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ustoms Central Region has collected Rs1168 million customs duty (CD) during the first ten days of August 2017. As per details the Customs Appraisement Lahore collected Rs884 million customs duty
during the period under review while Customs Preventive Lahore collected Rs 79million during the ten days. On the other hand, the Customs Collectorate of Multan collected Rs129 million customs duty during the first ten days of the period under review. In the same way, the Collectorate of Customs Faisalabad collected Rs74 million customs duty during the first days of the period under
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review. Overall the Customs Central Region collected customs duty from all the four Collectorates worth Rs1168 million to achieve the targets. Sources said that the Customs Central Region is using all available resources to achieve revenue collection target of Fiscal Year 2017-18. Sources said that Central Region is already adopted a comprehensive strategy in this regard.
ASO stands with Rs43 million extra revenue in against last year’s
DG Valuation to revise Valuation Ruling No. 775/2015 & 776/2016
ASO confiscates vehicle, red chilli seeds, printers
‘ASO Peshawar performs brilliantly by seizing 26.387 kg of gold/silver
Hyderabad ASO seizes1000 smuggled cigarettes cartons: Khattak
The ASO Islamabad earned Rs 43million extra revenue in FY 2017-18 | See pAge 02 |
DGValuation, has decided to revise the Valuation Rulings No: 775/2015 | See pAge 03 |
ASO seized a huge quantity of NDP red chilli seed, printer and other goods | See pAge 04 |
ASO Peshawar confiscated 26.387 kilogram of gold/silver in FY17-18 | See pAge 11 |
ASO Hyderabad has seized 1000 cartons of foreign origin smuggled | See pAge 16 |
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BBIAI customs inviting some danger by not rummaging aeroplanes Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: The different shifts of the customs staff, working at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport Islamabad (BBIAI), do not rummage the aircrafts properly at the time of completion of their shifts. According to details given by sources of BBIAI, it has been brought into the notice of the undersigned that, at the time of completion of their shifts, they do not bother to rummage the aircrafts. Assistant collector airport has directed all the shifts of the customs staff to do rummaging of the aircraft and wait for the arrival of the next shift and, in case of any noncompliance, the responsible people will be made accountable.
ASo stands with rs43 million extra revenue in against last year’s
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has accused Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) of hiding withholding tax (WHT) on purchases of Rs42 billion. According to a top FBR official, the KESC purchased Rs42 billion worth of items but did not deposit the due taxes into national kitty. Under effective enforcement strategy of WHT, the FBR has detected massive short filing of withholding tax by the power distribution companies (DISCOs). Alone four DISCOs have collected Rs36 billion from electricity consumers but did not deposit into FBR’s accounts. Under article 161 and 162, the FBR is going to generate tax demands against KESC. Failure to pay tax collected or deducted. (1) Where a person (a) fails to collect tax as required under Division II of this Part 5 [or Chapter XII] or deduct tax from a payment as required under Division III of this Part 6 [or Chapter XII] 7 [or as required under section 50 of the repealed Ordinance]; or (b) having collected tax under Division II of this Part 8 [or Chapter XII] or deducted tax under Division III of this Part 9 [or Chapter XII] fails to pay the tax to the Commissioner as required under section.
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he Anti-Smuggling Organization Islamabad earned Rs43million extra revenue during July Financial Year (FY) 2017-18 against the revenue collection of corresponding period of July FY16-17. The ASO Islamabad impounded smuggled goods and vehicles worth Rs66.76million during July FY17-18 while it received Rs23.93million by conPiscating smuggled goods during the same period of Pinancial yesteryear FY1617. The collectorate showed a tremendous performance by collecting All Duties and Taxes during July FY17-18 against the same period of FY16-17. This was stated by Dr. Arslan, Collector MCC Islamabad, while talking with Customs Today during an exclusive interview. He said that, during July FY1718, the collectorate maintained the continuity of crackdowns on smugglers and tax evaders which was started during the last Pinancial year 2016-17. Explaining the details of seizures during the month of July, he said the ASO Islamabad took more offending vehicles into possession this Pinancial year (Vehicles used for carrying smuggled goods) against the corresponding period. He added that the ASO impounded 17 offending vehicles valued at
keSc accused of hiding wHT on rs42 billion purchases
Rs22.4million during July FY17-18 while it did six offending vehicles worth Rs5.5million during July FY16-17. During July FY17-18, the ASO Islamabad took into possession six Non-Duty-Paid (NDP) vehicles priced at Rs12.34million while it did Pive NDP vehicles valued at Rs11.55million during July FY16-17. He further said that, during July FY17-18, the ASO Islamabad conPiscated foreign origin smuggled fabric
measured 5,912 yards worth Rs4.56million while it did 24,260 kilogram of food grain priced at Rs1.08million. During said period, the ASO seized 1,944 kilogram of tea worth Rs0.58million whereas it seized 123 smuggled foreign origin tyres and tubes valued at Rs0.31million. Dr. Arslan further explained that, during July FY17-18, the ASO Islamabad impounded 42 alloy rims valued at Rs0.017million while it
did 3,682 auto spare parts worth Rs4.869million. And the ASO conPiscated 50 cartons of fake foreign origin cigarettes priced at Rs0.026million. He added that the ASO took into possession 5,134 electronic goods valued at Rs13.66million while it did 300 foreign origin blankets worth Rs0.094million. The ASO seized 1,500 smuggled toys valued at Rs0.27million.
fBr takes practical initiatives to facilitate taxpayers
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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has taken many practical initiatives to facilitate taxpayers, promote friendly tax culture and help broaden the tax base. For broadening of the tax base, the board initiated use of thirdparty data with an aim to incorporate 300,000 new taxpayers in three years, source said adding that in this
regard, more than 465,000 notices were issued by June, 2016. Elimination of SRO Culture in order to ensure level playing Pield for all taxpayers was another considerable initiative taken by the board. The board withdrew SROs/concessions during last three years worth of more than Rs290 billion. For curbing the transactions and holding of property in the name of others to avoid proper incidence of tax, the board introduced Benami Transaction Law and The Benami
Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, was passed by National Assembly and Senate. The law would help enable the authorities to curb transactions and holding of property in the name of others to avoid proper incidence of tax, the sources added. The FBR has also developed comprehensive mechanism for tax refunds and introduced queue management for refund claims (Pirst in Pirst out) both at Pield formations and FBR headquarters level. The system facilitates
transmission of refund cheques into claimants bank account. In addition, it also took administrative measures like posting of suitable ofPicers in refund sections to plug the leakages in the process of sanctioning of refund claims. The FBR also reintroduced an audit plan to accompany the self-assessment scheme and to overcome weak tax compliance. Substantial progress has been achieved for infrastructure up-gradation and development with the introduction of fully auto-
mated and Integrated Tax Management System (Iris), which is available to all the Pield formations. Antismuggling powers have been entrusted to Pakistan Coast Guards and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency to check the smuggling of contraband goods. Similarly, the Political Administration in Tribal areas has also been entrusted with anti-smuggling powers. Pakistan has signed an agreement with Afghanistan (Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement).
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Customs Exports collects Rs 4.8m in first five days of August KARACHI: The Customs Exports authorities have successfully collected Rs 4.8 million in the first five days of August 2017 of the current fiscal year. Sources told Customs Today that Customs Exports issued seven show cause notices out of which three final notices were served on defaulter companies in five days. The Customs Exports authorities have successfully collected Rs 38.12m during the month of July. The Customs Exports issued show cause notices to one factory in order to collect the evaded tax amount. The customs authorities issued notices to M/s Hunaiza Traders Karachi which is found involved in tax evasion.
fBr expedites efforts to bring big retailers into tax net
Wednesday August 16, 2017
Karachi
Dg Valuation to revise Valuation ruling no. 775/2015 & 776/2016
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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) has expedited efforts and launched a campaign to bring big retailers into the sales tax net. Official sources at Regional Tax Office (RTO) – III Karachi said the drive has been launched in the wake of mushroom growth of retail outlets across the city. The said that the tax office is gathering information about the goods supplied to retail outlets on the basis of invoices issued by distributors, manufacturers and wholesalers. Government, in the budget for the fiscal year of 2017/18, amended Sales Tax Act 1990, redefining tier-1 or big retailers, in order to net them.
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customs court convicts three in tax evasion case KARACHI
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ustoms Taxation and AntiSmuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi convicted Tikam Das and Muhammad Yousaf Baig for already undergone period in customs/ judicial custody. Both were booked in a duty and taxes evasion case of Rs 10,395,263. The court also convicted till rising of the court and imposed a fine of Rs 200,000 on the third suspect, Hafiz Mehdi Hassan. He will undergo simple imprisonment for one year in case he fails to pay the fine. According to the prosecution, the convicts were involved in unlawful clearance of alcohol and other bonded goods through their diplomatic bonded warehouse Clifton Karachi, under the garb of ship stores supplies and using fake and forged documents.
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irectorate General, Customs Valuation, Director General Surriya Ahmed Butt, has decided to revise the Valuation Rulings No: 775/2015 and 776/2015, it is learnt. Sources told Customs Today that an application was submitted by the importers to Customs Valuation in which change in prices of baby diapers and sanitary towels napkin and tampons was requested. Sources said that Valuation Ruling No. 775/2015 of baby diapers and sanitary towels napkin and tampons issued on December 1, 2015. A meeting was held with the stakeholders on Aug, 2017. Importers were told to furnish the import invoices of the last three months showing factual values as well as websites, names and e-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value could be ascertained. Valuation Ruling No: 776/2015 was issued on 4th Dec 2015. A meeting was held with stakeholders on Aug 1st 2017. Importers were told to furnish the import invoices of the last three months showing factual values as well. The copies of contracts were made/LCs opened during the last three months showing the value of item in question and copies of sales tax invoices issued during the last four months showing
the difference in price (excluding duty and taxes) to substantiate that the benePit of difference in price is passed on to the local buyers. Meanwhile, The Directorate General Customs Valuation, Director General Surriya Ahmed Butt, has decided to revise the Valuation Rulings No: 954/2016 and 955/2016 next week, it is learnt. Sources told Customs Today that an application was submitted by the importers to customs valuation in which change in prices of DVD
The copies of contracts were made/Lcs opened during the last three months showing the value of items in question and copies of sales tax invoices issued during the last four months showing the difference in prices
recovery notice: china Harbour moves SHc
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/s China Harbour Engineering Company approached the Sindh High Court (SHC), challenging demand notice of disputed amount of Rs 3.11 billion issued by the Commissioner Inland Revenue Range-B, Audit Zone-II. Counsel for the petitioner stated in its constitutional petition that the petitioner is a non-resident com-
pany and assessed with Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) Karachi. He argued that on 2017 the respondent passed an order under section 122 (5A) (14) of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 for the tax year 2011 creating an alleged tax demand of Rs 3.11 billion and directed the petitioner to deposit the alleged demand within 30 days after receipt of the order. He informed the court that being aggrieved it moved to appellate forum and Piled an appeal along with stay application, which
are still pending for Pinal disposal, however, pending of such appeal, petitioner is being threatened by officials of the tax department. Citing commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals-I, commissioner Large Taxpayer Unit, commissioner Inland Revenue Range-B, Audit ZoneII and deputy commissioner Inland Revenue Range-B, Audit Zone-II as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
players, recorders, was requested. Sources said that Valuation Ruling No. 954/2016 DVD Players, Recorders, was issued on 14th October 2016. A meeting was held with the stakeholders on 2017. Importers were told to furnish the import invoices of the last three months showing factual values as well as websites, names and e-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value could be ascertained.
customs exports issues final notices he Customs Exports has issued final notice to three factories in order to collect the evaded tax amounts. The Customs authorities issued notices to M/s Shafiq Marble and Export Karachi and M/s Shamim Enterprises Mirpurkhas. M/s Shafiq Marble and Export used wrong Pakistan Customs Tariff headings to get a consignment of marble dining tables cleared in June.
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Customs AFU undertake staff training to control smuggling Wednesday August 16, 2017
Lahore
LAHORE: In order to curtail the rising smuggling activities through Allama Iqbal International Airport the Customs Preventive authorities deputed at the airport have started training course for the officials. Sources told Customs Today that in order to reduce the smuggling through the airport it has been decided to train the staff to effectively control the menace of smuggling. Sources told that initially Airport Security Force (ASF) personnel is given assigned the task to attend the course. The staff dealing with the passengers coming and departing from the airport will be trained how to use scanning machines to detect anything illegal from the passengers.
court sends accused to jail on judicial remand involved in smuggling LAHORE
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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti Smuggling sent two accused to jail on extension of judicial remand of 14 days. According to details available to Customs Today two accused Rehmat Ali and Nasir Khan were arrested by the Customs Intelligence team. After arresting the accused they started investigation against them and got their physical remand. Customs intelligence had also recovered huge quantity of foreign origin smuggled cloths and related goods from their possession. Customs representative informed the court that accused persons were involved in smuggling of cloths from Afghanistan to Lahore.
ASo impounds rs3m Toyota crown from DHA ustoms Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Lahore seized two non customs paid illegally imported cars from different localities in the city. The official sources told Customs Today that during routine patrolling on the directions of deputy collector Moazzam Raza the ASO team intercepted Toyota Crown model 2005 bearing registration no: NZ/388. The sources said that the ASO team under the supervision of Superintendent Nasir Minhas intercepted the vehicle and demanded the owner Jamshaed to produce legal clearance documents but he remained failed to produce the required documents. The ASO Inspector Sajad Bukhari and other detained the car and finally seized it after being fully satisfied that the legal duty and taxes have been not been paid on the purchase of the car and is brought in the city illegally. –CB Report
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They had caused huge loss to national kitty in the wake of taxes and duties. They were involved in smuggling for long time. The market value of recovered cloth is Rs8.3 million. Customs investigation team produced them before the customs court and asked for their physical remand to dig out network behind this smuggling maPia. After completion of physical remand again they were produced before the court where the court sent them jail for judicial remand. Now again the Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti Smuggling has sent them to jail for further 15 days. Meanwhile, The Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti Smuggling has approved 14 days judicial remand of the accused who were arrested in mobile smuggling case. According to details an accused Abdul Waheed and Agha Wali were arrested by the customs team from The Mall Lahore.
ASo confiscates vehicle, red chilli seeds, printers
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team of the Collectorate of Customs Preventive AntiSmuggling Organization seized a huge quantity of non-duty paid red chilli seed, printer and
other goods during a crackdown here. Sources told Customs Today that Collector Customs Preventive ZulPiqar Ali Chaudhary received credible report that a huge quantity of non-duty paid goods were being smuggled. He constituted an antismuggling squad comprising Inspectors Abdul Qayyum Butter, Inspector M.A. Iqbal, Inspector Ijaz Butt and others.
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The anti-smuggling squad intercepted a Toyota Hilux Surf model 1992 near Thokar Niaz Baig. The team asked the owner to produce legal documents regarding possession of the vehicle, however, he failed to provide any relevant documents. After his failure, the ASO team impounded the vehicle and registered a case against the suspect. The market value of the vehicle is Rs 1.2 million. During another crackdown Customs ASO team intercepted a Bedford truck which was coming from Azad Kashmir. During checking of the vehicle, the ASO team recovered a huge quantity of Indian red chillis seeds. The driver of the vehicle and his companion failed to show any relevant documents. After their failure, ASO team seized the items. While te ASO team detained a Suzuki pickup and recovered Laser Jet printer and Desk Jet Printer (46 numbers). The owner failed to produce any legal documents against the seized goods.
customs Tribunal remands back case LHc restrains prA from tax collection of seized ball bearing for fresh order he Lahore High Court has quirements. On the contrary, the
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he Customs Appellate Tribunal has set aside an impugned order and directed to pass the fresh speaking order in appeal Piled by Zulifqar Pathan against Director, Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (Customs) Lahore and others. Member Judicial BenchII Omer Arshed Hakeem heard the case in details and passed the judgement that there is no other option to set aside the impugned order to the extent of unveriPied ball bearings and remanded back the case to the
Additional Collector of (Adjudication) with direction to pass fresh speaking order strictly in accordance with law after providing opportunities to both parties and receiving evidences which they may like to produce. As per the history of case, after obtaining the search warrant from the judicial magistrate the staff of Customs Intelligence and Investigation-FBR has raided on the godown of the appellant Zulifqar Pathan and recovered huge quantity of foreign origin ball bearings. –CB Report
stopped the Punjab Revenue Authority from tax collection. The LHC adjourned the hearing against the PRA till second week of September. According to details, the Lahore High Court has heard the appeal Piled by a taxpayer Attique Anwar Malik in which counsel for complainant Muhammad Mohsin Virk argued before the court that the entity of the PRA is not completed according to the Act. He added that, according to the law, authority cannot collect taxes until the completion of all legal re-
PRA starts sending notices to the taxpayers that the notices have no legal entity. He further argued that the Pirst and second Validation Act also challenged the tax collection by the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) which is considered as illegal under the law. The counsel further said the Supreme Court of Pakistan already decided the case against the PRA. He prayed that the court may stop the PRA from tax collection till the completion of all legal requirements for its formation. –CB Report
fTo adjourns hearing of case filed by Abdul rauf Steel
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LAHORE
SAJiD nAwAZ
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he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has postponed the hearing of a case Piled by M/s Abdul Rauf Steel Furnace against the Regional Tax OfPice (RTO) Gujranwala until the next hearing. According to the details, FTO
Consultant Tariq Yousaf heard the case in which counsel for appellant argued that the RTO Sargodha has not released the refund to the appellant of the last two years. He said the RTO Sargodha collecting excessive tax from appellant M/s Abdul Rauf Steel Furnace for the last two years. The company approached the ofPicer concerned many times for the release of refunds but the de-
partment did not pay the refunds even after the passage of a reasonable time. Finally, the appellant decided to approach the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) seeking intervention in the case. The counsel appealed the FTO Consultant to direct the commissioner of RTO Gujranwala to clear the refund claims at the earliest. The counsel further said the delay in release of refunds put a burden
on taxpayers adding that the RTO should make audit of the cases and release the extra amount collected by it from the taxpayers. On the other hand, counsel for the RTO argued that appellant has not submitted all the record in the ofPice on the basis of which it is claiming refunds. If appellant provides accurate record, the RTO will release refunds, if any. After a proper assessment, he added.
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ember Inland Revenue Policy and spokesman Federal Board of Revenue Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, has made it clear that and Dubai Iqama’s will not affect the agreement between Pakistan and Switzerland on exchange of information. In an interview with Customs Today, Dr Iqbal said that Swiss government will 100 percent comply with agreement. Dubai and Saudi Iqamas will not save those Pakistanis who have operated bank accounts in Switzerland, he added. He said that there is no reality in the stories that if any Pakistani has the Iqama of Dubai or UAE than Switzerland will not reveal the account details. He said that the FBR will not revise the tax revenue collection targets for the current financial year (2017-18). However, the FBR will do maximum efforts and mobilize all resources to meet the targets. Further investigations on Panama Leaks are underway. Those Pakistanis whose names are in the list FBR has sent their names and addresses to the concerned Regional Tax Offices, they are working on it, with the cooperation of Directorate General Intelligence and Investigation Inland Revenue FBR. There is not any kind of amnesty scheme
which is under consideration. He said under the dynamic leadership and supervision of Chairman FBR Tariq Mehmood Pasha, Federal Board of Revenue has successfully achieved the tax revenue target of the Pirst month (July) of current Pinancial year 2017-18. We already assigned the revenue collection target of Rs200 billion and FBR have collected Rs204 billion and I hoped that we can also achieve the
annual revenue target. More than 12,50,000 peoples Piled the tax returns, hence, in 2013 numbers of tax returns was 7,50,000. There are laws for tax evasion and this year we will tight the rope around tax evaders because its nation money. If we want to see Pakistan strong secure and developed country, than we will have to promote the tax culture. Every patriotic Pakistani must pay their due share in taxes. He further said we are closely watching working of IRIS software, if people would face any problem during the return filing, FBR will resolve the issue. FBR also focusing on money laundering issues and we have issued strict instructions to all field formations and they are very actively pursuing every information in this regard. t o n He said FBR successfully l l i w he fBr moving forward on pilot t t n a o h i id t ect l a l s o project on Automatic c l a e nu Dr iqb x reve cial Exchange of Informaa n t a e n h fi t ent r r tion, after the compleu revise c r fB he r, the s for t tion of this project t e e v e g r w a t ). Ho d 8 n FBR will exchange in1 a s 7 t 01 or formation with 104 um e year (2 e h m t i x t a e m to me other countries inwill do ources s e r ons on l cluding USA and Engi l t a a e g z i i t mobil land regarding the tax r inves way urthe f . s t matters and the bank acunder e e r a targ s counts of Pakistani citia Leak panam zens.
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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
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investment in oil and gas sectors
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fter years of media hypes, half-hearted eorts and meagre investment, the country is finally able to produce 90,000 barrel crude oil per day. The Pakistani coastline falls in the same geographical region as are the oil rich Arab states and Iran, but it could not brought its oil production to a hundred thousand barrel a day in 70 years. There had been a lot of rumourmongering in the country for years that Iranian king is hindering oil exploration in Pakistan. However, after the Islamic revolution in Iran, the rumours subdued, but oil still remained unexplored in the country. Another pack of rumours suggest that there are huge deposits of oil and gas on the sea shores of Karachi due to which the international secret agencies, hostile to Pakistan, converted the city of lights into the city of deaths. However, no words came out of the mouth of any government oďŹƒcial whether the oil deposits on the sea shores are myth or reality. During the 70 years history of the country, dozens of foreign companies came, invested and packed up without doing any significant improvement in the exploration. The oil and gas regulation authority has allegedly become a white elephant like the other giant government organizations. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has now stepped its efforts to achieve self-reliance in oil and gas sectors and has granted dozens of new exploration licenses to foreign companies. The oil companies have drilled 179 exploratory and 194 appraisal wells that resulted in dozens of new oil and gas discoveries. Reports suggest that at least 944 million cubic feet per day gas and 32,343 barrels oil per day have been added to the transmission network through indigenous resources. An official agency has claimed that the petroleum sector attracted over $10 billion foreign investment during the last four years.Various international companies are aspiring to invest in the liquefied natural gas sector. They want to set up their own LNG terminals and develop transmission networks up to consumers.The previous government of Nawaz Sharif had signed a $15 billion contract with Qatar Gas to import 600 million cubic feet per day LNG to meet the demands of industrial and fertilizer sectors as well as the gas-based power generation plants in the country.
failure of economic policies P
LAHORE
Dr AfTAB AfZAL
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ervaiz Malik,the newly inducted commerce minister, has expressed the hope that the joint efforts of the government and the private sector would make it possible to achieve the export target of $35 billion by 2018. The export target was set by the government in its threeyear Strategic Trade Policy Framework under former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 2015. However, after two years of the framework, the government begin to realize that the policy is a failure and needs to be revised or discarded. The failure has not come as a surprise for the econo-
mists as its earlier version, introduced by the Pakistan People’s government in 2012, had met the same fate. Whenever a public ofPice holder assumes charge, he repeats the mantra of common phrases that he will do this or that to achieve the desired goals, but completes his tenure without doing anything. Malik has expressed the hope that with cooperation of the chambers of commerce and industry and other business associations, the government will be able to achieve the export target within the time frame. However, Pine words butter no parsnips. The Strategic Trade Policy Framework is meeting the fate not different from the previous govern-
ment policies. The commerce and industrial sectors need reforms to boost not only local trade but also exports. A big question before the new minister should be to identify the causes of the falling exports in the current industrial environment. The industry is facing the same old problems such as energy crisis, irrational rates of taxes and incoherent economic policies. All the hostile factors come together to slow the wheel of development. The Nawaz government has gone without implementing his own agenda of industrial reforms in four years of its tenure. The economy suffered at the hand of the person who claimed that his agenda of the government is busi-
ness, business and business. The businessmen face various challenges, most of the time at the hands of the authorities which are meant to facilitate them. At least Rs300 billion deposited by exporters with the government as an assurance that export earnings will be repatriated to Pakistan have still not been refunded. Bangladesh which as almost half of the GDP of Pakistan is going to Pix $40 billion export target. The other countries in the region have also made forward leap to reap the benePits of regional trade but we as a nation have failed to install even a stable political system in the country. We are heading toward unpredictable future.
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Customs Tribunal to hear model Ayyan Ali’s plea on August 16 ISLAMABAD: The Customs Appellate Tribunal is all set to resume hearing of famous Ayyan Ali’s money laundering case on August 16, said officials from tribunal. Ayyan Ali had filed an application with the Customs Appellate Tribunal for early hearing of her restored appeal, challenging announcement about money laundering of $500,000 in March 2015. A division bench of the tribunal comprising chairman, Justice (r) Manzoor Hussain and Ziauddin Wazir, was hearing the case. According to the current schedule, the tribunal would resume the hearing on August 16. Ayyan Ali’s counsel, Sardar Latif Khosa, argued that his client was innocent and that the department had no sufficient evidence to prove that black money was being laundered. He asked the tribunal to set aside the announcement made by the customs court. The bench then dated in office the hearing.
govt postpones 30% surge in property valuation rates
Wednesday August 16, 2017
National
SHc orders release of consignment on payment of duty, 35 percent fine
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he government has decided to postpone the planned 30 per cent increase in property valuation rates for federal tax collection purposes. The average 25% to 30% increase in the property valuation rates for collection of federal taxes under the second phase had to be implemented from July 1, as announced by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar last year. The decision has been deferred until political normalcy returns, said sources in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Authorities had estimated collecting an additional Rs10 billion due to up to 30% increase in valuation rates during fiscal year 2017-18 that
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began on July 1. The exchequer will take a hit of about Rs850 million per month due to delay in implementing the decision. The government missed the opportunity when Finance Minister Ishaq Dar decided to postpone the increase in valuation rates from July in order to avoid any backlash from realty investors after the announcement of the budget, said the sources. They said Dar had indicated implementing the new rates from July 15. The deadline was again missed due to unfavourable circumstances caused by the joint investigation team (JIT) report in the Panama Papers case, they added. The FBR had notified rates for major cities including Lahore, Multan, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Islamabad, Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Sargodha, Mardan, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Quetta and Gwadar. The increase in rates resulted in over 125% enhancement in revenues in the first phase.
KARACHI
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indh High Court (SHC) following rule of consistency ordered release of a consignment of steel sheets imported by a plaintiff Mughal Steel. Earlier Muhammad Vawda advocate representing plaintiff relied on an interim order passed by another single judge in an identical suit Piled by Wasif Steel Industries and sought release of consignment on payment of customs duty, penalty, Pine and other payables. Zafar Hussain advocate, counsel for Pakistan Customs submitted that department has no objection to the proposed interim arrangement. The bench after this statement allowed the application ordering release of the consignment as per terms detailed in the judgment by the other bench. Supreme Court declines leave to appeal to FACO Trading by ASHFAQ UR REHMANAUGUST 7, 2017JUDGMENT, TOP STORIES ISLAMABAD: An appellate bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) comprising
Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah dismissed a Civil Petition Piled by FACO Trading Karachi against a judgment by High Court of Sindh. SHC bench in its order dated 18-3-2015 dismissed a writ petition on ground that issue of refund of custom duty recovered in excess was raised earlier in a writ petition 2254 of 2006 and thus cannot be allowed to agitate the same issue
again and again. The bench heard Ghulam Ahmed Khan advocate, the counsel for petitioner who maintained that Goods Declaration was not Pinalized and custom duty was recovered in excess. He further submitted that he has raised the issue before hierarchy in Customs. Raja Muhammad Iqbal advocate appearing for the Pakistan Customs informed the bench that
when the matter landed before Special Customs Appellate Tribunal, it was withdrawn on ground that it has been agitated in CP 1615 of 2013. The Supreme Court bench after hearing the sides, held that petitioner has invoked the writ jurisdiction by passing the statutory remedy provided under the Customs Act 1969 and SHC rightly declined to entertain the petition.
customs collects more revenue than last fY ISLAMABAD
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he Customs Islamabad Airport Accompanied Baggage (AB) section generated additional revenue of Rs940000 of duties and taxes applied on baggage during the month of July Financial Year FY2017-18 against the same period of corresponding July FY16-17. According to details explained by Sadia Usman, Assistant Collector, Customs AB Section at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport Islamabad, that AB received surplus revenue of Rs3.02million during July FY17-18 against the collection of Rs2.08million of all duties and taxes in most recent July FY16-17. Until today AB has not allocated any revenue collection target for current Pinancial year including July FY17-18.
Sadia Usman has given such details while talking with Customs Today during an exclusive Interview. She told Ct that the performance of the AB has been good during July FY2017-18. She further said that, during said period, the AB seized 242 contraband bottles of liquor worth Rs0.484million while AB did 68 android mobile phones of different companies valued at Rs0.472million during July FY201718. She added that the AB also showed a remarkable performance for the duration of last Pinancial year 2016-17 with a surplus earning of Rs3.49million against the assigned target for FY2016-17. Giving details of previous period, she said the AB was assigned Rs27.68million of revenue target for FY16-17 whereas it did Rs31.17million during FY2015-16 against the allocated revenue target.
Explaining details of FY2016-17, she informed CT that, during FY2016-17, the AB seized three cases of heroin smuggling worth Rs220.50million while it did three cases of foreign currencies priced Rs22.09million. Further giving details of conPiscated currencies, he added that the currencies include 485,800 Saudi Riyals (SR), 49,500 Qatari Riyals, 6,000 UK Pounds and 6,000 Euros. The total value of the seized foreign currencies is Rs22.90million. During FY2016-17, the AB impounded 24 cases of mobile phones priced at Rs53.40million whereas it conPiscated two cases of gold smuggling valued at Rs4.86million. During June FY2016-17, about Rs3.065million was earned while the AB did Rs2.24million of revenue during May FY2016-17. Sadia Usman, Assistant Collector AB, further told CT that, during the month of April
FY2016-17, the AB received Rs2.82million while it did revenue of Rs2.92million during the month of March FY2016-17. During the month of February FY2016-17, the AB generated Rs2.81million of revenue on Accompanied Baggage. During January FY16-17, the AB collected Rs2.56million. Sadia explained that, during the month of December FY2016-17, the AB earned Rs2.67million while it did Rs1.98million of revenue during the month of November 2016-17. She yet further said that, during the month of October FY16-17, the AB got Rs1.908 million of revenue and it did Rs3.02million during the month of September FY16-17. Assistant Collector yet further told CT that, during the month of August FY16-17, the AB received Rs2.46million of revenue while it did Rs2.68million of revenue during the month of July FY16-17.
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Assist Commissioner-IR Masood Iqbal to retire on Dec 31 Wednesday August 16, 2017
National Moin-ud-Din relinquishes charge as customs Secretary
ISLAMABAD: Masood Iqbal, a BS-17 officer of Inland Revenue Service, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation. The officer, presently posted as Assistant Commissioner-IR at RTO-III, Karachi, will stand retired from the government service with effect from December 31, 2017.
nazir Shoro takes charge as chief commissioner-ir in karachi
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oin-Ud-Din Ahmad Wani, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-19s, has relinquished the charge as Secretary. The officer, in pursuance of Ministry of Commerce’s letter No.2(01)/2017-Admn-II dated 29.05.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad with effect from July 28. Meanwhile, Aisha Asad, a BS-17 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner. The officer, presently posted as Deputy Commissioner (on acting charge), Regional Tax Office, Abbottabad, was transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, (acting charge) Regional Tax Office, Islamabad, with immediate effect and until further orders. Aisha has been asked to relinquish/assume charge, using online HRMS facility made available at all FBR major field offices or by using IJP login.
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Superintendent Muhammad pervaiz to retire on March 1 uhammad Pervaiz Awan, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-16, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation. The officer, presently posted as Superintendent at Regional Tax Office, Rawalpindi, will stand retired from the government service on March 1, 2018. Meanwhile, Muhammad Shahid Tufail, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-17, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation. The officer, presently posted as Superintendent at Model Customs Collectorate, Gwadar, will stand retired from the government service. –CB Report
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azir Ahmad Shoro, a BS-21 ofPicer of Inland Revenue Service, has taken the charge as Chief Commissioner-IR. The ofPicer, in pursuance of Board’s NotiPication No. 2016-IRI/2017, dated 26.07.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Chief Commissioner-IR, Regional Tax OfPice, Quetta with effect from July 26, 2017 and assumed the charge of the post of Chief Commissioner-IR, Regional Tax OfPice-III, Karachi on July 27. Meanwhile, Nadia Aslam, a Pakistan Customs Service ofPicer of BS17, has assumed the charge as Second Secretary (Prob). Nadia, pursuing the Civil Services Academy,
Lahore vide No. CSA-2017/Admn385/1212 dated 08.06.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of As-
sistant Collector (Prob), Civil Services Academy, Lahore with effect from June 8, 2017 and took the
charge of the post of Second Secretary (Prob) at Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad on June 8.
iDp collects rs59.09m of cD during first 10 days of August 2017-18 T
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he Islamabad Dry Port (IDP) generated Rs59.09million of Customs Duty during the initial 10 days (1st to 10th) of August Financial Year FY2017-18. According to details given by Amanat Khan, Assistant Collector IDP, that, during initial 10 days of August FY17-18, the performance of the IDP remained satisfactory. The IDP’s performance regarding all duties and taxes also looked excellent. He said that, during initial 10 days of the current month of August FY17-18, the IDP received Rs128.225million of all duties and taxes. The tender for installation of weighbridge has been Pinalized which will be available for business community soon. He said the revenue collection target for Pirst quarter (July to September) FY17-
18 has not yet been assigned to Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad and IDP. Regarding the corresponding period, he said the IDP earned Rs187.52million of CD during July
17-18 while it did Rs118.82million during the last July of Financial Year 2016-17. He said the IDP received Rs241.00million extra revenue under the head of CD against the assigned revenue collection for
FY2016-17. The IDP had been allocated with Rs3407.00million revenue collection target under the head of CD whereas it earned the collection of Rs3648.00million under the same head during FY2016-17.
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Sara-i-Muhajir FIU recovers non duty paid electronic motors FAISALABAD: The Customs Intelligence and Investigations Field Investigation Unit (FIU), Sara-i-Muhajir has seized non duty paid electronic motors worth Rs3,60,000 involving duty and taxes to the tune of Rs 2,10,000 during a successful raid. According to the details, the intelligence team intercepted a trailer bearing registration no: GLT-7854 near Sara-i-Muhajir Chowk district Bhakkar. The officials checked the vehicle and recovered electronic motors (30 numbers) made in China including vibrator motor (10numbers), water pump (six numbers), and my home water pump (12 numbers). The team asked the driver namely Maqbool Hussain son of Ali Muhammad to show documents regarding legal import of the items.
ASo takes tanker & diesel valued at rs11.9m into possession HYDERABAD
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he Model Customs Collectorate, Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), Customs Preventive Hyderabad, has impounded 60,000 liters of smuggled Iranian diesel and an oil tanker worth Rs11.9million including duty/tax during a crackdown on Bypass Hyderabad during the last week of July 2017/18. Diesel was being transported from Hub Balochistan to interior Sindh, Mirpur Khas. Sources told Customs Today that Customs Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq ordered the curbing of smuggling. Sources told Customs Today that Additional Collector Customs Hyderabad Rehmatullah Vistro received a tip-off regarding the smuggling of Iranian diesel. Following the informa-
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tion, the additional collector formed a team, comprising superintendent Ghulam Shabbier Phulpoto, Inspector Imad Ali Abro, Inspector Abdul Majeed Barich, Inspector Iqbal Mughal, Inspector Mushtaque Ali lakho, Sepoys and driver, to foil the smuggling bid. The ASO team intercepted the oil tanker plying on the road with registration No: TLX-394 near Bypass Hyderabad and recovered 60,000 liter of smuggled HSD Iranian diesel. The market value of the confiscated diesel is Rs3million involving duties and taxes of Rs1.9million including the worth of oil tanker Rs7million. The ASO team asked the driver to produce the legal documents regarding the possession of diesel and oil tanker but he failed to do so. The ASO team impounded the diesel besides the oil tanker and apprehended an accused Mohammad Ismail, a resident of Hub Balochistan.
National
‘ASo peshawar performs brilliantly by seizing 26.387 kg of gold/silver
customs ASo impounds nDp Toyota Hilux Surf FAISALABAD
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he Customs Collectorate, Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized a non duty paid Toyota Hilux Surf worth Rs500000 involving customs duty and taxes of Rs13,00,000. Sources told Custom Today, that following a tip off received through Collector Muhammad Sadiq the ASO team intercepted a Hilux Surf with registration no: BF-4360 Model 1997. The person on driving seat tried to run away but remained failed. During the checking, it was revealed that the vehicle was brought into country without payment of customs duty and taxes. Therefore ASO team impounded the vehicle under section 2(S) read with SRO 566(1)2005 section 16, 18, 168, of the Customs Act-1969 and Section 3 of Sales Tax Act-1990, Section 148 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 read with Section 3 (1) 3 of Import & Export Control Act-1950, punishable under Section 156(1)90 of the Customs Act-1969 read with SRO 499(I)/2009 dated 13.06.2009 after completion of all the legal formalities. The ASO team comprising Superintendent Tanveer Raza Naqvi, Inspector Faizi Raza, Sepoys Muhammad Ashraf, Muhammad Anwar, Zulfiqar Ali, Liaqat Ali and others, conducted the operation.
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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Peshawar conPiscated 26.387 kilogram of gold/silver during July FY17-18. The ASO Peshawar showed tremendous performance during July Financial Year FY2017-18. The miscellaneous goods, NDP and offending vehicles impounded by the ASO Peshawar include narcotics, 54 offending (vehicles used for carrying smuggled goods) and Non-Duty-Paid (NDP) vehicles worth Rs224.640million during July FY17-18 while it arrested four smugglers. According to details explained by Zakir Muhammad, Deputy Collector ASO Peshawar, while talking in an exclusive interview with Customs Today, he said the ASO Model Customs Collectorate Peshawar showed an incredible performance during July FY17-18 which includes huge cases of miscellaneous smuggled goods, narcotics and NDP vehicles. The MCC Peshawar is divided into Pive divisions that are North Peshawar, Mardan, Noweshra, Kohat and Hazara division. Deputy Collector told CT that the
Wednesday August 16, 2017
ASO North’s performance for July FY17-18 is very praiseworthy and remarkable as its brilliant achievements are due to timely mobilization of squads for getting the targets. Talking about the new induction of young blood into the ASO, he said the newly recruited sepoys and inspectors contributed a brilliant performance to the ASO North. Giving details of the monthly
performance of July FY2017-18, he said the ASO impounded 41 offending vehicles worth Rs40.800million while it took 13 NDP vehicles into possession valued at Rs17.200million during July FY17-18. He further said the ASO seized 85,953 yards of foreign origin fabric priced at Rs29.960million while it conPiscated 8,968 kilogram of tea worth Rs5.379million.
gwadar customs foils attempt to smuggle hashish
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he Customs Collectorate Gwadar foiled an attempt to smuggle 30 kilograms of hashish into Pakistan and arrested one accused person including driver. The market value of seized hashish is Rs3.2 million in international market. Sources told Customs Today that Collector Gwadar Feroz Alam Junejo received a tip-off about the smuggling of hashish. He immediately constituted a customs team under the supervision of Assistant Collector Kaleem Ullah. The customs team, comprising
Inspector Asad Ali, Khan Imran and Naseem Ahmed set up a picket at the entry and exit points
of the city and started checking of vehicles. During the checking, the customs team intercepted a
Mazda truck bearing registration no: BS-3826. The team asked the driver of the vehicle to produce the legal documents regarding the transportation of loaded so many things but he failed to do so. Customs team searched the vehicle, during searching the customs team recovered 30 kilograms of fine quality hashish which was tactfully hidden in the secret parts of the vehicle. The customs team arrested the driver and registered a case of smuggling against him. The customs team said that market value of seized hashish and impounded vehicle is Rs3.2 million.
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Cape Town couple allegedly submits false claims to SARS
World Customs
JOHANNESBURG: A couple in Cape Town has been arrested for allegedly submitting false claims to the SA Revenue Services (Sars) between 2007 and 2009, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said. “The duo, directors of several companies, were arrested by the Serious Commercial Crime Unit of the Hawks, after investigations uncovered that the suspects’ unlawful actions resulted in SARS losing approximately R1m. “Possibilities of more losses being uncovered as investigations intensifies have not been ruled out,” said Hawks spokesman, Captain Lloyd Ramovha.
Wednesday August 16, 2017
Al-Durra customs foils bid to smuggle 15000 pills captagon
Broker reveals another person paying bribe MANILA
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Al-Durra customs managed to thwart the attempt to smuggle a quantity of 15 thousand grains of “Cepagon and tramadol”, which were found hidden in a “home furniture” sent to Customs. This was explained by Mohammed al-Abush, general manager of the customs of the Durra and said: Customs received a consignment of “furniture of the house” and during the customs inspector customs procedures of the mission was able to detect and thwart the attempt to smuggle (10) thousands of tablets of “Kptajun” and Pive thousand pills of ” “Was hidden inside a cache that had been set up for smuggling at the base of one of the tables that was inside the furniture. Aboush said that the necessary measures were taken after that.
philippines to sign tax pact with Brunei he Philippines is set to sign a double taxation agreement (DTA) with Brunei while eyeing to start negotiations with three other Asean countries as part of its commitments under the regional integration framework. Internal Revenue Assistant Commissioner Marissa O. Cabreros told the Inquirer yesterday that the Philippines’ DTA with Brunei was ready for signature, although the two countries have yet to finalize schedule. The preparation of documents for the negotiations of a DTA with Cambodia will start by yearend, while those for Laos and Myanmar will be calendared next year, Cabreros said. The country has existing DTAs with the five other Asean member countries Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. –CB Report
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Meanwhile, Ammar Ammar Customs managed to thwart an attempt to smuggle money that was not disclosed outside the Kingdom by hiding it in one of the vehicles that was submitted to customs in order to leave the Kingdom. The General Director of the customs of Ammar Khalid Al-Rumaih: Customs was provided for the departure of a vehicle “private”
driven by a passenger, and during the termination of customs procedures found a sum of $ 110.500 in a cache equipped for smuggling in the “roof of the vehicle “Noting that it was not disclosed. The General Manager of Customs Ammar Ammar stressed that in order to avoid legal accountability, every passenger, whether he is leaving or coming to Saudi Arabia.
Sri Lankan rupee holds steady as dollar demand offsets supply
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he Sri Lankan rupee traded steady as banks and exporters sold the dollar, offseting mild importer demand for the U.S. currency, dealers said. The spot rupee traded at 153.10/15 per dollar at 0650 GMT, compared with Thursday’s close of 153.10/20. “Rupee is trading steady. We don’t see state banks in the market,” a currency dealer said, requesting anonymity. Sri Lanka’s central bank is tar-
geting a more flexible exchange rate regime, the government said in a document outlining its policies to the International Monetary Fund. The central bank will aim to develop a deeper and more liquid foreign exchange market, adequate systems to review and manage exchange rate risks, and a transparent intervention policy, consistent with an inflation targeting regime, it said. –CB Report
roker Mark Taguba said he’s not the only one who has been paying off Bureau of Customs (BOC) ofPicials to facilitate the faster release of shipments. During the House of Representatives’ August 9 hearing on the 6.4 billion shabu shipment smuggled from China in May, Taguba mentioned a certain “Kimberly” who has bigger operations than him, bringing in as many as 250 containers a week. He added that Kimberly is linked to Atty. Chris Bolastig, who he said allegedly collects “tara” or grease money for Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon. In an August 2 press conference, Faeldon said he will not stand for corruption in the Customs bureau. “Maybe they see that I’m not fit in this job,” he said, referring to
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government officials who want him to resign. “I respect them,” he added. “I know nothing about Customs. I will just say no to you if you try to corrupt this bureau. ‘Yun lang ang alam ko (That’s all I know).” Taguba asked to meet lawmakers behind closed doors in an executive session to disclose the alleged anomalies within the BOC. In an August House hearing, Taguba admitted to paying as much as 34,500 per container to Customs officials to facilitate the speedy release of his shipments. Following Taguba’s revelation, Surigao del Norte Congressman Robert Ace Barbers urged Customs officials to keep an eye out for Kimberly as she may be helping certain persons bring in cargo that could have contraband items like illegal drugs. Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service director Neil Estrella said he has heard of Kimberly, but that she is not on the BOC’s list of accredited brokers.
russia-eu trade up 28% in 7 months
he trade turnover between Russia and the European Union (EU) rose by 28.7 percent year-on-year in the Pirst seven months, the Russian Federal Customs Service said in a statement Wednesday. According to the statement, the EU-Russia trade turnover reached 117.8 billion U.S. dollars in this period. Russia’s exports to the EU reached 79.4 billion dollars, an increase of 31.2 percent, while the EU’s exports to Russia totaled over 38.3 billion dollars, an increase of 23.7 percent, the statement said. Besides, the statistics showed that the U.S.-Russia trade turnover be-
tween January and June amounted to some 10.7b dollars, an increase of 22.1 percent compared with the same period of last year. Exports from Russia to the United States amounted to 4.8b dollars, up 21.7 percent, while exports from the United States to Russia totaled 5.8b dollars, up 22.4 percent. Meanwhile, the trade turnover between Russia and China in the Pirst six months this year totaled 38.3b dollars, a growth of 35.4 percent. Exports from Russia to China rose by 39.5 percent to 18.1 billion dollars, while exports from China to Russia reached 20.1b dollars, an increase of 31.9 percent, the statement said. –CB Report
Dubai customs delivers 4.5m transactions in H1
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ubai Customs processed 4.5 million transactions in the Pirst half of 2017, posting a growth rate of 4.5 per cent compared to the 4.3 million transactions scored in the same period last year, said DP World Group chairman. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem,
also the CEO and chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, added that Dubai’s stature as a global trade hub and its sophisticated customs and border services propelled the increase in the number of transactions delivered by Dubai Customs, according to a report in Wam, the Emirates ofPicial news agency. “The positive growth in transactions came despite the general slowdown in
world trade which dePinitely is a strong sign of Dubai’s resilient and healthier economy,” he said. Figures released by Dubai Customs show that Submit Customs Declaration service had the biggest share of total transactions at 80.6 per cent with 3.6 million transactions processed. Submit Claim service accounted for 458,000 transactions at 10.2 per cent while Book Inspection Appointment serv-
ice contributed 139,000 transactions at 3.11 per cent and Register Business 53,400 transactions at 1.1 per cent. Transactions delivered by Dubai Customs covered 19 main services provided through 23 inland, sea and air customs centres across Dubai. The services were catered to customers through six main channels including Dubai Trade, B2G electronic channel, website, and mobile applications.
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Six ships taker berth at Port Qasim ARACHI: Six ships C.V New Ark, C.V MSC Busan, C.V Maersk Pittsburgh, M.V Ruining, M.T Tomson Gas and M.T Au Leo carrying containers, 40,115 tonnes Coal, 1,642 tonnes LPG and 14,500 tonnes Palm oil were arranged berthing at Qasim International Container Terminal, Multi Purpose Terminal, SSGC Terminal and Liquid Cargo Terminal respectively during last 24 hours, said a report issued by Port Qasim Authority (PQA) here on Wednesday. Meanwhile two more ships, oil tanker Torm Val Borg and Container Vessel MSC Bilbao also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim during the same day. Berth occupancy was managed at the Port at 56% on Tuesday where a total of nine ships namely, New Ark, MSC Busan, Maersk Pittsburgh.
pipavav port sale could stumble over issue of residual concession period he entity that buys Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd (GPPL) from APM Terminals Management BV, its largest shareholder with a 43.01 per cent stake, can run the port only for 10 years. This is because the 30-year concession agreement for the facility ends in 2028, which experts say could be a potential deal breaker/spoiler. The Pipavav deal could also be the first instance of a stock-exchange-listed port being sold/acquired. The dynamics in such a deal are vastly different from off-market deals such as the acquisition of Dhamra, Kattupalli and Hazira ports by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), Gopalpur port by Shapoorji Pallonji, Subarnarekha by Tata Steel and even the acquisition of Pipavav port by APM Terminals from its original promoters SKIL Infrastructure Ltd in 2005. SKIL
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Infra was granted the rights by the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) to develop and operate the port in Amreli district for 30 years beginning September 1998. The concession can be extended by a maximum of two years, according to the agreement signed between GMB and GPPL. GPPL, India’s first private port, was listed in 2010 and is only the second listed Indian port after APSEZ, which runs Mundra and a slew of other ports. Further, any acquisition of 10 per cent or more shareholding in GPPL requires the prior approval of GMB. “It doesn’t make sense for anybody to buy it when you know pretty well that the concession will only be there for another 10 years and there is no certainty whether the concession will be extended or not after that,” said a Mumbai-based port consultant. –CB Report
Ports & Shipping
port of Anchorage at risk of collapsing into cook inlet ANCHORAGE
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oughly 85% of statewide infrastructure comes into Alaska through the Port of Anchorage, a port that is nearly 60 years old, covered in rust, and according to city ofPicials, at risk of collapsing into the inlet. “The engineers who do the inspections on an annual basis have told us that we’ve got about 10 more years of useful life in the facility that we have right now,” said Steve Ribuffo, Director, Port of Anchorage. “If we don’t do anything signiPicant to improve that, we’re going to have to start shutting down portions of the dock, because they’ll be in such condition that they won’t support operational loads anymore.” Ribuffo says that 10 year lifespan is solely based on the current condition and structure of the port. He says if a seismic event were to occur anytime between now and then, the damage would be catastrophic. To Pix the problem, the city
is in phase one of a Pive-phase Port Modernization Project. Ribuffo says phase one includes stabilizing the shore line along the north and south sides of the port, and building a new petroleum cement terminal. To complete the project, the city estimates it will cost at least $556 million, a price tag that could go up based on funding and timing. To help pay for the project, money could come from the private sector, federal funds, tariffs put on cargo that comes
through the port, a lawsuit left over from the failed port expansion project, which could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and state money in the form of a grant or general obligation bond. “The state should dePinitely be a partner in this moving forward, and they should be a partner because 90% of the goods that cross those docks go into all of Alaska and all of Alaska benePits from the port here in Anchorage,” said Mayor Ethan Berkowitz.
Wednesday August 16, 2017
onitsha port to be concessioned before end of 2017 he Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, says the concession of Onitsha River Port in Anambra, will be completed before the end of 2017. Amaechi made this known at the National Inland Waterways Authority’s (NIWA) 2nd International Conference and Exhibition’ (ICE) 2017 on Tuesday in Lagos. According to him, the Federal Government has recorded tremendous progress on the concessioning of the river port. “The Onitsha port was fully equipped and commissioned in January 2013. “It has now received ministerial approval for the advert of Expressing of Interests (EOIs),” Amaechi said. The minister said that the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) had carried out maintenance dredging of 200 km out of 500 km of the River Niger proposed by the Federal Government with less than N100 million. “We are also scheduled to complete the construction and installation of cargo handling equipment at the Baro, Lokoja and Oguta Ports and a number of jetties and landing platforms in many communities along the waterways in 2017. –CB Report
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Two million containers stranded in Lagos ports WASHINGTON
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o fewer than two million containers laden with various cargoes worth over N5 trillion are currently stranded at the Lagos port complex, due to the inability of importers to evacuate them. The Guardian’s investigations showed that many of the cargoes are now incurring demurrage after enjoying three rent-free days from the day of discharge. The containers continue to accumulate due to the blockade of ports’ access roads for repairs. This situation, according to experts, portends grave danger for the Nigerian economy, as it will trigger inPlation and further discourage importers from choosing Nigeria as the port of destination. The situation may linger for the next one year that has been earmarked for the repairs of
the 20Km Apapa Wharf road. It was also discovered that the situation has affected the berthing of ships at Tin Can and Apapa ports as no fewer than 20 vessels were seen queuing up to berth as a result of the slow discharge of containers which are needed to be carefully stacked at the terminals. The shutting of the ports’ access roads precipitated a pandemonium last week after a truck driver was shot and killed by a policeman for parking in front of a bank on Creek road, Apapa. It is so bad that trucks can no longer go in and out of the various terminals inside the port, without huge efforts at trafPic control. A clearing agent, Alade Omolaja said t “this is the Pirst time in 11 years that congestion is happening and vessel queue is forming at the ports.” The situation, according to him, has invalidated Executive Order on port decongestion and government’s ini-
tiative on Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria. The Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association Of Nigeria (Stoan), Princess Vicky Haastrup, lamented:. “While we commend the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other arms of government for taking necessary steps to repair the badly damaged roads leading into and out of the ports, it is important at this stage to institute measures to ensure a free Plow of trafPic. “At present, we have a lockdown in the system with trucks, which should come into the ports to evacuate cargoes, not being able to access the ports because they are trapped on the road. This is dangerous for port business and for the economy. And we are beginning to see the consequences of this as vessels are beginning to queue on our waters again. This is something that has not happened in more than 11 years of port concession. “Govern-
ment should, as a matter of urgency, deploy trafPic and security personnel in a large number to Apapa to ensure a free Plow of trafPic. The trafPic ofPicials should work in shifts so that they can have 24 hours a day presence on the road. “Once they’re on the road and necessary checks and balances are created to ensure that they do their work in an appropriate manner, there will be a free Plow of trafPic and full blown congestion will be averted,” she said. “Without a free Plow of trafPic, congestion is inevitable with dire consequences for the Nigerian economy,” she added. An operator, APM Terminals Apapa said: “In the last 24 hours, we have gated out about 1,000 trucks, this is the reason for the movement of the trucks on the queue waiting to enter the port. Like we always say, if we do not gate out trucks, it is almost impossible to gate in new trucks.”
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Ex-banker gets 21-year jail over fraud LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency special judge has awarded an accumulated imprisonment of 21 years to a bank employee on fraud of over Rs2 million. According to the FIA banking circle, HBL Sharif Educational Trust operational manager Tassaduq Manager in 2013 had fraudulently withdrawn Rs2.1m from the ATM machine of the bank branch and fled to Dubai. The bank management filed the complaint with the FIA that arrested the suspect after investigation. FIA Special Judge-1 Muhammad Arshad Ali sentenced the manager 21-year rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs2.1m.
Wednesday August 16, 2017
Business
pakistan may soon be ineligible for wB loans ISLAMABAD
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n an emerging development, Pakistan may soon become ineligible for Pinancial assistance from one of the two main arms of the World Bank Group – the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), as the country’s ofPicial foreign currency reserves are rapidly getting slimmer. One of the key conditions for qualifying for IBRD loans is that the loanseeking country should have ofPicial foreign currency reserves equivalent to three months of import bill. Pakistan was touching that border line as its reserves stood at
overseas pakistanis remit $1.54 billion KARACHI
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$14.3 billion. These reserves include $3.9 billion in short-term borrowings by the central bank. By excluding the short-term forward con-
notification repealing nAB ordinance in Sindh issued
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verseas Pakistani workers remitted $1541.67 million in the first month (July) of FY18 as compared with $1328.18 million received during the same period in the preceding year. During July 2017, the inflow of worker’s remittances amounted to $1541.67 million, which is 16.2 percent less than June 2017 and 16 percent more than July 2016. The country wise details for the month of July 2017 show that inflows from Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA, UK, GCC countries (including Bahrain.
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tracts, the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) net reserves will come down to $10.4 billion, according to the central bank data.
Sources in a multilateral lending agency and the Ministry of Finance told The Express Tribune that gross foreign currency reserves may slip below the threshold of three-month import cover either in the last week of August or the Pirst week of September. In order to rein in the declining reserves, the Ministry of Finance will have to immediately look for ways to ramp up the critical pool of foreign currency. Since the end of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) assistance programme 11 months ago, Pakistan’s ofPicial foreign currency reserves have dropped $4.2 billion. Responding to the development, a spokesman for the Ministry of Finance said the SBP’s reserves totalled $14.398 billion on August 4, 2017, which were adequate for 3.2 months of imports.
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KARACHI
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he provincial government on ofPicially ended the jurisdiction of the National Accountability Bureau Ordinance (NAO) 1999 in the province. A notiPication issued by the law ministry directed authorities to print the NAO 1999 repeal bill 2017. With the new law in effect, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) will now only be mandated to probe and hear cases related to the
federal government’s institutions as its authority in the province will be replaced with the Sindh Accountability Commission. On July 3, the Sindh Assembly passed the ‘anti-NAB bill’, which seeks to revoke NAB’s power in the province. The bill was vehemently opposed by opposition members of the house. The opposition members also staged a walkout from the provincial assembly in protest of the anti-NAB bill. MQM-Pakistan leader Faisal Subzwari, speaking to the media, rejected the bill saying it was an attempt to cover the irregularities carried out by
the corrupt. Meanwhile, An accountability court (AC) handed over the custody of a former planning and development director of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on a period of 10 days. Naeem Akthar is alleged to have his involvement in the misappropriation of university funds worth over Rs80 million. The accused is also alleged to have misused his powers and granted illegal contracts to misappropriate huge amount of funds, and in doing so caused a great loss to the national exchequer.
pAc decides to take up fresh audit reports ISLAMABAD
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ublic Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament decided to refer audit paras related to old fiscal years to the sub-committees of PAC to finish the backlog. However, the PAC had decided to take up the audit paras of fiscal year 2016-17 for discussion. Chairman PAC Syed Khursheed directed the Auditor General to refer the old audit paras to the sub-committees. The audit paras of 2012-13 would be discussed in sub-committee headed by Ms. Shahida Akhtar, audit paras of 2013-14 to committee headed by Sardar Ashiq Gopang, 2014-15 Syed Naveed Qamar and 2015-16’s audit paras to committee headed by Shafqat Mahmood. Syed Khursheed Shah said the decision would help to improve the performance of PAC, saying now the officers have not to answer about old issues in main committee. Azam Sawati said it was a historical decision, which would held to improve the accountability level for various ministries. Meanwhile, Enhancing the country’s exports and achieving its trade targets is the ultimate priority of the government, remarked Federal Minister for Commerce and Textile Pervez Malik.
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Microcredit grows 47.3% to rs136.9 billion ISLAMABAD
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he microPinance sector witnessed 47.3 percent growth in its aggregate micro-credit portfolio, which grew to Rs136.9 billion till December (2016-17) compared to the corresponding period of last Piscal year. During the corresponding period Piscal year 201516, the micro-credit portfolio stood
at Rs92.99 billion, according to the ofPicial data. The number of borrowers also registered an impressive growth of 21.7 percent, increasing to around 4.6 million at the end of the period, the data revealed. At the close of quarter ended in December FY17, around 51 institutions were involved in providing microPinance services, which included eleven deposit taking microPinance banks (MFBs) while others were Non-Bank MicroPinance Institutions
(NB-MFIs). The NB-MFIs continued to serve a large number of borrowers i.e. 57% during the period under review. However, MFBs took lead in terms of the aggregate value of loans and served 66% clients and average loan size of Rs43,433, which were more than twice the size of loans offered by their non-banking contestant i.e. Rs 17,739. On year on year basis, the sector was able to expand its retail business network to 3,220 locations as
of December FY17, adding 260 new business locations across the country compared to the corresponding period of 2015. At the close of 3rd quarter of FY2017, eleven deposit taking microPinance banks (MNFBs) were involved in extending complete range of micro-banking services. The aggregate loan portfolio of MFBs grew by 57 percent to reach Rs100.7 billion compared to Rs64 billion in corresponding period of last year. Likewise, the number of
borrowers increased from 1.6 million to 2.08 million registered an increase of 31 percent. The deposit base of MFBs managed to exceed Rs120.4 billion compared to Rs66.3 billion in March 2016 with a corresponding increase of 109 percent in outreach of deposit services made available to over 22.6 million depositors. At the close of period MFBs were successfully operating thorough a network of 712 branches, according to data.
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Russian PC market grows 4.6% in Q2 MOSCOW: Imports of PCs to Russia grew by 4.6 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of this year, reports Cnews.ru. The desktop PC market jumped by 32 percent, the mono-block PC market tripled, and the notebook market declined. PC imports to the Russian market totaled 1.2 million units in April-June, according to the study from the company IDC. HP led with 20.1 percent of the market, Lenovo followed with 19.7 percent, and Acer took 18.4 percent. The market shares of Asus and Dell totaled 12 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively. Imports of desktop PCs increased by 32.1 percent to 435,000 units. HP led the segment, followed by Lenovo, Acer, iRU and Depo Computers. Imports of mono-block PCs soared by 165.7 percent. Imports of notebooks totaled 767,000 units, down by 6.5 percent.
fcci demands repayment of refund claims FAISALABAD
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Wednesday August 16, 2017
Chambers
Lcci, Lgu signs Mou to enhance ties between both institutions
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ngineer Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), has congratulated Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on his election as new Prime Minister of Pakistan. In a statement issued, he said the victory of Abbasi has proved that he is not only popular among the masses but also enjoys the maximum support of the parliamentarians. He hoped that, during his tenure, Abbasi will fully concentrate on the economic issues so that the ultimate objectives of progress and prosperity of Pakistan could be achieved at the earliest. He further hoped that the newly elected PM will give due importance to the textile sector that is earning precious foreign exchange for the country in addition to providing jobs
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to more than 38% workforce of Pakistan. He demanded the revival of the textile ministry which would reactivate a committed, dynamic and visionary minister who could steer this important sector out of the protracted crisis. Engineer Muhammad Saeed Sheikh further said the continuous decline in textile export is only due to non-payment of refund claims of income tax and sales tax to the exporters which are lying pending for the last many years. He said approximately Rs300billion has thus been stuck up with the FBR and exporters are facing liquidity crunch. He said these refund claims are the right of the exporters. President FCCI also mentioned Rs180billion Textile Package announced by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and said his government had issued notification for the release of Rs60billion under this package from January 01 to June 30, 2017.
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he Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Lahore Garrison University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish long term, sustainable and mutually benePicial cooperation in areas of bilateral interest for promoting research, industrial linkages, training, education and employment opportunities between the two institutions. The LCCI President Abdul Basit and Vice Chancellor of Lahore Garrison University Major General ® Ubaid Bin Zikaria signed the MOU. The LCCI Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa and convener LCCI Standing Committee on Industry Academia Linkage Umer Saleem also spoke on the occasion. According to the MOU, Lahore Garrison University will appoint focal person in different standing committees of LCCI for smooth coordination between LGU and LCCI. Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization of LGU will work closely on applied research
projects for mutual benefit. LCCI will help LGU students in finding internships with LCCI member companies. LCCI and LGU will celebrate Industry Academia Week every year at LCCI and LGU by holding different events which would bridge the gap between industry and Academia. The LCCI President Abdul Basit said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry has declared 2017 the year of Industry-Academia Linkage and in this connection,
the LCCI has established close linkages with the education department. He said that the Lahore Chamber has signed MOUs with various public and private universities including LUMS, FC University, COMSATS and Lahore Collage for Women University. He said that the LCCI provides internship opportunities to the students and LGU can also refer its students to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He said that both organizations should develop collab-
pak-Brazil to strengthen more trade ties FAISALABAD
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akistan-Brazil Business Council (PBBC) will be established very soon to give a quantum jump to bilateral trade between the two countries, said Mr. Claudio Lins Ambassador of Brazil in Pakistan. He was addressing a meeting in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) here today. He told that honorary consular of Brazil in Lahore Mr. Hassan Mansha, Mr. Umar Farooq of Peshawar and Mr. Umar Jaffar of Jaffar Group Karachi are working on it along with other leading businessmen who are already dealing with their Brazilian counterparts. He said that after formal inauguration of Pakistan-Brazil Business Council, a dinner will be arranged in Islamabad during next
few months. He assured that the ofPice bearers of the FCCI would also be invited to attend this function. Responding to a question about an honorary consular from Faisalabad, he requested President FCCI to nominate at least two persons so that he could forward this proposal to his government. He said that preferably these persons should have already business linkages with Brazil. Responding to yet another question about China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said that there is no clarity about the projects undertaken under this mega infrastructure project. However, he said that Pakistan needs investment and technology to upgrade its industrial sector. He also gave a detailed presentation on Brazilian expertise in hydro electric and renewable energy resources and said that Pakistan
needs medium dams which could really help your country to fulPill its energy needs without adding carbon in the already over saturated environment. He told that Brazil is meeting its 60 % electricity needs from hydroelectric projects after China and USA. “The climate changes have also necessitated the use of safe and green energy”, he said and added that his country can help Pakistan in this sector. He said that Pakistan has a welldeveloped sugar industry which could also produce Ethanol and Alcohol which could be utilized or exported as a cheap bio fuel. He said that he will visit University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) to discuss collaboration between the universities of the two countries working on the production of cheap and safe bio fuel.
oration in Research & Development sector. Convener of the Standing Committee on Industry Academia Linkage Umer Saleem said that the committee members have visited various universities to gain the trust and to provide confidence to academia. He also threw threw light on the aims and objectives of the committee. He said that MOU between the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Lahore Garrison University would go a long way.
AJkcci inks integrated industrial development plan n integrated industrial plan has been linked by the AJK Chamber of Commerce & industry with the coordination of AJK government to encourage and promote local and foreign investment in trade and industrial sector especially by the UK-based Kashmiri expatriates in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. President of AJK Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sohaib Saeed told APP here on Friday that chamber has already moved recommendations to the AJK government by devising a strategy for early revival of over 70 sick Industrial units located in Mirpur and Bhimbher districts. He said that in the light of various proposals the AJK government has assured to encourage and boost the foreign investment in the trade. –CB Report
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Customs Intelligence seizes 97,000-litre Iranian diesel FAISALABAD: Directorate of Customs Intelligence has raided an illegal godown, situated on Samundri Road, Faisalabad, and confiscated huge quantity of smuggled Iranian diesel. The raid was conducted by the special team of Customs officers of Sara-i-Muhajir and Sargogha on the information given by Customs Intelligence Director General Shaukat Ali. The raiding team seized about 97,000 litres diesel worth Rs7 million. Meanwhile, Peshawar Customs Intelligence also confiscated huge quantity of smuggled tea, which was transported to Swat, in two raids.
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
CUSTOMS BULLETIN
Hyderabad ASo seizes1000 smuggled cigarettes cartons: Akhlak khattak HYDERABAD ASLAM AnJuM QureSHi www.customsbulletin.com
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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Hyderabad has seized 1000 cartons of foreign origin smuggled non-duty-paid of Bahman cigarettes worth Rs400000 involving customs duties and taxes of Rs424000 during an action at Jacobabad. Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Hyderabad Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq ordered his staff to frustrate the smuggling attempts in the region. Additional Collector Rehmatulah Vistro received a tipoff regarding the smuggling of foreign origin smuggled and nonduty-paid cigarettes. He formed a team, comprising ASO Customs Preventive Jacobabad In-charge Aziz Katpar, Inspector Ray Abro, Inspector Nasarullah Gilal, Inspector Agha Nazir, Sepoys and a Driver, which took part in the operation. The ASO team intercepted a public transport vehicle near Jacobabad checkpost and recovered foreign origin smuggled non-dutypaid of Bahman cigarettes. Prior to the recovery of goods, the officials asked the driver for
producing documents regarding the legal import of the items but he could not prove anything lawful.
The team impounded the items under the Customs Act. A case was registered against the accused. The
case has been sent to the customs adjudication for further legal action. The ASO deposited the confis-
cated foreign origin 1000 cartons of cigarettes into the Sukkur State Warehouse.
customs detects network involved in smuggling of white spirit MULTAN
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he Customs Collectorate has detected a network operating in South Punjab during their action. According to details, Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization has unearthed a smuggling network involved in smuggling of whit spirit in the jurisdiction of Multan Customs during their interrogation. Multan
Customs has seized 60,000 liters of white spirit in their action few days ago and arrested two accused smugglers in their action. These arrested smugglers were identiPied as Nazir Khan and Wilayat Khan. Both accused were resident of Khushab area. Multan Customs Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) has probed both arrested smugglers after their about seized white spirit. During the investigation of customs it was revealed that they are operating a network of smuggling white spirit and they dumped the smuggled white spirit in the region of Kot
Rab Nawaz Vehari Road. Customs found that they have smuggled huge quantity of White Spirit and dumped this smuggle white Spirit in the warehouse of Kot Rab Nawaz. Accuse Smugglers have built a well for the storage of white spirit (carbon) which can store million of liters and owners of this smuggle white spirit are Rao Mudassar and Waseem Pathan. These two prime accused are involved in the smuggling of Iranian rigin White Spirit and they store on their Kot Rab Nawaz warehouse and they mixed this white spirit into other products
and formed POL goods. This network is supplying white spirit in the whole South Punjab through their different selling agents. Meanwhile, Seven customs employees including superintendents, inspectors, clerks and sepoys are transferred from their post. According to details, Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation has been transferred Superintendent Fareed ud Din Masood from Customs Intelligence Multan Range OfPice to Customs Collectorate Quetta. He was performing his duties in the Customs Intelligence from last three years. Super-
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intendent Qasim Alvi has been transferred from Customs Collectorate Hyderabad to Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan Range OfPice. Deputy Collector of Customs Collectorate Multan Saad Ata Rabbani has also reshufPled six employees in their orders and they are directed to join their charge with immediate effect. Inspector Zafar Iqbal have been transferred from Multan Customs Dry Port to State Warehouse Industrial Estate, Multan. Upper Division Clerk Ali Shahzad Khan was relocated State Warehouse Customs House to Multan Customs Dry Port.