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pAkISTAN’S fIRST INDEpTH NEwSpApER oN cUSToMS

Daily

Vol 1 Issue No. 176

Karachi, Tue September 8, 2015

ISLAMABAD

NAEEM ULLAH TARIQ www.customsbulletin.com

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he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) settled almost 82,000 claims of duty drawback and tax refund involving Rs 5.389 billion after completing the inquires into Niled complaints by exporters and manufacturers during the year 2014.

Documents available with the Customs Today disclosed that the FTO ofNice had also

Price Rs. 14.00

made sure the refund of Rs 8.230 billion to concern applicants by resolving 178,309 cases in 2013.

While in 2012, FTO directed department concerned to pay Rs 9.787 billion by deciding 231,250 claims. Similarly, it settled 181,880 claims involving Rs 7.889 billion in 2011, and 194,056 claims involving Rs 7.080 billion in 2010. Sources told that out of 82,000 claims of duty drawback and tax refunds for the year of 2014, 81,795 were settled through FTO office’s intervention.

Chief Zahid Enforcement-South collects Rs 3.596b customs duty

Nisar Ahmad joins hands with NHA, Motorway Police to curb

0.3% WHT: Govt willing to start dialogue with traders: minister

FPCCI, TDAP to call on PM to discuss exports decline

Japanese investors keen to invest in Pakistan: Envoy

The MCC Preventive, Hyderabad, Quetta, Gwadar of Enforcement-South Region | SEE pAgE 02 |

Customs Intelligence Multan join hands with National Highways Authority | SEE pAgE 03 |

The govet willing to start negotiations with the traders to resolve | SEE pAgE 04 |

Representatives of the country’s top business community have announced | SEE pAgE 03 |

The Japanese companies were taking great interest in Pakistan | SEE pAgE 09 |

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KICT allegedly evades Rs 7.73 million in taxes, duties Tuesday, September 8, 2015

National

KARACHI: While continuing the habit of evading taxes and duties, the Karachi International Containers Terminal (KICT) Limited evaded at least Rs 7.73 million by mis-declaring goods under PCT 8426.4100.

The Directorate of Post Clearance Audit-PCA, Karachi detected the evasion of huge amount and issued a contravention report against M/s Karachi International Containers Terminal Limited. According to sources, the PCA Karachi while scrutinizing the import data observed that M/s KICT imported a consignment that included self propelled telescope of Genie brand dated 8.1.2013.

Zahid khokhar’s Enforcement-South collects Rs 3.596b customs duty in Aug

FIA arrests 9 suspects, involved in human trafficking, gas pilferage SIALKOT

ZAfAR MALIk

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KARACHI

DR AfTAB AfZAL

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he Model Customs Collectorates Preventive, Hyderabad, Quetta, Gwadar of Enforcement-South Region and Export (Port Muhammad Bin Qasim) have collected at least Rs 3.596 billion under the head of customs duty in August of the Niscal year 2015-16.

According to the details available with Customs Today, the MCC-Preventive collected Rs 2.562 billion in terms of customs duty in one month, while Rs 308.63 million was collected on August 31. The MCC-Hyderabad collected an amount of Rs 90.38 million customs duty and Rs 12.80 million in just a single day i.e.

August 31, 2015. The MCC Exports (Port Muhammad Bin Qasim) collected Rs 27.60 million during August and Rs 6.02 million on August 31, 2015. Moreover, the MCC-Quetta collected Rs 279.31 million in the whole month, while Rs 30.16 million on August 31. The MCC-Gwadar collected an amount of Rs 222.89 million and Rs 52.33 million on August 31, 2015. Besides, the MCC Exports has collected Rs 414.19 million as customs duty in August 2015. The insiders told Customs Today that the revenue collection had been remarkably enhanced with the strong emphases and untiring ef-

he Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested nine suspects, including three notorious human traffickers-turned-proclaimed offenders during a crackdown against them in Gujranwala division. According to FIA Gujranwala Deputy Director Ch Khalid Anees, the special FIA teams raided various places to ensure the early arrest of the suspects, who had been sending innocent people abroad illegally after extorting big amounts from them. Anees said that several suspects had also been running illegal money exchanges. The deputy director revealed the names of the arrested suspects as Javaid Iqbal alias Jeda, Munawar and Ghulam Rasul. The suspects had disappeared after extorting millions of rupees from people. He said that the suspects had been living at the new places in and around Gujranwala and they had also changed their names to hide their identity. The FIA has arrested the owner of a big bakery shop Muhammad Asghar for pilferage of gas and sealed his bakery.

The authority has also arrested three alleged money changers Muhammad Nadeem, Khawar Naseem and Shamshad from Trust Plaza Gujranwala.

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forts of Chief Collector-Enforcement-South, Zahid Khokhar who was encouraging the ofNicials at every stage. In the months of July

and August 2015, sources said, MCC Preventive collected at least Rs 4351.63 million customs duty, MCC Hyderabad collected Rs 121.17 mil-

lion, MCC Exports (PMBQ) collected Rs 779.83 million, MCC-Quetta collected Rs 350.40 million and MCCGwadar Rs 403.93 million.

SHC seeks comments from KPT on plea to dump 20,000MT coal KARACHI

wAQAR AHMED ANSARI www.customsbulletin.com

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought comments from the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on an application of a coal importer, seeking permission to dump 20,000 metric tons coal at KPT’s coal terminal. Applicant Awan Trading

Company (Private) Limited moved the court, submitting that a vessel carrying over 50,000 metric tons the coal is due to arrive at the Karachi Port on Sunday. A vessel carrying over 40, 000 metric ton coal cannot be berthed at Port Qasim, therefore, if the vessel is once allowed to lighten its weight approximately 20,000 metric tons, it can berth at Port Qasim.

Therefore, the counsel for the applicant requested the court to allow the applicant to dump 20, 000 met-

ric tons of the coal at KPT’s coal handling facility. After preliminary hearing, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, who headed a division bench, issued notice to the KPT to Nile their response to the application. 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 fur-

ther 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 ofNload 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 ofNloaded.

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 Rs20 per metric ton per day upon failure of the importers to remove the coal within 20 days of storage.

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PM Nawaz to meet traders on Sept 10 to resolve WHT issue ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will personally meet traders and business community representatives on September 10, 2015 to resolve the issue of withholding tax .According to details, trader unions and business community of the country are protesting against the imposition of 0.3 percent withholding tax due to which the local markets are closed and this crisis gain a high volume and effecting the economy and banking sector in the country.Sources told Customs Today that the prime minister will meet traders, businessmen, investors, and offficials of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries to resolve the issue of 0.3 percent withholding tax.

NA standing committee on finance to elect chairperson soon ISLAMABAD

NAEEM ULLAH TARIQ www.customsbulletin.com

ational Assembly’s (NA) Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue is likely to elect regular chairperson in upcoming meeting. The meeting will be held by end of this month in which members would elect the committee’s chairperson. Committee’s top seat is lying empty since disqualification of Umar Ayub Khan, who had headed the body for couple of years after the formation of PML-N government. Standing Committee last meeting was chaired by MNA, Qaisar Ahmad Sheikh. He was elected chair of the committee meeting unanimously and was likely to be elected as regular chair during the next meeting.

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central Region collects Rs 12 billion customs duty from July to September LAHORE

M HAYAT

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he Customs Central Region has collected Rs 12 billion as customs duty during the first two months from July to September of the current financial year.

According to details, the Lahore Appraisement collected Rs 5.576 billion during the period under review against the customs duty collection of Rs 4.807 billion during the last year. Customs Lahore Preventive has collected Rs 2.273 billion against Rs 3.125 billion during the last financial year. The MCC Multan, on the other hand, showed excellent performance by collecting Rs 3.88 billion against Rs 3.012 billion during the last fiscal year 2014-15, while MCC Faisalabad collected Rs 415 million during the period under review against Rs 749 million during the same period of last financial year.

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Tuesday September 8, 2015

National

Nisar Ahmad joins hands with NHA, Motorway police to curb smuggling MULTAN

IMRAN ALI

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ustoms Intelligence and Investigation Multan join hands with National Highways Authority and Motorway Police for mutual cooperation in order to curb smuggling from the region. Additional Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan Range Nisar Ahmad held a special meeting with the Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Ghulam Jaffar of National Highways and Motorway Police in his ofNice.

The meeting between Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan Range ofNice was held on the request of Customs Intelligence and Investigation with the National Highways and Motorway Police.

The meeting was conducted in an encouraging atmosphere and both authorities of National Highways and Motorway Police and Customs Intelligence discuss the crucial areas of cooperation with each other in order to take measures against smuggling. Both authorities of Customs Intelligence and National Motorway Police stressed upon the need to increase mutual cooperation in controlling movements of smugglers and their ways to curb smuggling. Additional Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation Nisar Ahmad shared his point of view with SSP Ghulam Jaffar National Highways and Motorway Po-

lice that smugglers are adopting the main routes for their smuggling through National Highways and Motorway in recent few years.

Increased coordination between the two departments is required at the moment to Nill the bridge of communication in order to curb smuggling Nisar Ahmad expressed during the meeting. Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) National Highways and Motorway Police ensured his full cooperation to Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan on their request in order to assist them for restricting the movement of smug-

gled items.

Additional Director Nisar Ahmad told Customs Today that Customs

customs Multan Range Additional Director Nisar Ahmad held a special meeting with SSp ghulam Jaffar of National Highways and Motorway police in his office.

Sargodha ASO seizes Toyota Crown car

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Sargodha has impounded a foreign origin used Toyota Crown Car Model 1974 in Sargodha.

The market value of the seized vehicle is Rs 1,500,000 while its CIF value is Rs 500,000.

Sources told Customs Today that Assistant Collector Muhammad Asim Awan received infor-

mation that Toyota Crown car is brought into the country through an unauthorized route and without payment of duty and taxes.

After receiving the information, Assistant Collector Muhammad Asim Awan constituted a raiding team comprising Bashir Ahmed, Ansir Saleemi (Inspector), Rana Muhammad Ashraf, Muhammad Ameen Shafqat, Mehmood Muhammad Feroz,

Muhammad Mansha (sepoys).

The ASO team intercepted the vehicle and asked the owner of the vehicle, who was identified as Irfan Abbas son of Mohammad, a resident of Pindi Rawal District Mandi Bahauddin, to produce legal documents regarding the import of the vehicle but the owner failed to provide the same. Upon his failure, the ASO team seized the vehicle and registered a case against him.

Intelligence and Investigation needs support of other law enforcement agencies in order to curb smuggling in the region. We cannot eliminate any evil from the society without the local support of their people so Customs also needs cooperation of various law enforcement agencies to get better results in their action.

They unanimously agreed to increase the cooperation between the National Highways and Motorway Police with Customs Intelligence and wowed to bridge the communication gap besides taking the cooperation to enhanced level.

Lahore Post Clearance Audit director assumes charge he new Director Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore has assumed the charge of his office from September 3, 2015. Ahmad Rauf is posted in Lahore PCA Directorate as Saud Imran, who was performing as the director of the directorate, has been transferred to Customs Intelligence and Investigation Lahore, says a notification issued here.

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Mobile phone imports reduce by 6.19% to $45.37m in July Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Business

ISLAMABAD: The country witnessed 6.19 per cent decline in mobile phone imports in July 2015 as compared to the same period of previous year.

According to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the mobile phone imports during first month of current fiscal year 2015-16 were recorded at $45.37 million as against the imports of $48.362 million during July 2014.

On month-on-month basis, the imports plunged by 34.06 percent from $68.81 million in June 2015 to $45.37 million in July 2015. Similarly, the overall telecom imports during the period under review also decreased by 37.58 percent.

Demand from India: onion price increases from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per 40kg LAHORE

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he huge demand of Pakistani onion by India has pushed the vegetable’s wholesale price up from Rs1,000 to Rs1,500 per 40kg and will likely to be further increased by the end of this month.

The retail price of onion has increased up to Rs60 per kg from Rs40. Vegetable Exporter and Importer Association President Shab-

Banking sector growth decreases to 5.47% LAHORE

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bir Ahmed said that with onion prices shooting up dramatically in Delhi, the Indian government has asked the state-owned company to import 25,000 tons of the key kitchen staple quickly.

He said that Pakistan, in this situation, has started to fetch higher export orders for onion not only from India but also from Bangladesh who also returned to the international markets to overcome local shortage in supplies.

Shabbir said that Pakistan has registered an increase in demand from the overseas markets in the last couple of weeks while India has also started importing onion from

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sion to later MPS. Pakistan Consumer Price Index has slipped another notch to 1.72 percent YoY in August-15 vs. 1.8 percent in July-15. The reading is lowest after July-03, but slightly above the street consensus.

On month on month basis, CPI index has increased by 0.24 percent.

Food inNlation has clocked in at 0.34 percent MoM (vs. 0.05 percent in July-15), in which Perishable food prices have increased by 3.7 percent while Non-perishable food prices witnessed a fall of 0.2 percent.

Housing index also inched up by 0.3 percent, on the back of 1.47 percent higher electricity index.

cpEc power project to be completed by Dec 2017: Dr Zahir

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he State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has reported decline in banking sector growth by 32bps MoM to 5.47 per cent during July 2015 as compared to 5.79 per cent in June 2015. As per the SBP data, lending rates declined by 21bps to 9.42pc while deposit rates rose by 11bps to 3.95pc. That said, fresh spreads during Jul’15 declined by massive 74bps to 2.87pc mainly due to 37bps dip in lending rates and a contrary 38bps surge in deposit cost.

Pakistan via Wagah border. On an average, some 10 trucks of onions have been crossing the Wagah border daily to enter into India from Pakistan. Each truck carries some 15-20 tons of onions.

Meanwhile, In wake of increasing gap between inNlation and interest rates and depreciating regional currencies, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is likely to further cut rate in the next monetary policy, According to the experts, the policy rate may be cut by 50-100bps in Niscal year 2016.

However, recent gas tariff hike and weaker rupee may compel SBP to delay any monetary easing deci-

ISLAMABAD

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hina Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Project Director Maj Gen (R) Dr Zahir Shah has said that different power projects, including coal, hydel, solar and wind, started under the CPEC would be completed by December 2017.

While talking to the state-owned

news agency, Maj Gen (R) Dr Zahir Shah said that the western route of the corridor would also be completed by 2016 leading to socio-economic revolution in the country.

He said that due to improvement in the law and order situation in the country, the foreign investors were coming to Pakistan for investments due to conducive investment environment. He said that owing to the CPEC, new industries would be set up in Balochistan which would help create employment opportunities for the people of the province besides improving their living condi-

tions in the region.

Dr Zahir Shah said that after the completion of the CPEC project, it would not only help bring prosperity in the two countries but also be a fate changer for the entire South Asian region. He added that the CPEC was a complete package for the cooperation in different Nields between Pakistan and China including information network, basic infrastructure, energy, industries, agriculture, tourism which would also provide a platform for the socio economic prosperity to three billion population of the entire region.

0.3% WHT: Govt willing to start dialogue with traders, says minister ISLAMABAD

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he government is willing to start negotiations with the traders to resolve the issues after imposition of 0.3 per cent withholding tax on banking transactions. This was stated by Minister of State and Board of Investment (BoI) Chairman Dr Miftah Ismail, while talking to a private news channel.

He said that there is no withholding tax on transition of Rs50,000 per day and the initiative of withholding tax has been taken against the nonfilers of tax returns. He said the government is not collecting withholding tax (WHT) from filers of tax returns.

Dr Miftah said tax is must to run the state and increase in sale taxes will have negative impacts on poor class of society. He said the government is trying to increase net of direct tax in the country.

The state minister said that a fair and transparent system of tax should be introduced in the country and no scandal of corruption has surfaced against PML-N. He said “we should not confuse the issue of WHT and the country cannot move forward if the traders do not pay only 0.3 percent WHT.”

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114.9% growth: Trade between Pakistan, Xinjiang surpasses $319m BEIJING

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he bilateral trade between Pakistan and China’s Xinjiang region has surpassed over $319 million in the year 201415, showing 114.9 percent growth over the corresponding period of

preceding year.

Xinjiang Commerce Department Director General He Yiming, while addressing a media seminar held in Urumqi, said that the economic ties between the neighbouring countries have further grown after President Xi’s visit to Islamabad last year. He added, “We need to do much more for developing our economic interaction under the CPEC.” He Yiming hoped that the road network between Xinjinag and

Pakistan’s border area will be fully functional within next few months.

Up-gradation of KKH will also be completed soon. This, he said will lead to increase transportation and commodities’ exchange between the two sides.

He admitted that the trade between the two countries is not matching to the heights of their diplomatic ties. Much more need to be done to meet the needs and expectations of their people. Since,

balance of payment is highly in favour of China, the government of Xinjiang laid greater focus on enhancing its import from Pakistan.

For this purpose, he added, they were encouraging Pakistani businessmen to visit Xinjiang to find out the trade opportunities.

He Yiming further said the Chinese top leadership attached high priority to strengthening their economic relations with Pakistan under CPEC. The government of Xin-

jinag was taking necessary steps to that direction accordingly.

Recently their senior officials and members of think-tanks met at Karamay, Xinjiang’s oil city, and decided to increase their economic interaction under CPEC. Pakistan’s sea-Port Gwadar and Karamay were declared as sistercities to undertake joint venture for the development of road network infrastructure and energyrelated projects.

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ISLAMABAD M fAIZAN www.customsbulletin.com

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) Member Inland Revenue and spokesman Shahid Hussain Asad has said that there is no difference between the people who are

opposing the levy of withholding tax and those who were asking the people not pay utility bills and income tax last year during sit-in by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

During an exclusive interview with Customs Today, he said that withholding tax is only for non-filers and on banking transactions. “All those people who are regularly submitting their tax returns need not to worry about withholding tax,” he said. He also said that those persons who will file withholding tax will not be included in defaulters list.

He also revealed that withholding tax is adjustable. A tax filer can claim return of withholding tax. If the amount of withholding tax exceeds than the taxable amount, then the remaining amount will be refunded to the taxpayer.

He further said that India is ready to impose a war on Pakistan and it is the national duty to strengthen the national economy, because sound economy is the backbone for defence of any country. He said that in the population of 180 million, only 0.9 million file tax returns, showing that only 0.5 percent people are in the tax net.

He said that in India the percentage of tax to GDP ratio is 17.7 percent, while in Pakistan, the percentage is

9.4 percent.

He appealed to the business community to submit their tax returns honestly so that the economy should gain momentum. Shahid Hussain Asad said: “If we lose a cricket match against India, the whole national becomes sad but we are far behind in strengthening of our economy as compare to India.

We should take sound measures to defeat India in the field of economy also.” Shahid Hussain Asad said that Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (RA), he announced “Jihad” against those who denied o pay zakat because it was the only tax which the government of the time obtained from wealthy people and used it on the betterment of the people.

He remembered that in 1965, the then President Field Marshal Ayub Khan raised the slogan of “one penny two tanks”. It means that Rs 1 million could be generated through a donation of one penny by a citizen at that time. “The same situation is arising nowadays and it is our national duty to strengthen the national economy,” he concluded.

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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

Missed economic factors

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Democracy has been restored in Pakistan, but fundamental factors are missing and people are not lucky enough to reap the benefits of the people’s government.

The countries, which were far behind Pakistan in trade and industry, are emerging as successful economies. The successive governments in Pakistan have miserably failed to restore peace, overcome acute electricity shortage and provide conducive environment for economic growth. The economy of Pakistan is not on the right track and the government is unable to find a way out to deal with even basic issues such as development of infrastructure and the rule of law.

Pakistan has a perfect economic engine in the form of strong industrial base and human resources, but it is not being allowed to work properly.

According to the Economic Freedom of the World Report, which has reviewed fundamental factors across 152 countries in 2014, Pakistan’s performance is the worst in the region. Taking a cue from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Economic Forum, the report covers the size of government, legal system and property rights and international trade. The project is a whistleblower for the developing countries to understand the key elements adversely affecting their economic performance.

As a matter of fact, the thrust of the Pakistani government is on politics rather than economy. The countries in the region have successfully shifted their focus from politics to economy such as India and Bangladesh, but in Pakistan, the federal and the provincial governments are still lingering on the hackneyed path. The country is facing severe balance of payment problems and extreme mismanagement in the financial discipline. The non-development sectors remained priority areas of the government; as a result, the government is filling the gap between income and expenditures by taking more and more loans from international donor agencies.

The government has to set priorities before embarking on a new venture. First of all, it has to improve law and order by depoliticizing civil forces and improve energy supply by building crucial dams by setting aside political constraints. It will also have to reform tax system by studying different systems in different countries. Economy of several countries, where the ratio of tax is minimal, is growing fast which means imposition of bulk of taxes does not guarantee economic growth. There is a need to encourage cross border trade within the countries in the region by giving relief in customs tariffs and duties. Small steps could have big impact on the economy and the government should take it as a challenge and not as a burden.

Inviting foreign investors P

LAHORE

DR AfTAB AfZAL

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akistan has now chances to grab international investment, as the opportunities are opening up due to slowing down of the Chinese economy and many investors are pulling out of India due to anti-business policies of the New Delhi government.

However, the Pakistani government is also sending wrong signals to the international investors due to ill-advised economic policies and witch-hunt of businessmen.

Traders in all major cities are protesting against the imposition of withholding tax on bank transactions and the government agencies have gone on the rampage to

terrorize the investors on one pretext or the other. According to media reports, China has been keeping a status of attractive destination for the last many years due to security, low tax ratio and cheap labour. Pakistan on the other hand is one of the worst countries of the world in ease of doing business index. Tough government laws and unbridled authority of the bureaucratic machinery only breed corruption. A blind enactment of law and its blind implementation only lead to catastrophe and this has been gravely happening in Pakistan since independence. Some ofNicials lead more luxurious life than businessmen and that is not a secret in this country. A law is a strong tool in the hand of black sheep in the government machinery to destroy a

business concern as well as the economy at their will.

There is a need to improve capacity building of the ofNicials in the country. In India, a billionaire commodities investor Jim Rogers is leaving that country after becoming frustrated with the pace of reforms by the current Indian government.

The Singapore-based investor has packed up by selling all his stocks due to lack of interest of the Indian government in foreign investment.

The disappointed Rogers says that he does not expect anything good from the Indian government and is looking for other countries for investment. Rogers blames the Indian red-tape, business restrictions and labyrinthine investment rule for his departure. The situation in Pakistan is not different, but the

hope should be kept alive.

This is a good opportunity for the government to invite the dejected investor to Pakistan and offer him incentives. Even the Chinese businessmen are ready to invest in Pakistan’s industrial sector if they are facilitated. The Rogers case should be an example for the Pakistani bureaucracy to treat foreign investors. The government has to take big and small businessmen of the country into conNidence before devising and implementing policies. Harassment of businessmen will only lead to capital Nlight from the country as it happened in the past. If the government wants to enhance tax net, it will have to move forward step by step and should avoid jumping into a gorge.

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FPCCI, TDAP to call on PM to discuss exports decline ISLAMABAD: Representatives of the country’s top business community have announced to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on September 11 to point out decreasing trend in the country’s export and other issues.

The officials of Trade and Development Authority (TDAP) will also be in meeting along with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) representatives. FPCCI and TDAP officials will also meet the commerce and finance ministers.

The business community would also seek certain incentives for the promotion of exports and discuss the proposed trade policy framework with the prime minister.

Trader, lawyers form body for shifting of district courts slamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Islamabad Bar Association have constituted a Joint Committee of traders and lawyers to work for the shifting of district courts from F-8 Markaz. Muhammad Ejaz Abbasi, former President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Zahid Mahmood Raja, President, Islamabad Bar Association would jointly head the Committee.

During its first meeting at ICCI, the Joint Committee discussed many options for finding out a permanent solution for shifting of district courts from F-8 and agreed that presence of courts in F-8 Markaz was not only a security threat for the lives of Honorable Judges and lawyers, it was also a major hurdle in the smooth growth of business activities in this business area.

Therefore, the Committee felt that there was a great need to shift the district courts from F-8 commercial center to another suitable place as early as possible.

The Committee was of the view that it was not an issue of traders and lawyers only, but it was the issue of Islamabad. It was also agreed that all relevant forums would be approached for finding out amicable solution of this serious issue.

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Mian Hamuyun elected as new RccI president awalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) election committee formally announced the names of newly elected office bearers here on Sunday.

According to election committee Mian Hamuyun Parvez, Saqib Rafique and M.Aqil Obaid elected as RCCI new president, senior vice president and vice president respectively in unopposed election. This was announced by Election Committee in a ceremony held at RCCI premises.

On the occasion, the newly elected president Mian Hamuyun Parvez thanked business community for the trust and said that prosperity of business community will always be his first priority.

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Tuesday September 8, 2015

Chambers

pakistan can produce over 100,000Mw thru solar, wind and coal means: LccI ISLAMABAD

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he local business community, encouraging the private sector, asked them to utilise alternate resources other than the costly thermal means for power generation.

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Ijaz A Mumtaz said that economic growth and cost of doing business has a direct relation. It is a good omen that government is working on various projects of alternate energy resources but there is a dire need to complete these projects on war footing as industrial sector needs cheap and sufNicient electricity, he added.

He said that cheap and sufNicient energy is a must the growth of manufacturing sector and increase in industrial production otherwise country would become just a trading place instead of industrial hub.

Mumtaz said that as like as the developed countries, government should promote alternate energy resources on war footing, as according to experts, Pakistan can produce over

LccI president Ijaz A Mumtaz 100,000 MW electricity through solar, variety of wastes into clean energy wind and coal means. besides being substitution for diminThe LCCI President said that bio ishing global oil supplies. energy is a adaptable source that can Mumtaz said that bio energy can be used to overcome electricity chal- play a very vital role in production of lenge besides making a considerable carbon-neutral fuels of high quality contribution to climate change phe- and can address many environmental nomenon. He said that biomass en- issues, especially global warming and ergy has the potential convert a wide greenhouse gases emissions, and fos-

kpccI efforts lauded for approving modern dry port in peshawar D LAHORE

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irector Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi lauded the efforts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KPCCI) President Fawad Ishaq for approving a modern dry port in Peshawar and termed it a landmark achievement of the business community.

In a statement he said that it were the efforts KPCCI president who forced the standing committee of national assembly on com-

merce to give approval for establishing a modern dry port in Peshawar.

He suggested Collector Customs Peshawar Qurban Ali Khan to speed up work on the proposed project as it was the long standing demand of the business community. He said that Peshawar dry port lacks modern facilities for the business community which is hurdle in generation of revenue for this province.

He said that this project is proposed since 1986 when former railway minister Nesar Mohammad Khan assured to establish a modern dry port at railway warehouse

in cantonment railway station but despite of passing 29 years the business community deprived of this facility.

He added paid glowing tributes to the efforts of KPCCI President Fawad Ishaq for raising this issue in front of standing committee on commerce and said that the Fawad Ishaq conveyed the message of exporters to authorities concerned with an extremely effective manner.

He said this was serious issue for business community and issue has been raised at the forum of Pak-Afghan joint chamber of commerce and industry.

ter sustainable development among poor communities. Biomass fuel sources are readily available in rural and urban areas of all countries.

He said, “We all are aware of the present challenges to our economy, specially severe energy crisis and it is indeed a matter of concern for us that our gas reserves are depleting with the passage of time. Be it domestic or industrial users all have to face shortage of gas in winter season. Even the generation of electricity through gas has to put on halt in this period that further aggravates the situation.” He said that Pakistan desperately needs some good alternatives and viable solutions in this connection. A wide range of biomass resources, particularly woody biomass and organic waste is available in Pakistan in abundance, so some serious efforts are required to be made to establish necessary modalities to commercialize it at a mega scale.

Ijaz said that LCCI will hold special training sessions for the guidance of technical people with the latest trends in new alternative technologies and to increase their efNiciency.

The LCCI will bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars at one place to come up with a joint strategy to make best use of this technology.

Preparation for LCCI elections in full swing he preparation for upcoming elections of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) by different groups is in full swing as the Founders-PIAF Alliance has announced to start campaign by inaugurating its election office near Lahore Railway Station. The Alliance leaders have pledged to continue to raise voice for the solution of the problems being faced by the business community. The participation of large number of market representatives in a recent function was enough proof to make the point that the business community wanted continuity in the policies introduced by the PIAF-Founders Alliance. The Founders Group has decided to continue its alliance with Pakistan Industrial & Traders Association Front (PIAF) for the upcoming election of LCCI for 2015-16.

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Algeria Customs foils attempt to smuggle various products in Tamanrasset Tuesday September 8, 2015

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ALGIERS: Two smugglers were arrested Wednesday by units of the People's National Customs in Tamanrasset, and various products and cattle intended to be smuggled were seized at several border regions, said Thursday the Ministry of National Defence. "As part of measures to strengthen border security and fight against organized crime, a detachment of the operational area of Tamanrasset (6th Military Region) arrested two smugglers, on 2 September 2015, and seized an all-terrain vehicle and four metal detectors," said the statement. "Units of the border guards of Maghnia and Bab El Assa, in the operational area of Tlemcen (2nd Military Region), seized 11,050 litres of fuel intended to be smuggled," added the statement. "Units of the National Gendarmerie of El-Amiria in the operational area of Ain Temouchent seized a car loaded with 1,011 Kilogramme of copper," said the statement.

US customs arrests woman for Philippines Customs smuggling 9.4 pounds of cocaine intercepts illegal drugs, pills in shipments

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S Customs and Border Protection OfNice of Field Operations ofNicers and U.S. Border Patrol agents working at the El Paso port of entry seized 9.4 pounds of cocaine. The drugs were hidden in a car being driven by a woman who was traveling with her one-year-old son and her 16-yearold sister.

“Smugglers will try almost anything to blend in with legitimate trade and travel,” said Beverly Good, CBP El Paso Port Director. “This is not the Nirst time and probably won’t be the last time we will see a young mother attempting to smuggle drugs while traveling with a child.”

The cocaine seizure was made at approximately 10:30 a.m. at the Ysleta international crossing when CBP ofNicers and Border Patrol agents were performing a sweep of vehicles

Hk customs seizes 24kg ivory worth $240,000 at airport ong Kong Customs detected a suspected case of ivory smuggling at Hong Kong International Airport on September 2. A total of 24 kilograms of suspected ivory cut pieces, worth about $240,000, were seized from an inbound air parcel.

Upon Customs clearance, Customs officers screened the inbound air parcel declared as "Decorative Tiles" and sent from Zimbabwe, via Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to Hong Kong. Suspicious images were found under X-ray inspection.

Customs officers opened the parcel and found the suspected ivory cut pieces covered with sawdust The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for follow-up.

A Customs spokesman said Hong Kong Customs would continue to work with the AFCD as well as Hongkong Post to combat smuggling of endangered species by post.

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waiting in line before the primary inspection area. CBP drug snifNing dog “Doky” alerted to 2012 Ford F-150 truck waiting in the queue. A CBP ofNicer examined the undercarriage of the vehicle and discovered cocaine hidden in the charcoal canister of the vehicle emissions system.

CBP personnel moved the vehicle to the secondary inspection area to continue the exam. They removed the charcoal canister and located four co-

caine-Nilled bundles hidden inside.

The estimated street value of the seized cocaine is $300,800.

CBP ofNicers arrested the driver, 21-year-old Jessica Melissa Garcia of El Paso. She was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations agents to face charges associated with the failed smuggling attempt. The baby and sister were turned over to an adult relative.

Beirut air customs foils attempt to smuggle large quantity narcotics

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ustoms at Beirut’s RaNik Hariri International Airport foiled an attempt by a Swedish national to smuggle a large quantity of narcotics into Lebanon, a source told The Daily Star Thursday.

30-year-old J.A. had in his possession 18.850 kilograms of narcotics, presumed to be cocaine paste, stashed inside 12 plastic bottles in his luggage.

The busted drugs were assumed

to be worth LL 471,250,000 ($314,166).

The suspect was arrested upon his arrival to Beirut from Cairo. He initially traveled from Brazil to Addis Ababa and Cairo en route to Beirut.

Mount Lebanon Magistrate Maher Sheaito ordered his arrest and referred him with the conNiscated drugs to the Central Drug Bureau in Beirut.

Bureau of Customs ofNicial admitted Thursday they have yet to Nind guns or narcotics inside balikbayan boxes recently despite earlier records that showed illegal shipments of guns via balikbayan box. Speaking before the Senate committee on ways and means, Customs Deputy Commissioner Jessie Dellosa said they have no recent record of guns or drugs smuggled into the country via balikbayan box. "So far, your honor, negative sa balikbayan box," he said.

However, he said Customs has intercepted illegal drugs such as ecstasy pills in outbound shipments.

One gun was also found inside a parcel, he said.

He said Customs agents have also found other contraband items in balikbayan boxes such as commercial goods in commercial quantities.

Some of the seized items inside shipping containers Nilled with balikbayan boxes including a used all-terrain vehicle, a jet ski and motorcycles.

For his part, Customs Commissioner

Bert Lina said he has only been with the bureau for three months. He said he has received reports that balikbayan boxes can be used to smuggle guns and drugs.

Ex-Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said there have been apprehensions and seizures of Nirearms inside balikbayan boxes during his time as Customs chief from September 2011 to December 2013.

He cited the case of one balikbayan box seized in Cebu in March 2013, which contained a baby armalite and several pistols of various caliber. He also cited the case of two Filipino-American law enforcers, including a customs and border patrol ofNicer and NYPD cop, who smuggled high-powered Nirearms from the US to Philippine buyers.

"Ang tawag sa kanila gun running syndicate dahil regular na nilang ginagawa na napagpadala ng armas sa atin," Biazon said.

A former head of the Customs xray project also said they found guns inside balikbayan boxes, which came from the US. She urged ofNicials to identify "high-risk" and "low-risk" countries where contraband items could come from.

Nigerian customs appeals traders to export frozen poultry products

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he Nigeria Customs Service has appealed to traders and consumers of frozen poultry products to patronise local farmers amid the organisation seizing more illegal products.

Joseph Attah, Deputy Public Relations OfNicer, said patronising local

producers would create job opportunities for youths as well as boost the economy.

He said this would save Nigerians from diseases associated with consumption of dangerous chemicals used in preserving the banned poultry products.

US customs extends AcE electronic entry deadline

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.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ofNicials announced on Aug. 31 that the agency is extending the deadline for mandatory use of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) for all electronic entry and entry-summary Niling. The

deadline has been changed from Nov. 1, 2015, to Feb. 28, 2016. The decision comes in response to "concerns about stakeholders' readiness" to meet the original deadline. The change also applies to the Single Window program, which will integrate import-related data from other U.S. government agencies into ACE, CBP's long-awaited information-management and dataprocessing system.

The delay was something of a surprise. Software vendors and customs brokers have contended that the original deadline and the slow release of technical speciNications did not allow enough time for them to conduct the extensive programming, integration, testing, and revisions that would be necessary for full compliance. But in a March 31 presentation at the Coalition of New England Companies for

Trade (CONECT) 19th Annual Northeast Trade and Transportation Conference, Todd Owen, CBP's assistant commissioner, OfNice of Field Operations, said that the ACE deadlines "are not going to slip."

But that assertion proved unrealistic, and Nov. 1 will begin what the agency calls a transition period for electronic entry and entry summary Nilings in ACE.

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Singapore Shipping Association pushes for lower port dues for hard-pressed OSVs SINGAPORE: Admitting that times remain tough for many in the industry, Esben Poulssen, the new president of the Singapore Shipping Association, has pushed forward a raft of initiatives to try and help out. As well as seeking to grow Singapore’s ship finance credentials and get the government to ink more double taxation agreements Poulssen said at a briefing last night SSA is pushing authorities to reduce port dues for offshore vessels, the hardest hit sector in shipping at the moment. The volume of offshore support vessels being laid up is growing around the world amid the declining overcapacity and a severe overcapacity of OSVs.

Longest ship ever to call on African Dar es Salaam port CAPE TOWN

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anzania Ports Authority (TPA) will register another milestone today with the arrival of the longest Post Panamax vessel ever to call at the Dar es Salaam port.

The vessel with 255 metres long is expected to arrive in Dar es Salaam today and later berth at a facility operated by the Tanzania International Container Terminal (TICTS). The vessel, Clemens Schulte, which was built last year, is a container ship registered in Singapore, with gross tonnage of 51,872 and dead weight of 65,193. Its length and breadth is 255m x 37m.

TPA acting Corporate Communications Manager, Ms Janeth Ruzangi, said the arrival of the vessel from LaemChabang port in Thailand is testimony of growing confidence of international shipping lines in the port.

"This shows the confidence on us is growing day by day due to increased efficiency in port services," she said. TICTS Corporate Development Director, Mr Donald Talawa, the last longest vessel to call at the terminal was MSC Martina with 242 metres long in February 2015. Clemens Schulte is expected to discharge 250 containers and load 1,300 containers during this maiden call.

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New England's ports seek comeback with niches in global trade he noise and bustle of nearby neighborhoods fade away at New Haven's sprawling port. An oil and chemical tanker floats placidly at a dock.

A tug pushes a barge out in Long Island Sound. Only occasionally do trucks rumble up to a scrap metal business or deliver materials for road work.

What was a key port for lumber and other goods dating to Colonial times is, like other New England ports, facing a reckoning after a lengthy decline.

In the region that nurtured the beginnings of New World commerce with whaling, fishing and shipbuilding, state and local governments are taking stock of aging infrastructure at deep-water ports. As they move to stake out their share of global trade, the challenge is how to stay relevant in an age of everlarger ships.

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philippine ports ready for rising volumes after change in law MANILA www.customsbulletin.com

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transport and co-loading of foreign cargos within Philippine waters by foreign vessels and empty containers from abroad will be able to be transshipped between two domestic ports.

After signing the act into law in July, Aquino took the opportunity to promote his “man of the people” image. “Through these two laws, we are changing the crooked ways of a lack of competition in business

which do not benefit the people,” he said in a statement.

But the need to reform its shipping laws is more than just an attempt by the Philippine leader to burnish his populist credentials.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations will form a unified common market in December where trade barriers will be reduced with a free flow of goods, services, investment and skilled labour.

HK Ports cargo decreases by 11% in Q2 of 2015: Statistics n the second quarter of 2015, total port cargo throughput decreased by 11% compared with a year earlier to 68.4 million tonnes. Within this total, inward and outward port cargo decreased by 16% and 5% to 40.5 million tonnes and 27.8 million tonnes respectively. For the first half of 2015, total port cargo throughput decreased by 6% compared with a year earlier to 136.8 million tonnes. Within this total, inward and outward port cargo decreased by 10% and

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Port of Montreal: Shipping container found but silver worth $10m still missing he shipping container stolen from the Port of Montreal has been found but the $10 million worth of silver that was inside it is still at large.

The six-metre long grey container inscribed MAERSK was found in Repentigny on Saturday morning, according to the SPVM. Police are being tightlipped about the heist, but they’re asking for the public's to help them locate the missing loot.

A white 1997 Freightliner truck used for the robbery was stolen somewhere in the city's west end. Within a few hours, that truck made its way over to the port in the east end, and the silver vanished. Police won't say how they think the silver was stolen but the Port of Montreal prides itself on its security measures, insisting it maintains tight control of its access and exit points with 350 video cameras trained on the sprawling facility.

Port of Montreal: Shipping container found but $10m of silver still missing The shipping container stolen from the Port of Montreal has been found but the $10 million worth of silver that was inside it is still at large. The six-metre long grey container inscribed MAERSK was found in Repentigny on Saturday morning, according to the SPVM. Police are being tightlipped about the heist, but they’re asking for the public's to help them locate the missing loot. A white 1997 Freightliner truck used for the robbery was stolen somewhere in the city's west end.

Within a few hours, that truck made its way over to the port in the east end, and the silver vanished. Police won't say how they think the silver was stolen but the Port of Montreal prides itself on its security measures, insisting it maintains tight control of its access and exit points with 350 video cameras trained on the sprawling facility.

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cUSToMS BULLETIN REpoRT maller ports in the Philippines are bracing for rising container throughput following government approval of an act that liberalizes the country’s cabotage law and allows foreign carriers to participate in the domestic transport of cargo.

President Benigno Aquino recently signed the landmark Philippine Competition Act and the Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act, which amends the 50-year-old cabotage law. Once gazetted the law will take effect within 15 days.

The amendments to the law will lower shipping costs for export and import shipments by allowing foreign-flagged vessels to carry imported cargo directly to the final Philippine port of destination, according to a statement by Aquino.

Among other changes, the amended law will allow for the

Thursday September 8, 2015

1% to 82.4 million tonnes and 54.3 million tonnes respectively.

On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput decreased by 8% in the second quarter of 2015.

Within this total, inward port cargo dropped by 14%, while outward port cargo recorded virtually no change. The seasonally adjusted series enables more meaningful shorter-term comparison to be made for discerning possible

variations in trends.

Within port cargo, seaborne and river cargo decreased by 15% and 4% in the second quarter of 2015 compared with a year earlier to 44.6 million tonnes and 23.8 million tonnes respectively. Within inward port cargo, imports and inward transhipment decreased by 16% and 15% in the second quarter of 2015 compared with a year earlier to 22.2 million tonnes and 18.3 million tonnes respectively.

Shipping remains the lynchpin of global trade

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hipping remains the lynchpin of global trade with 90% of all goods still transported by sea. It can also be a hugely volatile business where both freight rates and asset values can change in a dramatic manner as demonstrated during the Ninancial crisis when we saw the earn-

ings of one particular asset class (Capesize vessels) falling from USD150,000 a day to USD10,000 in a matter of months, and values dropping by as much as 75%. It is truly a global industry as a ship’s construction, ownership, crew, marine insurances and registration can all originate from separate countries.

One of the major challenges currently facing the industry is the overcapacity in the dry bulk market

caused by over-ordering of vessels and the slow-down in the Chinese economy. The resulting reduction in demand for commodities such as iron ore and coal has resulted in freight rates hitting an all-time low in the Nirst half of 2015. However, one bright spot is the tanker market where transporters of crude oil are having a good year, boosted by increased demand caused by the fall in the oil price, although it is uncer-

tain how long this will last.

In the container sector more vessels continue to be built as operators seek to exploit economies of scale in order to cut costs by building everlarger ships. More generally, owners are also seeking newer, more efNicient vessels to help them meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations, but as the size of vessels increases, infrastructure and ports have to keep pace.

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Lahore NAB arrests seven in cooperative housing society scam LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has arrested seven suspects, one civilian and six government employees of the cooperative housing society, on charges of corruption. The arrested persons include, Fakharul Zaman, Yaqoob Loona, Zakaullah Bhatti, Tariq Ashraf Chaudary, Mian Ghulam Ali, Naveed Shaukat and Mian Ghulam Ali. According to the authorities, Irrigation Housing Society was formed in 2012 on GT Road by the collusion of Irrigation Department. A large amount of money was collected from the people seeking to buy plots.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

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Hyderabad ASO seizes items worth Rs 28 million in August HYDERABAD

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he Model Customs Collectorate Hyderabad’s AntiSmuggling Organisation (ASO) has clutched smuggled items worth Rs 28.1 million involving duty/taxes to the tune of Rs 15.5 million in August 2015 by foiling various smuggling attempts in three regions including Sukkar, Larkana and Hyderabad.

As per details, the teams of ASO taking strong measure against the smugglers to save the national economy and local traders on the directions of the Collector MCC Hyderabad Dr. Ahmed Mujtaba Memon.

Additional Collector Riaz Ahmad Memon, Additional Collector Omar ShaNique, Assistant Collector Samiullah, Assistant Collector Imran Afzal, Assistant Collector of Sukkar and Larkana region Zam Zam Aman and Deputy Collector Nawabzadi Alia Khan Ji performed their duties diligently in their respective regions and conNiscated various smuggled items including gukta, vehicles, Iranian diesel, oil tankers, cigarettes, auto parts, cloth, motor oil, blankets and other items.

Peshawar Customs collects Rs 3.941 billion in two months PESHAWAR

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aintaining its record of collection under the heads of federal excise duty and custom duty, the Custom House Peshawar has collected Rs 1.810 billion in August while in the Nirst two months of the new Ninancial year, the department collected Rs 3.941 billion.

According to statistical branch

of Peshawar Custom House, the custom duty include warehouse surcharge Rs 0.73 million, regulatory duty on import and export Rs 16.17 million, custom duty Rs 568.56 million, sales tax on import Rs 373.27 million sales tax on value addition commercial importers Rs 58.49 million and under the head of sales tax levied as FED VAT Mode Palm oil Rs 242.05 million. Similarly, under the head of federal excise duty on import, it collected Rs 0.06 million, federal excise duty on import per kilogram remained Rs 19.74 million, federal excise duty remained Rs 2.06 mil-

lion and in gross the federal excise duty remained Rs 21.86 million.

Other collection includes advance income tax Rs 333.65 million.

Furthermore, the total collection of the Nirst two months of the new Ninancial year was Rs 1037.49 million which includes import duty Rs 974.91 million warehouse surcharge Rs 0.83 million, miscellaneous collection Rs 28.21 million and regulatory duty Rs 33.54 million. under the head of custom duty of the Nirst two months of the new Ninancial year, collection of Rs 823.52 million was made which includes sales tax on import Rs

698.94 million, sales tax on value addition Rs 103.56 million, and total sales tax on levied as FED was recorded at Rs 406.93 million. The federal excise duty of the two months was recorded at Rs 0.06 million. Under the head of total federal excise duty on import, Rs 5.13 million was collected while in gross at least Rs 38.43 million federal excise duty was collected. In term of sales tax on import, the total collection of the last months was recorded at Rs 698.94 million while in lieu of sales tax on value addition, Rs 103.56 million were collected in the Nirst two months of

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the new Ninancial year.

In term of Sale tax levied as the federal excise duty on palm oil, the figures of the first two months were recorded at Rs 406.93 million. Under the head of advanced income tax and gross federal excise duty in gross, the Peshawar Custom House collected Rs 570.40 million.

It is pertinent to mentioned here that Peshawar Custom House has maintained its monthly record of collection with slight improvement as the Nigures of last two months of the new Ninancial year are slightly different.