customs and IATA ofOicials.

The MoU was signed by Abdul Majid Yousfani, Director, Directorate General of Reforms and Automation, Pakistan Customs and Nathalie Herbelles, Assistant Director Airport, Passenger, Cargo & Security, Asia PaciOic IATA. Implementation of the standards will enable Pakistan Customs to further mod-

ernise its functions to facilitate trade and enhance its enforcement capacity.

Speaking on the occasion, Nathalie highlighted the details of the Cargo XML and API systems. She congratulated Pakistan Customs for implementing IATA Cargo XML and API standards.

Meanwhile, Abdul Majid Yousfani elaborated technical aspects of both Cargo XML

and API. He said that development of the software was scheduled to be kicked off from October 2015 and pilot testing of the programme would commence from December 2015. Moreover, he said that the complete roll out of the EDT standards would gradually be commenced by 2016. He said that Pakistan Customs was also working closely with China Customs

and Afghan Customs for development of Electronic Data Interface to generate more revenue and curb the menace of smuggling and under invoicing. Tariq Huda, in his welcome address, emphasised the commitment of Pakistan Customs to work for the betterment of the country. He said that development of Cargo XML facility would reduce dwell time.

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he United States Consulate-Karachi has refused to appear before the Customs authorities for any kind of explanation or justification in the case of pilferage and illegal removal of goods from 21 containers of US Army reverse cargo, it is learnt.

The official sources told Customs Today that the Collectorate of Adjudication-II, Customs House Karachi had issued a show-cause notice to the focal person of the US Consulate at Karachi to counter the allegations leveled against him before the Collector Adjudication-II. However, the US Consulate sent a letter informing that no official of the Consulate could be summoned as the Consulate General staff enjoys immunity under diplomatic cover, sources disclosed.

Sources said that Directorate General of Transit Trade had prepared contravention reports registering focal person nominated by US Office of the Defence, Representative to Pakistan and others as accused in the case of. The re-

ports were also sent to adjudication for further proceedings. It may be mentioned here, that for the first time a focal person was also made accused.

According to the earlier details of the case, Ghani’s International on behalf of Embassy of United States of America filed a goods declaration through Web Based One Custom (WeBOC) system at Directorate of Transit Trade Peshawar (Torkham) for a consignment consisting of US Army reverse cargo declared to contain generators with transformers and equipment for transit to Karachi port for export to Dubai.

The invoice/packing list of the consignment clearly declared that the consignment consist of generators classifiable under PCT 8502.1300 whereas the description declared in GD was generator power with transformers PCT 8501.6490 to hoodwink the customs authorities.

As per report of the GD, the containers were inspected and seal verification was made at Torkham. The carrier of the container from Torkham to Karachi Port was Port Connection Private Limited, a Customs Bonded Carrier. The US Consulate General had authorized Multitrans Logistics, Ghani’s International

the Customs Clearing Agency to take delivery, handling and clearance of the consignment.

There was credible information that goods have been pilfered en-route. Accordingly during perusal and observation of the scanning images and weightment slips of the GDs, it did not appear as per the description declared in the invoice packing list.

Discrepancy was also observed between the scanning images of containers taken at Torkham and Karachi port as well as the weighment done at Torkham and Karachi port. Therefore, the consignment was examined physically in the presence of representatives of Multitrans International and Peerzada Services International being the authorized representatives of US Consulate General. During examination shipper and customs seals were found intact. However, the generator sets declared in invoice and packing list were not found in the containers. There was ample evidence that generating sets were removed from the containers. This is an established case of pilferage of goods during transit. The containers and vehicles were seized by the Directorate General Transit Trade.

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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

Beyond pakistan

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ndia and the United Arab Emirates have decided to set up a $75 billion fund to launch various infrastructure projects in India besides paving the way for an enhanced cooperation in the fields of defense production, space technology and nuclear energy. The economic and defense circles in Pakistan have so far kept a mum on the latest political and diplomatic offensive by India against Pakistan, but close India-Arab cooperation is not a new phenomenon. Since the inception of Pakistan, Arab countries, including Syria, Iraq and small Gulf States remained closeallies of India and openly shared their anti-Pakistan sentiments with each other.

During the 1971 war, Egypt was involved in providing military hardware to India while late Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat had been in the habit of calling India as his second home. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu workers are living and earning in Arab countries and they are preferred on the Muslim and Pakistani workers by the tyrant rulers. What is the status and living conditions of Muslims in India is not their concern and occupation of Kashmir is also a non-issue for them. The latest Indian offensive seems to be in response to Pakistan’s close cooperation with China.

Indian Prime Minister NarendraModiwas involved in the wholesale massacre of Muslims in Gujrat State and he has been elected PM on the power of anti-Muslim vote.

But UAE has interests in India and hostility about Pakistan as the development of Gwadar as free port will severely affect businesses in Gulf States. There is an alleged Indian-Gulf states nexus on the issue of Balochistan where both are involved in fanning insurgency. During his speech in Dubai, Modi took veiled digs at Pakistan, asking the world powers to ‘unite against terrorism’. India has recently set free the culprits who were involved in SamjohataExpress tragedy and is fanning separatism in Balcohistan. India is wild in spreading money among antiPakistan elements to oppose the construction of KalabaghDam and create controversies about the proposed Pak-China Economic Corridor. Modi has proudly said in Dubai that the UAE has supported India’s candidature for permanent membership at the UN Security Council.

It is the time the Pakistani rulers should open their eyes and call an explanation from the UAE about the latest agreements with India.

The government should also raise the issue of UAE’s interference in Balochistan affairs.

world Bank’s cautious indications W LAHORE

Dr AFtAB AFZAL

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orld Bank ofOicial Sri Mulyani Indrawati, during her recent visit to Pakistan, counted various challenges facing the country and opportunities it offers to the local and foreign investors.

When she emphasized that the performance of the Pakistani economy needs to be improved,she also assessed the unexploited economic potentials of Pakistan as its growth rate has been the only half that of India and China for the last two decades. According to her, if the current rate of growth continues, the Chinese economy will be 100 times larger than Pakistan and Indian economy will be a whopping

40 times.She says that Pakistan has the vast water and river endowment, thousands of mile coastline and reservoirs of natural resourceswhereas an estimated 40 million middle class can be functionalized as a powerful engine for economic growth. The present government has achieved macroeconomic stabilityduring its tenure in the ofOice while foreign remittances have reached $18 billion per annum that is the equivalent to 6.5 percent of the country’s GDP and the largest source of foreign exchange after exports. The economy proved itself resilient in the face of Oloods, extreme weather conditions and earthquake.

She also says that Pakistan needs to utilize its people in a better wayand exploit the beneOits of its geographical location.Pakistan

is the 6th most populous country in the world with half of its population younger than 24. If the current rate of growth continues, Pakistan’s population will exceed 300 million by 2050.

The private sector needs to be encouraged to absorb 1.5 million young people who reach the working age every year. There is a need to encourage women to participate in economic development of the country as only 25 percent of women work professionally, which is far below than those are in most of the developing nations.

The World Development Report on Gender and Development shows that greater gender equality can enhance productivity and improves the pace of development.

As a matter of fact, theWorld Bank ofOicial has the freedom of ex-

pression to enjoy in Pakistan and look into the economy through the lenses of a Oinancial expert, but it is unfortunate for Pakistan that a permanent enemy lives in its neighbourhood. The SARRC was a good forum to integrate the regional economies, but it became hostage to the hegemony of one country.

However, there is a need to put our own house in order.

Our enemy is smart and wicket, but our people should avoid playing in its hands. The prime example is the construction of Kalabagh Dam which can ensure prosperity in this country, but is openly being opposed by those who are on the payroll of Indian agencies. Pakistan is a potentially rich country and we have to achieve economic prosperity by Oighting not only on foreign but also on home front.

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Contraband cheese makers held in Russia MOSCOW: Russian police have arrested an international criminal gang for producing contraband cheese worth some $30 million using banned Western ingredients.

Russian officials are currently waging war against produce from the West prohibited under a year-old embargo introduced in retaliation for sanctions on Moscow over Ukraine.

Authorities earlier this month started bulldozing piles of cheese, peaches and even frozen geese after President Vladimir Putin ordered the destruction of food smuggled in illegally.

Now police in the Moscow region say they have arrested six people for producing cheese worth some $30 million using 470 kilogrammes (1,000 pounds) of banned Western rennet, a substance containing enzymes used for cheese production.

Amjad Chaudhary elected APBF Lahore president ohammad Amjad Chaudhary has been elected the new president of the Lahore chapter of the National Board of All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF).

The Board took this decision during a meeting for evaluating overall performance of APBF Lahore Board and its officials. The session was headed by chairman APBF Khalid Rafiq while president APBF Ibrahim Quraishi was the co-chairman of this meeting.

Amjad is the chairman of the ‘Allah Malik Group of Companies. He is also the Chief Executive and Managing Director of several prestigious enterprises. Ibrahim Quraishi welcomed Amjad Chaudhary as the new president for Lahore and said that he is a valuable addition to the association.

The Board has expressed its trust in his leadership qualities. “We are confident that he will expand the vision and lead the Lahore Board towards new milestones of robust performance, to achieve the ambitious objectives of the APBF.”

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KBD to ensure food, energy, water security: SCCI eople belonging to various walks of life including business community have urged upon the government to take practical steps for the construction of maximum dams including Kala Bagh Dam for the larger national interests. The timely decision of the government on the construction of mega project of Kala Bagh dam would help in ensuring food, energy and water security while it will bring prosperity to all four Provinces of the country they said. Talking to Business Recorder on Wednesday the President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Fazal Jilani said that the construction of Kala Bagh dam is necessary for strengthening national economy as well as to cope with the energy crisis. The establishment of Kala Bagh dam would help to save millions acres of water going down in sea every year which was irreparable loss for the country he said.

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Friday August 21, 2015

Chambers

IccI calls on Islamic banks to focus on SMes development ISLAMABAD

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he Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with FPCCI Standing Committee on Islamic Banking and Takaful, has organized a seminar on Islamic banking. A large number of businessmen attended the seminar.

Addressing the gathering, Muzzamil Hussain Sabri, President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that businessmen wanted to get rid of interest-based banking for starting new and expanding existing businesses. However, there was still a lot of confusion between conventional and Islamic banking which needed to be cleared by holding more awareness sessions on Islamic banking.

He said there should be fullfledged Islamic banks on micro finance to support SMEs as currently no Islamic bank was focusing on

SMEs with better products. He stressed that the branches of Islamic banks should be enhanced in the country to provide more consumer outreach as the insufficient branch network and lack of awareness in general masses were the major hurdle in the growth of Islamic banking. He hoped that this

event would enable participants to understand the benefits of Islamic banking that will help in promoting interest-free banking.

Mufti Hassaan Kaleem, renowned Shariah scholar and Shariah advisor, Dubai Islamic Bank delivered a detailed lecture on the structure and mechanism of Islamic

korean diplomat foresees pakistan as global economic leader

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LAHORE

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orean Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Song Jong Hwan said that Pakistan has all the required ingredients to grow like China.

He was addressing at a meeting at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The LCCI President Ijaz A. Mumtaz, Senior Vice President Mian Nauman Kabir and Vice President Syed Mahmood Ghaznavi also spoke on the occasion.

Korean Ambassador said that in 1980, China was exactly like Pakistan and today it has become the economic giant of the world.

“I am sure that 10 years down the line, Pakistan would be a shining star on the world economic hori-

LccI president Ijaz Ahmed Momtaz

zon”, Dr. Song Jong Hwan said.

Ambassador expressed the optimism that the volume of trade between Pakistan and South Korea was bound to increase as both the

governments are taking measures to get the desired results. Dr. Song Jong Hwan called for a proper sector-speciOic strategy to identify the challenges and problems coming in the way of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Korea.

The diplomat while identifying a number of areas for mutual cooperation said that there was a need for expertise-sharing as both the countries have a lot to learn from each other.

He urged the LCCI to arrange a business delegation to South Korea so that Pakistani businessmen could have Oirst hand knowledge about opportunities there. The LCCI President Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that Korea is an important trading partner of Pakistan. South Korea is the second biggest export destination of Pakistan in East Asia after China.

banking that has emerged as a viable option to get rid of interestbased Oinancial dealings.

Mehmood Arshad, Chairman, FPCCI Standing Committee on Islamic Banking and Takaful highlighted the role of FPCCI in promoting Islamic banking in the business community.

FCCI starts medical certificate facility for its members aisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) should continue its committed, dedicated, and professional research based efforts to facilitate its members by adding more and more facilities under its umbrella, said Mian Muhammad Adrees President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).

He was addressing a function after unveiling a plague for the inauguration of the facility of medical certificate for FCCI members at FCCI-E-Police station.

He said that he has to make reinvigorated and sincere efforts to make FPCCI a true and effective representative trade body of the business community of Pakistan. For this purpose he fully utilized his personal qualities in addition to the experience he has mustered during his tenure as president of FCCI.

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France economy slowdown drags on eurozone GDP figures Friday August 21, 2015

World

PARIS: A slump in French manufacturing and construction sapped the strength of the eurozone economy in the second quarter, pushing the 19-member currency bloc’s GDP growth rate down to 0.3% from 0.4% in the first three months of the year.

A solid performance by Germany and continuing expansion, albeit modest, in Italy offset the figures from Paris, which showed that the second-largest economy in the currency bloc failed to expand between April and the end of June.

Analysts said uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the Greek crisis weighed on consumer and business confidence, especially in France, which trades heavily with the rest of the eurozone.

Singapore authorities seize libido boosters worth S$150k SINGAPORE

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bout 50,000 units of sexual enhancement drugs (SEDs) with the approximate street value of S$150,000 has been seized in a joint operation here on Tuesday, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

In a joint statement here the other day, both authorities said a male Chinese national has been detained in relation to the case, and he is currently assisting in investigations.

The 23-year-old was on Tuesday seen carrying a parcel containing SEDs into a storage facility in Geylang. OfOicers from both the HSA and ICA then raided the unit and seized the SEDs, which were intended for resale in Geylang.

grabtaxi raises $350m to boost its business outheast Asian taxi-booking app GrabTaxi Holdings Pte Ltd yesterday said it had raised more than US$350 million in the firm’s biggestever fundraising to boost its business in the rapidly growing market.

The Singapore-headquartered GrabTaxi, which competes with the likes of Uber Technologies Inc, said in a statement the funds came from investors that included China’s sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corp (CIC), and Coatue Management LLC, a US firm that invests in technology companies worldwide.

Didi Kuaidi, China’s biggest taxi app firm, is also among the big-name sources of the fresh funding.

The injection brings GrabTaxi’s total funding to US$700 million, which the company said makes it “one of the best-funded startups in the history of Southeast Asia.”

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The HSA and ICA warned that such SEDs often contain undeclared potent medicinal ingredients and other substances controlled under the Poisons Act, which can cause serious adverse reactions.

It is an offence to import, sell or possess for sale such products containing these substances. Anyone found guilty of an offence under the Poisons Act is liable to a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for a term of up to two

years, they added.

Meanwhile, Small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) contributed around 50 percent of Singapore’s 2014 Gross Domestic Product (GDP), said Minister of Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang.

In a written response to a parliamentary question on GDP growth and SME contribution, Lim said there is no further breakdown of GDP growth into contributions by SMEs and non-SMEs.

France economy slowdown drags on eurozone GDP figures

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slump in French manufacturing and construction sapped the strength of the eurozone economy in the second quarter, pushing the 19-member currency bloc’s GDP growth rate down to 0.3% from 0.4% in the Oirst three months of the year.

A solid performance by Germany and continuing expansion, albeit modest, in Italy offset the Oigures from Paris, which showed that the second-largest economy in the currency bloc failed to expand between

April and the end of June.

A slump in French manufacturing and construction sapped the strength of the eurozone economy in the second quarter, pushing the 19-member currency bloc’s GDP growth rate down to 0.3% from 0.4% in the Oirst three months of the year. A solid performance by Germany and continuing expansion, albeit modest, in Italy offset the Oigures from Paris, which showed that the second-largest economy in the currency bloc failed to expand between April and the end of June.

Malaysia Customs extends GST deadline for businesses until August 24 T

he Royal Malaysian Customs Department has given about 36,000 businesses a further extension to Aug 24 to Oile their Goods and Services Tax (GST) returns. The returns are for the April 1-June 30 period. The previous deadline for the Oiling was Aug 14.

Customs Department Director General Datuk Seri Khazali Ahmad said the extension was to enable traders to overcome any problem they might be facing in filing the GST returns. He told reporters this after officiating the 77th Meeting of the All-Malaysia Customs Directors here today. He said the department was willing to assist businesses if they faced problems in filing the GST returns.

On the meeting, Khazali said a number of new plans would be implemented in relation to the GST which took effect from April 1.

“We also used the meeting to discuss ways to combat smuggling activities,” he added.

Meanwhile, A total of 300 trained Customs ofOicers will be sent to help traders resolve problems related to

the Goods and Services Tax. Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abd Ghani said the Customs Department was now recruiting graduates who would be trained to engage small businesses traders.

“We want to help them if they have problems, not penalise them.

“We do not want their businesses to slow down because of GST. We will meet them but they need to be up front with the department, too,” he said after visiting the Customs Department at Kelana Jaya yesterday.

He said 98% of businesses and traders were GST-compliant but there were still some who needed help to get adjusted to the system.

Johari said among the issues faced included the delay in getting their refunds.

He said between April and June, 92% of the refunds were paid within the stipulated 14 days.

However, there had been cases of delays because traders used wrong documents to claim their refunds or were unable to be contacted by the department.

Bangladesh authorities seize 167,000 Yaba pills

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aw enforcers have seized nearly 167,000 Yaba pills during raids in Dhaka and from an ambulance at a check post in Cox’s Bazar.

They also nabbed Oive people during the raids on Monday night.

Police raided parts of Dhaka’s Jatrabarhi early on Monday recovering 117,000 pills, DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner SM Jahangir Alam Sarkar told bdnews24.com.

He, however, declined to name those picked up but said they were are identiOied drug dealers.

Meanwhile, police and BGB men recovered 50,000 pills from an ambulance they stopped at their joint checkpost in Cox’s Bazar’s Marichcha around 6:30am. BGB 17 Battalion Commander Lt Col Rabiul Islam said they have detained the driver, Saiful Alam, 32, and Shikha Rani, 40, a nurse.

Swiss government to release new banknotes: officials

T BERN

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he Swiss National Bank (SNB) plans to introduce the Oirst of its new high-tech banknotes in April next year six years later than initially planned after reported technical problems with its paper sup-

plier. The new 50-franc banknote will be released next year followed by the 20-franc note in 2017, the central bank said in a statement on Friday. The ten-franc, 100-franc, 200-franc and 1,000-franc bills will be subsequently issued at halfyearly or yearly intervals until 2019, the SNB said.

They will mark the ninth series of

banknotes to be issued by the SNB since it started producing banknotes for Switzerland in 1907. But the latest series has encountered problems and repeated delays since a 2005 competition to design the new money, designed with the latest security features to deter counterfeiting. The winning designs featuring blood cells and embryos, by

artist Manuel Krebs, was ultimately abandoned by the SNB after public opposition.

Designs by Zurich graphic artist Manuela Pfrunder, the second place winner of the competition, were finally adopted. Unlike the current banknotes, Pfrunder’s designs do not feature images of famous Swiss people.

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EU officials spent over $133m on food, hotels in 2013 Business Trips BRUSSELS: Some 13,000 EU officials spent an average of $6,600 each on accommodation and food during business trips in 2013, The Telegraph reported, citing a report. According to the officials’ credit card data, revealed Sunday, the biggest spenders were from Belgium, followed by Germany and France.

The credit card funds also include an “entertainment allowance.” The declared figures do not include train or air travel costs, the newspaper said.

According to the EU allowance regime, lawmakers are entitled to claim up to $130 a day as expenses while traveling on official business.

China port operators revenue falls in H1 isted port operators along China’s east coast have reported disappointing data for the first half of 2015 amid the country’s declining foreign trade.

The revenue of Jinzhou Port, in Northeast China’s Liaoning province, decreased 2.74 percent year on year, with profit down 15.83 percent. Rizhao Port, in the eastern province of Shandong, saw its revenue drop 15.74 percent from the same period last year. Profits slipped by more than 40 percent. Xiamen International Port, in East China’s Fujian province, registered a 0.41percent fall in revenue. Net profit excluding non-recurring gains and losses was down 13.82 percent. China’s foreign trade dropped 7.3 percent year on year in the first seven months of 2015, official data showed. In July, foreign trade decreased by 8.8 percent from July 2014.

The port operators attributed their decline to the macro economic depression. “Our clients, including steelmakers, power generators and coal mines, showed significantly less demand for commodities such as ores and coal,” said Rizhao Port in its filing to the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

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ports of Auckland releases inland hub in port of tauranga’s area orts of Auckland is opening a freight hub in Mount Maunganui, the backyard of its rival, Port of Tauranga. The Auckland port company said it wanted to provide choice to Bay of Plenty exporters and improved access to overseas markets. “Competition is a good thing. Our Bay of Plenty freight hub will help make New Zealand exporters more competitive on the world stage by making their access to global markets more efficient and easy,” Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson.

Port of Tauranga is due to report its financial results on Thursday. Ports of Auckland has two other “intermodal” or inland freight hubs, at Wiri in South Auckland, and Longburn in the Manawatu. The two ports are generally seen as competitors, with Auckland being the biggest for container.

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Ports & Shipping

Friday August 21, 2015

Automakers divert shipments from tianjin to Shanghai port after blasts T

Transhipment increases to 51.7m tones in H1 of 2015 AMSTERDAM

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SHANGHAI

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oyota Motor Corp and rival global automakers are looking to divert shipments to Shanghai and other ports from Tianjin after massive explosions last week disrupted operations indeOinitely at China’s largest auto import hub.

Authorities have restricted access to areas affected by the Aug. 12 blasts at a hazardous chemicals warehouse which killed at least 114 people. Automakers are struggling to reach lots and warehouses to assess damage and clear thousands of charred cars to make facilities usable, though the port continues to operate. On Wednesday, Renault SA and Subaru maker Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd said they would reroute imports to Shanghai, while Hyundai Motor Co said it would send further shipments to Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Toyota is considering re-routing imports to Shanghai and Dalian which have enough capacity to prevent any signiOicant logistical problems, a senior Beijing-based executive said.

“Port of Tianjin will likely be unusable for a long while, although I have no idea at the moment how long these disruptions would last,” said the executive, who was not au-

thorised to speak with media on the matter and so declined to be identiOied. Toyota suspended its two Oinal assembly lines near Tianjin port on Monday to Wednesday, partly to assess any damage. It made 432,340 cars at the plants last year, and is likely to lose 2,200 a day due to the blasts, said researcher IHS Automotive. A Toyota spokesman in Japan said, without elaborating, that the automaker was looking to re-route shipments to other ports.

Tianjin, regarded as a gateway to China’s industrial northeast, handles 40 percent of car imports in the world’s biggest auto market. But the explosions are likely to hamper normal operations for at least a couple of months, said IHS. On Monday, BMW AG said it

would re-route shipments to Shanghai, while Volkswagen AG opted for both Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Shanghai’s sole auto terminal could see a 10 percent rise in car volume based on queries received since the Tianjin blast, said a marketing official at Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal Co Ltd. The port has an annual capacity of 2 million to 3 million cars, said the ofOicial, who declined to be identiOied. Last year, China imported 1.4 million cars, customs data showed.

“We’re only a temporary solution to the difOiculties in Tianjin,” the ofOicial said. “We can’t be a substitute for Tianjin. After this, Tianjin will deOinitely continue to hold on to its dominant position.”

he seaports in the North Sea Canal Area, which includes the ports of Amsterdam, IJmuiden, Beverwijk and Zaanstad, once again posted growth in transhipment in the first half of 2015.

This time transhipment rose to 51.7 million tonnes, which is a 1.3% increase compared to the same period of 2014.

Port of Amsterdam is the largest port in the region and saw its transhipment grow by 0.8% to 42.4 million tonnes. The greatest growth has been in the transhipment of oil products, a field in which port of Amsterdam has traditionally been strong. Transhipment grew in IJmuiden to 8.9 million tonnes (+2.7%), Zaanstad to 200,000 tonnes (+69%) and Beverwijk to 131,000 tonnes (+17%). Greatest growth in liquid bulk cargo. The growth in transhipment in Amsterdam is primarily attributable to the increase in the transhipment of oil products by 5% to 22.3 million tonnes. The transhipment of coal decreased by 7% to 9.6 million tonnes. While the transhipment of containers fell by 17% to 294,000 tonnes (= 25,170 TEUs), the transhipment of other mixed cargo, including RoRo, rose by 14% to 1.4 million tonnes. Agribulk, including fertilizers, decreased by 13% to 4.1 million tonnes. Other dry bulk rose to 3.1 million tonnes and other liquid bulk rose to 1.6 million tonnes, marking an increase of 6% and 20% respectively compared to the same period of last year.

Sohar port appoints new executive commercial manager

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SOHAR

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OHAR Port and Freezone welcomed a new Executive Commercial Manager this week, as Edwin Lammers headed back to The Netherlands after over seven years in the Sultanate to take on a senior management post at Port of Rotterdam. Marc Evertse, previ-

ously a Senior Project Manager at Port of Rotterdam International, will be taking over from Mr Lammers and brings over 24 years of experience with him, including a stint as Business Development Manager for SOHAR back in 2003, where he was involved in the early planning stages at the Port.

Mr Evertse has fulOilled a number of international roles; most recently he worked as Senior Project Man-

ager for Port of Rotterdam International, where he was responsible for managing major boardroom consultancy and port development projects. Prior to that, Marc worked as the Area Manager of the Commercial Division for South Asia, Middle East, Turkey and Africa.

As the company gears up for the change, SOHAR Port CEO, Andre Toet, said: “Edwin has played a pivotal role in turning SOHAR into the

world-recognised brand that is today and we are extremely sad to say goodbye to him. Marc comes from Port of Rotterdam International and has a wealth of relevant experience from all over the world.

He was here at SOHAR right at the beginning of the planning phase in 2003, and has worked for Port of Rotterdam for almost 25 years, so he is already very familiar with our business models.

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Sargodha ASO seizes foreign origin cotton cloth SARGODHA: Anti-Smuggling Organisation Sargodha successfully seized 190 kilograms of foreign origin cloth. The market value of this cloth is Rs 2,56,500/-. Sources told Customs Today, that Assistant Collector Muhammad Asim Awan received a credible information regarding smuggling of foreign origin cloth. After receiving the tip Assistant Collector immediately constituted a team comprising, Bashir Ahmed, Ansir Saleemi (inspectors) Rana Muhammad Ashraf, Muhammad Ameen Shafqat, Mehmood Muhammad Feroz, Muhammad Mansha (Sepoys).

Friday, August 21, 2015

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Withholding tax will not be withdrawn: Shahid Hussain Asad ISLAMABAD

M FAIZAN

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made it clear to all traders and businessmen that they should become filers instead of non-filers and should transfer their respective accounts into the formal sector otherwise withholding tax will be applied on them. He also made it clear that withholding tax will not be withdrawn.

Talking to Customs Today, Senior Member Inland Revenue (Policy) Shahid Hussain Asad said that withholding tax is imposed to bring non-filers under tax net and if traders lost this opportunity then they will not be entitled to gain any benefits from the FBR. Shahid Hussain Asad further said that imposition of 0.3 withholding tax is a friendly gesture of the FBR towards business community, because the department is not in favour to receive tax by applying tough measures.

He said that there are 4.7 percent tax defaulters in India while in Pakistan millions of people do not paying taxes. He appealed to

the business community to follow the Indian example in this regard as “we compare ourselves with India in every field.” He said our traders are less patriot as compared to Indian traders.

Shahid Hussain Asad further said that we will ask Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to grant some concessions to traders community but one thing is clear that withholding tax will not be withdrawn.

Meanwhile, NADRA has no data which could lead to detect wealthy tax defaulters. These rumors are baseless that NADRA has data of 3.2 million tax defaulters .

Talking to Customs Toady, senior member Inland Revenue (Policy) Shahid Hussain Asad confirmed the reports that NADRA did not have any such data. He also said that during the recent past, the FBR authorities asked NADRA to provide the data of tax defaulters, but after repeated reminders NADRA did not comply with its commitment.

Shahid Hussain Asad said that now the FBR is itself collecting data of wealthy tax defaulters through its own resources. He further said that nowadays we are keep a close eye on persons who are purchasing properties in posh areas, purchasing luxurious vehi-

cles, and travelling abroad frequently.

He said we seek assistance in this regard from different departments. Shahid Hussain Asad went on to say that we are the people of normal economy and normal economy enable to support nonfilers.

It is pertinent to mention here that that ex finance minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh during the tenure of PPP government said that NADRA have data of atleast seven lakh wealthy individuals who are not paying taxes willfully. Shahid Hussain Asad said that after that we sends many reminders to NADRA asking them to provide us the details of defaulters but they failed to abide the same. After a passage of some time the then chairm a n NADRA was changed.

Now during the tenure of present government NADRA says that it posses the data of 32 lakh wealthy tax defaulters but when we approached them to provide the data they are using delaying tactics in this regard.

Mis-declarations at Peshawar Dry Port causing losses to national kitty www.customsbulletin.com

ue to negligence of the custom ofOicers at Peshawar Dry Port, certain imported goods including cloths, electronics, cosmetics and computers are being mis-declared, causing losses to the national exchequer worth million of rupees.

Sources told Customs Today that several imported consignments of cloths were mis-declared to evade heavy custom duty because the custom valuation department has fixed custom rate of 4.40 $USD per kilogram on import of polyester while the custom valuation of imported cloth is $60

per kilogram. Mis-declarations are causing Rs 0.8 million loss per container to the national kitty.

The traders’ community of Peshawar, Samaryal and Lahore says that million of rupees losses are inOlicted on the national exchequer due to mis-declarations at various dry ports of the country.

To block this trend of mis-declaration, they demanded the government scan and examine these consignments through Transit Pass in order to ensure uniform duty collection in all over the country.

Meanwhile,The Anti-Narcotics Force Peshawar, in separate crackdowns, arrested four persons and recovered 109 kilogram of charas, and Oive kilogram heroine.

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PESHAWAR

NADIr khAN

During Oirst incident ANF Peshawar in routine checking and search of a Toyota Hiace No TL-783 near New Toll Plaza, Indus Highway, Kohat, recovered 57.6 kilograms of charas hidden in secret cavities made under the Oloor of the car. An accused on board namely Zar Wali resident of Landi Kotal was also taken in to custody.

In another crackdown ANF Peshawar intercepted a car Honda Civic No LOF-5197 near Darband Road, Oggi Bazaar, Mansehra and recovered 9.6 kilograms of charas from the car. Two accused namely Abid Jan resident of Charsada and Sartaj Khan, resident of Mansehra were also arrested during the operation. eparately ANF Peshawar recovered Oive

kilograms of heroin from personal possession of an accused Muhammad Ashraf Qureshi resident of Multan in an operation conducted near Lahore Bus Stand, Peshawar. Another raid was carried out near Hangu Phatak, Kohat and arrested a drug carrier named Muhammad Ullah resident of Kurram Agency alongwith 1.2 kilograms of charas. ANF Peshawar Road checking team stopped a suspected Toyota Hiace near new toll plaza Indus Highway Kohat and recovered 43.2 kilograms of charas during search of the vehicle. Charas was kept in improvised cavities of the vehicle. A person on board named Amjad Khan, resident of Kurram Agency was taken into custody during the operation.

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