Tuesday, 22 August 2017 by customs bulletin

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Karachi, Tue August 22, 2017

ISLAMABAD

TARIQ DERYA

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he Customs North Region, comprising four Model Customs Collectorates (MCCs) including MCC Islamabad, MCC Samberial, MCC Peshawar and MCC Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), collected extra revenue of Rs33.22million as With Holding Tax (WHT) during the 1st to 11th of August Financial Year (FY) 2017-18 against the same financial period of FY16-17. The North Region

earned Rs260.63million of WHT during the initial 11 days of August FY17-18 while it did Rs227.41million during the same period of FY16-17. According to details given by sources of Customs North Region to Customs Today that the MCC Islamabad generated less revenue of WHT than the revenue of the of the last year. During the initial 11 days of August, the MCC Islamabad received Rs98.90million of WHT against the collection of Rs107.61million during the same period of FY16-17. The sources told CT that, during

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early 11 days of August, the MCC Peshawar got Rs132.83million as WHT whereas it did Rs97.48millionof WHT during the same period of last Financial Year FY16-17. The MCC Peshawar showed surplus collection against the corresponding period under the head of WHT. The MCC Samberial earned Rs3.69million of WHT during early 11 days of FY17-18 whereas it did Rs3.43million under the same head during the same period of FY16-17. The GB also showed extra collection against the corresponding period.

ASO takes into possession 10 consignments & three offending trucks

ASO seizes electronic items worth Rs 160m, arrest two suspects

Customs impounds Rs5m NDP Mercedes from Iqbal Town

PM Shahid to discuss Haroon Akhtarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appointment

Oil tanker filled with 10,000 liter white spirit impounded

ASO has impounded 10 huge consignments comprising various kinds | SEE pAgE 02 |

ASO has foiled a bid to smuggle a huge quantity of electronic items | SEE pAgE 03 |

Customs I&I has impounded Rs5mNDPillegally imported Mercedes | SEE pAgE 04 |

PM will take a decision on including Haroon Akhtar in his cabinet next week | SEE pAgE 11 |

ASO has seized 10,000 liter foreign origin white spirit | SEE pAgE 16 |

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Customs Tribunal to hear petition filed by model Ayyan Ali Tuesday, August 22, 2017

ISLAMABAD: Customs Appellate Tribunal will hear famous Ayyan Ali’s money laundering case on Wednesday, said oﬃcials from tribunal. According to the details, the appellant had prayed the tribunal to hold early hearing of the case. Tribunal’s division bench comprising Chairman, Justice (r) Manzoor Hussain and Ziauddin Wazir would hear the case. Ayyan Ali had ﬁled petition with the Customs Appellate Tribunal for early hearing of her restored appeal challenging announcement about money laundering of $500,000 in March 2015.

Islamabad

ASo takes into possession 10 consignments & three oﬀending trucks

ISLAMABAD

nAEm uLLAh TARIQ

TARIQ DERYA

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ustoms Appellate Tribunal Chairman Justice (r) Malik Manzoor Hussain on Tuesday reached the capital city and held hearing of several cases in division and single benches besides heading administrative aﬀairs of tribunal. According to tribunal oﬃcials, benches heard around a dozen cases filed by M/s Waseem Autos, M/s Nisar Traders, M/s Parts & Parts, M/s Chief Autos, M/s Aman Elahi, M/s Kohinoor Traders, M/s Saleem Silk Centre, M/s Five Star Trading, M/s Pakistan Royal Group and M/s Nayatel Private Limited, M/s Degicell & others, M/s Kohinoor Chemical, Mirza Muhammad Majid, M/s Fazal Razaq, M/s Fazal Ur Rehman and Gul Rehman & others. The benches heard arguments and directed the counsels to finalize arguments tomorrow in majority cases. The chairman would stay in the capital for a week almost. They also stated that around a dozen cases were included in pending cases list for hearing. The chairman would hear the included in upcoming visit to Islamabad for the first time, they added. The chairman usually visits the tribunal headquarters in the capital city not later than 20 days.

he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Islamabad has impounded 10 huge consignments comprising various kinds of smuggling goods worth Rs4.347million during 29th of July to 05th of August Financial Year 2017-18 along with three offending vehicles. According to details given by Deputy Collector ASO Islamabad Ansir Anies while talking with Customs Today exclusively that, during the Nirst week of August FY2017-18, the ASO showed good performance as it seized different kinds of smuggling items like white showman paint markers, solar windows, various kinds of imported shampoos, body perfumes, and a huge number of handkerchiefs. She told CT that the ASO conNiscated Nile covers, fair and lovely creams, shower jells, different types of trolly bags, baby car batteries, Pankoo seeds, car seats, assorted models of mobile phones, cutting disks, Samsung LED 52 inches, Sony LED TVs, 42 inches, Samsung LED 32 inches, Sony LED TVs, 52 inches, black tea and car tapes. Telling about the details of the offending vehicles, she said that, during above said period, the ASO Islamabad took into possession three offending vehicles including

customs Tribunal chairman hears several important cases

Mazda Mini truck LES-11-2017, Toyota Vitz car AAK-771, Toyota Hiace van with registration No: G-0262.

She said the ASO is working in different shifts which is a good change regarding the crackdown on

smugglers and tax evaders within the jurisdiction of Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad.

ATIR chairman hears eight cases in first week of August

ISLAMABAD

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ppellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) Chairman Nazir Ahmed headed hearings and administrative affairs at tribunal’s Islamabad ofNice for a couple of days during the Nirst week of August. The chairman took up eight cases and adjourned the hearings. The chairman would return to Pakistan after a couple of months since he

would leave for abroad soon. Chairman, who had reached Islamabad also headed administrative affairs at tribunal besides hearing tax matters. According to tribunal’s ofNicials, chairman held hearing cases in capital for couple of days before leaving for Peshawar. Chairman headed a division bench including other Account Member Dr Ghulam Mujtaba Bhatti. However, the bench adjourned hearing on majority matters. Earlier, the tribunal had heard the matter Niled by M/s Pak-

istan Telecommunication Mobile Limited case. It had Niled the case contesting a show cause notice issued by the Nield ofNices of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). According to details, M/s Pakistan Telecom Mobile Limited had challenged recovery notice issued to it in head of outstanding income tax by the LTU, Islamabad. Pakistan Telecom Mobile Limited had submitted that the department had issued the demand for the tax year 2013 in head of income tax under provisions of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

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KTBA raises objection to draft income tax return KARACHI: Karachi Tax Bar Association (KTBA) has informed the tax authorities that without knowing the changes made to draft income tax return for tax year 2017 it will not able to send feedback. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on July 20 and 27 issued draft return forms for individuals and Association of Persons (AOPs) and asked stakeholders to send their inputs before ﬁnalization of return forms. The KTBA, in a letter to FBR Chairman Tariq Mahmood Pasha, said that the draft forms were not available in the Excel Format hence the KTBA members were unable to check the changes made in the draft forms till date.

customs gwadar seizes plastic powder & computer accessories

Tuesday August 22, 2017

K rachi

ASo seizes electronic items worth Rs 160m, arrest two suspects

KARACHI

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he Collectorate of Gwadar team has confiscated a big quantity of non-duty-paid black plastic Dana (Plastic Powder) and computer accessories worth Rs3.7million. According to details, on a tip-oﬀ regarding the possible smuggling of non-duty-paid black plastic Dana and computer accessories in Jewani area, Gwadar Collector Saeed Jadoon constituted a team of Customs AntiSmuggling Organization (ASO) under the supervision of Customs Preventive Inspector Khan Bahadur. The team, during a search operation, intercepted a truck with registration No: SK-8727 which was going from Gwadar to Mirpur Khas.

IBA becomes member of ARTnet on Trade KARACHI

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he Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi has now became a member of Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network (ARTNet) on Trade, an official of the Institute said here on Wednesday. He pointed out that ARTNet on Trade is an open regional network composed of leading trade research institutions and think-tanks across the Asia-Pacific region. It was established by the United Nations’ Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) in 2004 with the support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada. “We look forward to enrich our academic content for trade with this membership,” the IBA official further stated.

KARACHI

muBEEn huSSAIn

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irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has foiled a bid to smuggle a huge quantity of electronic items worth Rs 160 million during a crackdown here. According to the details, an authentic information was received by the Director General of Directorate General Customs I&I Shaukat Ali regarding the smuggling of the electronic items. Reacting to the information, the director general shared the details with the Director Custom I&I who constituted a team under the supervision of Senior Intelligence OfNicer Akmal Hashmi. Along with the leads, the senior intelligence ofNicer conducted a raid on Mai Kolachi Road and apprehended a Sialkot-bound container. The ofNicers of the ASO carried out complete search of the container. During the search, the ofNicer recovered 15,000 cellular phones, tablets, LED satellite receivers along with other valuable electronic items worth Rs 160 million and arrested two suspects, Junaid and Adnan. The sources informed Customs Today that during the raid the customs ofNicers also recovered weapons worth millions of rupees. The recovered cellular phones, tablets and LED satellite receivers

along with other electronics items have been taken into the custody and the case has been registered against the heinous crime whereas further investigations are underway. The Director General of Directorate General Customs Intelligence and investigation (I&I) Shaukat Ali was later informed regarding the mega seizure on which he appreciated the timely response and performance of the team of the Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO). Meanwhile, The Collec-

Reacting to the information, the director general shared the details with the Director custom I&I who constituted a team under the supervision of Senior Intelligence officer Akmal hashmi

Appraisement to take action against E-movers

KARACHI

muBEEn huSSAIn

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ustoms Appraisement West has decided to take action against M/s E-Movers Pvt Ltd for its alleged involvement in pilferage of transshipment (TP) cargo. The Customs authorities have summoned the company for August 18 regarding suspension of their bonded carrier license. The collectorate has warned M/s E-Movers

bonded carrier and customs agent that if no one appeared for hearing on the said date, it would be presumed that M/s E-Movers does not want to defend themselves and the case would be decided ex-parte as per evidence available on record. It may be mentioned here that Appraisement West Collector Shahnaz Maqbool suspended the license of M/s E-Movers for two days, but it was restored later. Despite several notices, M/s E-Movers has not joined investigations and hearings, which is a misconduct as

per the Customs Rules. Meanwhile, Collector Adjudication Islamabad has also penalised M/s E-Movers and others for replacement of transshipment cargo. It was reported by the Superintendent Customs, Dry-Port, Peshawar that Muhammad Ibrahim s/o Abdul Rasheed, proprietor of M/s Al-Wahab Enterprises, Ibrar Hussain and M/s EMovers bonded carrier clandestinely replaced high value containerised imported goods with low value goods, during transshipment of these high value goods from Karachi to Peshawar.

torate of Customs Preventive AntiSmuggling Organization (ASO) has shown tremendous performance during the month of July. The documents received by Customs Today reveal that during the month of July the ASO made 17 seizures case and recovered a huge quantity of contraband items, including Iranian origin high speed diesel. The ASO has also submitted its performance report to the higher authorities with details of seizures as well as the contraband items.

Engro fertilizer’s profit up 47 percent rofit of Engro Fertilizers Limited (EFERT) surged 47 percent to Rs4.102 billion for the half-year ended June 30, translating into earnings per share (EPS) of Rs3.07. The EFERT recorded a profit of Rs2.793 billion and EPS of Rs2.1 during the same period a year ago, a press statement said. Engro Fertilizer also announced an interim dividend of Rs2.5/share.

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Excise inspector arrested for taking bribe Tuesday August 22, 2017

Lahore

MULTAN: Anti-Corruption Establishment arrested an inspector of Excise and Taxation department Multan for getting bribe. Assistant Director Investigations Anti Corruption Establishment, Adnan Asif Bhutta under the supervision of Special Judicial Magistrate Zahoor Hussain conducted a raid at Excise and Taxation department.They arrested Inspector of Professional Tax department Sarfraz Ali Sheikh for taking bribe and recovered Rs 20,000 from his possession. The action has been taken on application of Salman Yousaf resident of Garden Town in which he alleged that the excise inspector has demanded bribe Rs 20,000 for settlement in professional tax.

customs court of adjourns hearing of case filed against smuggler LAHORE

SAJID nAwAZ

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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has adjourned the case of an accused arrested from the Sialkot International Airport. According to details available to Customs Today, an accused, travelling from South Africa to Sialkot, was checked by the customs ofNicials at the Sialkot airport. The customs team, during a search of the luggage, found 30 costly mobile phones hidden in the baggage of Muhammad Sarwar. The customs team apprehended the accused and presented him before the customs court for physical remand but customs judge turned down the request of the customs investigation

Sher Ayub appointed as Smeda cEo inistry of Industries and Production has appointed Sher Ayub Khan as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) for a period of three years. Complying with the ministry’s notification, Sher Ayub took over charge of his new position at Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority head office. Ayub, as a senior civil officer, has a vast experience in management. Besides serving as additional secretary in the Ministry of Industries and Production, he has been performing important responsibilities in the Prime Minister Secretariat and Cabinet Division on Senior Positions of BS-21. During his posting as additional secretary, he has also been holding the additional charge of National Productivity Organisation (NPO) CEO from 2014 to 2015 and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority CEO from May 2016 to April 2017. –CB Report

team for physical remand and sent him to jail for judicial trial. Muhammad Sarwar also Niled a petition for his post-arrest bail that was also adjourned because of the unavailability of prosecutor of the court. Meanwhile, the Customs Court adjourned the hearing of 16 cases related to customs matters. During the hearing of most of the cases, the counsels for the accused persons requested the court to postpone the hearings of their respective cases for preparation of arguments on which the court did the hearings of the cases on different dates. According to the cause-list, three out of 16 cases were Nixed for formal hearings Niled against accused named Shehzad, Abdullah Tariq Fatmi and others. The pre-arrest bail pleas were also scheduled for the day that the court has also adjourned for next hearings.

customs impounds Rs5m nDp mercedes from Iqbal Town

LAHORE

m hAYAT

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ustoms Intelligence & Investigation has impounded Rs5 million non customs paid illegally imported Mercedes from Allam Iqbal Town.

customs Appellate Tribunal rejects appeal in imported batteries case

he Customs Appellate Tribunal has dismissed an appeal Niled by Deputy Collector of Customs (Imports), Faisalabad, against M/s E.R Brothers and Collector Customs (Appeals) Customs House Lahore. According to the details, Omer Arshed Hakeem, Member Judicial Bench-II, heard the case in details and argued in the Ninal judgment that appellate order is correct in releasing the impugned old and used 135 pieces of batteries under PCT Heading 8504.4090 duties and taxes. The appeal is being devoid

of merit and dismissed with no order. As per details, the customs staff found old and used rechargeable dry batteries which were not importable in used conditions and the same were detained. The case was referred to the adjudication authority who heard the case and passed the order that imported batteries are correctly clariNied under PCT Heading 8504.4090 which were importable in second hand condition, so instant appeal is accepted and assessment order is set aside. –CB Report

Sources told Customs Today that on information the customs authorities raided auto workshop in Allama Iqbal Town and seized illegally imported Mrcedes C/18. The sources said that credible information was received by the customs authorities that a non customs paid Mercedes was being overhaul in a workshop located in Allama Iqbal Town. The sources said that on the di-

rection of the Director Customs Intelligence Rubab Sikandar the customs authorities constituted a team led by deputy director raided the workshop and conNiscated the vehicle. The sources said that the Mercedes was detained and the owners were demanded legal documents of import of the vehicle but they failed to provide and documentary proof. The customs authorities being fully satisNied Ninally seized the vehicle. It was said that the value of the vehicle is estimated Rs 5 million. It was said that the vehicle was used under the number plate BEC/675 while it was being owned by a resident of Allama Iqbal Town whose name is Ali. The customs authorities after registering a case have started further investigations in to the matter. The raids by the customs authorities have been intensiNied following the rising smuggling activities in the city due to which the authorities have taken decision on to curtail the menace of smuggling in the city and its surroundings.

pRA assigns Rs2.55b collection target unjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has given a fresh ofNicial target of recovery of Rs.2.55 billion to Excise and Taxation department in shape of different taxes from the people during the running Niscal year in Gujranwala Division’s all the six Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahaud Din, HaNizabad and Gujranwala districts, besides, issuing the strict directions to the local E&T ofNicials to launch a vigorous recovery campaign for achieving this target as well. Sources told Customs Today that local excise and taxation special recovery teams would

recover Rs1.31 billion as property taxes, Rs1.6 billion as motor tax, Rs12.4 million as recreation tax, Rs70 million as excise duty, Rs.78.4 million as professional taxes and Rs14.1 million as luxury tax from the tax payers in this region. The ofNicials added that the excise and taxation has also given special ten percent discount on the payment of token tax and Nive percent concession on the payment the property taxes till August 31,2017. The senior ofNicials have formulated 100 special recovery teams for property tax , profession tax. –CB Report

Two accused remanded to nAB in corruption case

A LAHORE

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n accountability court on Tuesday handed over two accused, involved in 25 million corruption case, to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on a twoday physical remand. Earlier, the NAB ofNicials pro-

duced the accused- Abdul Ghafoor and Ghulam Rasool- before Accountability Court-V Judge Najam ul Hassan. The ofNicials submitted that the accused were involved in LAC Amjad Saddal corruption case and they had been absconded for last 15 years. They submitted that the accused were arrested from DG Khan on Monday. They pleaded with the court to hand over the accused on

physical remand for investigations. At this, the court handed over the accused to NAB on two days physical remand and directed to produce them on expiry of the remand term. It is pertinent to mention that the accused along with others committed embezzlement in acquiring land for PARCO. Meanwhile, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore arrested two proclaimed offenders

(POs) for being allegedly involved in Rs 25 million embezzlement case. According to NAB spokesman, both POs – Ghulam Rasool and Abdul Ghafoor – in connivance with Amjad Sandal, Land Acquisition Collector (LAC), Dera Ghazi Khan had managed to sell and purchase land on bogus documents pertaining to fraudulently shown extended land area whereas, physically.

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Tuesday, August 22, 2017

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TORKHAM

IRfAn BAhADuR

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he Customs team deputed at Torkham Customs station foiled a bid to smuggle huge quantity of arms to Afghanistan from Pakistan at Torkham border in Khyber Agency. Customs ofNicials told Customs Today that customs personnel were on their routine duties at the gate when a truck bearing registration no: E-5715 arrived. The customs police searched the truck in order to perform duties when pistols and guns were found hidden in the food goods. The customs police arrested the driver Jamal Khan son of Sardar Khan resident of Logar province and registered case against him of arms smuggling according to Customs Act 1969 and further interrogation from him underway, it said. The sources said that there were 14 pistols and 74 guns of local made industry recovered from the truck along bullets which were shifted to Torkham

Customs Station. tor Ahmad along other customs police The Deputy Collector Torkham Cus- for making the day happen by foiled toms Muhammad Arjumand praised the smuggling effort of Arms. He dithe performance of customs staff for rected the Customs team to strictly foiling bid of smuggling and said that eliminate every threat which facilitate Torkham Customs Station remains one smugglers for crossing the border. The of the most critical customs station deputy collector further said that the which is situated on border with Pakistan Customs will not allow to use war hit country of Afghanistan. Torkham border for supply of arms or Due to continuous smuggling of NDP items. threat from militants the Government of Pakistan has earlier started work to fence border with Afghanistan in order to cut roots of smuggling arms from one side of the border to other. The deputy collector added that Pakistan ver he dri t d Customs have major role e t a r re s to tackle smuggling of han team s m rd a r k o t a s S arms across the border u f c o Th e n son e and in order to save the lives al k ha ovinc r m p a r J a rms of people living in both Log m of a i nt of h e t d i s countries. s re again s Act The deputy collector d c ase ustom e c r o e t t s m ing appreciated the Inspecre g i n s f ro c c o rd

a atio gling e r ro g t n i smug r r the way and fu under l l i t 1969 s re him a

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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

not all is well with economy

ccording to newspaper reports, Pakistan may not be eligible to get the World Bank loans in near future due to its inability to resist the speedy fall of foreign exchange reserves.The bank has reportedly declined a government request for a policy loan to adjust the exchange rates. However, a spokesman of the Finance Division has out rightly rejected the notion as incorrect, saying Pakistan has not filed any specific request for a policy-based programme. In his view the reports reflect a ‘sheer lack of information’ and the level of financial understanding between Islamabad and the World Bank. Currently, Pakistan and the World Bank are working on various projects and programmes, including policybased lending support within the framework of Country Partnership Strategy 2015-19 devised by the bank. Other reports suggest Pakistan will not be able to get financial assistance from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development due to fast depleting foreign currency reserves. In principle, a country seeking IBRD loan should have foreign exchange reserves equivalent to three months of the import bill whereas Pakistan is at the bottom line of its reserves. The reserves also include $3.9 billion in shortterm borrowings by the State Bank and it is feared the reserves will further fall to minimum levels. This is the financial position of a country of 200 million and the current and former prime minister are not tired of claiming financial stability as hallmark of their political domination. According to experts, two months – August and September — are very critical for the country as the forex reserves are slipping below the threshold. The experts put the actual foreign currency reserves at $4.2 billion, which are peanuts for a big country like Pakistan and unfortunate part of a rising economy. The Finance Ministry puts the reserves at $14.398 billion which it deems adequate for three month imports, but the forex could even fall to $10.4 billion if shortterm forward contracts are excluded. The financial position shows not all is well with the economy amid political turmoil. Terrorism on east and west borders of the country is bad for the regional stability also. The volume of remittances sent by expatriate Pakistanis is also shrinking and mismanagement is at its peak.

pm’s message of hope I

LAHORE

DR AfTAB AfZAL

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n his first message of hope to the nation, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has expressed the desire to introduce major policy reforms to facilitate business community. According to him, laws are being formulated to attract investment in Special Economic Zones where investors will not only be free to transfer their dividends but will also have complete freedom of choice to move their capital anywhere anytime. He said that economic indicators of the country are stable and are on the upward trajectory. Various international

institutions have acknowledged positive sentiments in the national economy. He also resolved to improve security ambiance in Karachi and elsewhere in the country to help the business community carry out trade activities. Quoting geographical importance of the country, he said that Pakistan was poised to play a major role in the regional economy and the government is seriously listening to tangible advices from the stakeholders on important policy issues. The main issue confronting the government is to restore investors’ confidence in its economic policies. The circumstances under which Mr Abbasi took over the

rein of the government are evident as he is burdened with great responsibilities. On one hand, he has to ensure continuity of the policies and projects launched by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and on the other he has to maintain political stability in the country. The dust of political tumultuousness has not subsided yet as Awami Tehrik Chief Tahirul Qadri and Pakistan Tehrike Insaf Chief Imran Khan are leading the show and want to oust the entire Sharif family from the political arena. In a situation, where chaos rules the nation, businesses get to flop and the economy gets to lose its credibility. Unless the country is di-

vided into small administrative units, the politics of agitation and politics of confrontation will never end. After 70 years of independence, the nation is still groping in the dark and doesn’t know which way to go. Mr Abbasi’s hopeful rhetoric is a good omen that he spoke about economy. However, his words would have no credibility until they match with his actions. Setting aside political expediencies, he will have to take tough decisions for the cause of national development. A number of mega projects are under various stages of their completion and consistency of policies and release of the required funds must be ensured.

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FBR warns of fraudulent emails, phishing scams ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) warned people of phishing scams and fraudulent emails, which are being sent to them to secure important information. The FBR through its disclaimer clariﬁed that the board does not send any email requesting taxpayers’ PIN numbers, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other ﬁnancial accounts. According to FBR disclaimer, there were numerous attempts by individuals and groups to solicit personal information from unsuspecting users by employing social engineering techniques. It said that various emails are crafted to appear as if they have been sent from a legitimate organization or known individual. These emails often attempt to entice users to click on a link that will take them to a fraudulent website that appears legitimate.

Appraisement-west reopens probe into counterfeit playing cards import

Tuesday August 22, 2017

National

Shc seeks remarks on petition filed by friends petrochemical Industry

KARACHI

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ollector Model Customs Colletorate Appraisement-West Shahnaz Maqbool has re-opened the case and assigned Additional Collector Sadia Sheeraz to conduct investigations into the import of alleged counterfeit playing cards. Deputy Collector Adjudication Mehmood-urRehman Khattak has vacated the show cause notice served on M/s Hasni Traders as the case of importing counterfeit products could be establish against them and ordered to release the goods. M/s SS Corporation filed an IPR enforcement application on behalf of M/s Kuo Kau Paper Products, Taiwan, against a consignment of playing cards

bearing trademark USAROYAL imported by M/s Hasni Traders, Lahore from China via MCC Appraisement West. ROYAL figures in the recordation database (IPO Pakistan repository of trademarks) as a trademark allotted to the right-holder M/s Kuo Kau and USAROYAL doesn’t exist as a trademark as yet. The seized goods bearing trademark USAROYAL are deceptively similar to the original goods bearing trademark ROYAL in all aspects. The goods have been therefore seized. The importer submitted that the USAROYAL is a registered brand in China and the importer submitted all the certificates, which confirm that the USAROYAL is registered in China while even the word ROYAL in urdu also has the registration certificate from China. Deputy Collector Adjudication after detailed deliberation observed that it is not a case of trademark infringement and vacated the show cause notice and ordered release of the goods.

KARACHI

m B RAnA

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the customs authorities to Nile their para wise comments on a constitutional petition Niled by M/s Friends Petrochemical Industry against lodging FIR for mis-declaration. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, was hearing the petition. During the hearing, counsel for the customs department sought time to Nile his comments. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that the petitioner Nirm is an importer and trader of petrochemicals and allied products and in such regards imported from Seychelles a consignment 525 metric ton of white spirit and Niled goods declaration as per law. According to the petitioner, representatives of the petitioner were informed that the respondents, in respect of the subject consignment had lodged FIR dated 20/06/2017 wherein it was alleged that the petitioner, in the garb of the white spirit had imported kerosene oil, imports,

whereof, in terms of serial no 2 partII appendix-B, of import policy order 2016, are restricted is the sense so as to be effected by approval oil marketing companies only, the FIR was lodged accordingly against the petitioner for mis-declaration, among others, in the terms of section 32 and

79 of the customs act, 1969. Counsel further argued that act of the respondents is unlawful, mafa Nide intention. Citing Secretary Revenue Division, Director Directorate Customs Enforcement, Directorate General Intelligence and as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may declare

the seizure of the subject consignment of white spirit (as evidence in the FIR dated 20/06/2017) being based upon HDIP’s earlier test report in respect thereof, is outright and mala Nide in view of the contrary and contradictory stance by the HDIP’s in its latest test report.

DRAp launches campaign against spurious drugs ISLAMABAD

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rug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Monday launched three-month campaign against spurious, fake, counterfeit and substandard drugs to ensuring the country free from this menace. According to DRAP, the campaign was launched with focus on people access to quality assured, safe, effective and affordable medicine, under the national goal of “Health for All”. It added, this is another series, following an earlier three months similar campaign along with provinces that proved very effective in reducing the spurious, fake, substandard and counterfeit drugs from the country. It resulted in sealing of hundreds of sales outlets, illegal and non-com-

pliant manufacturing units, arrest of many people, over 1,000 FIRs, hundreds of imprisonment and Nines over Rs 100 million, through out the country, last year. This also resulted in a big deterrent against the involved culprits in this heinous crime against humanity, it added. In addition, this extended campaign will also include drive for improving drug quality through integrated and systematic regulatory compliance for manufacturing facilities cGMP and ensuring effective good distribution practices, good pharmacy and sales practices. In this regard, DRAP teams along with provinces and security agencies will conduct market surveillance through out the country, through strategic inspections and drug sampling for spurious drugs and will enforce regulatory compliance to higher level.

DRAP teams will also provide guidance to industry and pharma trade for improving the quality of manufacturing, distribution, sales and dispensing of therapeutic goods. In this campaign DRAP teams will meet with heads of Customs, FBR, FIA and other law enforcement agencies, for improving coordination for effective and stringent enforcement of regulatory compliance and to resolve various hurdles and challenges in this regard. It said that the DRAP will also organize media engagement and will coordinate with social reformers and consumer protection NGOs to mobilize them for public education and to campaign for not accepting illegal and unregistered products and do not compromise on quality of drugs while purchasing, ensuring to buy only genuine products from pharmacies, maintaining good phar-

macy practices and only registered and legal drugs. It added people need to be educated that they should not respond to illegal advertisements for unregistered products with fake claims. Public will be guided and requested to cooperate and inform DRAP for any availability of spurious drugs or it’s manufacturing that come in their notice or knowledge. It said that the DRAP has already launched ‘2D Barcode’ and notiNied it’s regulation for pharma products sales pack, which will be fully enforced from December 2017. This internationally applicable tool, will help people to authenticate and track the drugs via cell phone application, before purchasing, it added. It said that the DRAP is developing further systems and tools as per international best practices for ensuring quality drug access and the eradication of spurious drugs.

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Shahzada Tahir assumed charge as Member (OPS) Tuesday August 22, 2017

National Dr muhammad Tariq takes charge as member (opS) (Legal)

ISLAMABAD: Shahzada Tahir Zaman, a BS-20 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has assumed the charge as Member (OPS). The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No 2016-IR-I/2017, dated 26.07.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Chief Commissioner-IR, Regional Tax Office, Sargodha with effect from July 31, 2017 and took the charge of the post of Member (OPS), Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad on August 8.

Dr muhammad Tariq takes charge as member (opS) (Legal)

ISLAMABAD

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ISLAMABAD

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r Muhammad Tariq Masood, a BS20 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has taken charge as Member (OPS) (Legal). The officer, pursuing the Board’s Notification NO. 2016-IR-I/2017, dated 26.07.2017, assumed the charge of the post of Member (OPS) (Legal) at Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad with effect from August 7, 2017. Dr Muhammad Tariq had relinquished the charge as Commissioner-IR (Zone-I) Corporate RTO, Karachi on August 1, 2016 and assumed the charge of the post of Chief Commissioner-IR, Regional Tax Office, Sukkur with effect from August 8, 2016. Meanwhile, Ghulam Mustafa Rahu, a BS-20 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has assumed charge as Chief Commissioner-IR (OPS). The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No. 2016-IR-I/2017, dated 26.07.2017, took the charge of the post of Chief Commissioner-IR (OPS), Regional Tax Office II, Karachi with effect from July 27, 2017.

fBR modifies transfer/posting notification he Federal Board of Revenue has issued partial modification in its early notification of transfer/posting of Inland Revenue Service officers. In partial modification of Board’s Notification No. 2119-IR-I/2017, dated 08.08.2017 the place of posting of Shah Bano G.M Khan (IRS/BS-20) appearing at Sr. No 05 may be read as Commissioner-IR (IP/TFD), Regional Tax OfficeII, Karachi instead of Commissioner-IR Corporate Regional Tax Office, Karachi. Zubair Bilal (IRS/BS-20), presently posted as Commissioner-IR(Corporate Zone) Regional Tax Office, Multan, has been assigned the “additional charge” of the post of Commissioner-IR (AEOI Zone), Multan till the posting of a regular incumbent. –CB Report

r Muhammad Tariq Masood, a BS-20 ofNicer of Inland Revenue Service, has taken charge as Member (OPS) (Legal). The ofNicer, pursuing the Board’s NotiNication NO. 2016-IR-I/2017, dated 26.07.2017, assumed the charge of the post of Member (OPS) (Legal) at Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad with effect from August 7, 2017. Dr Muhammad Tariq had relinquished the charge as CommissionerIR (Zone-I) Corporate RTO, Karachi on August 1, 2016 and assumed the charge of the post of Chief Commissioner-IR, Regional Tax OfNice, Sukkur with effect from August 8, 2016. Meanwhile, Amna Faiz Bhatti, a BS-19

ofNicer of Inland Revenue Service, has assumed the charge as Additional Commissioner-IR. The officer, in pur-

suance of Board’s NotiNication No. 2015-IR-I/2017, dated 26.07.2017, took the charge of the post of Addi-

tional Commissioner-IR, Large Taxpayers Unit, Lahore with effect from July 28, 2017.

customs Exports issues show cause notices to three factories involved in tax evasion T

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he Customs Exports has issued show cause notices to thee factories, M/s Rana Traders Karachi, M/s Ayatullah and Sons Karachi and M/s SK Enterprises Thatta to recover the evaded tax amounts. According to the details, M/ s Rana Traders Karachi used wrong Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT) headings to get a consignment of rubber toys, plastic items and other things cleared during the Nirst week of August and caused a loss of Rs 2.2 million to the national exchequer. During scrutiny of import data, the Customs Exports team found that the company used wrong PCT heading and issued a show-cause notice no: 200/2017 to recover the evaded amount of tax and duty.

Meanwhile, the Customs Exports unearthed another tax evasion by M/s Ayatullah and Sons Karachi who cleared a consignment of khaddar garments, lawn and other fabrics. The customs authorities, after careful investigations, issued a show cause notice to the company and

asked them to deposit the evaded tax amount within fortnight. While M/s S.K. Enterprises Thatta used wrong (PCT) headings to get a consignment of different chemicals items , which were cleared during the Nirst week of August and caused a loss of Rs 1.6 million to the na-

tional exchequer. It is necessary to mention here that during the Nirst nineteen days of August the Customs Exports has issued 13 show cause notices and four Ninal notices to tax evaders warning them to clear the outstanding tax amount at the earliest to avoid stern action.

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FBR rebuts news reports about non-credit of online refunds ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) rebutted a news report appearing in a section of the press claiming the online transfer of Rs23 billion sales tax refund to the claimants/exporters had not been initiated despite lapse of eight days after the announcement. The announcement for refunds was made by Finance Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar on 2017, a press statement issued by the board here said. The board clariﬁed that a sum of Rs23.858 billion was to be electronically transferred to the claimants/exporters in July and August 2017, as per commitment of minister for ﬁnance and revenue as made in his budget speech.

fBR recovers Rs3.2m as IT from bank account of Decent Traders LAHORE

m ImRAn mEhAR

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he Federal Board of Revenue has frozen the bank account of Decent Traders, Shah Alam Market, on Saturday and recovered Rs3.2million of Income Tax. According to sources of Customs Today on Saturday, the FBR had issued many notices to the Decent Traders for not paying of Income Tax from 2015 to 2017 but the management did not pay any attention to the notices. The Decent Traders was a defaulter of Rs221million of Income Tax and failed to pay any tax for two years despite earnings millions of rupees. Sources of Customs Today have said the process of recoveries from Decent Traders continues and all the pending amount of Income Tax will be recovered

at all costs. The FBR has deducted the amount of Rs3.2million from the bank account of the said business entity. The company imports PVC items including PVC fittings, steel fittings and pipes. The amount was deducted from the Muslim Commercial Bank, Shah, Alam Market branch. Action was taken by Deputy Commissioner Abdul Rauf Mayo and Inspector Muzzafar Ali after attaching the bank account of Bank Al Habib, Kot Lakhpat Industrial Area Branch Lahore. In another action, the FBR also recovered Rs350000 as Income Tax from the bank account of a citizen Danish. The FBR sources said that Danish has been a defaulter of Income Tax since 2014. He was issued with many notices but he did not submit the wealth statements. He is a resident of Sabza Zar Lahore and FBR has taken this action after attaching his bank account at NIB Allama Iqbal Town branch.

National

ASo Larkana-jacobabad check-post confiscates 450 contraband table lamps

customs Tribunal upholds adjudication order in Indian liquor case LAHORE

SAJID nAwAZ

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he Customs Appellate Tribunal upheld the impugned order in smuggled Indian liquor case. The appeal was filed by the plaintiﬀ Muhammad Latif, a resident of Lahore against Collector of Customs (Appeals), Collector of Customs (Adjudication) and others According to the details, Member Technical Bench-II Imran Tariq, heard the case in detail and passed the judgment that the Customs Appellate Tribunal learnt that the impugned goods were loaded in the vehicle which had also been admitted by the appellant himself and also mentioned in the FIR; so, the vehicle is ordered to be confiscated out rightly. As per details, on the information received by the credible resources, the customs staﬀ established a check post and during checking they intercepted a vehicle in which customs team found Indian liquor concealed in millet crop. On query, driver failed to prove any legality and the same were seized under the relevant section of Customs Act 1969. After the show cause notice case were referred to the adjudication authority who heard the case in details and declared outright confiscation of seized goods.

HYDERABAD

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Hyderabad, Larkana-Jacobabad checkpost, has seized 450 foreign origin smuggled non-duty-paid table lamps. The market value of the item is Rs1.6million involving customs duty and taxes of Rs915947 in a recent action during the Nirst week of August 2017-18. Following the direction of Model Customs Collectorate Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq, the ASO team is conducting various operations in the region in order to frustrate the smuggling attempts, ofNicials said. Sources told Customs Today that Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), Larkana Customs Preventive, received a tip-off regarding some smuggling bids. The ASO authorities constituted a raiding team, comprising In-charge Chek-Post Aziz Katpar, Inspectors Agha Nazeer, Ray Abro, Nasrualha Gilal, other sepoys and a driver, to execute an operation against smugglings. The party intercepted a public transport vehicle near Jacobabad

Tuesday August 22, 2017

and recovered said table lamps. Prior to the recovery of the abovementioned article, the raiding team asked the driver to produce the legal documents of the import of above said lamps, but he failed to do so. The lamps conNiscated valued at Rs1.6million involving customs duty and taxes of Rs915947. A case was registered and an investigation also started. The ASO deposited the impounded goods into

Sukkur-Larkana division State Warehouse. Talking with Customs Today,Customs Additional Collector Rehmatullah Vistro said the Hyderabad Customs showed brilliant performance regarding the anti-smugglings during said period. OfNicials said all possible steps are being taken to check the smugglings in the region as vigilance has also been enhanced.

nAB authorizes probe in three corruption scandals

ISLAMABAD

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he National Accountability Bureau (NAB) authorized investigations in three corruption scandals that caused a total of Rs 156.583 million loss to national exchequer. The Executive Board (EB) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was held under the Chairmanship of Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB at NAB Headquarter. The Executive Board decided to authorize three Investigations. First Investigation was authorized against Sheladia Associates Pakistan, its ofNicials and others in con-

struction of 22 km Barang Road in FATA. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for over payment and obtaining kickbacks from contractors that caused a loss of Rs. 89.959 million to the national exchequer. Second Investigation was authorized against ofNicials of GDA and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority regarding illegal allotment of plots and caused a loss of Rs45 million to the national exchequer. Third investigation was authorized against M/s Pakcom (Insta Phone) and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for willful default in payment of out-

standing dues to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) that caused a loss of Rs. 21.624 billion to the national exchequer. The Executive Board (EB) decided to authorize eleven (11) inquiries. First inquiry was authorized against Managing Committee of Ministry of Interior Employees Cooperative Housing Society, Raja Ali Akbar and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for less land supplied by Raja Ali Akbar than the payments made by Managing Committee of Ministry of Interior Employees Cooperative Housing Society. Thus caused a loss of Rs. 144 million to the national exchequer. Second inquiry was authorized against

Dr. Mujahid Kamran, Vice Chancellor (VC), University of the Punjab. In this case, the accused person is alleged for misuse of authority and cheating public at large. Thus caused a huge loss to the national exchequer. Third inquiry was authorized against ofNicers/ofNicials of MEPCO and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority and caused a loss of Rs.50 million to the national exchequer. Fourth inquiry was authorized against Abdul Ghaffar Memon S/o Abdul Sattar Memon, government Contractor. In this case, the accused person is alleged for Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) referred by State Bank of Pakistan under 31-D of NAO.

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U.S. oil to bounce to $48.45

World Customs

WASHINGTON: U.S. oil is expected to bounce to a resistance at $48.45 per barrel, as it has found a support at $47.23. For a chart: http://tmsnrt.rs/2i4zk3w The resistance and the support are identiﬁed respectively as the 23.6 percent and the 38.2 percent Fibonacci retracements of a three-wave cycle from the June 21 low of $42.05 to the Aug. 1 high of $50.43. It is not very clear if the cycle peaked at $50.43 or the Aug. 10 high of $50.22. If the high of $50.43 is regarded as the real top, the recovery of price from the Aug. 15 low of $47.02 will be a resumption of the uptrend from $42.05.

Tuesday August 22, 2017

customs Taif foils 3 attempts Turkey to sign customs agreement with EEu to smuggle 2 kg of heroin ANKARA

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RIYADH

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he Customs of Taif Airport managed to thwart three attempts to smuggle (2.679) two kilograms, six hundred and ninety-nine grams of heroin and “shabu” found hidden with passengers who came to the Kingdom through the airport. Ahmed Al-Malki, Director of Customs at Taif Airport, explained this: When conducting the usual screening and inspection of passengers on one of the upcoming Nlights to the Kingdom, the customs controller suspected a passenger of the Nlight. Where he found 15 capsules containing 259 grams of shabo and 63 grams of heroin. Al-Maliki said: “In the same way as the previous smuggling tried to smuggle (44) grams of ” heroin “and (310) grams of ” shbo “by hiding them all capsules

Russia-Azerbaijan interregional forum due in Stavropol he 7th Russia-Azerbaijan Interregional Forum is scheduled for September 28, 2017 in Stavropol, Russia. Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) reported that the forum will bring together officials and entrepreneurs from many regions of Russia and Azerbaijan. The previous Russia-Azerbaijan interregional forum was held in Baku in November 2016, which ended with signing of 12 documents. Russia is one of main trade and economic partners of Azerbaijan. Over the years of cooperation, both countries signed more than 170 various documents, over 50 of which were in the economic sphere. Meanwhile, interregional ties are also successfully developing between the two countries. –CB Report

were hidden in his gut. (2.30) two kilograms and thirty grams of “shabu” were hidden in a cache that was Nitted in the bag of one of the arrivals. It is worth mentioning that the substance “shabu” is made of the substance “Metha amphetamine,” and is one of the most dangerous types of drugs manufactured, which are high-impact stimulants and lead to addiction. Meanwhile, Al-Batha customs

succeeded in thwarting two attempts to smuggle a quantity of “tinbak” amounting to 54,000 Nifty-four thousand bags, all of which were hidden within the consignments received for Customs. This was explained by Mr. Abdul Rahman AlMahna, Director General of Al Batha Customs and said: The attempt to smuggle this quantity of “Tanbak” has been thwarted through two attempts to smuggle it.

china suspends oil price adjustment after two hikes

hina’s top economic planner announced Friday that it will keep domestic retail oil prices unchanged as global oil prices have not Nluctuated greatly in the past two weeks. Under the current mechanism, prices of reNined oil products are adjusted when crude prices change by more than 50 yuan (about 7.5 U.S. dollars) per tonne for gasoline and diesel over a period of 10 working days. China increased

domestic retail oil prices twice on Aug. 4 and July 21 as international oil prices increased. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said it is closely watching the current pricing mechanism and will continue to improve it based on changes in both domestic and overseas markets. The NDRC said it expects that international oil prices will mainly face pressure from an increase in US. –CB Report

urkey intends to sign customs agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union in a bid to step up cooperation with the strategic trade ally- Russia. Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci announced about this in Izmir fair on August 18, RIA Novosti reports. Zeybekci added that Turkey and Russia complement each other and are not competitors.“Russia’s participation in the fair is of particular importance. The Russian side made a decision and participated in the exhibition during 4-5 months. We have a proposal to start negotiations on signing of the customs agreement with the EEU, without violating the relevant agreement with the EU. Turkey also wants to cooperate with the EEU in different form,” said Zeybekci during the plenary session

“The new phase of the Russian-Turkish partnership in trade and economic area”. He added that the level of bilateral trade increased by 30 percent during the previous year and it’s “just a beginning. Over 500 businessmen from Turkey and 250 businessmen from Russia participated in the Russian – Turkish Business Forum. The Forum will allow to discuss not only the steps made for the development of bilateral cooperation, but also the realization of common projects in third countries, according to the minister. “There are many sectors for cooperation – petrochemicals, agriculture and others – that will show us new potential. The agreement on free trade between Russia and Turkey will lead to a new level of partnership. This agreement will include investments,” Zeybekchi said. Russia and Turkey continue to restore relations after the shoot down incident with the Russian SU24 near the Turkish border on 24 November 2015.

govt unveils post-Brexit customs paper ore than a year has passed since the UK voted to withdraw from the European Union without much clarity ever given to businesses on what the terms of the intra-EU trade with the remaining EU27 would look like post-March 2019. This has led to many of our clients planning for the worst possible option, i.e. anticipating that at midnight on March 2019, the UK would formally have withdrawn from the EU without an arrangement in place. However, on 15 August 2017 – a bank holiday for a large part of Europe − the UK government released its most-anticipated “Future customs arrangements paper”:

the Nirst of a series of papers setting out the UK government’s thinking on its future relationship with the EU. We took advantage of a relatively calm week to propose a few thoughts, our immediate reactions to the key issues and questions arising out of the UK government’s strategy. As you will see, the debate is just beginning. The legal and practical considerations of the UK leaving the EU Customs Union in a post-Brexit world was not much discussed during the referendum campaign and it took time for the government to formally address the issue and start engaging with UK businesses regarding this. –CB Report

central Bank of Iran reiterates support for SmEs

G TEHAN

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overnor of the Central Bank of Iran Valiollah Seif in a letter called on the chief executives of banks to prioritize Ninancing small- and medium-sized enterprises in the current Iranian year (ending March 20, 2018) as they did

last year. “Today, supporting SMEs is one of the main priorities to boost economic growth and development in many countries, because of the signiNicant role they play in creating jobs and preparing the ground for innovation,” Seif wrote in his missive reported by CBI’s ofNicial news website. The head of Money and Credit Council–a policy-making committee– commended the performance

of banking system for supporting businesses last year, asking them to follow it with more of the same this year. During the previous Niscal year to March 20, 2017, a total of 24,232 production enterprises received more than 170 trillion rials ($4.5 billion) worth of loans from lenders as part of the banking system’s efforts to revitalize the beleaguered production sector. Bank credits in support of indus-

tries are Nlowing, as leading businesspeople and pundits have rooted for fundamental reforms such as improving the business climate and overhauling the tax system as a more sustainable way of addressing production woes than mere cash injection. Seif notes that since the ease with which an SME can be established is one of the criteria in gauging the climate of doing business in a countr.

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Four ships take berth at Port Qasim KARACHI: Four ships M.V Senorita, M.V Star Planet, M.T Sea Charming and M.T Corona carrying 43,999 tonnes Coal, 65,518 tonnes Soya Bean Seeds, 5,816 tonnes Chemicals and 31,200 tonnes Palm oil were allotted berths at Multi Purpose Terminal, Grain & Fertilizer Terminal, Engro Vopak Terminal and Liquid Cargo Terminal respectively on Sunday. Meanwhile a container Vessel MSC Asya also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim on Monday morning. Berth occupancy was observed at the Port at ﬁfty percent on Sunday where a total of eight ships namely, Nicoline Maersk, APL Austra, Diya-B, Senorita, Star Planet, Sea Charming, Corona and Analipsi Lady are currently occupying berths to load/oﬄoad Containers, Cement, Coal, Soya Bean Seeds, Chemicals, Palm oil and Diesel oil respectively.

Qatar’s hamad port seals services deal atar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) has tentatively agreed to provide container loading services at Hamad Port to a chemicals company. Mwani Qatar owns and manages three main commercial ports in Qatar: Doha Port, Al-Ruwais Port and Hamad Port. It signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chemical and Petrochemical Marketing and Distribution Company (Muntajat) on August 2017 regarding container loading services. As per the MOU, Mwani Qatar will provide container loading and unloading services at Hamad Port berths as well as facilitating and developing support services for containers and trucks. Muntajat will export a number of its shipments through Hamad Port to various end destinations around the world. The CEO for the ports operator, Captain Al Khanji, said the MoU targets boosting

Hamad Port’s capacity in the field of re-shipment and enhances its regional and international presence as a leading provider of integrated logistics services. Mwani Qatar’s new MOU is also aligned with the country’s National Vision 2030, aiming to boost global trade with Qatar. HE Minister of Transport and Communications said: “The MOU signed today between MWANI Qatar and Muntajat will boost Hamad Port’s contribution to the national economy and support our plans to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030. “Such cooperation is an ideal model for joint work among local institutions to support the local economy and the lofty goals the country seeks to achieve under the wise leadership of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.”–CB Report

Ports & Shipping

San Diego port project to expand breakbulk storage WASHINGTON

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he Port of San Diego is about to start a two-year project to demolish obsolete transit sheds at its Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal in order to clear more open space for oversize breakbulk cargoes such as windmill components. A shortage of usable open storage has forced the port to reject some shipments of windmill blades, which can be as long as 200 feet. “We hope that as we create more usable, open area, we’ll be able to handle larger shipments,” said Joel Valenzuela, the port’s maritime director. The $24 million demolition project is being partly funded by a $10 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant the port received in 2015. The port recently completed an environmental review of the project and expects to begin demolition during the next two months, Valenzuela told JOC.com.

More than 350,000 sq ft of sheds will be cleared. More important will be the additional 30 acres or so of contiguous open space the port will have when the work is complete. “Now we’re trying to fit a lot of stuff into nooks and crannies around the warehouses. To have a blank slate would be great,” Valenzuela said. “Our plan is to use this space to bring in more anchor tenants.” The Tenth Avenue terminal is hemmed in by downtown San Diego to the

north and by historic areas to the east and south, leaving no room to expand its 96-acre footprint. However, Valenzuela said the usable capacity gained by removing the transit sheds should provide adequate capacity through at least 2035. The terminal handles a variety of cargo, including refrigerated containers of bananas and other fruit imports for Dole Fresh Fruit, construction materials and other bulk cargoes, and steel and project cargo shipments.

Tuesday August 22, 2017

west coast ports, ratify contract Extension to 2022 est Coast longshoremen at 29 ports in California, Oregon and Washington oﬃcially ratified a three-year contract extension with the Pacific Maritime Association on Aug the International Longshore and Warehouse Union announced. The current agreement was set to expire July 1, 2019. The newly approved three-year pact will extend the expiration to July 1, 2022. A tally showed that 67% of members voted in favor of the extension, according to the union, which represents 20,000 longshore workers on the West Coast. The contract extension will raise wages, maintain health benefits, and increase pensions from 2019 to 2022. “The rank-and-file membership has made their decision and expressed a clear choice,” ILWU International President Robert McEllrath said in a statement. “During the past year, we saw a healthy debate and heard different points of view, with concerns raised by all sides. The democratic process allowed us to make a diﬃcult decision and arrive at the best choice under the circumstances.”–CB Report

Adani turns to bond markets for finance CANBERRA

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dani Australia is believed to be tapping the international bond market to reNinance its $2 billion Abbot Point port, which will export coal from its Carmichael coalmine in Queensland. Securing debt funding for assets linked to the out-of-favour commodity is difNicult. The understanding is that Adani plans to tap the bond market around September, ahead of a loan that matures in about 12 months. Other coal infrastructure owners have been looking to borrow but banks are shying away from the commodity. However, Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group, owner of the Newcastle coal export terminal, recently refinanced some of its $3.5bn debt, advised by Rothschild. The company said that each of its

existing syndicate of six banks participated in the raise at current or higher levels. Due to demand, it also upsized the US$450m bank facility to US$643m to refinance further debt by including two new commercial banks. Shippers including from the Newcastle Coal Export Terminal in NSW including Yancoal, Peabody Energy, Whitehaven Coal, Centennial Coal and BHP have been paying down the loans via take-or-pay contracts. Australia’s top four banks are taking a cautious approach, mostly only rolling over existing loans on assets, while European banks are even more reluctant. The outcome of the deal could affect the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal, which is currently thrashing out its future and how to repay its $US3 billion-plus ($3.8bn-plus) debt as miners, which own the asset, are struggling to make the interest payments. Talks

are back on between the miners and the lenders about a restructure after a recent impasse and the hope is that the debt on the facility will be restructured by the end of the year. One proposal is a deal where the charges to export coal from the terminal are reduced in exchange for writing off the value of the preference shares and junior debt, which would leave the senior debt intact. The idea is not popular with the preference share and junior debt holders. But the fear is that without such a move, WICET would collapse and they would be left without any value. Among the junior debt and preference shareholders are banks, hedge funds and miners. Glencore is said to have exposure. Caledon, which recently fell into the hands of administrators, holds 15 per cent of the preference shares and they are believed to be in the sights of hedge funds. One third of the senior debt

on WICET has already traded and is no longer in the hands of the original lenders. WICET owes $US3bn in senior debt to a lending syndicate, along with $US375m of junior debt and $US400m of preference equity. The debt is paid down through takeor-pay contracts held by the miners, which include Glencore, Wesfarmers, New Hope and Aquila. Meanwhile, Yet the drawback of Haldia Port is that it cannot handle larger cargo vessels because of its shallow water. So, cargoes have to be transferred to smaller vessels in Singapore or Colombo, Sri Lanka, before they are shipped to Kolkata. This increases the cost of trading. Although the Visakhapatnam Port is located quite far away from Nepal, it offers lower sea freight costs, and freight forwarders do not have to pay various charges such as detention cost, demurrage cost and many other formal and informal charges, port ofNicials said.

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Govt encouraging investment, setting up of new industries Tuesday August 22, 2017

Business

KARACHI: The government was providing full cooperation towards investment as well as the establishment of new industries. This was stated by the Governor of Sindh, Muhammad Zubair, during a visit to the Overseas Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI). He said that the enhancement in investment and economic activities would be beneficial towards creation of employment opportunities as well as poverty alleviation.

pm to discuss haroon Akhtar’s appointment P

ISLAMABAD

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rime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will take a decision on including Haroon Akhtar Khan in his cabinet next week, after taking Finance Minister Ishaq Dar into conNidence, as the premier’s earlier move to drop Khan from the cabinet has surprised many. The federal government has brought back almost the entire cabinet that worked under ex-PM Nawaz Sharif, including the advisers and special assistants. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan is a notable omission from this list, most probably due to his differences with the party leadership. In the last cabinet, Akhtar was the special assistant to prime

Engro fertilizer’s profit up 47 percent LAHORE

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minister on revenue. Abbasi is expected to meet Dar in the coming week to discuss Akhtar’s appoint-

LSmI witnesses impressive growth of 5.6% in one year

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rofit of Engro Fertilizers Limited (EFERT) surged 47 percent to Rs4.102 billion for the half-year ended June 30, translating into earnings per share (EPS) of Rs3.07. The EFERT recorded a profit of Rs2.793 billion and EPS of Rs2.1 during the same period a year ago, a press statement said. Engro Fertilizer also announced an interim dividend of Rs2.5/share. The company’s sales revenue rose 22 percent during the half year ended June 30, to Rs27.31 billion over the last year’s period.

ment, sources said.They said the new PM did not have any issue with Akhtar’s induction into the federal

cabinet, but wanted to take the Ninance minister into conNidence before making the move. PM Abbasi appoints Nive advisers The matter will also be discussed with Nawaz as the PM is also expected to meet him in Lahore next week. Abbasi completed the process of appointing federal ministers, ministers of state, advisers and special assistants this week. According to sources, the Ninance minister requested the former PM Nawaz that the special assistant on revenue should be appointed with his consent. Dar and Akhtar have had an uneasy relationship for quite some time, sources said. Unlike in the past, Dar did not take Akhtar into conNidence before picking Tariq Pasha as new Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman.

PESHAWAR

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he Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (LSMI) in the country witnessed an impressive 5.6 percent growth during the Niscal year 2016-17 as compared to output of last year. The country’s LSMI Quantum Index Numbers (QIM) was recorded at 139.29 points during July-June (2016-17) against 131.90 points during same period of last year, according to the latest data of Pakistan

Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The highest growth of 4.18 percent was witnessed in the indices monitored by Ministry of Industries, followed by 1.22 percent growth in the products monitored by Provincial Bureaus of Statistics (PBOS) and 0.21 growth in the indices of Oil Companies Advisory Committee (OCAC). On year-to-year basis, the industrial growth increased by 3.3 percent during June 2017 as compared to same month of last year, however, on month-to-month basis, the industrial growth decreased by 6.51 percent in June 2017 when

compared to growth of May 2017, the PBS data revealed. Meanwhile, the major sectors that showed growth during JulyJune (2016-17) included textile (0.81 percent), food, beverages and tobacco (11.49 percent), coke and petroleum products (2.79 per cent), pharmaceuticals (9.19 percent), non metallic mineral products (4.44 percent), automobiles (11.22 percent), iron and steel products (20.48 percent), fertilizers (1.66 percent), electronics (17.02 percent), paper and board (7.18 percent) and engineering products (4.00 percent).

weekly inflation goes down 0.23 percent ISLAMABAD

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he weekly inflation for the week ended on August 17 for the combined income groups decreased by 0.23 percent as compared to the previous week. According to the data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday, the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the week under review in the above mentioned group was recorded at 219.42 points against 219.92 points last week. As compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI for the combined group in the week under review witnessed increase of 0.21 per cent. The weekly SPI has been computed with base 2007, 2008=100, covering 17 urban centers and 53 essential items for all income groups. Meanwhile, the SPI for the lowest income group up to Rs 8,000 decreased by 0.18 percent as it went down from 209.86 points in the previous week to 209.48 points in the week under review. As compared to the last week, the SPI for the income groups from Rs 8001 to 12,000, Rs 12,001 to 18,000, Rs 18,001 to 35,000 and above Rs 35,000, also decreased by 0.20 percent, 0.22 percent, 0.23 percent and 0.24 percent respectively.

$307.943m earned by export of sports goods in one year ISLAMABAD

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akistan earned $307.943 million by exporting sports goods during the Niscal year 2016-17, ofNicial sources said. The earnings from export of sports products dropped 5.17 percent during the period when compared to the exports of $324.738 million during the Niscal year 2015-

16, ofNicial data revealed. Among the sports products, the exports of footballs decreased 11.7 percent during the period under review. The football exports during July-June (2016-17) were recorded at $152.549 million compared to the exports of $172.901 million during July-June (2015- 16), according to data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). However, the exports of gloves surged by 16.02 percent by going up from $92.750 million to

$107.608 million, the data revealed. Exports of other sports products decreased by 19.13 percent during FY2017 and declined to $47.786 million from $59.087 million in FY2016. Meanwhile, on year- onyear basis, the exports of sports goods decreased by 1.19 percent in June 2017 when compared to the exports of June 2016. The sports goods’ exports in June 2017 were recorded at $27.176 million compared to the exports of $28.515 mil-

lion according to the data. During the month, the football exports decreased by 2.78 percent while the exports of gloves increased by 4.8 percent while the exports of all other sports products decreased by 6.81 percent. On month-on-month basis, the exports of sports products increased by 21.69 percent in June 2017 when compared to the exports of $23.153 million in May 2017. On month on month basis, the exports of footballs increased by 19.31

percent, gloves by 14.54 percent whereas the exports of other sports goods increased by 47.93 percent. It is pertinent to mention here that the overall merchandise exports in July 2017 witnessed 10.58 percent increase compared to the corresponding month of last year. Pakistan exported goods worth $1.631 billion in July 2017 compared to the exports of $1.475 billion in July 2016, showing upward growth of 10.58 percent.

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Georgia unemployment lowest in decade WASHINGTON: State oﬃcials say Georgia’s unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in more than a decade. Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate decreased for the sixth consecutive month in July to 4.7 percent. That number is down one-tenth of a percentage point, from 4.8 percent in June. In July 2016, the rate was 5.3 percent. “Our rate continues to decline as more Georgians go back to work,” Commissioner Mark Butler said in a statement. “It’s great to see our economy growing. Since July 2016, we’ve gained 96,200 jobs, a 2.2 percent growth rate. We are outpacing national growth. In fact, the federal growth rate was only 1.5 percent.”

IccI announces scholarships for shuhadas’ children ISLAMABAD

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Tuesday August 22, 2017

Chambers

cpEc to play vital role in development of agriculture sector

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slamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Wednesday announced to provide full scholarships to the children of Islamabad Police martyrs. In an event jointly organized by ICCI and Islamabad Police in order to pay tributes to the martyrs of Islamabad Police on the occasion of 70th anniversary of Independence, The ICCI representatives said that business community would bear all the educational expenses of the children of martyrs of Islamabad Police. They said that traders and businessmen would always remain behind the families of those who sacrificed their lives for the protection of properties and lives of the residents of Capital City. Ad-

dressing the event President ICCI Khalid Iqbal Malik said that chamber of commerce would organize such events every year to remember the sacrifices of the brave sons of the soil. He said that police had a pivotal role in social development by maintaining the law and order in the society, adding that due to commitment and hard work of Islamabad Police crime rate has significantly reduced in the capital city. ICCI head said that due to hard work, professionalism and introduction of innovative technologies of interrogation and investigation, Islamabad Police was ranked among the efficient police forces of the country. Addressing the event, Inspector General of Islamabad Police Muhammad Khalid Khattak said that police was determined to ensure protection of the lives and properties of the people.

FAISALABAD

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PEC is a golden opportunity for the overall development of this region and we should reorganize our agriculture sector to get a major share from $100 billion imports of agriculture produce by China, said Mr. Muhammad Mehmood Secretary Agriculture Punjab. He was addressing a launching ceremony of a Study Report on CPEC-Prospects & Challenges for Agriculture’’. He said that one fourth population of the world lives in China alone and most of their exports will be routed through Pakistan in the coming year after the completion of CPEC. The containers full of exportable surplus will be sent to various international markets but on return back, these containers will be empty and we must exploit this opportunity to export our surplus agriculture produce to China. Continuing Mr. Muhammad Mehmood said that the per capita income of China is increasing substantially, bringing a visible change in their living style and food habits.

“Like other affluent societies, they also prefer rich and costly food and fruits”, he said and added that we must brace ourselves to get maximum benefit from this emerging change. He told that agriculture department of Punjab is fully aware of this situation and was taking necessary steps to harvest maximum benefits. “We are concentrating on high value crops and in this connection a 10 years comprehensive program has been evolved to develop one Lac Acre of land in Po-

tohar region for the cultivation of grapes and other high value crops”, he said and added that major Chinese imports would also be invited to utilize this land for the cultivation of high value fruits in addition to developing agriculture processing sector on modern scientific lines. “Its trickling effects will provide an opportunity to our farmers to upgrade their technologies and develop agriculture as a profitable business by shunning century old practices”, he added. He told that

hccI’s 4th industrial carnival kicks oﬀ HYDERABAD

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he 4th industrial carnival of Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry began on Friday night here at SITE as President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Zubair Tufail formally inaugurated the event. The carnivalcomprised of around 130 stalls of local and national companies and industrial units as well as food court, entertainment and recreational facilities for visitors- has been organized to promote industrial activities of local industries of Hyderabad. Zubair Tufail in his address to participants termed the organizing of the carnival a great move from HCCI adding that it will not only

boost the industrial activities in Hyderabad but the products and automobile manufacturing and assembling of Hyderabad. He said that FPPCI was striving hard to resolve the grievances of the business community of the country related with the concerned ministries as well as Federal Board of Revenue. The completion of power projects would help in providing uninterrupted power supply to industries on cheap rate, he informed and added that FPCCI also played key role in reducing the petrol and diesel prices as well as smooth gas supply. Referring the complaints of raids from FBR teams, he informed that after meeting with the Federal Finance Minister, it has been decided that no FBR team would conduct raids or harass the business community. In case of any raid, the businessmen communicate such in-

formation so that necessary action could be initiated from FPCCI, he advised. About lack of facilities in the industrial zones particularly in SITE Hyderabad, he assured that FPCCI would discuss the issue both with federal and provincial government to resolve the genuine issues of the industrialists. He advised the President HCCI to recommend names of those who desired to participate in international level exhibition which is a regular feature of FPCCI. The recommended names from HCCI would be considered for participation in the exhibition, he assured. Among others, former Senior Vice President FPCCI Khalid Tawab also addressed the participants and assured that all genuine issues of the traders and industrialists of Hyderabad would be taken up from FPCCI platform.

foreign consultants have been engaged to analyze that why Pakistan is unable to get its due share in Chinese imports despite of its friendly relations and close proximity. He said that we should renegotiate bilateral trade agreement and in this connection a meeting is expected during this or next month. After these meetings we would be in a position to decide that which strategy is suitable for Pakistan to enhance its shares in the Chinese imports.

fpccI trade delegation visits Qatar igh profile delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has visited Doha, the capital of Qatar to discuss the matters of bilateral trade, investment and mutual cooperation with Qatar’s business community and the concerned government authorities. FPCCI delegation, visiting August 2017, was led by President FPCCI Zubair F. Tufail. Javed Akhai of Martin Dow Pharma, Vice Admiral Azhar Shamim Anwer(Retd) Chairman, Bahria Foundation, Asim Mustufa of Getz Pharma, Dr. Mustafa Kamal of Big Bird Group and Khochra of Rajby Industries, says press release here on Tuesday. The delegation held a meeting of Pak-Qatar Joint Business Council at Qatar Chambers of Commerce and Industry (QCCI). –CB Report

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Peshawar Customs aborts attempt to smuggle Gandhara’s antiques PESHAWAR: The MCC Islamabad has thwarted a bid to smuggle the antiques into a country and lodged an FIR and initiated the investigation. A tip-off was received from Collector MCC Islamabad Arslan Subuqtageen that the export consignment cleared vide Sialkot International Container Terminal filed by Leo’s Corporation on behalf of exporter M/s B2B Traders Sialkot was re-examined. Contrary to the declaration as “Decoration Items”, the MCC Islamabad found invaluable antiquities which have been confirmed by the Directorate General of Archaeology and Museums Islamabad.

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

oil tanker filled with 10,000 liter white spirit impounded MULTAN ImRAn ALI

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization has seized 10,000 liter foreign origin white spirit. According to details, Multan AntiSmuggling Organization received a tip-off that a huge quantity of smuggling white spirit will be transported from Dera Ghazi Khan. Deputy Collector Saad Ata Rabbani formed a special team including Superintendent Habib-ur-Rehman, Inspector Rana Maqsood, Inspector Ghulam Asghar and others to carry out the operation. The ASO enhanced the monitoring and patrolling of the region to thwart any bid of smuggling. The anti-smuggling squad was deputed at the entry and exit points of the Multan Dera Ghazi to intercept the loaded oil tanker. The team impounded the Hino oil tanker near Ghazi Ghat Bridge. During their examination, Multan Customs asked Driver Khuda Bux to produce the import documents of the said white spirit to prove his legal possession. The foreign origin white spirit was proved non-customs-paid. The Anti-Smuggling Organization de-

cided to impound 10,000 liter of white spirit along with the vehicle after taking necessary legal actions.

The value of the seized spirit is almost one million and the worth of the oil tanker is Rs3million.

The Multan Customs deposited the conNiscated white spirit into the warehouse. Further investigations

are still underway. The team also arrested the driver and helper of the oil tanker.

nine million fake cigarettes confiscated by customs peshawar PESHAWAR

IRfAn BAhADuR

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n a latest operation carried out by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I), nine million counterfeit cigarettes were seized from the Chugalpura area near Ring Road Bridge Peshawar. Inspector Abdur Rehman said that Custom ofNicials were receiving various tip-offs about the pro-

duction of illegal cigarettes of multinational brands at somewhere in Peshawar region. Following a tip-off, Intelligence and Investigation wing started Ninding the proofs. OfNicials of the Intelligence Directorate, after verifying the credibility of the information that fake production units are present in the area, conducted a raid on the production facility and took into possession the nine large cartons of multinational and local brands of cigarettes being manufactured in the area. Some of the counterfeit cigarette-brands seized from the stor-

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

age of the production unit include popular brands such as Gold Leaf, Red & White, Morven, Capstan, Gold Flake and Pine. The seizure report has been forwarded to the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation while further investigation to seize fake cigarette manufacturers has been initiated. Counterfeit cigarettes are a great menace to the nation as their production not only damages the economy of the country but also gravely harms the public health due to usage of substandard materials in production of such brands.