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ISLAMABAD

TARIQ DERYA

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he MCC Islamabad collected surplus revenue under all the heads except FED during the month of March FY1718 against an earmarked revenue collection target under all the heads. According to details explained by Collector MCC Islamabad that Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad posted 3% increase against an as-

signed revenue collection target under all the heads for the month of March FY17-18 as the collectorate showed 11% growth in March FY17-18 against a revenue collection during the same duration of corresponding FY1617 under all the heads.

During the month of March FY17-18, the MCC Islamabad earned Rs1771.779million under all the heads against an earmarked target of Rs1714.66million. He further told CT that the MCC received Rs57.119million extra revenue under all the heads against an as-

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signed revenue target for the month of March FY17-18. The Collector MCC Islamabad informed the correspondent that the collectorate fetched Rs610.671million of Customs Duty (CD) during March FY17-18 against an allocated a revenue collection target of Rs592.67million.

The MCC collected Rs18million extra revenue under the same head against an assigned target. The MCC Islamabad got Rs699.861million as Sales Tax (ST) against an allocated target of Rs.616.30 million.

Customs impounds offending vehicle loaded with smuggled LEDs

Customs Export recovers evaded amount of Rs 13.54m from defaulter companies

Customs ASO impounds 17 NDP vehicles during crackdown

DG Valuation revises customs values of latex rubber threads

About 321 imported mobiles confiscated by Sukkur-Larkana Customs

ASO took into possession a huge quantity of foreign origin indoor-outdoor units | SEE pAgE 02 |

Customs Export has recovered evaded amount of taxes and duties of Rs 13.54 m | SEE pAgE 03 |

Customs ASO team impounded non duty paid vehicles worth Rs10 million | SEE pAgE 04 |

DG Valuation has revised the customs values of latex rubber threads vide | SEE pAgE 09 |

AOH Sukkur-Larkana, has seized 321 imported Vego Tel model mobiles | SEE pAgE 16 |

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WWF, UNODC to help Customs curb illegal wildlife trade Thursday, April 5, 2018

Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: WWF-Pakistan and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) inked an accord to curb illegal wildlife trade in Pakistan through innovative means such as institutional capacity building of frontline law enforcement officers and joint campaigns to raise awareness on the issue.

The collaboration will contribute towards enhancing capacities of law enforcement agencies such as Pakistan Customs, to acquaint its officials about key aspects of illegal wildlife trade as a prelude to enhanced vigilance against wildlife trafficking.

customs impounds offending vehicle loaded with smuggled LEDs

ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

cuSTomS BuLLETIn REpoRT

TARIQ DERYA

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he Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) on reserved a decision after hearing arguments and submission of record by parties in a case filed by M/s Klaguardia Logistics. Account Member Dr Ghulam Mujtaba Bhatti heard the case involving the Federal Board of Revenue and M/s Klaguardia Logistics. According to details, M/s Klaguardia Logistics had challenged a recovery notice issued to it under the head of outstanding income tax by the LTU, Islamabad. M/s Klaguardia Logistics had submitted that the department had issued the demand for the tax year 2016 under provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), officers of LTU including Commissioner Inland Revenue, Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals) and Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) were made respondents in the case. The case was remanded back to the tribunal by the IHC couple of months ago. This case is one of the many remanded back by the IHC and being heard at the tribunal.

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Islamabad took into possession a huge quantity of foreign origin indooroutdoor units and 20 LEDs along with an offending vehicle worth millions of rupees on 28th of March FY17-18. According to details given by sources to Customs Today that Collector ZulSikar Ali Chaudhry received a tip-off about some smuggling attempts. He immediately constituted different anti-smuggling squads to enhance the vigilance in the region. The anti-smuggling squad, comprising Superintendent Sohail Kureishi and Malak Abid Hussan including Inspector Syed Ali Raza Shah and Asghar Kamal, intercepted a vehicle bearing registration No: LES-1511 Hiace near Bakery Chowk Rawalpindi and recovered DC Invertor Mitsubishi electric, 1000 BTU/KC, split type wall mounted AC-indoor each unit comprises weight of 11kg of total eight units.

It was told that the recovered DC Invertor Mitsubishi electric, 1000 BTU/Kc, split type wall mounted AC outdoor each unit comprises weight of 40.5kg, total Sive said units were seized while, during same seizure, the ASO seized assorted brands of foreign origin LEDs in different sizes and models. Sources told CT that the

ATIR reserves verdict on case filed by klaguardia Logistics

seizure case has been registered against unclaimed possessors while goods have been shifted to StateWare House while case has been forwarded to the I&P Department for further investigation.

Meanwhile, The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Islamabad registered eight cases of Indian banana smuggling worth Rs1.39mil-

lion and impounded eight offending vehicles valued at Rs6.3million during 7th to 21st of March FY1718. According to details explained by sources of Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Islamabad that, during above said duration, the ASO launched a hard crackdown on Indian origin smuggling goods.

The ASO seized a huge quantity of

perishable smuggled items and took into possession offending vehicles priced at Rs7.69million. He said that the ASO Islamabad frustrated its first attempt of smuggling 10400kg of Indian bananas into Pakistan priced at Rs0.643million and also impounded offending vehicle worth Rs1.0million.

Ihc seeks record of cases filed by Lakson Tobacco company

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ISLAMABAD

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slamabad High Court directed parties to submit record in customs cases Siled by M/s Lakson Tobacco Corporation Limited against ofSice of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). IHC division bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the case.

During previous hearing the bench had relisted the case for hearing

along with other cases. M/s Lakson Tobacco Corporation Limited had named additional collector customs in its petition against FBR. Meanwhile another bench dated in ofSice hearing of M/s Hasas Engineering and Construction Company Private Limited’s case. The appellant had challenged the act of recovery of said amount by commissioner Inland Revenue of Large Taxpayer’s Unit, Islamabad.

ATIR was also made respondent in the case as the tribunal had sustained departmental decision regarding is-

suance of show cause notice and demand of recovery of outstanding tax amount under the head of federal excise duty (FED). M/s Hasas Engineering and Construction Company Private Limited had prayed the court that FBR ofSice had issued a recovery notice to the company which did not hold lawful grounds.

The appellant had prayed the court to declare the act as illegal and without any lawful authority and an interim stay may be granted against recovery proceedings.

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PCA uncovers tax evasion of Rs10.48m by Connecting Accessories KARACHI: The Directorate Customs Post Clearance Audit has detected an evasion of Rs10.48million duties and taxes committed by M/s Connecting Accessories, it is learnt here. Sources told Customs Today that M/s Connecting Accessories imported a consignment of internet cables, telephone cable wires, modems, hubs and other things, and got them cleared from the Port Qasim Karachi vide GDs on December 5, 2017 by paying a very low customs duty of six percent after claiming the benefits of the SRO 571/2007.

customs court extends remand of suspects in smuggling case

Thursday April 5, 2018

Karachi

customs Export recovers evaded amount of Rs 13.54m from defaulter cos

KARACHI

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ustoms Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has extended physical remand of suspects, Muhammad Tahir and Muhammad Iqbal, and sent them back to the Customs Department.

The suspects were booked in a case of smuggled non-duty paid foreign-origin cigarettes, tyres, and other goods worth Rs 175.5 million. During the hearing, investigation officer informed the court that a team of Customs Department intercepted a passenger bus bearing registration no: BSB-494 enroute from Quetta to Karachi at Moachko Choke RCD, Highway, Karachi and recovered five new tyres “Green Dragon” worth Rs 250,000, two bundles containing 10 tyres.

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m/s Ayesha challenges VR 1035(1)/2017 in Shc KARACHI

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/s Ayesha Marriam (Private) Limited has filed a constitutional petition the Sindh High Court (SHC), challenging valuation ruling number 1035(1)/2017 under which regulatory duty has been imposed on a number of items, including the tyres imported by the petitioner. Counsel for the petitioner stated that his client is aggrieved by illegal and mala fide actions of the respondents which issued SRO 1035 (1)/2017 on October 16, 2017, imposing regulatory duty on a number of items, including tires falling under chapter Pakistan customs tariff.

Citing Secretary Ministry of Finance, chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Appraisement East, Collector of Customs Appraisement West and Collector of Customs Appraisement Port Muhammad Bin Qasim as respondent.

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KARACHI

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he Customs Export has recovered evaded amount of taxes and duties of Rs 13.54 million from defaulter companies which were issued with notices to pay the outstanding dues.

Sources told Customs Today that during scrutiny of the import data, it was revealed that M/s Shahid Image Works availed undue beneSits and concessions after importing different consignments by misusing the SRO 569 through Examiner Farooq Jatoe on December 12, 2017.

Sources further said that the company was allegedly involved in the tax evasion of Rs 5.58 million.

After detecting the tax evasion, the Customs Export served on it a Sinal notice on March 2, 2018 directing them to deposit the evaded amount within 14 days, but defaulter company failed to clear the outstanding amount.

The Customs Export issued Sinal notice after which the management of M/s Shaid Image Works deposited the evaded amount in the ofSicial account of the Customs Export on March 29.

On the other hand, the management of the M/s Rana Traders Hyderabad also cleared Rs 7.96 million of taxes and duties. Sources told that M/s Rana Traders also availed undue beneSits and concessions and avoided paying taxes according to the customs bylaws.

The Customs Export authorities issued to it a Sinal notice on March 14,

2018. After receiving the notice, the management of the M/s Rana Traders deposited the evaded amount of taxes into the ofSicial account. Meanwhile, The Research and Development Section of the Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement-East has detected a case of tax evasion of Rs8.70million committed by importer M/s Sabeen Garments and Export on misusing the SRO 812/2009. Sources said the company imported the consignments of bed-sheet covers and pillow sets.

The management of the m/s Rana Traders hyderabad also cleared Rs 7.96 million of taxes and duties.

Sources told that m/s Rana Traders also availed undue benefits and concessions and avoided paying taxes according to the customs bylaws

Exporters demand early payment of refund claims

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KARACHI

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takeholders in the export-oriented industrial sector have demanded that the government should expedite payment of stuckup refund claims worth Rs 250 billion. The executives of industrial organisations have lamented that ofSicials concerned were not paying attention to the issue.

The amount that has yet t be

cleared includes Rs40 billion in sales tax refund claims, Rs10 billion customs duty rebate and Rs5 billion in duty drawback of local taxes (DLTL) and Rs20 billion to be paid to exporters under Prime Minister’s incentive package for exporters.

They said that prime export industry has been bearing great Sinancial burden due to stuck-up money, therefore, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) should look into the matter and ensure early release of sales and income tax refunds.

“Deferred claims are included in pending amount and total figure of pending refund claims is around Rs 150 billion. The government has so far released Rs 16.5 billion out of Rs 46 billion PM export incentive package announced in October.”

In addition, sales tax refunds of Rs26 billion of ROPs up to April 2017 through electronic system and clearing sales tax refunds of over Rs15 billion of ROPs issued up to August 2017.

When the R&D Section conducted an inquiry and physical inspection of the consignments then it was revealed that the M/s Sabeen Garments and Export had no facility of manufacturing of mono-Silament bed-sheet covers. Sources said that the misuse of exemption has been established by the fact that the consignments at the port were intercepted by the R&D Section and, sensing it, the importer did not claim the beneSits of the SRO in the GD.

Rupee drops 30 paisas in open market he Pakistani rupee on depreciated against the US dollar in open market and remained unchanged in interbank. As per the local money market, the greenback gained 30 paisas in open market for buying at Rs115.70 and for selling at Rs116.50. The dollar remained unchanged in interbank for buying at Rs115.20 and for selling at Rs115.40.

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LHC sets aside FBR RD notification Thursday April 5, 2018

Lahore

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday has set aside Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) notification (1035(1)/2017) under which regulatory duty was imposed on import of various imports.

Justice Shahid Karim passed the orders while allowing various petitions, filed by M/s Global Steel (Pvt) Limited and others challenging the notification.

During the proceedings, the petitioners’ counsel submitted that the FBR, with the approval of the minister-in-charge, had issued a notification, imposing regulatory duty on import of various steel items, in exercise of powers under sub-section 3 of section 18 of the Customs Act 1969.

customs Appellate customs ASo impounds 17 nDp Tribunal reserves verdicts vehicles during crackdown in four appeals LAHORE

LAHORE

SAJID nAwAZ

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he Customs Appellate Tribunal, Single & Double Bench, heard 28 cases and verdicts in four appeals were reserved to pass the Sinal orders.

The Division Bench-II, comprising Omer Arshed Hakeem, Member judicial and Saud Imran, Member Technical, heard seven cases including Muhammad Anwer versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad, Imran Nawaz versus Customs Lahore, Waqas Abbasi versus Customs Lahore, Amjed Ali versus Customs Faisalabad, Muhammad Ashraf versus Customs Faisalabad, Customs Lahore versus Muhammad Naseer and Customs Faisalabad versus Safar Khan.

pfA to establish nutritional clinics in 36 districts of punjab unjab Food Authority (PFA) has approved to expand its nutritional clinic program across the province. Nutritional clinics will now be established in 36 districts of Punjab.

The approval was given in the 27th Board members meeting of PFA with Founder Chairman of the Big Bird Group Abdul Basit in the chair. PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal and all members of the board also attended the meeting. The board reviewed the progress made so far on the nutritional clinic program, food testing labs and other ongoing projects. It was briefed that nutritional experts would provide a guideline to citizens about their diet plan and lifestyle and create structure with eating plans for keeping body to supercharge your life. PFA would develop helpline for nutritional awareness among society. –CB Report

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Omer Arshed Hakeem, Member judicial, Bench-II heard 13 appeals including Directorate Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore versus Iqbal & Sons, Directorate Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore versus Bio Link tech, Shahid Hussain versus Customs Lahore, Customs Sialkot versus Fotile Kitchen & Home Appliance, Directorate Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore versus Aqeel Plastic. The same bench heard an appeal of Orient Coating and Finishing Mills versus Customs Faisalabad, G M Cables versus Customs Lahore, Directorate Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore versus Zain Enterprises, D E Techniques versus Customs Lahore, Hamza Traders versus Customs Lahore and New Ali Enterprises versus Customs Lahore. The Single Bench-I, comprising Muhammad Shabbir Gujjar, Member Judicial, heard seven cases including Customs Lahore versus ZulSiqar, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Lahore.

m hAYAT

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ollectorate of Customs Preventive Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) team impounded non duty paid vehicles worth Rs10 million during crackdown in Lahore city.

Sources told Customs Today, that Collector Customs Preventive Faiz Ahmad received credible information that some non duty paid vehicles are plying on roads. After receiving the information he immediately constituted a anti smuggling squad under the supervision of Deputy Collector Mohammad Moazzam Raza which also includes Inspector Martab Mushtaq, Sajjad Bukhari. The team formed many check posts on different roads of the city and started checking of vehicles. During checking anti smug-

motor bikes’ production up 17.32 percent in 8 months

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he production of motor bikes in the country during first eight months of current fiscal year increased by 17.32 per cent as compared to the production during July-February 2016-17. The motor bikes production rose to 1,257,095 units during July-February 2017-18 from that of 1,071,454 units in same period of previous year.

On yearly basis, the motor bike production in the country also rose to 145,376 units in February 2018 from 135,507 units in same month of last

year, posting an increase of 7.2 per cent. According to details issued by Pakistan Automotive Manufacturing Association (PAMA), production of Honda bikes surged by 16.5 per cent as it jumped to 729,382 units i JulFeb (2017-18) from 626,040 units in same period of previous year.

Similarly production of Suzuki motor bikes also registered an increase of 11.05 per cent as it was recorded at 14,455 units against the production of 13,016 units in same period of last year. –CB Report

gling squad impounded seventeen non duty paid vehicles which includes Toyota Vitz car worth Rs1.5 million. Wranger jeep bearing registeration no: LZK-6519, Premio II bearing registration no:IPX-384, Suzuki Swift car bearing registration no: AYF 121 Grand Suzuki jeep bearing registration no: N-9984 worth Rs9 lac. Mitsubishi Lancer

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bearing registration no: HX-968 worth rupees twenty one lac, Toyota Mark X car bearing registration no: MX-375 worth Rs2 million. Sources told that all the owners of the above said failed to provide any relevant legal documents regarding possession of these vehicles after which anti smuggling squad impounded these vehicles.

Rickshaw maker to manufacture cars uto-rickshaw maker Sazgar Engineering Works has been granted permission to set up a new cars manufacturing plant in Pakistan in partnership with a Chinese company, it was stated in a notice issued by the Pakistan Stock Exchange. Company’s secretary Arshad Mahmood said, “Ministry of Industries & Production of Pakistan has awarded the CategoryA, Greenfield Investment status to our company.” In January, the Sazgar Engineering Works announced that they are initiating to set up light commercial vehicles (LCVs)

plant on a fast track basis, a private news channel reported. They are striving to manufacture the vehicles in a maximum of 18 months in order to tap potential growth in the auto sector in Pakistan. “The (cars and LCVs) project will be completed by June 30, 2019,” he said. The plant would have a “production capacity of 24,000 units per annum,” he added. According to reports, the budget for this project has been approved at Rs 1.76 billion excluding the value of the land already owned by the company. –CB Report

counsels complete arguments in tax refund appeal

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LAHORE

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he hearing of in tax refund appeal Siled by M/s Faqeer Hussain against Regional Tax OfSice (RTOII) Lahore concluded. FTO will announce the verdict of the case soon.

Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO), Advisor Mian Munawar Ghafoor heard the

case, during the proceedings of the case, the counsel for the appellant argued that the RTO-II had failed to release the sales tax refund to the appellant since the last two years. He said the RTO-II collected excessive taxes from the company during the last two years.

The petitioner approached the ofSicials concerned several times for the release of refunds, but the RTO ofSicials failed to clear refunds after the passage of a rea-

sonable time. Finally, the appellant decided to approach the FTO seeking intervention in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the RTO-II to clear the refund claims. The counsel further said that delay in release of refunds put burden on taxpayers, adding that the RTO-II should make audit of the case and release the extra amount collected by it from the taxpayer. On the other hand, counsel for

RTO-II argued that the appellant has not submitted all record to the ofSice for claiming refunds. If appellant provides the accurate record, the RTO-II will release refunds after a proper assessment, he added. After hearing the arguments from complainant side, advisor for FTO advisor Mian Munawar Ghafoor has heard the save the arguments from both side and decision will be issued later on in the same case.

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LAHORE

m hAYAT

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ince its introduction in 2016, the of Provincial Revenue Authority (PRA) has conducted tax clinics for different sectors, registered new taxpayers and inducted new smart systems like RIMS, STRIVE, E-Courts into its portfolio.

The PRA as a provincial tax collection authority has achieved its revenue targets in the past and would meet the target for the current Siscal year. The authority has collected Rs 75 billion in nine months, which is 50 percent higher than the corresponding period of the last year. These remarks were stated by chairman PRA Dr. Raheal Ahmed Siddiqui at an event conducted at a local hotel as part of Tax Day celebrations. The

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Thursday, April 5, 2018

event was also attended by Javed Ahmed (Member Operation PRA), Ali Mansoor (Commissioner Appeal PRA), Aman Anwar Kadwai (Additional Commissioner PRA), Salman Zafar (Director IT PRA) and delegates of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Pakistan, Pakistan Tax Bar Association, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Overseas Investors of Commerce and Industry, Department of International Development, Pakistan Business Council and delegations from all provincial authorities including the FBR. Chief guest Dr. Hafeez Pasha during his speech shed light on the

cted s colle a h y t i s, thor month e n Th e a u i n in gher billion ent hi Rs 75 c r e p is 50 ding which espon r r o c he year than t e last h t f o period

need for harmonization amongst all revenue collecting agencies to attract more local and foreign businesses.

He praised PRA in introducing a transparent tax system in a very short span of time. He also advised the authorities to gain the confidence of the businessmen before implementing any new taxes so that fewer implications are faced and more revenue can be generated. He praised PRA’s initiative towards conducing Tax Clinics for different sectors as he thinks this helps gain trust of the industrialist but advised the government to make business friendly policies. He also applauded PRA’s initiative of introduction RIMS like monitoring system for different sectors as he thinks it shall not only help increase tax revenue but assist in curbing tax evasion.

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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

falling foreign exchange reserves

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ccording to Bloomberg, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves are depleting at the fastest pace and may have reached the size of Cambodia’s, which has an economy that is less than a 10th of its size. The reserves reached $13.5 billion in February, after losing a fifth of its volume last year while Cambodia’s reserves increased to $11.2 billion in January. The reserves in Pakistan are likely to drop by $2.2 billion in next three months. The current-account deficit has already increased by 50 percent to $10.8 billion in eight months due to rising imports of equipment and machinery by Chinese investors for new power plants. Some experts take the deficit as outcome of economic growth which is projected at 5 percent during the current fiscal year.

However, the government authorities, instead of giving tax relief for local and foreign investors, opted for devaluating the Pakistani rupee twice during the last four months. This will have disastrous effects on the overall performance of the economy. It is difficult to understand from where the financial managers of this country have learnt the rules of business. Earlier, the former finance minister ballooned the foreign exchange reserves to $23 billion on the bases of foreign borrowings at high markup rates. Experts believe the country will further suffer the balance of payments crunch as exports are not picking up and inflows of hot capital are not coming in. The countries with half of the size of the Pakistan’s economy are growing at the fasts rates due to better planning and consistent policies. Cambodia, Vietnam and Bangladesh are a few emerging giants on the canvas of the Asian regions. Pakistan is losing grounds in every field of the economy and the policymakers will have to work overtime before disappointment engulfs the entire nation. According to Bloomberg, its data shows the smaller economies of Asia Pacific countries, including New Zealand and Kazakhstan have more reserves than Pakistan. The size of foreign currency reserves depends on the industrial, agriculture and business sectors, but all the three are reeling under self-made troubles. The government finds the solutions in foreign borrowings or selling global bonds, which give short term relief and long term problems.

need for another bailout package A

LAHORE

DR AfTAB AfZAL

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ccording to the media reports, the government has launched a ‘bail me out’ offensive to avoid a new bailout package from the International Monetary Fund. This is the classic example of financial failure as the government had earlier depreciated the Pakistani rupee to prop up the falling exports and minimize the trade deficit.

But it simply did not work and now it is looking toward Saudi Arabia, China and other friendly countries for loans and grants to continue its business as usual in the operational mode.

The government has already

started feeling the heat of the rupee’s meltdown and seeks at least $8 billion to get a breathing space. It is naïve to believe that the friendly countries are prepared to lend their extra money to Pakistan without working out any modalities less tough than the IMF. Another failure is the signing of free trade agreements with various countries without deeply understanding the needs and requirements of the nation. As a result, the balance of trade always remained in favour of other countries. Allowing the trade in dollar also created additional troubles for the national economy and trade deficit even with Beijing

reached $12.5 billion during the last fiscal year. Economists believe the government would make maximum effort to avoid any bailout package from the IMF. Instead, it will opt for short term commercial borrowings of $10 billion from various creditors as well as from the Chinese banks. Reports suggest the tapping of Eurobond is also on the table but the government is weighing options to take a decision after observing trends in the international bond market.

The Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance has also ruled out any possibility of requesting the IMF for a new bailout package in spring meetings of Breton Wood Institutions scheduled to be held

next month. The government has already raised $1.77 billion through short term commercial borrowings in first eight months of the current fiscal year. Keeping in view the current state of financial affairs, the future of the economy appears bleak and disappointing. However, the only ray of hope is China Pakistan Economic Corridor and the proposed industrial zones alongside the project. Pakistan and China are trusted friends and are cooperating in various fields of economy. The success of cooperation is in the interest of both countries, especially for Pakistan. Otherwise, nothing can stop Pakistan from knocking the door of the IMF.

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SHC bars Customs from en-cashing securities deposited by LED lights importer KARACHI: Sindh High Court has barred Pakistan Customs from en-cashing the securities deposited by Velgo International which imported LED lights.

A SHC division bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Ashraf Jahan, heard a lawyer from Franklin Law Associates appeared for the petitioner, and put of further proceedings till April 16.

According to details, the consignment was provisionally released under section 81 by the Collectorate West. The collectorate later re-assessed the consignment on We-bock system and raised a demand of Rs2.5 million in case of each consignment.

Tax evasion committed by m/s Sabeen garments & Export uncovered KARACHI

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he Research and Development Section of the Model Customs Collectorate AppraisementEast has detected a case of tax evasion of Rs8.70million committed by importer M/s Sabeen Garments and Export on misusing the SRO 812/2009. Sources said the company imported the consignments of bed-sheet covers and pillow sets.

When the R&D Section conducted an inquiry and physical inspection of the consignments then it was revealed that the M/s Sabeen Garments and Export had no facility of manufacturing of mono-filament bed-sheet covers. Sources said that the misuse of exemption has been established by the fact that the consignments at the port were intercepted by the R&D Section and, sensing it, the importer did not

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Thursday April 5, 2018

National

Dg Valuation revises customs values of latex rubber threads T

KARACHI

wAQAR AhmED AnSARI www.customsbulletin.com

he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs values of latex rubber threads vide Valuation Ruling No: 1275/2018 under Section 25A of the Customs Act-1969.

The customs values of latex rubber threads were determined under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969, vide Valuation Ruling No.1214/2017 on September 27, 2017 and followed by VDB No. 250/2018 on January 17, 2018.

However various representations were received wherein they requested the Directorate General for revision and rationalisation of the existing valuation ruling in the light of transactional values prevailing in the international market.

The stakeholders were requested to furnish the documents before or during the course of meetings. Invoice of imports during the last three months, were showing factual values of the product, websites, names and e-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the

actual current value can be ascertained was also called. Copies of contracts made / LCs opened during the last three months were showing the value of item in question. Copies of sales tax Invoices issued during last four months were showing the difference in price (ex-

cluding duty and taxes) to substantiate their contentions. The meeting was attended by certain stakeholders. Importers were of the view that downward trend in prices has occurred and submitted documents in support of their claim. Valuation methods given in Section 25

of the Customs Act, 1969 were followed to determine customs value of Latex Rubber Threads. Transaction value method provided in Section 25 (1) was found inapplicable owing to vide variations in declarations and certain incomplete description/information.

Shc approves protective bail of suspect in tax evasion case KARACHI

claim the benefits of the SRO in the GD. “The M/s Sabeen Garments and Export have so far availed an exemption of duty/taxes of Rs8.70million on the consignments imported through this collectorate since October 16, 2015. Sources further claimed that necessary proceedings have been initiated for the violation of the relevant provisions of the Customs Act-1969 and massive evasion of duty/taxes was unearthed. Further progress with regard to the said importer and other such entities involved in this case will be made available to the board in due course.

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday granted protective bail to petitioner Muhammad Ashraf against the surety bonds of Rs 50,000 and directed him to surrenders himself before the trail court within 10 days in a tax evasion case. A single bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Saleem Jessar heard the special criminal bail petition. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner, Naimatullah Soomro advocate, argued that the petitioner is innocent and has falsely been implicated by the complainant/ customs ofSicials in case FIR No 07/2018-R&D (East), under section 2 (s), 16, 32 A & 79, punishable under clauses, 1, 8 (i), 9, 14A, 45 & 46 of section 156 (1) of Customs Act,

1969, registered by Customs Collectorate Appraisement East, Customs House Karachi. He further submitted that if the petitioner will be arrested, he will be subjected to maltreatment, disagreement and

humiliated at the hands of ofSicials, and that his reputation, prestige dignity and honour will be spoiled.

Counsel intends to approach the concerned court for appropriate relief but the customs ofSicials in col-

lusions with the complainant have cordoned the building as well as ways and paths leading towards the concerned court. Counsel for the applicant further argued that applicant apprehends his arrest due the issue of non-bailable warrants against him by customs court, therefore, court may grant him protected bail. After the hearing, court granted him bail and observed in its order that “ be that as it may, without going through the merits/ demerits of the case, applicant is admitted on protective bail for the period of ten days, from today, enabling him to appear and surrender before the customs court subject to his furnishing solvent surety in the sum of Rs/ 50,000, meanwhile, operation of non-bail able warrants, if any issued against him by the trail court, shall remain suspended for the intervening period”.

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SRB restores ST registration of 13 taxpayers Thursday April 5, 2018

National fBR in process to appoint 468 Inland Revenue Inspectors

KARACHI: Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has restored sales tax registration of 13 taxpayers, who were suspended for non-compliance of payment and filing monthly returns.

The sales tax registration of these taxpayers were suspended in July 25, 2017, when the SRB suspended a big lot of 4,338 taxpayers.

Two customs officials injured chasing tamarind smugglers

ISLAMABAD

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ISLAMABAD

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended appointment offers to as many as 468 Persons against the posts of Inspector Inland Revenue (BS-16) following the recommendations of the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC). The appointments would be made in the Inland Revenue Department of the Federal Board of Revenue, according to memorandum of the board. In case of accepting the offers, the interested persons would have to report to the nearest Medical Centre for Federal Governments/Central Health Establishment for the medical examination immediately. They have been directed to submit the original medical fitness certificate, two character certificates and willingness to join the post to FBR by April 20, it added.

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Shc division bench disposes of petitions on RD he Sindh High Court has disposed of a number of petitions filed by importers of different items against imposition of regulatory duty. The division bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Agha Faisal, heard petitions filed by DIGICOM Mobile, Continental Biscuits and others through Franklin Law Associates and observed that the bench has already passed a judgment which shall be followed by the respondents concerned. The bench as an interim relief ordered release of the consignments on payment of 50 per cent duty and taxes with Nazir of the court and 50 per cent with the department. –CB Report

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t least two ofSicials of Pakistan Customs were injured when a group of armed smugglers resisted seizure and arrest at Islamabad Expressway.

The gang of smugglers allegedly headed by Raja Shakeel also damaged two ofSicial vehicles of the Customs department so that they could not chase them. The smugglers drove away with the truck loaded with high-quality Indian tamarind (imli) that was being transported to the capital city from Lahore. The ofSicials however, arrested one of the smugglers. The rest of the smugglers Sled from the scene. Earlier, the armed smugglers resorted to torture on the Customs ofSicials result-

ing in injury of two ofSicials. The injured were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.

The incident submitted by the Customs ofSicials to the Koral police station, a Customs Mobile Squad

comprising Asghar Kamal Inspector, Hawaldar Zafar, Sepoy Muhammad Akram, Sepoy Raja Abbas and driver Shahid were setting up a picket at Channi Pul Rawat, Islamabad when at around 4:30 in the morning on Wednesday, they saw a Mazda truck coming from Lahore. The ofSicials tried to stop the suspicious vehicle bearing registration number LES9933. The driver of the vehicle did not stop and after a difSicult chase, it was stopped near Mandra Toll Plaza.

Upon cursory inspection, they found out that the vehicle was loaded with high quality Indian tamarind. The vehicle was being driven to the Customs warehouse in sector G-12 via the Expressway. Near Koral police station, Raja Shakeel, Raja Aqeel, Mushtaq and some other unknown persons on a vehicle, FD-86 chased them and resorted to aerial Siring.

Islamabad Afu generates Rs191m surplus customs Duty during nine months T

ISLAMABAD

TARIQ DERYA

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he Air Freight Unit (AFU) Islamabad earned an extra Rs191million of Customs Duty (CD) during July to March FY17-18 against an assigned revenue target. According to details given by Nisar Ahmad Phulerwal, Additional Collector, Air Freight Unit (AFU) Islamabad that the AFU showed outclass revenue collection performance during Sirst nine months of FY17-18 against an allocated revenue target as CD. The AFU earned Rs2242.48million against an earmarked revenue target of Rs2051.14million under the head of CD during Sirst nine months of FY17-18.

The Additional Collector AFU said that the AFU generated Rs304.08million revenue during the month of March FY17-18

against an assigned target of Rs275million. He told CT that the AFU got Rs29million additional revenue of CD during March FY1718 against an earmarked target.

Telling the month-wise revenue details of CD, the AFU

earned Rs295million as CD during the month of February FY1718 against an allocated target of Rs222.24million. During the month of January FY17-18, the AFU generated Rs216.91million under the same head against an

assigned target of Rs275.50million. Nisar said that the AFU received Rs366.93million of CD against an earmarked revenue collection target of Rs250.36million during the month of December FY17-18.

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Appellate Tribunal orders de-blocking of user ID, NTN in mis-declaration case KARACHI: The Special Customs Appellate Tribunal has ordered de-blocking of user ID and NTN of a petitioner Azam Khan Trading Company.

The tribunal earlier ordered blocking of user ID and NTN as the company accused of misdeclaration worth millions of rupees failed to proceed with an appeal before SCAT as its lawyer was unable to attend to the case/appeal.

A counsel for petitioner submitted that it was not a case of mis-declaration but of fact that whether exemption from custom duty, taxes is available or not. The bench after perusing the memo of the appeal and arguments by the counsel for appellant/petitioner ordered deblocking of the user ID and NTN while fixing April 10 for further proceedings.

nAB chairman reviews officers’ performance ISLAMABAD

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ational Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal chaired a meeting to review overall performance of Training and Research Division and also reviewed training plan for NAB investigation officers and prosecutors at NAB Headquarters.

During the meeting, it was informed that Training and Research Division is implemented Training Programme for the year 2018 in letter and spirit in line with the directions of NAB chairman. It was informed that in the light of regional feedback/input of experts, NAB chairman after detailed deliberation and utility of capacity building courses approved training

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programme for the year 2018. He said training is a continuous process which is an important and serious aspect in capacity building and added NAB recognises centrality of training as a tool of improvement and maintaining quality of its manpower. He said a standardised syllabus for all investigation officers, refresher and capacity building courses on Accounts matters, General Financial Rules, Digital Forensic Question Documents and Finger Print Analysis has been formulated to ensure quality and uniformity. The performance objectives of training programs will also be continuously evaluated so as to form a basis for subsequent review and improvements in future training needs.

National

Tax evasion case: Absconder suspect approaches court for pre-arrest bail

court grants bail to suspect in gold & phones smuggling case KARACHI

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ustoms Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi on Thursday granted bail to suspect namely Syed Muhammad Asim who was absconder in a gold and cellular phones smuggling case. During the hearing, the suspect appeared before the court along with his counsel and moved an application for bail. The counsel argued that his client is innocent and has falsely been implicated in this case, therefore, the court may grant him bail till final judgment in this case. After the hearing, the court granted him bail against the surety bonds of Rs 200,000 and directed him to appear before the court on the next date of hearing. On the last date of hearing, Investigation Officer Shahzad Wasti had produced the suspect before the court and submitted that the accused was absconder in the case and was arrested by the customs authorities. After the hearing, the court had sent him to jail and directed jail authorities to produce him on the next date of hearing. It needs to be mentioned here that the court had awarded imprisonment to lady smuggler Uzma Mehwish in the case.

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KARACHI

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he Customs Court judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi issued notices to the customs department and special prosecutor for customs department for April 4, 2018 on a pre-arrest bail petition Siled by absconder accused Ghulam Qadir Ali son of Afzal, who was booked in a case of fraudulent clearance of restricted imported goods Sireworks in the garb of raw material for processing at Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ), Karachi.

During the hearing, above mentioned accused appeared before the court along with counsel who moved petition for pre-arrest bail and argued that applicant was not mentioned in the Sirst information report and was subsequently included in the interim charge sheet at para 28 without establishing any nexus with the commission of the offence as alleged in the interim challan. He further argued that his counsel has been falsely implicated in the present case although it is a matter of record that the present applicant is neither the importer nor a clearing agent holding license

Thursday April 5, 2018

under section 209 of the Customs Act, 1969. He submitted that no evidence has been brought on record to connect the applicant with the commission of offence as no evidence has been brought on record that the applicant is beneSiciary of the alleged evaded amount by the importer, therefore, court may granted him pre-arrest bail and restrain the customs department for his arrest. According to the prose-

cution, above mentioned suspect and others are involved in a case of fraudulent clearance of restricted imported goods Sireworks in the garb of raw material for processing at Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ), Karachi and evaded the duty and taxes in the tune of Rs. 957,996. After the hearing, court issued notices to the customs department and called case Sile for next date of hearing.

Dr Aisha for national consensus to form economic plan

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ISLAMABAD

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unjab Finance Minister Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha has said that the provincial government strongly believed in developing a consensus over the economic agenda, adding that all stakeholders – including private sector and the academia – should come up with ideas to enable the economic policy for exports and manufacturers.

Speaking at the symposium titled “State of the Economy and Future Priorities” held by Friedrich-EbertStiftung (FES) Pakistan and Sustainable Development Policy Insti-

tute (SDPI) on Wednesday, she said the approach of the government was to build an economic policy for whoever came to power which must respond to the real needs and aspirations of all the stakeholders.

The Punjab Sinance minister added that the government believed in an economic policy that is exportoriented, which is led by the private sector and in alliance with the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

“We are focusing on developing mechanisms for proper and better implementation of policies…high cost of energy and non-enabling tax mechanisms have been major constraints for investors and manufac-

turers and with the help of consultation with stakeholders, our government is seriously working on removing all these impediments and the forthcoming provincial budget would be reflective of this approach,” she said.

She said that the investment that took place in Punjab was a result of the growth rate policy whereas, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it was based on the development funds that province received for its particular situation. The symposium was clubbed with the launch of two books related to Pakistan’s national economy including “Growth and Inequality in Pakistan” by eminent

economist Dr HaSiz Pasha and “Pakistan’s Agenda for Economic Reforms” by Dr Vaqar Ahmed.

The excerpts from both the books were shared with the participants comprising leading economists, representatives from trade and business communities and media highlighting diverse aspects and issues pertaining to the state of the economy with federal as well as provincial lenses. Abdul Qadir, while representing FES, informed the participants that the objective of holding the discussion was to solicit suggestions and recommendations from the stakeholders for the desired policy action.

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Canada’s Seafood Exports to China Increased 25% in 2017

World Customs

OTTAWA: Canada’s statistics show fish and other seafood exports increased during 2017. The export value rose by $312 million CAD to reach $6.9 billion CAD compared with 2016 and these seafood products are sold to 137 countries.

Among all these, its seafood export value to China has grown the fastest at 25 percent. Japan is a close second at a 13 percent increase, while the export to the U.S. is comparatively stable.

Thursday April 5, 2018

Russian sentenced chinese customs strengthen for firearms export bid overseas ties against illegal trade

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hinese border customs have strengthened cooperation with other countries and wildlife protection organizations to crack down on ivory trafSicking, after China implemented an ivory ban at the end of last year.

Customs authorities in Kunming, Southwest China’s Yunnan Province, seized around 200 grams of ivory products from a Chinese traveler who recently returned from Myanmar, the customs press ofSice told the Global Times. After China imposed a ban on the ivory and ivory products trade at the end of 2017, the Kunming customs ofSice enhanced cooperation with law enforcement departments, customs ofSices of major ivory producing and transit countries and wildlife protection organizations to crack down

Thailand to pass two new cryptocurrency laws hai Minister of Finance, Mr. Apisak Tantivorawong, said that the government is preparing to announce the regulations for cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICOs) by the end of this month, Channel 7 news reported. After the cabinet’s meeting, the country’s deputy prime minister, Mr. Somkid Jatusripitak, explained that two laws are being drafted, according to Thai Rath newspaper. The first is the Act on Digital Asset Businesses. It requires the registration and know-your-customer (KYC) compliance of cryptocurrency operators including agents, dealers, and brokers, the news outlet detailed. It also imposes penalties and remedies for violations.Thai Rath, cryptocurrency and ICO businesses such as intermediaries will be required to identify themselves and the sources of crypto investment funds in order to prevent money laundering. –CB Report

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on ivory trafSicking, the ofSice said.he embassy of Laos in Beijing did not respond to an interview request from the Global Times as of press time. In late February, Shenyang customs seized 560 grams of ivory products from a parcel from the UK, China’s General Ad-

ministration of Customs said on its website. The illegal ivory trade has been moving to second-tier cities with weaker enforcement and people less aware about animal protection, Sun Quanhui, a senior scientiSic adviser at the international NGO World Animal Protection.

china’s coal imports from Australia fall in feb from Jan

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ustralia held Sirm as China’s top coal supplier in February, customs data showed on Friday, despite a fall in shipments from the previous month due to waning industrial demand during a week-long national holiday. Arrivals of Australian coal fell to 5.74 million tonnes last month from 7.94 million tonnes in January, data from the General Administration of Customs showed. were the lowest since November

2017, at the start of northern China’s winter heating season, but were up 11.4 percent from 5.16 million tonnes in February last year. Indonesia remained China’s No.2 coal supplier. Imports reached 3.72 million tonnes in February, down from 5.04 million tonnes in January, but were double the level of a year ago. Imports from Mongolia continued to fall in January with bottlenecks at the boarder with its No.1 trade partner China. –CB Report

ussian man to 18 months in federal prison for attempting to illegally export Sirearm parts and ammunition, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said in a press release, News.am reports. “A Russian man was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for attempting to unlawfully export more than $100,000 in Sirearm parts, ammunition and accessories, including parts designed for assault riSles,” the release said.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents arrested Konstantin Chekhovskoi, 44, of St. Petersburg, Russia, at the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago as he tried to board a Slight to Sweden in April 2017.

Meanwhile, Russia plans to sharply increase fuel exports and carve out a larger share of the European market following an extensive modernisation of local reSineries,

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says Reuters citing companies’ plans and analysts’ reports. The modernisation of the country’s biggest reSineries started in 2011 after a fuel shortage crisis. Russia also changed its tax system to encourage production of cleaner and higher-quality fuel. As a result, Russian primary oil reSining volumes are expected to rise by 8 million tonnes this year and repeat a record high of 289 million tonnes reached in 2014, forecasts Vygon Consulting energy advisor. Russia’s export of light oil products will increase to 106 million tonnes in 2018 from around 95 million tonnes the previous year amid a decline in domestic consumption. According to analyst at ESAI Energy consultancy Andrew Reed, widespread hydrotreating investment made Russian diesel fuel a clean product, which is suitable for Europe. While around half of all vehicles in Europe are fueled by diesel, European reSineries are unable to meet domestic demand, so the region imports around 850,000 bpd of diesel.

SA downplays effects of meat ban

outh Africa’s listeriosis outbreak has led to several countries banning exports of affected meat products from the country, the amount in terms of costs to the economy has been tiny, a senior ofSicial said on Wednesday.

According to Niki Kruger, the Chief Director for Trade Negotiations at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, overall the ban by several countries represented a small percentage of South Africa’s overall exports.

Kruger said this in Parliament when he appeared before the Joint Meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

and the Portfolio Committee on Health on the listeriosis outbreak and the recall of certain meat products.

“The message overall is that there is a very small percentage of our exports that are affected currently. The biggest risk for us is the impact in terms of the perception of South African exports in regard to this,” she said. Kruger said over the past two years, when it comes to sausages, South Africa has been exporting products amounting to $18 million on average, with top export destinations being Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Botswana, Zambia and the Seychelles. –CB Report

netherlands ambassador says ghana’s poultry will do well

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AMSTERDAM

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etherlands Ambassador however, predicted a potential growth of the country’s local poultry industry in the next few years, due to an increase of six per cent consumption of chicken per year. But, Mr Strikker expressed dis-

comfort that consumption of chicken had not kept pace with demand in Ghana due to high cost of poultry feed, inadequate processing and inefSicient feed management leading to huge imports of frozen chicken. This, he added has pave the way for large importation of frozen chicken into the country to meet the national demand of 175,000Mt. Mr Strikker made this known at

the opening session of the 2018 Poultry Value Chain Fair (POVAC), underway in Sunyani.

It is being organized by the Ghana Poultry Project (GPP) in collaboration with the Assist Management in Poultry Layer Industry

by Feed Improvement and Efficiency Strategy (AMPLIFIES), Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers (GNAPF) and the

Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA). Under the theme “ Employment creation along the poultry value chain: Public private partnership approach”, the two-day event is being attended by aggregators, input suppliers, feed manufacturers, poultry farmers, egg traders and transporters. Activities lined-up include exhibition and food bazaar.

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Shipping Activity at Port Qasim KARACHI: Five ships, CMA CGMG Al-Maviva,CMA CGM Nerval, Engiadina, Pacific Action and Bunga Lily carrying Containers, Cola, General cargo and Chemicals were arranged berthing at Qasim International Container Terminal, Pakistan International Bulk Terminal, Multi-Purpose Terminal, Engro Vopak Terminal respectively. Meanwhile three more ships, Adamaslos, IVS Windsor and AL-Gattara with Containers, cola and LNG also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim during last 24 hours. A total of twelve ships namely, CMA CGM AL-Maviva, CMA CGM Nerval, Riva Wind, Soho Trader, Pacific Action, Maritime Setoshio, IVS Beach Wood, Engiadina,Bunga Lily, Thong Long, Alamanda and Red Eagle are currently occupying PQA berths to load/offload Containers.

Shipping intelligence report of kpT he Karachi Port Trust (KPT) issued the following shipping report for the last 24 hours, ending 0700 hours.

ALONG SIDE (Bulk Oil Pier) OP-II BW Danube D. Mogas Alpine 01/04/18 OP-III Karachi D. Crude Oil PNSC 03/04/18 ALONG SIDE (East Wharves): 1 Brent L. Molasses Trans Maritime 01/04/18 2/3 Egret Bulker L. Wheat WMA Shipcare 03/04/18 4 Reem 3 D. Bitumen Trans Maritime 30/03/18 5 Ocean Vendor D. Coal East Wind 31/03/18 10/11 Kiran Australia D. Gen. Cargo Sea Hawks 29/03/18 11/12 Nordic Tianjin D. DAP BulkSh. 01/04/18 12/13 Vinalines Brave L. Wheat WMA Shipcare 31/03/18 14/15 Naess Intrepid L. Wheat East Wind 29/03/18 15/16 Sezai Selah L. Wheat East Wind 01/04/18 ALONG SIDE(P.I.C.T): 6/7 Navios Verano D. L. Cnt. Riazeda 03/04/18 8/9 Pireaus D. L. Cnt.

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Ports & Shipping

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Traders expect more cuts in malaysian log exports

Thai transport terminal shipping 40,000 new vehicles to nZ each year

KUALA LUMPUR

hailand is the second largest source of new vehicles – mainly trucks – to New Zealand and demand for them is set to increase.

Close to 46,000 new vehicles were exported to New Zealand from Thailand last year, and just over 47,000 came from Japan. A shipping terminal 130km east from Bangkok, Thailand, exports 40,000 new vehicles to New Zealand every year. Last year about 160,000 new vehicles came into the country, according to the Motor Industry Association, of which 41,168 were from Laem Chabang.

Namyong Terminal, a roll-on roll-off terminal which services cargo liners and automobile manufacturers, has three wharfs each 697m long and a 17m dredged seaway able to accommodate large vessels. The majority of vehicles imported from Namyong Terminal, and Thailand, are Ford Rangers – New Zealand’s most popular car three years in a row – and Toyota Hiluxes. –CB Report

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peculation is growing that Malaysia’s exports of tropical logs will decline further as logging volume continues to fall in a key region in the Southeast Asian country due to tougher environmental regulations and bad weather.

The state of Sarawak, in northwestern Borneo, in July 2017 cut its export quota to 20% of total logging volume, down from 30% previously.

“I have not heard that it was decided by the [local] government. But such rumors are spreading among local exporters,” said the president of a Tokyo-based lumber trading company, referring to rumors that Sarawak will cut its export quota to 10% of production volume as early as July, eventually banning exports entirely. While the possible second quota reduction in a year is widely seen as a continuation of Sarawak’s current policy, an ofSicial at a major Japanese trading house said the an-

ticipated move is aimed at allocating more logs to domestic plywood makers, who are suffering from a shortage of unprocessed wood.

Tropical logs imported from Malaysia and elsewhere are used for home interiors and plywood.

Japan’s imports of tropical wood from Sarawak have been sliding for a while. According to the Japan Lumber Importers’ Association, imports fell 24% in 2017 from a year earlier to 40,689

cu. meters. Meanwhile, Piraeus port, Greece’s largest, entered a new era of handling vessels with a capacity of more than 20,000 TEU (20-foot equivalent units) on Monday, when the Cosco Shipping Taurus giga-container ship, one of the biggest worldwide, docked there. The 400-meter Taurus is the largest vessel to berth at the Piraeus Container Terminal (PCT), opening a new chapter in the history of the port.

Six ships take berth at port Qasim Sharaf-Sh. 02/04/18 ALONG SIDE(PDWCP): SAPT-3 Tirua D. L. Cnt. United Arab 02/04/18 SAPT-4 Hundai Force D. L. Cnt. U.M.A 03/04/18 Along Side(West Wharves) 24 Panvision L. Sugar OC-Services 29/03/18 ALONG SIDE (K.I.C.T): 26/27 OOCL Shanghai D. L. Cnt. OOCL Pak 03/04/18 28/29 Cosco Durban D. L. Cnt. COSCO 02/04/18 29/30 MS Tiger D. L. Cnt. COSCO 02/04/18 EXPECTED ARRIVALS: CONTAINER (GEARLESS) Kota Kamil P-Delta 11/04/18 Not Sched 300 Cnt. 500 Cnt. Xin Xia Men P-Delta 13/04/18 NOt Sched 1500 Cnt. 1500 Cnt. Sima Genesis East Wind 20/04/18 Not Sched 600 Cnt. 600 Cnt. –CB Report

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ix ships, MS Tiger, Nord Bering Navios, Achilles, Athos, Sun Ploeg and Maersk Brigit carrying Containers, Coal, Project Cargo and Palm oil were allotted berths at Qasim International Container Terminal, Pakistan International Bulk Terminal, Multi Purpose Terminal and Liquid Cargo Vopak Terminal respectively during last 24 hours, said a report issued by Port Qasim Authority (PQA).

Meanwhile three more ships, Endeavour Strait, MSC Marai Elena and Magdala carrying Coal Containers and LNG also arrived at outer anchorage of Port on Monday morning.

A total of eleven ships namely, MS Tiger, GSL Tianjin, Safmarine Ngami, Athos, Thang Long, Riva Wind, Nord Bering, Navios Achilles, IVS Wind-

sor, Sun Ploeg and Maersk Brigit are currently occupying PQA berths to load/ofSload Containers, Wheat,

Project Cargo, Palm Kernal, Coal and Palm oil respectively. Cargo throughput during last 24 hours stood at

161,139 tonnes, comprising 93,107 tonnes import cargo and 68,032 tonnes export cargo inclusive of containerized cargo carried in 4,297 Containers (TEUs), (1,069 TEUs imports and 3,228 TEUs exports) was handled at the Port. Container Vessel Safmarine Ngami sailed out to sea on Monday morning, while two more Container Vessels MS Tiger and GSL Tianjin and a Coal carrier Nord Bering are expected to sail on same day in the afternoon and another ship ‘Thang Long’ is expected to sail at night hours.

Five ships, MSC Maria Elena, Amalthea, White Fin, Alpine Penelope and Maglala carrying Containers, Project Cargo, Diesel oil and LNG are expected to take berths at QICT, MW-2, FOTCO and PGPCL respectively on Monday. While Containers Vessel ‘APL Miami’ and ‘Maersk Nicolis’ are due to arrive Port Qasim on Tuesday.

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FIA arrests travel agents at Allama Iqbal Airport LAHORE: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration staff arrested a passenger at the Allama Iqbal Airport for using fake documents.

According to FIA spokesman, the passenger Akbar Ali, resident of Toba Tek Singh, was travelling on flight numbering TK715 and during immigration clearance visa stickers of Libya pasted on page 1214 and 17 were found fake. The passenger was offloaded and sent to FIA or Anti Human Tracking Cell (AHTC) Lahore for further action.

Thursday April 5, 2018

Business

Sharifs appear before court in Avenfield case ISLAMABAD

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n accountability court will hear a corruption case against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and family members. The former prime minister, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and sonin-law Captain (retd) Safdar have reached the court to attend the AvenSield properties reference Siled by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the light of the Panamagate verdict. Star prosecution witness, Wajid Zia, who had headed the Panamagate Joint Investigation Team (JIT), have also reached the court. Zia will be cross-examined

50 acres farmer included in E-credit scheme LAHORE

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by Sharif’s counsel, Khawaja Harris as he have completed his statement over several weeks. He was also cross-examined at the last hearing on Thursday when he admitted before the court that JIT had not sent a letter of credit along with

pakistan to organize trade and investment conference in may

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griculture Department spokesman has said that the Punjab government has decided to include farmers having land up to 50 acres in E-Credit scheme. The government is providing interest free loans to small farmers through this scheme and until now 314,000 small growers were credited. As interest free loans to farmers having up to 25 acres agricultural land are already being provided, the owners of up to 50 acres land will get loan on subsidised rates.

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the request for mutual legal assistance (MLA) to the Ministry of Justice, the United Arab Emirates. The JIT report claimed that the Sharif family misstated about the transportation of scrap machinery from Gulf Steel to Jeddah, because the

Ministry of Justice of the UAE in response to the MLA request said that no any machinery had been shifted from Dubai to Jeddah. He further said that the JIT had sent a ‘questionnaire’ to Jeremy Freeman through Quist solicitors after unanimous decision to seek his opinion about the authenticity of the two trust deeds related to Coomber, Nescol and Nelson Enterprises. Zia said Freeman testiSied that the signatures on the trust deed are of Hussain Nawaz. As many as three corruption references had been Siled against the Sharif family, on the directives of the top court which pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and AvenSield properties of London.

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LONDON

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akistan High Commission London in collaboration with Department of International Trade (DIT), United Kingdom (UK) would organize a high proSile trade and investment conference in May this year, a senior ofSicial of the Commission said. For the promotion of trade and investment between Pakistan and United Kingdon, the conference will focus on sectors including Financial service, retail,

information technology (IT) and energy sector. While a dedicated segment on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), keeping in view of British government’s keen interest in the corridor would also be addressed in the conference, Sajid Mehmood Raja, Commercial Counsellor of Pakistan High Commission.

Due to the efforts and personal interest of Pakistan High Commission to UK, Syed Ibne Abbas , the DIT UK has provided the prestigious and iconic Mention’s House facilty to Pakistan for organizing this event which is an honour for

our country, he remarked. He added that Minister for Commerce in Board of Investment (BOI) and representatives from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and Pakistan’s local chambers and business community would attend the conference and interact with the British business community and other investors. He said that Pakistan’s exports to UK witness 8 percent increase during the calendar year of 2017. Sajid Mehmood said that Pakistan High Commission London.

Inflation slows down to 3.2pc in march ISLAMABAD

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nflation has slowed down to 3.2 percent during March despite continuous increase in petroleum products prices. Inflation measured

by Consumer Price Index (CPI) has recorded at 3.2 percent during March over a year ago, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

It was the third consecutive month when the CPI pace slowed down after the State Bank of Pakistan increased its key policy rate by 25 basis points two months ago. However, the SBP in its recent monetary policy kept the interest rate unchanged at 6 percent. The SBP has noted that sticky core inflation along with a moderate outlook of food prices amid abundant grain stocks and the recent increase in policy rate are expected to contain average inflation well below the fiscal year (FY18)’s target of 6 percent and close to it for FY19. This assessment takes into account the lagged impact of exchange rate flexibility and its second round effects (specifically through adjustments in fuel prices), demand pressures, and volatile global oil prices. Similarly, the government has recently depreciated the rupee against dollar, which will fuel the inflation rate in the months to come.

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pR reduces long-distance fares by 10 per cent RAWALPINDI

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he Pakistan Railways on the directive of Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad RaSique have announced a reduction of over 10 percent in the longdistance rail fares for the passengers of Rawalpindi to Karachi.

Divisional Commercial OfSicer (DCO) Pakistan Railways, Rawalpindi

Raza Habibsaid informed that in order to facilitate the rail passengers, Pakistan Railways have reduced Rs 600 from Rs 5990 to new fare Rs 5390 for the passengers to travel from Margala to Karachi Cantt. Similarly, the rail passengers of Rawalpindi to Karachi cantt to pay Rs 5390 instead of Rs5990 old fare. He further informed that due to enhanced security measures, quality service and punctuality, the rail passengers are increasing day by day and over 42,56,318 passengers traveled

through the rail service during 2017 from Rawalpindi Division. The division earned Rs1864.213 million last year, he added. To a question he said, Pakistan Railways, Rawalpindi Division have earned Rs1497.362 million against the set target of Rs1479.389 million during last eight months of 2017-18 Sinancial year. Raza Habib informed that Rawalpindi division generated Rs17.964 million additional revenue during the period particularly from passenger service. The income of

Rawalpindi Railways passenger trains remained Rs 1864.213 million, revenue generated by freight trains was Rs 448.728 million and other heads contributed Rs 290.919 million during last year, he added. Due to continuous efforts and hardworking of railways management, ofSicers and workers, Rawalpindi Division’s income increased considerably, he informed. Raza said, total earnings of Pakistan Railways including passengers, freight and other services were

Rs 18 billion in 2013 but, this year during just Sirst eight months of 201718 Sinancial year, approximately Rs 31billion have been earned. Many initiatives were taken by the management to facilitate the passengers including E-Ticketing and duplicate ticket facility, Raza said adding, 16 CCTV cameras had been installed to ensure foolproof security of the passengers at platforms, while walk through gates, had also been installed at the entrance points.

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3G/4G users cross 51 million mark ISLAMABAD: The number of 3G and 4G users in the country has reached 51.248 million by end of February 2018, showing a reasonable growth with each passing month.

Statistics issued by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) have showed that number of mobile phone users reached 147.204 million by February 2018, as compared to 145.99 million by end of January 2018 which registered an increase of 1.214 million during period under review.

Jazz’s total count for 3G users stood at 14.88 million by February 2018, as compared to 14.54 million by January 2018, registering an increase of 0.34 million. Jazz 4G user numbers jumped from 2,238,018 by January 2018 to 2,590,095 by February 2018.

‘oIccI members keen to expand their businesses in pakistan’

Thursday April 5, 2018

Chambers

IccI for finalizing federal Budget 18-19 in consultation with private sector

KARACHI

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uccessful economic policies of the government has significantly restored confidence of Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) members on opportunities available in the country, said Sindh Governor, Muhammad Zubair.

“OICCI members have serious and thoughtful plans to expand their businesses in Pakistan reflecting their confidence on the economic steps taken by the government,” he said addressing a ceremony arranged by Corporate Pakistan Group and Nutshell to congratulate Kimihide Ando, head of Mitsubishi Corporation Pakistan on conferment of Sitara i Imtiaz. Sindh

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governor said those who kept faith in Pakistan in its troubled times are the true friends of country and Kimihide Ando is one of them. “I am proud to have recommended for the award as he thoroughly deserves it,” he said emphasizing that services of and could not simply be explained in words. “He has been a remarkable ambassador of Pakistan not only in Japan but also in other countries and conferment of Sitara i Imtiaz is to recognize his immense work for the country,” said Sindh Governor. In particular context of Karachi, he said it was important to restore and maintain law and order situation in the commercial hub of the country hence federal government took into confidence all stakeholders and initiated the much needed operation. Referring to CPEC, Muhammad Zubair said it was not against any country and companies from across the globe can benefit from it.

ISLAMABAD

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heikh Amir Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry has called upon the government to Sinalize Federal Budget 2018-19 in consultation with private sector to make it inclusive Sinancial bill. He said this while addressing a session organized by Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in collaboration with ICCI to hold discussion on improving the parliamentary hearing process for formulating inclusive economic and other policies. He said major chambers of commerce & industry of the country were sending budget proposals every year to the government, but most of them were not included in the Sinal budget that was unfortunate.

He said the role of national assembly’s standing committees on commerce & textile, Sinance revenue & economic affairs, industry and production, energy and others was vital to make inclusive laws and policies and stressed that representative of business community should

be called to the meetings of these standing committees so that they could present the voice of private sector in the lawmaking process. He said for inclusive economic policies and laws, government must ensure maximum participation of private sector in parliamentary hearing process and system. Muhammad Naveed Senior Vice President and Nisar Mirza Vice President ICCI thanked the representatives of CRSS for organizing session on improving

parliamentary hearing system and hoped that the suggestions given by the business community would be made part of Sinal recommendations for the government. Baser Daud, Mehmood Ahmed Warraich, Khalid Chaudhry, Nasir Chaudhry, Ms. Nasira Ali, Dildar Abbasi, Abbas Hashmi and others also spoke at the occasion and provided useful feedback to bring improvements in the parliamentary hearing process.

Speaking at the occasion, Imtiaz Gul,

India & pakistan to have future different from past LAHORE

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ndian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria has said that India and Pakistan should have future different from the past and must not carry the burden of history. Mutual relations should be built on the basis of trade and economy and must be away from violence and war. We should not talk about negative and positive lists rather we should work on the windows of opportunities.

He was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid, Senior Vice President Khawaja Khawar Rashid, Vice President Zeshan Khalil and Executive Committee Members also spoke on the occasion. Indian High Commissioner said that there is no better

way of improving bilateral relations than mutually beneSicial economic ties. He said that both Pakistan and India needed to take more steps to remove Non-Tariff Barriers that were a major impediment to bilateral trade relations. He said that at present over $ 5 billion trade is being done through third country. He said that removal of non-tariff barriers, liberalization of visa and normalization of mutual relation can bring the two-way trade to the height of $ 30 billion. He said that two-third population of India is below the age of 35 and same is in Pakistan as 65% people of Pakistan are under the age of 35. He said that both countries have a lot of potential to cater to each other. “Chambers of Commerce & Industry of both countries are the most important lobby as not only they can play an instrumental role in strengthen-

ing mutual trade and economic ties but they can also inSluence the policy makers”, Indian High Commissioner concluded.

The LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid said that at present, an unfavourable scenario has developed both at political and diplomatic fronts. We have been witnessing these cycles time and again that Sirst there is a trust deSicit and some joint efforts are made for trust building then a bad incident happens and we end up yet again at trust deSicit. One such incident must not halt the process of relation building. He said that both countries should give the peace another chance to prevail in the region for our youth and coming generations. “In this context, we – the representatives of private sector – think that both Pakistan and India have to show a lot of maturity and act very sensibly.

Executive Director, Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) said that the foundational Slaws and lacunas in the parliamentary hearing processes discouraged dialogue between the parliamentarians and the private sector representatives. Resultantly the inclusive policy making suffered as the private sector’s feedback for the potential economic reforms was not conveyed to policymakers which was contrary to the idea of inclusive democratic process.

Tasneem appointed chairperson of fpccI body enior Vice President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir has appointed Tasneem Sadaf as Chairperson of the FPCCI Standing Committee on Life Style for the year 2018 to promote fashion designing in the country. The purpose of the said committee is to facilitate networking between trade partners and Pakistani business community at large. Another task of this committee is to encourage on-ground seminars, workshops and conferences relating to trade to narrow the gap between various sectors as well as encourage international partnerships, said. –CB Report

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Saima Ayyaz serves show cause notice on accused car smuggler FAISALABAD: Customs Adjudication Deputy Collector Saima Ayyaz issued a show cause notice to a suspect involved in a smuggling of Corolla Saloon car. The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Sarai-eMuhajir, which falls within the jurisdiction of Faisalabad Customs, took into possession a Corolla Saloon X Car bearing registration No: MNX-8800. The non-customs-paid vehicle was brought to the office of the superintendent.

Thursday, April 5, 2018

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

About 321 imported mobiles confiscated

by Sukkur-Larkana customs QUETTA wAQAR AhmED AnSARI www.customsbulletin.com

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he Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization Hyderabad, Customs Preventive SukkurLarkana, has seized 321 imported Vego Tel model mobiles worth Rs1.1million involving customs duty and taxes of Rs538707during an action at Sukkur LCS Courier Service near Rohri Toll Plaza.

Collector Model Customs Collectorate Hyderabad Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq directed his staff to check the smuggling attempts in the region. Additional Collector Dr Aamer Nawaz Hamid received secret information regarding the smuggling of imported smuggled and non-custom-duty-paid mobiles.

He formed a team comprising ASO Customs Preventive Sukkur Customs OfSicer and other staff. The ASO team intercepted a public transport vehicle near Rohri Toll Plaza and recovered the said goods.

Prior to the recovery, the ofSicials asked the driver to produce documents regarding the legal import of the items but he could not prove anything. The team impounded the goods under the Customs Act. A case was registered against the ac-

cused. The case has been sent to the customs adjudication for further legal action. The ASO deposited the conSiscated items into the Sukkur State Warehouse.

Meanwhile, The Anti-Smug-

gling Organizations (ASO) Hyderabad took into possession NonDuty-Paid Iranian High Speed Diesel, narcotics, betel nuts and other contraband items worth million of rupees in different raids

during the last week of March 2018. Sources told Customs Today that Collector Hyderabad Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq directed his staff to curb the smuggling attempts in the region. Hyderabad Customs

Additional Collector Dr Aamer Nawaz Hamid received a tip-off regarding the smuggling on which he formed a team of customs officers and officials to abort the smuggling attempts.

Reference filed in illegal award Railway land: nAB ISLAMABAD

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ational Accountability Bureau (NAB) has Siled a reference against ofSicers/ofSicials in Accountability Court Islamabad for their alleged involvement in illegal award of lease of Railway Golf Club, Lahore.

The reference has been Siled against accused former Secretary/Chairman Railways/former

Federal Minister for Communication and Railways, Lt Gen (Retd) Javed Ashraf Qazi, former Secretary/Chairman Railways Board, Lt Gen (Retd) Saeed-uz-Zafar, former General Manager (GM) (M&S) Pakistan Railways, Maj Gen (Retd) Hamid Hassan Butt, former GM (Operations) Pakistan Railways, Iqbal Samad Khan, former Member Finance, Pakistan Railways, Khurshid Ahmed Khan, Director Directorate of Property & Land Pakistan Railways, Brig (Retd) Akhtar Ali Baig, former Divisional Superintendent, Pakistan Railways, Abdul Ghaffar and sponsors

of Royal Palm Golf Club, Ramzan Sheikh and Pervaiz Qureshi, and

Sive other ofSicers and ofSicials.

As per details issued here on

Published by M S Raza O# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Road Karachi, Printed by (Ibne Hassan Oset Printing Press, Shop No. 33 to 36 , Hockey Stadium, Karachi).

Monday, in year 2001, Pakistan Railways offered lease of its Golf Club at Canal Bank Lahore for 33 years for which a number of Sirms submitted bids including MAX Corps Pvt Ltd. During bidding process, the lease period was illegally enhanced from 33 years to 49 years. Moreover, the land offered also increased illegally from 103 Acers to 140 Acers by demolishing Railway ofSicer colony.

Hence, precious piece of land was leased out illegally in a non-transparent manner in order to grant illegal beneSits to lease holder that is Main Land Hasnain Limited.