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Karachi, Tue August 1, 2017
KARACHI
AFTAB CHANNA
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he Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected massive evasion of duty and taxes around Rs39
million by M/s Nestle Pakistan Limited by way of mis-declaration of classification, it is learnt. According to sources, the PCA Directorate while scrutinizing import data found that M/s Nestle Pakistan Limited, Lahore imported 18 consignments of “peach puree/peach puree concentrate”, and got them cleared by mis-declaring the classification of the imported goods under PCT 2009.8900 from Customs Port Mohammad Bin Qasim, Karachi, through their clearing agent namely M/s AAS Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd to
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avail undue/inadmissible benefit/exemption of Sales Tax vide S. No. 26 of Table-1 of the Sixth Schedule of the Sales Tax, 1990, whereas the imported goods are correctly classifiable under PCT 2007.9900. It is clarified that “puree” by name is specified in HS code 2007 under heading “jams, fruit jellies, marmalades, fruit or nut puree and fruit or nut pastes, obtained by cooking, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter.” where there is no sales tax exemption.
ASO seizes nine offending vehicles worth Rs 26.5m during different operations
Appraisement West asked to recover evaded taxes from KICT
Customs ASO impounds Rs 4m ladies Indian made cloth, Chinese locks
Quetta Customs recovers huge quantity of NDP lights of vehicles
ASO impounds smuggled vehicles, goods worth Rs 37.988 million
ASO has impounded nine offending vehicles(vehiclescarryingsmuggledgoods | See pAge 02 |
AppraisementWest has been asked to recover Rs 243.515m evaded duty & taxes | See pAge 03 |
Collectorate of Customs Preventive ASO impounds NDP Indian origin cloth | See pAge 04 |
Directorate of Customs I&I Quetta, during an action against smuggling, seized 100 | See pAge 11 |
ASO Quetta impounded various NDP vehicles and smuggled goods | See pAge 16 |
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ATIR reserves judgement of case filed by M/s Pak Telecom Mobile Ltd Tuesday, August 1, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) Account Member Dr Ghulam Mujtaba Bhatti has reserved a decision on M/s Pak Telecom Mobile Limited’s case in which the company had contested a show cause notice issued by the field offices of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The bench heard the arguments in the case for several days and then reserved the decision on it. The bench will announce the decision in coming week. According to details, M/s Pak Telecom Mobile Limited had challenged a recovery notice issued to it by the LTU, Islamabad.
Islamabad
ASo seizes nine offending vehicles worth rs 26.5m during different operations
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
m FAiZAN
TAriQ DerYA
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he Directorate General, Customs Intelligence and Investigation, FBR Rawalpindi, has once again caught M/s Smart Zone Private Limited Peshawar Goods and seized the company’s foreign origin miscellaneous electronic items worth millions of rupees on the charges of smuggling. The M/s Smart Zone produced the Goods Declaration LAPR-HC13,149 dated 7th of March 2017 before the Rawalpindi Directorate General Customs I&I but, after the verification of the GDs, anti-smuggling staff rejected it. According to sources, the produced documents were examined with the confiscated goods and found irrelevant while sales tax invoices were not available, so the foreign origin goods were converted into seizure under the section 168 of Customs Act1969. Notices under Section 171 ibid have been also issued to the M/s Smart Zone Company through representatives of the foreign origin goods. According to details of seized items, Samsung LEDs, Color SUHD TVs 65” 9 series quantum dot display (Made in Egypt), Sony Bravia 48” 120.9 cm W 65D and Sony Bravia Color LED TV 32” (Made in Malaysia) are included in the non-dutypaid smuggled goods.
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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has impounded nine offending vehicles (vehicles carrying smuggled goods) and various kinds of smuggled goods worth Rs 26.5 million from 15th to 21st of July during the financial year 2017-18. Talking to Customs Today, Deputy Collector ASO Anser Anees said that the ASO showed outstanding performance by seizing nine vehicles worth Rs 9.2 million. Anser Anees said that from 15th to 21st of July, the ASO also seized 954 kilogram of foreign origin cloth worth Rs 0.488 million whereas the ASO seized 24,264 kilogram of food grain worth Rs 1.088 million. The ASO Islamabad seized 999 kilogram of black tea worth of Rs 0.283 million, she said. The deputy collector said that the ASO seized 30 tyres worth Rs 0.045 million, 987 kilogram auto spare parts worth Rs 0.305 million, 42 kilogram of alloy rims worth Rs 0.0173 million, 4,659 electronic goods worth Rs 11.680 million and miscellaneous smuggled goods worth Rs 3.469 million from 15th to 21st of July during the financial year 2017-18. Anser Anees said that from the beginning of new financial year 2017-18 the ASO performing with good performance
rawalpindi customs catches m/s Smart Zone again on smuggling charges
and hope that it will continue its same efforts throughout the current financial year 2017-18. Meanwhile, The Customs Dry Port Islamabad generated Rs32.00million more Customs Duty (CD) during 20 days of July Financial Year (FY) 2017-18 than the whole month of corresponding July FY16-17. The Dry Port Islamabad earned Rs150.44million of CD during 20 days of July FY17-18 whereas it did
Rs118.815million of CD during July FY16-17. According to details given to Customs Today by Amanat Khan, Assistant Collector Dry Port, that during the last months of Financial Year 2016-17, the assigned targets were very high but, with the guidance of Collector Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad Dr. Arslan, the dry port surpassed its yearly allocated target with surplus amount of Rs240million.He said the govern-
ment has imposed ban on some of old spare parts like cabin of vehicle, nose cut and half cut during the financial budget of FY2017-18 and rest of old spare parts of vehicles are allowed to import. He said the dry port exceeded its yearly target with unlimited struggle by the supporting staff of the Dry Port Islamabad like appraisers, clerical staff, inspectors and superintendents and other unnamed staff.
Customs stays surplus with rs182.3m of all duty & taxes
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ISLAMABAD
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he Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad generated Rs182.3million of surplus All Duty and Taxes during 21 days of July Financial Year FY201718 against the revenue collection of the 1st to 21st of July FY16-17. The MCC Islamabad earned Rs594.67million of all duty taxes during above said period of
FY2017-18 against the collection of Rs457.00million during the same period of 2016-17. According to details given by Collector MCC Islamabad Dr. Arslan, collectorate received surplus amount of revenue against the same period of corresponding financial year. During above said period, the MCC Islamabad collected Rs200.82million of Customs Duty (CD) whereas it did Rs154.25million under the same head during the 1st to 21 July FY16-17.
The MCC Islamabad got surplus amount of Rs46million of CD against the corresponding year of FY16-17. During above said period, the collectorate of Islamabad earned Rs264.75million of Sales Tax (ST) against the collection of Rs18million of ST during corresponding period. The collectorate received Rs122.14million of Income Tax (IT) during 21 days of July 17-18 while it did Rs98.98million of IT during the same period of corresponding FY2016-17.
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Customs Court grants bail to suspect in mis-declaration case KARACHI: Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has granted bail to suspect, Rana Imtiaz Ashraf of M/s Dua Enterprises who was booked in a mis-declaration case. During the hearing, counsel for the suspect moved a bail application, submitting that his client was innocent and was falsely implicated in this case. He said his client was ready to face trail, therefore, the court may grant him bail till final order in this case. After the arguments, the court granted him bail and issued notices to the special prosecutor for customs department and investigation officer, directing them to file comments on the next date of hearing.
Customs Court grants bail to owner of NDp Toyota Surf
Tuesday August 1, 2017
Karachi
Appraisement west asked to recover evaded taxes from kiCT
KARACHI
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ustoms Taxation and AntiSmuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has granted interim pre-arrest to suspect, Syed Yasir Ahmed, who was booked in a case of smuggled/ non-duty paid Toyota Surf jeep bearing registration number BF-6761. During proceedings, the court also issued notices to the special prosecutor for customs department, directing them to file their respective comments on the next date of hearing. During the hearing, counsel for the suspect moved an application for pre-arrest bail and after arguments, the court granted his bail against the surety bonds of Rs 100,000.
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ASo busts smuggled goods worth rs 50m KARACHI
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irectorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has been showing a tremendous performance during the last two weeks. According to sources, on the directives of the higher authorities, the ASO has beefed up its surveillance and has increased checking at all the internal and external points of the city. Sources informed Customs Today that due to beefing up of surveillance, the informers were able to give authentic information about the culprits involved in the heinous crime. The ASO busted a huge quantity of contraband items, including thousands of liters smuggled Iranian origin high speed diesel, luxury non-duty paid vehicles and mobile phones during the last two week.
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KARACHI
AFTAB CHANNA
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he Customs Collectorate Appraisement West has been asked to recover Rs 243.515 million evaded duty and taxes from the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) Limited at the earliest, it is learnt. The sources told Customs Today that Deputy Director of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Karachi Sajid Ali Baloch has forwarded a letter to Deputy Collector, Recovery Cell of the Customs Appraisement West about the huge recovery from the KICT. According to sources, the Customs Appellate Tribunal-III Karachi headed by Chairman/Member Judicial Justice (retd) Malik Mazoor Hussain and Member Technical-I Karachi Zulfikar A Kazmi has dismissed the appeal of the respondent vide Customs Appeal No K-1307 of 2015 dated 7.6.2017. By this judgement we intend to dispose of the instant appeal filed by the appellant against ONO 646/2014-15 dated 22.6.2015 passed by the Collector of Customs Adjudication-I Custom House Karachi. Brief facts of the case are that the appellant cleared two units of imported super brand used quay cranes complete with spreader, standard accessories, fittings and spare etc through their clearing agent M/s Port Connection Private Limited by availing benefits of se-
rial no 16 of SRO 575(I)/2006 dated 5.6.2006 without fulfilling the mandatory requirement of valid approval issued by the Board of Investment for availing the said exemptions. BoI had examined the case in light of the input sought from Engineering Development Board (EDB) and conveyed to the Federal Board of Revenue that import of used machinery such as Quay Crane do not fall within the scope of SRO 575(I)/2006 dated
Director of post Clearance Audit pCA karachi Sajid Ali Baloch has forwarded a letter to Deputy Collector, recovery Cell of the Customs Appraisement west about the huge recovery from the kiCT
Citizen moves SHC for release of dumper
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KARACHI
m B rANA
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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has adjourned the hearing of a constitutional petition filed by Gul Wali, seeking release of his 10 wheeler dumper fitted with hydraulic bearing registration number TKY-960. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Yousaf Ali Sayeed, was hearing
the petition. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that officials of the customs department intercepted the vehicle near Sukkar check post and driver was asked to produce legal documents of the said vehicle. During the checking, it was found that the vehicle was made of different used parts. The counsel argued that Wali is the lawful owner of the said vehicle and seizing of his vehicle is illegal, unlawful and abuse of power. Being
aggrieved, he moved to appellate tribunal which directed the customs department to release the said vehicle, however, order is not being complied by officials of the customs department. Citing Customs Appellate Tribunal, Bench-I, Collector of Customs Hyderabad, Superintendent Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Sukkar as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to direct the respondent to release his vehicle immediately.
5.6.2006 for availing the concessionary rate of duty. Hence the appeal was refused issuance of mandatory permission/certificate required for availing the given exemption of taxes under SRO 575(I)/06 dated 5.6.2006. However, the appellant succeeded in clearance of the impugned goods on payment of 5 percent custom duty and 5 percent advance income tax and without payment of sales tax and additional sales tax.
Tax evasion bid aborted by pQ Customs odel Custom Collectorate Port Qasim has foiled a bid to evade the duty and taxes amounting to Rs12.36million by M/s Sufyan Trading Company through mis-declaration. M/s Sufyan Trading Company filed a Goods Declaration seeking clearance of a flexible rubber sheets consignment with flaps of Japan.
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Customs ASO impounds non duty paid Toyota Premio Tuesday August 1, 2017
Lahore
LAHORE: Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has detained illegally imported Toyota Premio Car near the area of The Mall. The official source said that on information the Customs authorities intercepted a Toyota Premio car bearing registration no: LEC/ 967 and demanded legal documents from the driver who introduced himself as Sarwat Hakeem a resident of Shakargarh district Narowal. The sources said that the customs authorities after detaining the car have allowed the owner of the car to produce legal documents with two and three days.
Customs court grants bail to two accused mobile-phone smugglers LAHORE
m imrAN meHAr
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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has approved the post-arrest bail pleas of the accused arrested in mobile smuggling case. According to details, accused Abdul Waheed and Agha Wali had been apprehended by the customs intelligence authorities from The Mall Lahore. On Saturday customs court approved their post arrest bails and ordered their release. The bails of the accused were approved by Customs Judge Shakeel Ahmad against the cash guarantee of Rs500000 each. Earlier, the customs intelligence and investigation team had presented them before the customs
Customs Central region collects rs 1,179 million he Customs Central Region has collected Rs 1,179 million customs duty during the first 15 days of July 2017. Sources told Customs Today that the Customs Appraisement Lahore collected Rs 653 million customs duty while the Customs Preventive Lahore collected Rs 350 million during the period under review. While on the other hand, the Collectorate of Multan under the supervision of Collector Saud Imran Ahmed collected Rs 39 million customs duty (CD) during month of July 2017. In the same way, the Collectorate of Customs Faisalabad under the supervision of Collector Mohammad Sadiq collected Rs136 million customs duty during the month. Overall the Central Region collected all duty and taxes from all the four Collectorates worth Rs 1179 million to achieve the targets. –CB Report
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court for getting their physical remand to investigate more on the issue. Both accused Agha Wali and Abdul Waheed were supplying mobile phones to some traders of Hall Road which is the largest mobile phones market in Lahore, even in Punjab. They were held when customs intelligence team intercepted them on The Mall and recovered a huge number of mobile phones of different brands. The customs intelligence had recovered 324 mobile phones fro them. The value of the recovered mobile phones is over Rs06million in the local market. The customs had registered a case against the accused and launched an investigation as well after confiscating the cell phones that they were trying to smuggle into Lahore. A case had been registered by the customs authorities under Pakistan Customs Act-1969.
ASo impounds rs 4m ladies indian made cloth, Chinese locks LAHORE
m HAYAT
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ollectorate of Customs Preventive Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) impounds non duty paid Indian origin cloth and Chinese lock near Kot Abdul Malik Interchange Motorway. Sources told Customs Today that ASO authorities received credible information about some smuggling attempts. The ASO authorities constituted a team under the supervision of Superintendent Nasir Minhas which also included Deputy Superintendent Agha Qadeer, Inspector, Shahid Bhatti, Inspector Mansoor Elahi, Gulzar Bhatti and Tariq Baig. The ASO team enhanced their checking and intercepted a Bedford truck bearing registration no: C-8732 (D.I. Khan). During checking of vehicle the ASO team
Accused mobile-phone smuggler bailed by federal customs court
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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has disposed of a post-arrest bail of an accused held in mobile smuggling case. According to details, an accused Agha Farukh was apprehended by the customs investigation authorities from Faisalabad after investigation from accused Tayab Manzoor who is on judicial remand now. Accused Agha Farukh is a facilitator of Tayab Manzoor in smuggling of mobile phones. Earlier, the customs taxation and anti-
smuggling court had approved a 14day judicial remand of the accused held by the customs authorities from Faisalabad. According to sources of Customs Today, accused Tayab Manzoo was booked by the customs preventive at the Faisalabad International Airport when he reached there from Bahrain. Accused Tayab was travelling by a flight of the Gulf Airways. During a search, customs preventives recovered mobile phones from his luggage that he was trying to smuggle into Faisalabad. –CB Report
recovered iron padlock of China origin, Indian origin cloth 4500 kilograms. The market value of seized cloth is Rs3.5 million. The ASO team asked the driver of the vehicle to produce legal documents regarding possession and transportation of these goods and cloth, but he remained failed to produce any relevant documents. After
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his failure the ASO team seized the vehicle and goods and after registering a case against accused persons started further investigations. It is necessary to mention here that Customs ASO is showing tremendous performance . During recent past ASO teams during different operations thwarted many attempts of smuggling through adopting comprehensive strategy.
Tribunal adjourns hearing of 13 cases he Customs Appellate Tribunal’s Division Bench-II (single and double), comprising Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Member Technical Imran Tariq, heard 13 cases and adjourned all of them until the next hearing. A single bench of the Customs Appellate Tribunal, comprising Omer Arshad Hakeem, heard five cases including Allah Rakah & Brothers versus Field Intelligence Unit DG Khan, Muhammad Asgher versus Customs Lahore, Directorate Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore versus ANQ Traders, Customs Lahore versus Muhammad
Javaid and Customs Lahore versus Tasawar Hussain. The tribunal division bench-II heard 8 cases of Jealan Logistic versus Customs Faisalabad, AlRehman Fabrics versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad, Customs Faisalabad versus Sweety Textile, Customs Multan versus Kakub Enterprises, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad versus Muhammad Arif. Furthermore, the tribunal heard Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad versus Muhammad Akram, Gogha Shahbaz versus Directorate of I&I Faisalabad. –CB Report
Lahore NAB recovers rs 50 million since Jan
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LAHORE
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he National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has recovered Rs50.407 million from corrupt people since January 2017, taking the total recovered amount since its inception to Rs58.16 billion. A spokesman for the Lahore NAB
said the recovered amount has been deposited in the national kitty and reimbursed to the affected people. NAB Lahore Director General Shahzad Saleem said the regional bureau had exposed numerous mega corruption cases since its inception in 1999. He said the bureau arrested 1,161 culprits, including bureaucrats, businessmen, real estate agents, police officials and government and
non-government personnel. The director general said that 85 criminals had been arrested since he assumed charge of as head of the Lahore Region in April 2017. This is a record made by the NAB Lahore in just four months. As many as 126 arrests were made in 2016. He said that NAB Lahore had received 48,437 complaints since 1999 and 47,907 of them had been disposed off till now. At least
3,331 complaint verifications were authorized, 3,208 of them were disposed off and 659 were referred to other departments. Furthermore, 2,099 inquiries have been authorised since inception of the bureau, 1,951 of them have been disposed off and 148 are under process. Total authorised investigations are 1,225, 1,139 investigations have been disposed off so far and 86 are under process.
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ember Customs, Federal Board of Revenue, Zahid Khokhar has disclosed that a project of Electronic Data Interchange between Pakistan and China has been completed and the system is ready to be launched. ‘There is no delay from our side’. Pakistan is waiting for a green signal from China. We are also working on Electronic Data Interchange Project with UAE and Afghanistan but this project will take some time. This was stated by Member Customs Zahid Khokhar while giving an interview to Customs Today. He remarked that I have appointed honest and staunch Customs Officers in all the field formations with this direction that eradicate the menace of corruption and facilitate the importers and exporters according to rules and regulations. He told CT that, during last Financial Year (2016-17), Customs has showed marvelous performance and achieved the customs duty collection target with 23 percent growth and hoped that we will achieved the target of current financial year too.
Pakistan Customs has collected Rs496billion record revenue in Financial Year 2016-17 against the set revenue target of Rs461billion. He said we formulated a strategy for sharing the burden of Karachi ports with the dry ports which were established in Punjab and other provinces so that the burden of containers could be distributed. Because there is a lot of burden of imports at all the ports of Karachi therefore customs officers
ointed ve app a h i t fficers tha oms o arked t s m u e C r He h this aunch ns wit and st o t i s t e a n ace ho orm e men field f h e t h e t t l a in al e eradic ate th n that o i t facilit c e d to n dir a i tion ord ng p c c u r a r s o r of c porte and ex s r tions e t r regula impo d n a s rule
need sufficient time to check and examine the containers which is not possible in short time. He said the Federal Board of Revenue’s burden sharing project has been failed by the Punjab government as it levied Rs0.9 percent infrastructure development cess in the current financial year’s budget (2017-18) on the ‘goods manufactured, produced or consumed in the province, goods imported into or exported out of the province’. The tax has directly hit the cost of goods, he stressed. The cess is being received at a fixed rate of 0.90pc of the total value of the goods as assessed for the Customs purpose which will be used for maintenance, development and improvement of the infrastructure in the province. Now importers are giving priority to Karachi ports for receiving their containers there because the cost of container has increased at dry ports, he maintained. In response to a question, he said all the evaluation rulings and their classifications are available on the FBR website for importers when importers log in on the FBR then automatically the FBR system evaluates the goods. He said Pakistan Customs has improved with the passage of time and we are ready to meet the future challenges.
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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
Case of gDp growth
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ccording to economic survey released by the Ministry of Finance, Pakistan’s growth rate has reached 5.28 percent which is not only the nine-year high, but also more than the estimated rate of 5.2 percent projected by the Asian Development Bank for 201617. In a report earlier appeared in April, the Asian Development Outlook had projected the growth rate at 5.2 percent, but increase in the gross domestic product more than expectation is being seen as promising in the given situation of the country. The bank attributes the economic growth to the revival of agriculture and services sectors and steady expansion in the construction industry where as the private sector has come as the largest investor. The bank has now projected growth rate at 5.5 percent for the current fiscal year. Overall, the bank predicts that the economic outlook for South Asia will remains robust and the regional economies will gain a high growth rate during the current fiscal year. The bank has upgraded the regional growth outlook from 5.7 percent to 5.9 percent for the current fiscal year and from 5.7 percent to 5.8 percent for 2018-19. However, the bank takes a cautious view on the sustainability of the possible export push. The report also predicts that the economic growth prospects have improved in Asia on the basis of stronger-than-expected export demand during the first quarter of this year. The Developing Asia has taken a good start where exports have improved, and have pushed the growth prospects for the rest of the current fiscal year. As a matter of fact, various world economies are facing recession and the lingering uncertainties are casting doubts on the economies. However, the bank deems the regional economies are well placed to face the challenges of any potential shock any time during the year. The world outlook of the economy is changing as the developing nations have started showing signs of recovery in this region. South Asia is the most populous region and it is hoped the human resources will have leading role in the development of various sectors of the respective economies. The bank puts the combined growth for the major industrial economies at 1.9 percent for the next two years.
pakistan trade with uS A
LAHORE
Dr AFTAB AFZAL
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ccording to Commercial Counsellor of the United States Stephen P Knode, the small and medium enterprises of his country are willing to launch joint ventures with Pakistani entrepreneurs. In his views, this is the best opportunity for the local businessmen to get new technology, capital and a huge export market in his country. Despite having close political and defense relations, economic relations neither remained a priority for the United States nor for Pakistan due to their respective domestic reasons. Trade between Pakistan and America never picked up to a
desired level but remained at the lowest ebb. Pakistan is 57th trading partner with the United States and the two way trade stood at mere $5.5 billion during 2016. The United States goods exports to Pakistan totaled $2.1 billion while its imports totaled $3.4 billion. The US trade deficit with Pakistan remained $1.3 billion in 2016. In contrast, Malaysia, which started economic journey very late than Pakistan, has close trade relations with US and its exports stand at $32.5 billion and imports only $11.5 billion with the country. The United States is the economy of the world and business with that country is the guarantee to the progress. The US envoy rightly empha-
sised the need for promoting bilateral trade under commercial diplomacy. He says that the US embassy has shifted the offices of the commercial counsellor from Islamabad to Karachi, which is the main hub of business and industrial activities. The commercial presence is also ensured in Faisalabad which contributes 20 percent to the gross domestic product of Pakistan. Against the US efforts for promotion of business and trade activities, the Pakistani officials are certainly not ready to wake up from deep slumber. The world business dynamics are changing at a fast rate and sooner the policymakers in this country learn new economic realities the better.
According to reports, the USPakistan Business Opportunities Conference is regularly been organized to create awareness about the business opportunities between the two nations. The Pakistani bureaucracy should now stop learning Indian commercial syllabus and use their own brain to devise their economic policies. When the Pakistani officials say they want trade and not aid with the United States, they should put their words into action. Despite China’s rise, US is still leader of the world in business and trade and the Pakistani private sector should be encouraged to set up joint ventures with their counterparts in that country.
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KP NAB probing mega corruption cases: DG PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Director General Brig Farooq Naser Awan has said that corruption is the biggest impediment in economic progress of Pakistan. Addressing a cheque distribution here Monday, he said KP NAB is actively probing into mega corruption scams proactively. Several cases are also referred by the Peshawar High Court which shows confidence in the bureau. The NAB Director General handed-over cheques amounting to Rs23.955 million to Raza Ullah, Additional Secretary Finance Department Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The amount was recovered from Zard Ali Khan, Chief Engineer C&W Dept Peshawar investigation into illegal assets. During the course of inquiry, it was revealed that the accused Zard Ali Khan Chief Engineer C&W Department enjoyed posting at very lucrative position including Chief Engineer PERRA and piled assets worth millions of rupees.
Customs Adjudication issues notice to owner of NDp Honda Civic
Tuesday August 1, 2017
National
m/S raja Steel moves SHC against suspension of its sale tax registration
LAHORE
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he Customs Adjudication Superintendent vide Contravention Case No. 151/2017 dated 27.4.2017 endorsed vide C.No. 01/ASO/103/2017/386 dated 12.6.2017 issued notice to owner of non duty paid Honda Civic car which were impounded by Anti Smuggling Organization team. According to the details, that information was received that a non duty paid Honda Civic car was plying in the city bearing registration no: GA13-800. Customs ASO team enhanced their checking and intercepted the above said vehicle near Liberty Market Lahore. The person
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who was driving the car introduced himself as Tariq Mahmood Sindhu son of Zafarullah Khan resident of Sangla Hill. The ASO team asked him to produce legal documents regarding possession of the vehicle. He provided photo copies of amnesty clearance documents i.e. ONO No. 258/2013 dated 28.3.2013 along with delivery order No. SI/Amnesty/258/2013 showing legal clearance of vehicle. The ASO team forwarded the documents to Customs Appraisement Karachi which informed that the said amnesty documents are fake. The Customs ASO team impounded the vehicle and forwarded the case to Customs Adjudication. Now Customs Adjudication issued a show cause notice to the owner of the vehicle asking him to appear in person on 20.7.2017 to explain his position.
KARACHI
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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the tax department and deputy attorney general on a constitutional petition filed by M/S Raja Steel against suspension of its sale tax registration by Commissioner Inland Revenue Zone-II Large Taxpayers Unit-II. While the hearing of petition, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Yousaf Ali Sayeed also directed them to file their respective para wise comments on the next date of hearing, and adjourned the hearing for July 26, 2017. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated in its petition through proprietor Muhammad Shamim Bakhshi that petitioner is engaged in manufacturing of basic iron and steel products and continuously filing his monthly sales tax return an e-portal with Federal Board of Revenue. According to the petitioner, all the sudden the petitioner has been served a show cause notice dated 07/07/2017 under section 21
(2) of the sales tax act, 1990 and suspension of sales tax registration of the petitioner by the Commissioner Inland Revenue Zone-II Large Taxpayers Unit-II. Citing chairman Federal Board of Revenue and commissioner Inland
Revenue Zone-II Large Taxpayers Unit-II as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondent is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary, counsel also pleaded the court may restrain the respondent its agents/ officials for blacklisting to the
petitioner subsequent to the suspension order passed by the commissioner Inland Revenue Zone-II Large Taxpayers Unit-II. Petitioner pleaded the Sindh High Court may direct the respondent to restore his sales tax registration immediately.
rs26b property tax collected in punjab last year PESHAWAR
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roperty owners in Punjab paid Rs 26 billion as tax on their properties during the last fiscal year, ending on June 30, 2017. Director General Punjab Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Muhammad Akram Ashraf said this while talking to APP here on Monday. He said collection of such a huge amount showed hard work on the part of officials of his department as well as trust of masses in the provincial government. He said property tax record had been computerised in 18 districts of the province including Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, Bahawalpure and Narowal. In the remaining districts, work would be completed till De-
cember 2017, he added. The DG said computerised tax notices were being issued to the taxpayers in districts where property tax record had been computerised. He said 5% tax concession
was offered to those who would pay their property tax till Sept 30. He urged the taxpayers to benefit from the tax concession and discharge their national liability on time. “State-of-the-art facilities are be-
ing provided at this department to gain trust of people. We are also taking revolutionary steps to fight corruption and increase revenue,” he said. Akram Ashraf said vehicle data registration was also another important initiative of the Punjab government. “Centralisation of vehicles data record has enabled the owners to pay the token tax of their vehicles at any district office of Motor Registration Authority throughout the province,” he said. He said a concession of 10% was available on token tax of vehicles till July 30, 2017. He said after this date indiscriminate action would be taken against those who would fail to pay the token tax.The department had set up a helpline to facilitate public with phone number 0800-08786. Complaints and suggestions could be lodged on this helpline, he added.
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FIA arrests two for travelling on fake documents Tuesday August 1, 2017
National Assist Collector (prob) Asma granted performance allowance
SIALKOT: FIA Immigration Cell arrested two passengers Israfeel Shah and Hafeez Ullah on arrival at Sialkot international airport from Dubai for travelling on fake documents. Meanwhile, the FIA arrested a notorious human trafficker Muhammad Aslam from village Pahaaripur, Daska, for sending people abroad illegally after getting big amounts. According to Khalid Anees, Divisional Deputy Director FIA, a case has been registered against the accused and they have been sent behind the bars.
Asim given additional charge of Commissioner-ir (Zone-iV)
ISLAMABAD
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ISLAMABAD
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sma Javed Paracha, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-17, selected through the process of internal job posting (IJP), has been granted performance allowance. The officer, presently posted as Assistant Collector (Prob), Model Customs Collectorate, Peshawar, was granted performance allowance (equivalent to 100 per cent of basic pay) with effect from June 23, 2017. The grant of performance allowance will be governed through the terms and conditions laid down vide Circular No. 6(96)S(BIC)/2013-14 dated 06.03.2015 and will be discontinued in case prescribed terms and conditions are not fulfilled within one month from the date of issuance of this notification. Meanwhile, Ali Saeed, a BS-17 officer of Inland Revenue Service, selected through the process of internal job posting (IJP), has been granted performance allowance.
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Dy Commissioner-ir Badar to retire on Sept 2 adar Ayub, a BS-18 officer of Inland Revenue Service, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation. The officer, presently posted as Deputy Commissioner-IR, RTO-II, Karachi, will stand retired from the government service with effect from September 2, 2017. Meanwhile, Syed Javed Ahsan, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS17, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation. The officer, presently posted as Assistant Director of Directorate General of Transit Trade, Karachi, will stand retired from the government service with effect from September 18, 2017. –CB Report
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sim Majid Khan, a BS-20 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has been assigned the additional charge of the post of Commissioner-IR (Zone-IV), Large Taxpayers Unit, Islamabad. The officer, presently posted as Commissioner-IR (Zone-I), Large Taxpayers Unit, Islamabad, was assigned the “additional charge” of the post of Commissioner-IR (Zone-IV), Large Taxpayers Unit, Islamabad till the posting of a regular incumbent. Meanwhile, Syeda Sadaf Ali Shah, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-17, selected through the process of internal job posting (IJP), has been granted performance allowance. The officer, presently
posted as Assistant Collector (Prob), Model Customs Collectorate, Peshawar, was granted performance allowance (equivalent to 100 per cent of basic pay) with effect from
July 13, 2017. The grant of performance allowance will be governed through the terms and conditions laid down vide Circular No. 6(96)S(BIC)/2013-14 dated
06.03.2015 and will be discontinued in case prescribed terms and conditions are not fulfilled within one month from the date of issuance of this notification.
AFu islamabad receives rs408m of all duties & taxes during 27 days of July T
ISLAMABAD
TAriQ DerYA
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he Customs Air Freight Unit (AFU) Islamabad collected Rs408.00million of All Duties and Taxes during the initial 27 days of the current month of July Financial Year FY2017-18. According to details given by Deputy Collector AFU Shahid Jan while talking with Customs Today, he said that, in the beginning of new financial year July 2017-18, the performance of the AFU regarding the collection of Duties and Taxes was satisfactory. During the initial 27 days of July FY17-18, the AFU earned Rs140.00million of Customs Duty whereas it generated Rs175.00million of Sales Tax and the AFU did Rs93.00million of Income Tax (IT) during the 1st to 27th of July FY17-18. Deputy Collector told CT that some huge consignments of
imported goods are expected today which will earn handsome duties and taxes. He said that by taking
some new administrative measures the AFU has created friendly atmosphere for business community. By
taking these measures, the new businessmen will be attracted towards AFU Islamabad.
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ASF arrests man for trying to smuggle heroin RAWALPINDI: The Airport Security Force (ASF) has recovered 300 gram of heroin from a man who was travelling to Dubai at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA). Finding Muhammad Nabi’s movements suspicious, ASF officials stopped and searched his luggage. They discovered 300g of heroin concealed in boxes of sweets. The ASF handed over the passenger to the Anti-Narcotics Force for further investigation. Meanwhile, 44 Pakistanis deported from Greece landed at the BBIA morning. The deported men were arrested by the immigration staff of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as soon as they disembarked. According to officials, the deported men had managed to reach Greece through a land route.
mianwali ASo seizes foreign origin non duty paid generator MIANWALI
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he Anti Smuggling Organisation (ASO) has seized used generator worth Rs 12,60,000 involving custom duty taxes Rs3,17,646. Sources told Customs Today, ASO team acting on information conveyed through the Deputy Collector Usman Tariq intercepted a Hino trailer bearing registration no: JU-4193 loaded with different goods and used Airman Hokuetsa industries Co Ltd three Phase ( 75-KVA ) generator made in Japan. The ASO staff asked to accused persons Javid Iqbal Khan to produce any documentary evidence showing the legal import and lawful possession of the generator, but he could not produce any documents relating to its legal import or lawful possession. ASO team comprising
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Superintendent Muhammad Javed Mehmood ,Inspector Azhar Hussain Jafri, Ghulam Abbas, and others took part in the raid. Meanwhile, The Field Investigation Unit (FIU), Sarai Muhajir of Customs Intelligence and Investigation, has impounded a Non-Duty-Paid Hino Cabin with registration No: LEI-16-5896 and other miscellaneous items worth Rs38million involving customs duty and taxes of Rs03million. Sources told Customs Today that Deputy Director Syed Itrat Hussain received a tip-off about a Non-DutyPaid vehicle plying on the roads. He constituted a team comprising of Saleem Ullah Khan, Superintendent, Mansoor Nasir, Intelligence Officer (IO), Tajamalul Haq, Driver (Havaldar), Muhammad Sajjad, and Khalil Ahmed, Sepoys. The FIU team intercepted the said truck near Chowk Sarai Muhajir, M.M Road, Bhakhar, loaded with braker servos HTV, driving shafts HTV, gear boxes HTV and differential hosing assembly with CWP hub with six studs HTV Hino brand.
National
Quetta Customs recovers huge quantity of non-duty paid lights of vehicles
SNgpL to clear backlog of 1m gas connection applications ISLAMABAD
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ui Northern Gas Company Limited (SNGPL) is confident to clear backlog of gas connection applications during the current fiscal year, official sources in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources said. “The SNGPL issued 1.5 million new connections since the incumbent government came into power in 2013, and hopefully the figure would reach 2.5 million till completion of its tenure,” they told APP. They said National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources had also recently recommended that the SNGPL would give two million gas connections during the current fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19. They said gas supply to consumers had witnessed great improvement after the import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), discovery of 101 oil and gas reserves during the last four years. “During tenure of the current government, 466 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) additional gas from new discoveries and 478 mmcfd gas from existing fields, while 11,149 barrels per day (bpd) oil from new finds and 21,194 bpd from existing wells have so far been added in the system,” they said.
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irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigations Quetta, during an action against smuggling, seized 100 headlights and 120 back lights of luxury vehicles which were being smuggled from Quetta to Karachi. Sources told Customs Today that Deputy Collector Customs Preventive Junaid Mehmood received credible information that some smugglers are trying to smuggle headlights and back light of luxury vehicles with another goods. He constituted a raiding team. The team enhanced vigilance in the area of Bara Market and started searching operation of vehicles. After one hour the team stop the truck, bearing registration number BS-3629, and during checking, custom officer found 100 head lights and 120 back lights of luxury vehicles. The team seized all smuggling goods and arrest one person for attempting to smuggle these items. The market value of seized goods is Rs 7.2 million. During another crackdown the Customs Quetta team seized huge quantity of non
Tuesday August 1, 2017
duty paid Iranian juice. Sources told Deputy Collector Customs Preventive Junaid Mehmood received information about Iranian juice smuggling. He immediately constituted a raiding team which inter-
cepted a mini truck and during searching recovered 200 packet of Irani juices. The Customs team after registering a case of smuggling against accused persons started further investigations.
Hyderabad Customs collects rs743.622 million
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he Model Customs Collectorate Hyderabad received Rs743.622million of customs duties and taxes during 18 days of July Fiscal Year 2017-18. According to details, the department generated Rs113.960million of customs duty, Rs605.298million of sales taxes, Rs1.250million of federal excise duty (FED) and Rs23.114million of withholding income tax (WHT) during said period. The major tax sources were dry port, Hyderabad state warehouse, Sukkur-Larkana-Huffaz Seamless
Pipe Industries, Crescent Steel, Omni Polymer Industries, Rema Cooking Oil and the Pakistan State Oil. The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) also seized non-dutypaid goods worth million of rupees during the two months. Under the supervision of Hyderabad Customs Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq, Additional Collector Rehmatulah Vistro, Deputy Collector Mushtaq Shahni, Principal Appraiser Mashuk Ali, Panhwar and Superintendent Statistical Revenue and others played an important role in revenue collection, officials said. They added that the anti-smug-
gling campaign was in full swing in the region following the direction of the Federal Board of Revenue
and Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq in order to save the national economy. During the two months.
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World Customs
Gulf countries’ FDI in Turkey soar 397%
ANKARA: Foreign direct investment (FDI) from Gulf countries in Turkey grew a staggering 397 percent to reach $552 million between January and May this year, compared to $111 million in the same period of 2016, the Economy Ministry has confirmed. According to the ministry, the positive trend in Turkey’s economy, coupled with some timely measures and incentives from its government has boosted the interest of the Gulf, Near and Middle Eastern countries, as well as from nations in the European Union (EU).
Tuesday August 1, 2017
China intensifies crackdown on smuggled, counterfeit cigarettes
woman held at for rhino horn smuggling JOHANNESBURG
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hinese tobacco authorities seized 195,000 cartons of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes in the first half of this year, the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration said. Tobacco authorities at all levels worked closely with the police and customs authorities to intensify the crackdown on smuggling gangs. A total of 2,817 counterfeit cigarette cases, each worth 50,000 yuan (7,353 U.S. dollars) or more, were solved from January to June. Law enforcement agencies captured 3,786 suspects for producing and selling counterfeit cigarettes and prosecuted 1,601 of them. China is the world’s largest cigarette producer and consumer market, with over 316 million adult smokers. The cigarette trade is gov-
Volkswagen india exports 2,50,000th car olkswagen reached a milestone when it exported its 2,50,000th locally built car. The vehicle, which happened to be a Vento, was exported to Mexico. According to the company, demand for the Polo and Vento in certain markets has been on the rise, with the latter being the third-highest selling model in Mexico. The country accounts for 80% of Volkswagen’s total export volume. The company claims that more than half of the cars produced at its Chakan plant are exported to Mexico. Volkswagen India started export operations in 2011 with South Africa being the first destination for its cars. At present, Volkswagen cars are shipped to more than 35 countries spread across North and South America, Asia and Africa. In 2016, we had reported that the company had exported 1,85,000 cars over the course of 5 years. –CB Report
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erned by a state monopoly. According to Chinese law, people who sell counterfeit products worth more than 50,000 yuan will face punishment, while severe offenders may be sentenced to life in prison. Meanwhile, A Hong Kong woman was caught late last month crossing the border into the mainland with an impressive 102 iPhones taped to her
body apparently, Shenzhen customs officers became a wee bit suspicious after noticing the woman’s unusually bulky clothing and strange stride. They ordered her to take a walk through the X-ray scanner, which promptly sounded its alarm. A check revealed not only more than a hundred iPhones, but also 15 Tissot watches that were taped around her chest.
russia’s NLmk says Q2 core earnings up 31 percent YoY
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ussia’s biggest steelmaker NLMK said its second-quarter core earnings increased 31 percent year-on-year, supported by higher prices for its products, but falling short of market expectations. NLMK, controlled by Russian billionaire Vladimir Lisin, said its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) totalled $603 million in the April-June quarter, up from $460 million in the same pe-
riod last year. Russian steelmakers such as NLMK and its closest rival, Evraz, struggled over the past two years as world steel prices plumbed 11-year lows and Russia’s economic crisis sapped domestic demand. But their prospects have improved this year due to higher metals prices and a nascent recovery in the Russian economy. NLMK’s core earnings more than doubled in the first quarter. –CB Report
outh African police arrested a 24-year-old woman with 20 kilogrames of rhino horn before boarding a flight bound for Hong Kong, a spokesman said. The woman, whose nationality has not been revealed, was detained at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport while in transit from the Zambian capital Lusaka. Police said a luggage scanner revealed her suitcase “contained 11 pieces of rhino horn weighing approximately 20 kilogrammes”. She has been charged with contravening laws that protect endangered species. South Africa is battling a scourge of rhino poaching fuelled by insatiable demand for their horn in Asia, where its powdered form is mistakenly believed to have medicinal powers that could cure cancer
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or act as an aphrodisiac. Roughly a quarter of the world rhino population has been killed in South Africa, home to 80 percent of those remaining, in the last eight years. The South African government this week revealed that 529 rhino were poached for their horns in the first half of the year, a slight decrease from 542 killed during the same period a year ago. Meanwhile, The South African government denied reports that it has approved international trade in rhino horns. “The commercial international trade in rhino horn is and remains prohibited in terms of all international protocols that South Africa is party to, particularly the Convention on International Trade in Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES),” the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) said. This came after a South African private game rancher used social websites to advertise an online auction of rhino horns, sparking concern that this could undermine the 40-year-old international ban on rhino horn trading.
Tax reform bill must be approved inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III reiterated Wednesday that the Duterte administration’s tax reform program must be approved in full or else it would not work. As the Senate tackles the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) proposal, the first package of the administration’s tax reform program, Dominguez again insisted that the bill is not anti-poor. He said everyone will benefit from tax reform, including minimum wage earners and those in the lower income brackets. The finance chief also said gov-
ernment may issue vouchers for socialized housing. Senators have expressed reservations about the plan to raise taxes on fuel and remove value-added tax (VAT) exemptions, seen to offset expected revenue losses due to the proposed lowering of personal income taxes. The House of Representatives passed its own version of the tax reform bill in May. Dominguez said it was time to raise taxes on fuel, which have remained untouched for 20 years. He added that the Philippines has too many VAT exemptions compared to other countries. –CB Report
Thai police make $30m drug haul linked to Laos suspect
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BANGKOK
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hai police announced the seizure of drugs worth $30 million, including seven million methamphetamine tablets, “ice” and liquid ketamine, from houses around Bangkok linked to an alleged Laotian drug lord.
Nine Thais were arrested in the major two-day operation, which turned up 60 kilograms (132 pounds) of crystal methamphetamine known as “ice” and thousands of bottles of liquid ketamine. When smoked, “ice” gives a stronger high than the pill version of meth which is known in Thailand as “yaba” and has also flooded other parts of Southeast Asia.
“The drugs were kept at ‘warehouses’, waiting to be delivered to lower-level drug dealers,” said Wuttipong Phetkamnerd from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, estimating the street value at one billion baht ($30 million). “The top of this network is linked to Xaysana (Keopimpha) and others,” he added, referring to the 42-year-old Laotian who was arrested at a Thai airport
in January. Police accuse Xaysana dubbed “Mr. X” of using his base in shadowy Laos to funnel meth, ice and ecstasy from the “Golden Triangle” region down through Thailand and Malaysia. Xaysana’s arrest drew frenzied media coverage in Thailand after police said a string of celebrities, including a soap opera star, were linked to his smuggling network.
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Shipping activity at Port Qasim KARACHI: Brisk shipping was recorded at the Port where five ships C.V MSC Sao Paulo, M.V Yang Ze Lo, M.T Sea Elegant, M.T Maritim Nordic and M.T Scirocco carrying Containers, Canola seeds, Chemicals, Palm oil and Diesel oil were arranged berthing at Qasim International Container Terminal, Grain & Fertilizer Terminal, Multi-Purpose Terminal, Liquid Cargo Terminal and FOTCO Oil Terminal respectively on Thursday, 13th July-2017. Meanwhile four more ships C.V Maersk Izmir, M.T Epic Sardina, M.T Bunga Lialac and M.T Analipsi Lady carrying Containers, LPG, Chemicals and Diesel oil also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim during last 24 hours.
rail cargo on the rise at port of Charleston he Port of Charleston is grabbing a bigger percentage of East Coast cargo moved by rail, according to an analysis published by JOC.com, the online version of the Journal of Commerce trade publication. Charleston’s waterfront now accounts for 15.5 percent of all rail cargo moved through the four largest maritime hubs along the East Coast, according to the website. That is a 5.4 percent jump in market share since 2012, outpacing growth of 1.4 percent at the Port of Virginia. Rail cargo in Savannah has been static, with increases during some years erased by declines in others. The Port of New York and New Jersey has lost market share, with a 3.7 percent decline. Much of Charleston’s growth is due to capturing a larger percentage than its competitors of the 39.1 percent growth in rail shipments to and from East Coast ports, JOC.com
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reported. Some of that increase is due to shipping lines sending cargo to the East Coast through the expanded Panama Canal instead of unloading on the West Coast for cross-country rail or truck shipments. The surge in primarily exportdriven rail volume at Charleston’s container terminals roughly coincides with growth at the SPA’s Inland Port in Greer, which opened in October 2013. A record 121,761 containers were transferred between trucks and trains at the inland port in fiscal 2017, which ended on June 30 more than double the number moved during the facility’s first full fiscal year of operations in 2015. The authority expects cargo at the inland port to grow by another 20 percent in the coming year. –CB Report
Ports & Shipping
Abu Dhabi inaugurates new port to boost trade ABU DHABI
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bu Dhabi Ports Company, the master developer of ports and industrial zones, has announced the inauguration of Delma Port, located about 40km off the coast of the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. Strategically located on the eastern side of Delma Island, the new port will better serve the community as an upgraded multipurpose port capable of handling cargo, passenger ferries and fishing vessels, a statement said. With a budget of over AED170 million, the new Delma Port covers a total area of 280,725 sq m, and features an accessible breakwater with ferry terminal. The terminal has a 103m long quay wall with three fixed ramps that serve as berthing areas for ferry vessels. A marina with 160 wet berths and 104 dry berths for fishing and recreational craft is also provided to support the local boat population. An administration building, fish
market, restaurant, public building, sheltered storage area for fishing equipment, ADNOC Marine fuelling facility, ferry terminal building are also included at the New Delma Port. Faris Khalaf Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Chief of the General Authority for the Security of Ports, Borders and Free Zones, and board member of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “The development of Delma Port comes in line with the Abu Dhabi Plan, which calls for an effective transportation system to serve the community and economy. “The Delma Port project is one
that promises to be a foundation stone in the development of the Al Dhafra Region through its focus on meeting the highest quality standards.” Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State and chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports, added: “Delma Port will play an active role in promoting economic and social growth in the Al Dhafra region, through its use as a multi-purpose port for cargo vessels, ferries and fishing boats. In addition, this port will help support the growth of the tourism sector in Dalma, the Islands and the surrounding areas.”
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essar ports records 12% growth in cargo handling in Q1 ssar Ports, said it recorded a 12% growth in cargo, including a 32% rise in bulk cargo, in the first quarter of 2017-18, ended June 30, 2017, as compared to the same period last fiscal. The company handled a record 19.62 million tonnes (mt) of cargo (17.57 mt) during the review period, according to a press release here. For dry and unit cargo, a significant 32% growth was recorded. This growth in traffic at the company’s three dry bulk ports in Hazira, Paradip and Vizag, came on the back of heightened activity and capacity utilization of Essar Steel, which is Essar Port’s anchor customer. The overall growth in traffic was also helped by the 60% increase in third-party cargo volumes during the quarter. The Essar dry bulk terminal at Paradip Port surpassed past benchmarks to record 131% growth in cargo handling. In Gujarat, Essar Port at Hazira recorded a growth of 26%, handling 5.48 mt of dry and unit cargo as against 4.36 mt in Q1FY17. At Vadinar, the company recorded a decrease of 1%, handling 10.38 mt of liquid cargo (10.49 mt). –CB Report
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First CmA Cgm container ship arrives in Duqm port WASHINGTON
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ort of Duqm has received the first containers from French shipping giant CMA CGM via the Oman Express Service operated by Oman Shipping Company through its subsidiary Oman Container Line. The containers, which were loaded with project equipment for Sebacic Oman SAOC, soon to become the world’s largest Sebacic Acid plant in Duqm, originated from China and were transshipped via another regional port. Port of Duqm received the containers at its early container terminal, from where they will be delivered to Sebacic Oman’s site. A ceremony was organised at the port to celebrate this major event under the patronage of Said bin Hamdoon Al Harthy, undersecre-
tary for Ports and Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and other senior officials, by the major stakeholders. “The port’s container terminal is currently under construction and will be commissioned in the course of 2019. However, it is crucial for the early development of the entire Duqm Special Economic Zone, which includes the Port that the container activities already start earlier. This is why we have prepared a small preliminary container terminal at our commercial quay and entered into a strategic partnership with Oman Shipping Company to facilitate such early requirements. We are delighted that CMA CGM has registered Duqm as a new destination in its vast network and are confident that other shipping lines will follow soon, given the steep container volume
increases we expect to be developed in and around Duqm in the years to come,” said Reggy Vermeulen, chief executive officer (CEO) at the Port of Duqm. CMA CGM was represented by Claude Lebel, senior vice president, Gulf Region, of the CMA CGM Group. “Duqm is regarded as one of the most promising industrial and logistic developments in the Middle Eastern region. This is why it is very important for our group that we have Duqm on our radar even during this early stage. We expect to gradually grow our volumes for when the Duqm Container Terminal is commissioned in 2019. CMA CGM is shipping the future and shaping our presence in Oman,” said Lebel. “Oman Shipping launched the two-weekly Oman Express Feeder Service in 2016 to enhance Duqm’s connectivity to other regional ports and support
the larger Duqm development. Till now, deliveries to Duqm were limited to larger project cargoes so we are extremely happy that we may expect regular container traffic from now onwards. Once these increased volumes are confirmed, we expect to be able to offer weekly services,” noted Tariq Al Junaidi, CEO of Oman Shipping Company. “Funding Sebacic Oman as the first major project in Duqm was a challenge, but also a need to attract alternative investments to the entire special economic zone in Duqm. The early start-up of the Port Container Terminal and services offered by the Oman Express Feeder Service will support Sebacic Oman in achieving their target time line. Also, it will build up confidence in forthcoming projects to Duqm,” said Sulaiman Al Harthy, deputy CEO of Meethaq Islamic Banking at Bank Muscat.
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Import of soyabean oil slips by 32.85%, palm oil surges by 12.8% ISLAMABAD: Imports of edible oil including soyabean oil and palm oil into the country during previous financial year (2016-17) decreased by 32.85 percent and increased by 12.85 percent respectively as compared the corresponding period of last year. According the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, soyabean imports into the country during 12 months of financial year 2016-17 decreased by 32.85 percent as compared the same period of last year. During the period from July-June, 2016-17, about 87,280 metric tons of soyabean oil worth $122.785 million imported as compared the import of 141,014 metric tons valuing $182.859 million of same period last year, it added.
Tuesday August 1, 2017
Business
5 pak firms among Forbes Asia's 200 best cos ISLAMABAD
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ive companies from Pakistan have made it to the highly-coveted Forbes Asia’s 200 Best Under A Billion list. Forbes annual Best Under A Billion list highlights 200 Asia-Pacific public companies with less than $1 billion in revenue and consistent top- and bottom-line growth. Agriauto Industries, Cherat Packaging, Ferozsons Laboratories, Ghandhara Industries and Searle Company managed to mark their place on the recognised list. Two Pakistani startup founders featured in Forbes ‘30 Under 30
FiA arrests two human traffickers FAISALABAD
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Asia’ list The magazine shared that the companies made it to the list
Fisheries exports contribute $276.269 million to national kitty
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ederal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Thursday claimed to have arrested two human traffickers, here. An FIA spokesman said that Ghulam Fareed filed a complaint that Muhammad Safdar of Mianwali received Rs 5.6 lakh from him for sending him Saudi Arabia, the accused neither sent him abroad nor returned his money. Similarly, Khalida Parveen filed a complaint against accused Khalid Rustam of Jaranwala who received Rs 0.215 million for sending her son to Oman.
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by thinking globally. This year the candidates emerged from 13 coun-
tries and averaged 55% growth in sales, a 24% profit margin, and 113% growth in earnings per share, Forbes Magazine said. This Pakistani startup is making handcrafted MacBook sleeves and pads Explaining the methodology, Forbes shared that from a universe of 18,000 candidates, roughly 875 passed their criteria for profitability, growth, and modest indebtedness. The final 200 produced the highest sales and earnings per share growth for both the most recent fiscal one- and three-year periods, and the strongest five-year average return on equity. They excluded companies thinly traded, those trading less than a year, and those with worrisome accounting, management, ownership or legal troubles.
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ISLAMABAD
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akistan has exported around 103,277 tons of fish and fish preparations during first three quarters of last fiscal year which contributed US $ 276.269 million precious foreign exchange to national exchequer. The export of fish and fish preparations during same period of 201516 was 92,046 tons, amounting to US $ 240.038 million. A data issued by Commerce Divi-
sion on Sunday revealed that exports of fish and fish preparations have witnessed an increase by 12.2 per cent in quantity and 15.09 per cent in value during last year. The major buyers are China, Thailand, Malaysia, Middle East, Sri Lanka, Japan etc. The sources said fishery plays an important role in Pakistan’s economy and is considered to be a source of livelihood for coastal inhabitants. Apart from marine fisheries, inland fisheries (based in rivers, lakes, ponds, dams etc.) is also very important activity
throughout the country. Fisheries’ share in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 0.41 per cent but has a value addition in export earnings. During 2016-17 (JulyMarch), total marine and inland fish production was estimated at 520,000 tons out of which 375,000 tons was marine production and remaining catch came from inland waters. Whereas the production for period 2015-16 (July-March), was estimated to be 501,000 tons in which 368,000 tons was marine and remaining was produced by inland fishery sector.
mobile phone import decreases by 5.78% in FY16-17 ISLAMABAD
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he import of mobile phones during fiscal year 2016-17 fell by 5.78 percent as compared to same period of previous year. The mobile phone import during the period under review was recorded at $709.69 million against the import of $753.224 million in July-June (2015-16). According to latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), on month-on-month and year-onyear basis, the mobile phone import in June 2017 however, increased by 12.02 percent in May 2017 and 9.97 percent in June, 2016. The import in June 2017 was recorded at $72.549 million as compared to the import of $64.762 million in May 2017 and 65.972 million in June 2016. Similarly, the overall telecom import also decreased by 0.38 percent in July-June (2016-17) to $1.356 billion from $1.361 billion in same period of the preceding year. Likewise on month-on-month and year-on-year basis, the telecom import also witnessed a downward trend as it fell to $102.796 million in June 2017 from $117.618 million in May, 2017 and $104.441 million in June, 2016 thus showing a decrease of 12.6 percent and 1.58 percent, respectively.
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govt plans two more LNg terminals at port Qasim ISLAMABAD
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fter shelving the Gwadar LNG pipeline and terminal project, the government has planned to set up two more liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals with the help of private-sector investors at Port Qasim with handling and processing capacity of 1.6 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd).
The Port Qasim, located in Karachi, is already congested and two more LNG terminals may aggravate the problem. However, the Gwadar port in Balochistan requires an LNG terminal as economic and industrial zones are being developed there under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, which will require uninterrupted energy supply, officials say. How these zones will be fed energy is a big question
as the government has put the LNG terminal plan on the back burner. Though Balochistan is rich in gas deposits, exploration activities have been quite slow because of poor law and order situation. Under Article 158 of the Constitution, gas-producing provinces have the first right to consume their energy resources. Keeping this in view, Balochistan may invoke this clause to provide gas for its industrial units, which may halt energy supply to other
provinces, particularly Punjab. In such a case, the federal government would have to shift domestic consumers to the imported gas. At present, industries in Punjab are using imported gas whereas domestic consumers are provided with natural gas produced in the country. According to sources, the two new terminal projects have entered the implementation phase with capacity of 1 bcfd and 600 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) re-
spectively. These are being developed by two different consortia that comprise Shell Pakistan, Qatar Petroleum, ExxonMobil, Total, Mitsubishi, Hoegh & Co, GEI, Engro Corporation and Fatima Group. Engro has already set up Pakistan’s first LNG terminal at Port Qasim and has been handling LNG imports from Qatar since 2015. Qatar Petroleum is going to enter into partnership in setting up another LNG terminal at the port.
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Russia grain tax crackdown may hinder exports MOSCOW: A crackdown on tax avoidance in Russia’s grain trade is causing uncertainty among shippers and could even be hindering exports at a time when profit margins are already thin and a large crop is imminent, traders said. Authorities in Russia, one of the world’s top wheat exporters, were estimated to be losing 65 billion roubles ($1.1 billion) a year in unpaid taxes on grain deals at a time when they are seeking to tackle a huge budget deficit. The tax issue involves buying and selling grain through a chain of transactions in which the value-added tax (VAT) liability is left with a small trading company which then ceases to exist. Russian government moves to restrain the budget deficit caused by weak oil prices and Western sanctions, coupled with more transparency from computerised tax data processing, brought officials’ attention to the scheme this spring.
govt urged to ban imports through third country KARACHI
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Tuesday August 1, 2017
Chambers
Load shedding for industry to go by end of November: ieSCo Chief
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he Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) said that government should restrict import via third country and instead encourage direct imports from a country of origin. Exporters have urged the government to ban imports through third country as this is promoting smuggling, under-invoicing and causing injury to the domestic industry. They said there had been a rapid increase in imports particularly of Indian textile goods through Dubai, which was causing adverse implication on the local textile industry. KATI Chairman, Masood Naqi said that when direct imports are made from a country the shipment and certificate of origin of the manufactur-
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ing country could be verified online. Citing an example, he said “when goods coming from China should be directly imported from China, rather than sending to another destination.” Former chairman of Pakistan Towel Manufacturers Association, Methabuddin Chawla said that if the government fails to check such imports the domestic industry would be destroyed. Chairman of Pakistan Apparel Forum, Muhammad Jawed Bilwani said that already more than 221,500 power looms have been closed down and scraped amid disastrous effects of smuggled fabric into local markets. He cited an example that Directorate General, Intelligence and Investigation, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) recently busted an organised gang of importers who were importing banned Indian fabrics to Pakistan via Dubai.
ISLAMABAD
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asit Zaman, Chief Executive Officer, Islamabad Electric Supply Company has said that work on many energy projects was in full swing and load shedding for industry would be eliminated by the end of November this year. He was talking to a delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry that called on him in his office led by Khalid Iqbal Malik, President. Khalid Javed, Tariq Sadiq, Ch. Waheed ud Din, Muhammad Zikria A Zia and other local industrialists were in the delegation. Basit Zaman said that due to energy shortage, local industries will have to face load shedding for few months. However, he assured that by the end of November this year, energy crisis would be resolved and industry would be provided uninterrupted power supply. He said T&D losses in IESCO were in single digit and there was no electricity theft in the cities. He directed the IESCO relevant authorities to improve the mainte-
nance of feeders in Industrial Areas to ensure regular power supply to the industry. He said ICCI should provide list of processing industries and IESCO would consider exempting them from load shedding. He assured that ICCI proposal for change of load shedding schedule for industry would be given due consideration for implementation. Speaking at the occasion, Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, Islamabad
Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that government has announced uninterrupted power supply for industry, but the industries in Islamabad were facing 4 hours daily load shedding due to which their production was badly suffering. He said that current load shedding schedule from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm was causing losses to the local industry and IESCO should reschedule it from 7:00 pm to 11:00
rCCi holds informative session on wBiC RAWALPINDI
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reating business opportunities and empowering women in entrepreneurship has always been Chamber’s priority. The Women Business Incubation Centre (WBIC) will help women entrepreneurs to establish and run their own businesses. This was stated by Raja Amer Iqbal, President, The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) while addressing a large gathering of women entrepreneurs here on Wednesday. He said that the main purpose of this initiative was to provide women a platform to excel in the field of entrepreneurship. Construction work has been completed and the inauguration will take place by the end of July,
he added. During an interactive session, Raja Amer Iqbal highlighted the key features of WBIC and apprised women entrepreneurs related to the membership process of the chamber and provided guidance in detail. He said that RCCI also plans to hold seminars, training programs
and business plan competition to create awareness among Women Entrepreneurs and youth regarding product development, pricing, packaging and export marketing etc. Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector will serve as a key in boosting economic uplift of the country, he added.
pm in order to minimize the losses of industrial sector. He said the processing industry was suffering huge losses due to load shedding and IESCO should exempt it from power shut downs. He said IESCO should also fix specific date of month for taking meter reading of industrial meters as taking monthly meter readings on different dates was creating billing problems for industrialists.
FpCCi concerned over eDB abolishment ederation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry has expressed concern over the abolishing of Engineering Development Board (EDB), and called for its continuity with more effective and transparent role for promoting engineering industry especially auto industry. FPCCI President Zubair F. Tufail called a meeting of the stakeholders at the Federation House to discuss the abolishing of EDB. It was attended by all FPCCI Vice Presidents (Sindh Region) and the representatives of different associations including automobile, automotive and auto spare parts associations, said FPCCI release here on Wednesday. During the meeting, the stakeholders showed their exceptions to over the winding up of EDP. –CB Report
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Sarai Muhajir FIU seizes lubricant valued at Rs750000 FAISALABAD: The Field Investigation Unit (FIU) Sarai Muhajir has confiscated the smuggled lubricant worth Rs750000 involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs394800 during a road checking and impounded an oil tanker valued at Rs 800000. According to details, the intelligence team, following the directions of Deputy Director Syed Ittrat Hussain, conducted a raid to foil a smuggling attempt in the region. The Customs Intelligence impounded a Bedford truck with Registration No: JP-0938 near Sarai Muhajir Chowk, M.M Road, district Bhakkar loaded with foreign origin mixture of low grade lubrication oil (10000-litre).
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
CUSTOMS BULLETIN
Quetta ASo impounds smuggled vehicles, goods worth rs 37.988 million QUETTA TAriQ DerYA
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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Quetta impounded various nonduty-paid (NDP) vehicles and smuggled goods worth Rs 37.988 million from July 1 to 24 during financial year 2017-18. Talking to Customs Today, Deputy Collector ASO Junaid Mehmood said that under the guidance of Collector MCC Quetta Dr Saeed Jadoon, the performance of the collectorate remained excellent during 24 days of July. During the period, the ASO registered 23 cases against smugglers and possessors of NDP vehicles worth Rs 37.988 million. During the corresponding period, the ASO of MCC Quetta seized smuggled goods and vehicles valued Rs1350million during FY2016-17. The ASO Quetta impounded 907 Non-Duty-Paid (NDP) and offending (vehicles used for carrying smuggled goods) vehicles during above said period. Deputy Collector told CT that during said period, the collectorate impounded 610 NDP vehicles worth Rs451million whereas under section 157 (2) ASO Quetta impounded
297 offending vehicles. MCC Quetta did not mention the value of the offending vehicles because of their non-cleared status. During FY2016-17, the ASO Quetta confiscated 235 kilogram of
narcotics including chars, heroin and opium valued millions while ASO seized smuggled petroleum oil lubricants (POL), products like petrol, diesel, kerosene oil and Mobil oil of 195,487 litre. The total
worth of said POL products is estimated Rs109.00million. Junaid further told CT that during FY2016-17, the ASO Quetta seized betel nuts, tyres, spare parts, cloths and foreign origin fake cigarettes
valued Rs790million. During above said period, the ASO registered several cases against smugglers and tax evaders and impounded smuggled goods and vehicles worth Rs1350.00million.
ASo confiscates various brands of cigarettes valued rs639200 HYDERABAD
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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), Customs Preventive Hyderabad, has seized different smuggled cigarettes’ brands worth Rs639200 involving duty and taxes of Rs946272 during a recent action. The Hyderabad ASO team, following the instructions of Collec-
tor Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq, conducted a raid on the region to curb the smuggling. Under the supervision of Additional Collector Rehmatulah Vistro, the team intercepted a vehicle near Toll Plaza, Mirpur Khas Road, and recovered smuggled cigarettes of different brands including Pine Light made in Korea, Reds Virgin made in England and other ones. The items were being smuggled from Karachi into Mirpur Khas. The officials demanded the driver to show the legal documents regarding the loaded items but he could not produce
the same therefore officials confiscated the items under the Customs Act-1969 and the seized items were shifted to the Customs House. After making a seizure report, the ASO team sent the case to the Customs Adjudication for further legal action against the accused person who was using a different method of smuggling through local transports. The ASO team, comprising Superintendent Ghulam Shabbier Phulpoto, Inspectors Imdad Ali Abro, Abdul Majeed Barich, Sepoys Neonmal, Omar Solangi, Sadique Sher Ak-
bar and Meheram Thebo, took part in the operation. Officials said that Hyderabad Customs Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq had directed that effective measures be taken for curbing the smuggling in the region. They added that the anti-smuggling officials have enhanced the vigilance on roads to keep an eye on the movement of the smuggled items and vehicles. Meanwhile, The Model Customs Collectorate has enhanced the checking on the main routes of the city. Due to these strict measures, the customs authorities
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foiled many attempts of smuggling. Sources told Customs Today that, during two separate operations, the ASO Hyderabad teams impounded smuggled Non-Duty-Paid 55,000 liters of Iranian diesel (HSD) and two oil tankers worth Rs8.3million. During eight days of July 2017-18, diesel was being transported from Karachi to interior Sindh and Punjab. Sources said that Collector Hyderabad Customs Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq received a tip-off that some smugglers were trying to smuggle Iranian diesel (HSD).