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Karachi, Sat December 10, 2016

HYDERABAD

ASLAM ANJUM QURESHI www.customsbulletin.com

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he Model Customs Collectorate’s AntiSmuggling Organization (ASO) seized smuggled items worth Rs 35.095 million during different operations and registered 12 cases in November, 2016.

The ASO team following the instruction of Hyderabad Customs Collector Agha Shahid Majeed conducted various raided in Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana to conRiscate

smuggled items under the supervision of headquarters Additional Collector Rehmatullah Vistro and ASO Additional Collector Umar ShaRique. According to details, the ASO seized smuggled goods including, 800 liters of Iranian diesel worth Rs 36,000, non-duty paid smuggled Toyota Land Cruiser V8 bearing Registration No BF-9776 worth Rs 4 million, 58 pieces of tyers and tubes worth Rs 147,000, foreign origin 970 watches valued at Rs 145,500, 19,449 cartons of smuggled pine and different brands cigarettes worth Rs 9.844 million,

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259,244 sachets of contraband gutka worth Rs 14.368 million, 16 pieces of imported juice blenders valued at Rs 112,000 and 36 pieces of smuggled blankets worth Rs 90,000.

The ASO ofRicials also conRiscated smuggled items, including 499 pieces of toy watches valued at Rs 74,850, 120 sets of hot pot dinner sets worth Rs 91,200, toiletries, including room spray, soap, shampoo, face wash, lotion and perfumes worth Rs 325,938 and miscellaneous goods worth Rs 1.060 million during the said period.

Collector Zulfiqar personally monitors anti-smuggling measures at airport

DC Shahid Jan orders release of goods after payment of duty, taxes

National Assembly body rejects varsity request for charter

Long delay in refund payment inflicting leather industry: Zulfiqar

Multan Customs enhances vigilance to curb gold, currency smuggling: Sarfraz

CollectorZulfiqarhaspaidsurprisevisitto FaisalabadInternationalAirportandpersonally | SEE pAgE 02 |

DC Adjudications Shahid Jan has ordered to release the foreign origin smuggled goods | SEE pAgE 03 |

AlegislativebodyintheNAonFederal EducationandProfessionalTraininghasrejected | SEE pAgE 04 |

Collector Zulfiqar has said that all refund claims of the PakistanTanners Association | SEE pAgE 14 |

Sarfraz all the collectorates and DGof Customs Intelligence have enhanced | SEE pAgE 16 |

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Faisalabad ASO seizes items worth Rs 10.9m in last week of Nov Saturday, December 10, 2016

National

FAISALABAD: The Anti Smuggling Organization ( ASO ) has conducted various operations against smugglers after receiving special instructions by Additional Deputy Collector Saeed Asad and recovered smuggled goods worth Rs 10,948,449 during the last week of November.

Sources told Customs Today that Deputy Collector Muhammad Rizwan constituted a team to curb smuggling. The ASO team consisted of Superintendent Saeed Akhtar Joiya, Inspector Ali Zahid, Inspector Khalid Ashraf Noor, and Inspector Khalid Dogar and Muhammad Ashraf, Liaquat Ali, Israr Ahmad and Muhammad Abdullah (sepoys).

collector Zulfiqar personally monitors anti-smuggling measures at airport

KARACHI

FAISALABAD

M BILAL

NAEEM SHEIkH

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ustoms Court judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi sent the suspects, Faraz and Taimur Asif Khan, on physical remand till December 3, 2016. The suspects were arrested for sales tax evasion of Rs 6.118 million.

During the hearing, Inland Revenue Assistant Commissioner Imran Falak Sher produced Faraz, proprietor of Chester Bernard and Co and Taimur Asif Khan before the customs court.

The investigation officer informed the court that the suspects are knowingly filing nil monthly sales tax returns in order to evade sales tax liability which directly comes under the ambit of tax fraud as per Section 2 (37) of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. In this way both accused along with others persons have caused loss to the national exchequer to the tune of Rs 6,118,083. He further argued that after the formalities case was registered against above named accused and others persons as commission of tax frauds as envisaged under Section 2 (37) of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 read with SRO 1125 (1)/2011 dated December 31, 2011 and the provisions of Section 2(9) 2 (37), 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 22, 23, 26, 38, 73 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 and others.

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ollector ZulRiqar Ali Chaudhary has paid surprise visit to Faisalabad International Airport and personally monitored the Customs staff, posted at the airport to curb smuggling of foreign currencies and gold.

On the directives of Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, the Faisalabad Collector has taken some special measures to control smuggling of foreign currencies as well as gold at the airport. ZulRiqar Ali has also transferred some Customs staff and deployed experienced ofRicials at the airport with clear directions to curb smuggling of currency and gold through international Rlights especially departing for and arriving from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Sharja and Dubai.

Moreover, the Collector also directed the Deputy Collector Airport to devise a comprehensive plan covering all the aspects to curb any possible attempt of smuggling of currency and gold outside the country.

He instructed the ofRicer to pay surprise visits to ensure that no malpractices take place at Faisalabad International Airport.

Meanwhile, The Customs AntiSmuggling Organisation (ASO), Jhang has seized diesel generator 100KVA worth Rs 1.5 million involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs

custom court sends two alleged tax evaders on physical remand

517,315, besides impounding vehicle being used for smuggling worth Rs 1 million during an action.

Following information received through Collector ZulRiqar Ali, the ASO staff intercepted a vehicle bearing Registration No FSG- 3262 near new Bhakkar Bypass Road, Jhang loaded with foreign origin diesel generator. The vehicle was coming from Shah Jeewna and was going to Multan. On the spot, Customs Superin-

tendent Saeed Akhtar Joiya asked the Mian Shahid, General Manager of M/s Khan Brother (Pvt) Limited to produce documents regarding legal import or lawful possession of the goods. He provided Goods Declaration No. 52 dated November 10, 2016. He was further asked to produce documents regarding legal import but he could not do the same.

Therefore, the ofRicials impounded the vehicle along with generator un-

der Section 168, 16, 18, and 32 of the Customs Act, 1969 read with SRO No 499(1)2009. The customs registered a case against the accused persons.

The ASO team comprising Inspector Shaukat Khan, Muhammad Munir Ahmed, Khalid Ashraf Noor, Sepoys Ghulam Abbas, Muhammad Ajmal, Ahmed Bux and others participated in the operation. The seizure report has been sent to the Customs Adjudication for further legal action.

Dar orders action against currency, gold smugglers F

ISLAMABAD

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ederal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has vowed to curb any attempt of smuggling currency and gold and take action taken against those involved in forex and bullion smuggling, which is detrimental to the interests of Pakistan.

He made these remarks while chairing a meeting, which was attended by Secretary Interior, Secre-

tary Finance, State Bank of Pakistan deputy governor, FIA DG, Federal Board of Revenue chairman, Intelligence Bureau’s Joint-Director and other senior ofRicers concerned.

Dar directed to take strict measures immediately against criminal elements involved in the smuggling of gold and currency and take them to task as per the country’s law.

He said that action will also be taken against those who are behind this illegal practice. He directed FIA, IB, Custom Intelligence

and State bank of Pakistan to keep strict vigilance in this regard and all airports and other entry points should be kept under strict surveillance to curb this menace of currency and bullion smuggling.

He again dispelled the rumours about the demonization of Rs5000 currency notes and withdrawal of Rs 40,000 prize bonds, freezing of lockers which are being spread by the vested interest to harm the economy of the country. He further said that as clarified earlier, there

is no such proposal under consideration of the government. Federal minister for finance also chaired a meeting here at the Finance Division with the members of the civil society to discuss Open Government Partnership initiative. Secretary EAD, Tariq Bajwa said that the first meeting will be a curtain raiser where all the participants together discuss the core principals of the Open Government partnership; accountability, citizen participation, technology and

innovation and transparency. The participants will identify barriers and solutions to open government in their areas, with the conversation continuing till we are able to develop a consensus on how to move forward, explore future course of action with timelines to ensure that solutions could be turned into proposed Action Plan commitments for government.

These steps will ideally be ambitious, specific time-bound, action oriented and measureable.

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FBR restores Karachi district authorities’ Rs 150m frozen bank accounts KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has restored all the frozen bank accounts of four district authorities of Karachi. The FBR’s Regional Tax Office–III had frozen the bank accounts of district authorities for defaulting an amount of Rs 150 million on account of withholding tax deducted on award of contracts, official sources have revealed. The accounts were restored later after the assurance from the district authorities for paying outstanding amount by December 16.

The representatives of the four districts and the FBR authorities held negotiations and it was agreed that the local authorities would pay the entire amount in instalments.

faisalabad Adjudication puts off hearing of 68 smuggling cases

Saturday December 10, 2016

National

Dc Shahid Jan orders release of goods after payment of duty, taxes

FAISALABAD

NAEEM SHEIkH

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he Collectorate of Customs Adjudication adjourned hearing of 68 seizure cases worth Rs 100.739 million during the month of October, 2016. Sources told Customs Today that Customs Adjudication Collector Raja Tahir Majeed has adjourned hearing of three cases worth Rs 8.015 million pertaining to the seizures of various items. These items includes different brand of vehicles, Land Cruiser, Vitz car, ladies fabrics, children shoes, television, mobile phones, remote etc .

The cases were made by customs authorities. The collector directed the owners of seized goods and their counsel to present their arguments in next hearing.

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Auction: gujranwala Intelligence earns Rs 4m through SIALKOT

SALEEM AwAN SHEIkHU www.customsbulletin.com

he Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Gujranwala, has collected Rs 4 million by auctioning two impounded vehicles and other confiscated items. Reportedly, Customs Intelligence Director General Shaukat Ali has directed the deputy directors of department to ensure thrice auction in a month, as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced this policy of auction.

However, Deputy Director Ali Zeb Khan made a plan to auction impounded vehicles and confiscated items, which was approved by the directorate. After the approval of summary of the auction, the deputy director instructed Assistant Director Itrat Hussain to auction the vehicles and smuggled items.

The assistant director constituted a committee for auction, comprising Superintendent Tariq Rafique.

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ISLAMABAD

M fAIZAN

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eputy Collector Adjudications Shahid Jan has ordered to release the foreign origin smuggled goods worth Rs 674,271 on payment of duty and taxes leviable thereon plus a redemption Rine equivalent to 30 percent of the appraised value of the seized goods. He also ordered the release of the offending vehicle against a penalty of Rs 40,000.

According to details, a customs team intercepted a bus bearing registration no. Z-2410-which was coming from Peshawar. The detailed search of the bus led to the recovery of foreign origin goods. On demand, the bus driver failed to produce any legal proof of the import. The recovered foreign origin smuggled goods along with bus were taken into possession and were seized.

A criminal case was got registered against the accused persons and FIR No.77/2016 has been lodged, the arrested accused person was produced before the Special Court of Customs, Taxation & Anti-Smuggling Rawalpindi /Islamabad. The court send the accused persons on judicial remand for 14 days. On 25-11-2016 Nawab son of Khush Dil appeared before the Superintendent mobile squad MCC and submitted an application stating therein that these persons are the real owners of seized goods (1) Raz Muhammad S/o Gul

Muhammad R/o Mohallah Abbas Colony Sheru Jangi Peshawar, (2) Muhammad Ibrahim S/o Haji Ameen Khan R/o Charsda Road, AshraRia Colony, Street No. 4, Mohallah Deen Bahar Colony, Peshawar, (3) Salahudin S/o Shah Wali Khan R/o Mohallah Hashim Khan Kasku Huna Mardan, (4) Aqibullah S/o Saveed Khan R/o Muslim Town G.T Road, Chugulpura House No.1 Street No. 2 Peshawar and (5) Qareebullah S/o Adam Khan R/o G.T Road,

A criminal case was got registered against the accused persons and fIR No.77/2016 has been lodged, the arrested accused person was produced before the Special court of customs, taxation & Anti-Smuggling Rawalpindi /Islamabad

fBR ‘to grant’ tax exemptions to HBfc

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ISLAMABAD

cUStoMS BULLEtIN REpoRt

www.customsbulletin.com he Federal Board of Revenue has shown its willingness to grant tax exemptions to House Building Finance Corporation (HBFC). The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance was chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla. HBFC’s member of Board Shahbir Zaidi told the committee that this state institution was heading towards collapse and the government would have to provide some

kind of subsidy to rescue it otherwise it would become another ailing entity.

He said that the HBFC made business plan for Rive years and the government would have to either grant them permission for tax free bond or export reRinance type subsidy from the central bank or combination of both could be worked out to survive this dying institution. The MD of HBFC said that they had so far provided Rs 54 billion loans for housing provision since its inception but they prepared Rive year’s plan to jack up this amount up to Rs 100 bil-

lion within few years’ period. This business plan, he said, was forwarded to Rinance ministry and SBP ofRicials. The chairman of the committee directed the HBFC to share their business plan with them so that they could convince the government to provide them rescue package in a bid to avoid its complete collapse. The committee was informed that a proposal of issuance of tax free bonds was forwarded to the government and Federal Board of Revenue to mobilise Rinances for HBFC but the proposal was not taken seriously.

Chugulpura House No.1 Street No. 2 Peshawar. Prior to the issuance of show cause notice, the respondents submitted an application for release of seized goods and requested for summary adjudication of the case on payment of levible duty/taxes. Deputy Collector has said in his Order in Original that I have come to conclusion that the respondent have failed to provide valid legal documents regarding lawful import of the aforementioned seized foreign origin goods.

ANf recovers heroin from courier he Anti-Narcotics Force has recovered 0.750kg heroin from a parcel which was destined to Canada, through a courier company.

According to an ANF official, the heroin was concealed in two thermoses. A case has been registered and further investigations are underway, he added. —CB Report

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PR achieves target of selling e-tickets worth Rs 100m The Pakistan Railways have achieved the target of selling e-tickets worth Rs 100 million. According to a Pakistan Railway spokesman, 8500 e-tickets were sold through different means including credit cards and mobile accounts. At present Pakistan Railways is rendering the service of e-ticketing in t24 trains in 51 cities.

Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique extended congratulations to the employees and described this achievement as a beginning of a new era of modernisation and development. In a message, he advised the IT wing of the Pakistan Railways to start the facility of e-ticketing in Jaffer express.

Saturday December 10, 2016

Business

NA body rejects varsity request for charter ISLAMABAD

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legislative body in the National Assembly on Federal Education and Professional Training has rejected the proposed Sir Syed (Centre of Advanced Studies in Engineering) Institute of Technology, Islamabad Bill 2016 as the said institute does not meet the infrastructure criteria laid down by the HEC for the establishment of a full Rledged university.

CASE is currently afRiliated with the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Taxila, offering admissions in 10 programsmes in Engineering, Computing and Man-

Reserves down by $270 million KARACHI

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akistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves amounted to $23.3 billion on December 2, down $270 million or 1.1 per cent from a week ago, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Thursday. According to a statement released by the central bank, the decrease in reserves was on account of external debt servicing. SBP’s liquid foreign exchange reserves decreased 1.2pc week-on-week to $18.3bn. Net foreign exchange reserves held by commercial banks amounted to $4.9bn on Dec 2.

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agement Sciences, both at the undergraduate and the graduate levels.

The institute wants to get the approval of its charter from the National Assembly of Pakistan, but it could not be succeeded as the Higher Education Commission

(HEC) and te Capital Development Authority (CDA), both opposed the bill in this regard. The Chairman HEC briefed the committee that initially the request to grant a NOC was submitted by the Sir Syed Memorial Society and CASE management

jointly, but later on a difference between both parties surfaced while the CDA ofRicials also informed that the building in which currently the institute was working was totally unlawful and the civic body had already served a Rinal show cause notice to this institute to end the non conforming use of the premises.

While talking to Daily Times, the Member Planning Asad Mehboob Kiani said: "We informed the committee members that the building which is being used by the CASE management was originally for a museum and a library while the establishment of a private university is totally illegal." The committee discussed the said bill in detail and deferred it till the fulRilment of the pre-requisite which was required for awarding an Institute and NOC by the HEC.

cpEc to promote economic activities in region: BoI head B

ISLAMABAD

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oard of Investment (BoI) Chairman Dr Miftah Ismail has said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would promote economic integration and regional connectivity for development and prosperity in the region.

“All the provinces and regions have shared opportunity for infrastructural development and industrial growth which provides employment opportunities and

prosperity in the country,” Dr Miftah, who is also a Minister of State, said while speaking at a 3-day 19th Sustainable Development Conference on theme of “Sustainable Development: Envisaging the Future Together”, organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here at a local hotel. Dr Miftah said after completion of CPEC, $150 billion investment would be brought by Chinese investors in Pakistan. He said work also underway on Turkmenistan-AfghanistanPakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, while CASA-1000 also focussed to

meet need of energy in the country.

The BOI chairman said in the post CPEC scenario, “We would be required skilled manpower to work in various industries in all provinces of the country. The government keenly focus to remove regional disparity and provide equal development in all provinces, especially remote regions.” Miftaf Ismail said Balohistan would get more benefits from CPEC and Gwadar port would play pivotal role for providing connectivity and enhance the regional trade opportunities.

cotton price up on selective buying KARACHI

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he cotton market remained firm and steady on Thursday where selective buying for quality cotton from needy spinners kept flowing. However, reports of allowing conditional cotton imports from India failed to induce sentiment. Floor brokers said that slow arrivals of phutti (seed cotton) strongly indicated that growers are presently holding very little stocks.

Consequently, there was lack of trading interest as quality cotton was running in short supply. Cotton analysts said reports that the government has allowed cotton import from India after earlier imposition of unannounced ban were not a new development because conditional imports of cotton were not stopped.

Though on the ready counter prices generally remained at overnight level, the Karachi Cotton Association officially increased spot rates by Rs50, to Rs6,300 per maund (around 37 kilograms). However, brokers said that phutti prices came down, with Punjab quality being quoted at Rs2,800 to Rs3,500 from Rs3,550 per 40kg. Similarly, the Sindh variety was also lower by Rs50, to Rs3,250 per 40kg. The world cotton markets also came under selling pressure.

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LDA launches Rs 300m record computerisation project LAHORE

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he LDA has started a project for implementation of an integrated system for computerisation of its record, including scanning and digitisation of Riles of more than 80,000 plots in its own housing schemes, at a cost of Rs300m. LDA Director General Zahid Akhtar Zaman said this while brieRing a group of 26

participants of 20th Senior Management Course at the National Institute of Management, Karachi, who visited LDA OfRice here on Thursday. Zaman said that record of Gulberg, Johar Town and LDA Avenue One schemes was being computerised in the Rirst phase. All relevant documents from the Revenue Department and other ofRices will be integrated at one place for ensuring quick disposal of transfer cases and eliminating chances of fraud, he added. He said that land au-

dit of different housing schemes of LDA was under way. As many as 80 plots of different sizes worth billions of rupees situated in Rive blocks of Johar Town had so far been discovered for which no record of private ownership was available. After fulRilling legal requirements, the LDA will auction off these plots and spend the money on development projects, he said. He said the LDA had planned to execute the project for widening of Canal Road, including construction of

a one-kilometer long underpass at Choubacha Phattak at a cost of Rs5 billion within a period of four months. Expeditious execution of development projects in the city during the recent years by LDA was a precedent to be followed by other departments, he said. The LDA director general said that in order to eliminate the risk of bogus transfers and protect the rights of buyers, LDA made it compulsory for plot owners to get no-objection certiRicates (NOCs) from

the authority before the execution of any transaction. In the past, power of attorney had been the main cause of fraudulent and bogus transfers.

Transfer of plots by GPA has been prohibited in newly developed housing schemes i.e. LDA Avenue-I, LDA City, he added. To safeguard the proprietary rights of owners and control incidents of forgery and sale of plots on fake transfer letters, the LDA has started issuance of security feature documents, he said.

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ISLAMABAD

M ARSHAD

www.customstoday.com egional Tax OfRicers hailing from twin cities Large Taxpayers’ Unit Islamabad and Rawalpindi, were briefed about the procedures likely to be followed for the execution of mega tax amnesty scheme for real estate sector.

In this regard, a well placed source at FBR told Customs Today that a brieRing session for the RTOs and other ofRicials was arranged here at Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Headquarters.

Chairman FBR Nisar Muhammad Khan along with his lead team members including, Member Inland Revenue Policy Rehmatullah Khan Wazir, Member Inland Operations Dr. Muhammad Irshad and Dr Muhammad Iqbal gave detailed brieRing to the ofRicers about different aspects of the scheme. Last Wednesday, the National Assembly approved a mega tax amnesty scheme for real estate sector that would approve whitening of black money invested in the sector by paying only three per cent tax. The lower house of the parliament gave approval to Income Tax Amendment Bill 2016, which would whiten an estimated Rs7 trillion of black money invested in the sector. Earlier, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) opposed the bill during the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue. It is pertinent to mention here that the government had introduced amendments in the Income Tax Ordinance to

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Saturday, December 10, 2016

collect taxes on property transactions. However, due to the resistance from the real estate sector, the government promulgated an ordinance with consensus of property dealers and introduced fair market value.

A day earlier, President Mamnoon Hussain also gave assent to the Income Tax Amendment Act 2016 to grant legal cover to an amnesty scheme that would allow property owners to whiten money parked in the real estate sector on payment of three per cent tax. The president signed the third such scheme to be promulgated by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government since 2013. The source said that besides the brieRing about the different aspect of the said scheme, the questions asked by the participants of the session were also responded by the top FBR team to address their reservations.

These reservations have been hot topic of discussions among the FBR ofRicials since the promulgation of the said bill in the parliament as well as due course of deliberations at the level of standing committees.

Meanwhile, The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is not decreasing but has been Rluctuating over the years. In Rinancial year 2015-16, the FDI increased by 106 percent to $ 1,901.2 million from $ 922.9 million in 2014-15.

Sources told Customs Today that increased FDI also casts positive impact on revenue collection besides making working of the FBR Rield ofRicers easy. The FBR collected Rs 2,589.9 billion taxes up to June 30, 2015 whereas net amount collected in single month of July this

year was Rs 151.9 billion.

The sources said that soft approach has been taken on the issue of over and under invoicing due to increased FDI. The cases of fake refund claims are also decreasing.

The outstanding income tax refund claims for the Riscal year 2014-15 remained Rs 3.59 billion; Rs 141 million from corporate sector and Rs 34.56 million from non-corporate sector. The total amount of pending sales tax refund claims was Rs 6.75 billion on June 30, 2015.

han mad k m a h rs ar Mu embe m BR Nis f m n a a te ue chairm th his lead Reven d i n a w l er ber In along Memb m , e r i z M a , ing ad an w includ lah kh ad Irsh l u m t a m a ed Rehm Muh detail ns Dr. policy e o i v t a a g r ope ent Iqbal Inland differ t mmad u a o h b u rM ers a and D e offic h me t o t g e sche h t f o briefin ts aspec

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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

pM’s DiamerBhasha Dam initiatives

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rime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given go ahead signal to construct Diamer-Bhasha dam on Indus River this year. The project will cost $14 billion. According to the official circles, the proposed plan will be executed on self-help basis after the World Bank could not resist pressure from India and refused to provide fund for it. The Asian Development Bank is also reluctant to fund the project, but the government has adopted a strategy to divide the project into two parts to reduce its size and financial requirements. The project will be now funded by diverting the allocations of the Public Sector Development Programme.

However, the financing at the stage of power generation would be arranged on commercial basis by the Ministry of Water and Power by its own means. The government has already spent $800 million on the acquisition of land and will spend another millions in seven years starting from fiscal year 2017-18.

The construction of new dams is need of the hour as the country has been facing energy crisis for the last many years. The new Indian government is trying its best to harm the interests of Pakistan and is pressuring the World Bank on Indus Water Treaty to block water flow into Pakistan. India is already building dams on its side to deprive Pakistan of its share of water. The successive governments in Pakistan also failed to adopt a consistent policy toward India and rise and fall in the relations went in favour of that country.

However, the prime minister’s initiative is a good omen and a timely step in the right direction. An international consortium of consultants will be involved for annual allocations. The groundbreaking of the project will be held next year and the government will ensure the provision of $700 million to the project annually from the public sector development programme. A committee has been set up to complete financial aspects of the proposed dam which is likely to produce 4,500 megawatt electricity after its completion over a period of seven years. The enemies of Pakistan are always active to bulldoze any project of vital importance for the country. The Kalabagh dam, which is regarded as the game change in the energy sector, is opposed by the strong Indian lobby within the political elite of the country. Even the dictator Musharraf could not dare start the project what to speak of a political government.

closure of textile city A

LAHORE

DR AftAB AfZAL

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ccording to news reports, the Finance Division has obtained the approval of the prime minister to wind up the company which was responsible for the development of the Pakistan Textile City in Karachi.

The prime minister has constituted a committee to prepare recommendations for the appropriate steps leading to the closure of the project. However, the National Assembly Committee on Textile Industry has expressed its reservations over the government decision and has pointed out mismanagement and corruption as the main causes of

the failure to take off the project.The fact remains the government has lost its interest in the venture, but mentionspaucity of funds as the reasonfor the closure. The National Assembly committee has also called for selling out 250 acres land, which was allocated for the project,to pay outstanding debt which exceeded to Rs 2.4 billion. It is a routine of the government policymakers to launch projects with great enthusiasm, use and misuse public funds,but close them at the end. Billions of dollars have been spent on various development projects, including Nandipur power station and no one is there to fix the responsibility of the losses.

A Chinese company is going

to invest $9 billion in K-electric and instead of winding it up, the textile city project can be handed over to foreign companies to make it operational. The precious public money is blatantly used scot-free as no corrupt official or politician has ever been convicted in the country. The company responsible for the execution of the project now owes billions of rupees to the National Bank. At a time the countries in the region are attracting huge foreign investment, Pakistan is lagging behind in every field of economy. How the cherished goal of prosperity can be achieved when most of the policies falter in the beginning. The idea of textile city was in line with basic requirement of the

country as Pakistan has already achieved GSP status and European textile brands could have been invited to set up their units in the city. Bangladesh has emerged as the second largest textile apparel exporter in the world just in few years. The question is why the Pakistani government cannot achieve the same status. There is still time to offer tax relief and concessions to foreign and local investors and all the thrust should not be on the collection of revenues. Still the losses can be covered if appropriate steps are taken. The closure of the project means administrative failure and prove that the government is unable to launch any venture of the national importance.

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BP ready to pay off Iran’s debts TEHRAN: Deputy oil minister has announced that British Petroleum (BP) is ready to settle debts to Iran though the process has been hindered due to banking issues. Iranian Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs Amir Hossein Zamaninia said several negotiations have been conducted so far between Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UK’s BP on receiving Iran’s share in Rhum gas field.The official highlighted that the British firm has voiced complete readiness to retire its gas debts to Iran asserting “the main cause of the lengthy delay in collecting Iran’s revenues pertain to certain banking barriers.” He underlined that grounds have been provided through foreign banks and the debt is estimated to be cleared in the days to come. On the amount of BP’s debt to Iran, Zamaninia maintained that the gas debt figure is not significant and barely reaches several hundred million dollars all of which will be repaid in the near future.

kccI opposes fBR Audit policy 2016 KARACHI

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resident of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Shamim Ahmed Firpo, while expressing sheer disappointment over the recently approved ‘FBR Audit Policy 2016’, termed it as ‘yet another attempt’ to harass the loyal taxpayers as this new policy empowers the officers to carry out audit of those cases again which have been audited last year. In a statement issued, Shamim Firpo pointed out that in case of corporates, businesses and industrial units, the audits by FBR involve explicit monetary burden including legal costs as well as implicit costs to businesses like diversion of time, resources, efforts and concentration away from core business activities. “Therefore, the Karachi Chamber strongly opposes the idea of conducting re-audit

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of businesses the very next year under the new parameters as defined by the new audit policy”, he added.

He suggested that the audit once done should be exempted for at least three years so that businesses may be spared to perform business activities smoothly. President KCCI feared that all cases of commercial importers, who are paying 3 percent value added Sales Tax, would also be exposed to audit even though they have already been subjected to taxes at the import stage. “Such a move appears to be redundant and would only create hindrances in smooth business activities”, he added. He also criticized FBR’s decision to take all NTN holders, salaried person and even pensioners into the audit-net under the new Audit Policy 2016.

Saturday December 10, 2016

Chambers

pakistan has potential to promote exports of It, fruits to Japan: Masao P

ISLAMABAD

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akistan has great potential to promote exports of IT products, mangoes, dry fruits and many other products to Japan and Pakistani businessmen should exploit these opportunities for promoting trade with Japan. This was observed by Masao Otsuka, Japan International Cooperation Agency’s Trade Promotion Advisor to Trade Development Authority of Pakistan during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He said Japan’s 2 million SMEs were looking for import of software products from outside due to their high cost in local market and Pakistan’s IT sector businessmen has good opportunity to promote export of software products to Japanese SMEs. He said Japanese companies were facing shortage of engineers and they were keen to invest in Pakistan, but have some reservations on security situation here. He said Pakistan could attract more investment from Japan by setting up speciRic economic zones, providing secured environment and ensuring

uninterrupted power supply to Japanese investors.

He said Pakistani mangoes and dry fruits were quite popular in Japan while negotiations were in process to sort out issues for export of Pakistani citrus to Japan. He said JICA has assigned him as Trade Promotion Advisor to TDAP for promoting Pakistan’s exports to Japan and he was tying up with Pakistani Chambers of Commerce and Indus-

try to explore new avenues of achieving this goal. He said he had taken a Pakistani trade delegation to Japan in May last year while another such delegation was being planned in May 2017. He urged that Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry ICCI members should accompany this delegation to explore business promotion opportunities in Japan. He said he would give a presentation to ICCI members

Sialkot-made goods received positive response in IDEAS: SccI

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SIAKLOT

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he Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) exhibited the Sialkot-made sports goods, surgical instruments, gloves, leather goods, sports wears and products received a massive positive response by the national and foreign visitors during the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) recently held at Karachi. It was the Rirst time when the SCCI has participated in this international exhibition. SCCI’s Research & Development OfRicer (RDO) Salman Mir told that the national and foreign exhibitors and visitors showed very keen interest in Sialkot-made export products displayed there at a stall in IDEAS exhibition and the SCCI’s ex-

hibition stall won the Rirst prize with accolades. Salman Mir revealed that International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) exhibition had been instrumental in not only showcasing the best of Pakistan in the defence sector but has also contributed signiRicantly towards promotion of our mutually beneRicial relations with the international community in this important Rield. He said that IDEAS also presented an important platform to the exhibitors to showcase their products before the international community on one hand and to share relevant knowledge and expertise in Rinding affordable solutions and employing innovative means to meet the defence related challenges, on the other. It also offered the defence manufacturers an opportunity to explore new areas for undertaking joint ven-

tures and further augmenting trade ties with their counterparts. Salman Mir narrated that the IDEAS offered a comprehensive Program to effectively coordinate meetings and networking sessions between foreign delegations, government OfRicials, senior armed forces leaders and exhibitors, thereby ensuring effective connection between all participants of the exhibition.

IDEAS 2016 was an essential occasion for shaping target audience attitude, networking opportunities, creating positive publicity and highlighting visibility in the defence industry, he added. Meanwhile, SCCI President Majid Raza Bhutta and SVP Adnan Arshad Sethi have also hailed the performance of RDO Salman Mir for clinching the top position for SCCI in this international exhibition with accolades as well.

in the 2nd week of Dec’16 about getting better access to Japanese market. Speaking at the occasion, Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Japanese auto companies were doing good business by assembling vehicles in Pakistan and stressed that they should set up manufacturing plants in Pakistan as it was a promising market for auto sector. He said many Pakistani products including IT, textiles & apparel, leather, sports, gems & jewelry, marble, fruits and others could Rind good market in Japan, but Japan’s high import tariffs were major trade barriers for Pakistan. He emphasized that Japan should reduce its high tariffs to facilitate further promotion of Pakistani exports. He said Japan has advanced technology and it should transfer its technology and expertise to Pakistan that would further promote industrialization in our economy. He said bilateral trade between the two countries was still less than $2 billion with trade balance tilted in favor of Japan. He said Japan should provide easy access to Pakistani products in its market for improving bilateral trade balance.

Russia, turkey ready to trade in national currencies ussia is ready to trade with Turkey in rubles and liras, Russian Central Bank reported today. “There are no legal and technical obstacles for residents of Russia and Turkey to trade in national currencies.

There is no need to sign a separate agreement between Central Banks of two countries for this purpose,” the report said. As chairman of the board of the National Currency Association Dmitry Piskulov noted in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza, the discussion and approval of technical aspects of transition to trade in respective national currencies will take about a year. “There should be mechanisms of direct conversion of rubles into Turkish liras and Turkish liras into rubles, which is possible with the help of the Moscow Stock Exchange,” he said, stressing that this step is welcomed.—CB Report

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IHC adjourns Pak Telecom’s case against LTU Saturday December 10, 2016

National customs Appellate tribunal adjourns 13 cases LAHORE

MUHAMMAD NAwAZ www.customsbulletin.com

he Customs Appellate Tribunal division bench-II comprising Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Technical Member Imran Tariq heard 13 cases and adjourned all the cases until the next date of hearing. The Customs Tribunal adjourned 13 cases, included Customs Multan versus Kokab Enterprises, Nazir Hussain versus Customs Multan; Advance International versus Customs Lahore, Hafiz Muhammad Tariq Butt versus Customs Lahore, Collector Customs Sambrial seven appeals versus National Machinery, and JSF Enterprises versus Customs Lahore, On Thursday, the tribunal heard cases, including Shaukat Ali versus directorate of intelligence and investigation Gujarat, Muhammad Yousaf versus customs Lahore, Tooay past versus Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore, Abdul Rehman versus customs Multan, directorate of intelligence and investigation Faisalabad versus Muhammad Akram Chohan and directorate of intelligence and investigation Faisalabad versus Arif Abdullah.

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Dc Usman tariq reshuffles 14 customs officials eputy Collector Headquarter (HQ) Usman Tariq has reshuffled 14 customs employees, including seven inspectors, one driver, havaldar and five sepoyes with immediate effect. Sources told Customs Today that the deputy collector transferred inspector Muhammad Arshad from Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), jhang, to ASO Sargodha; Ghulam Murtaza Anjum and Azhar Hussain Jafri have been transferred from ASO Mainwali to ASO Sara-e-Muhajir while Muhammad Mansha has been transferred from ASO Sara-e-Muhajir to Air fright Unit (AFU), Faisalabad on additional duty at State warehouse, dry port Faisalabad. —Naeem Sheikh

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ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday adjourned hearing of a tax reference filed by M/s Pak Telecom Mobile Limited with directions to Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) to submit reply before the bench.

A single bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case. The bench heard the reference for the first time and issued directive to the LTU for submission of report on the matter. The company had filed the case challenging a show cause notice issued by the Islamabad LTU. It also challenged Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue’s (ATIR) decision of upholding the verdict of adjudication in the case.

3% tax to whiten black money: NA okays amnesty scheme for real estate T

ISLAMABAD

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he National Assembly has approved a mega tax amnesty scheme for real estate sector.

Now people in real estate sector can whiten black money by paying only three per cent tax. The lower house of the parliament has given approval to Income Tax Amendment Bill 2016, which would whiten an estimated Rs 7 trillion of black money invested in the sector.

It is pertinent to mention that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been opposing the bill during the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue.

However, the government had introduced amendments in the Income Tax Ordinance to collect taxes on property transactions on de-

mand from the realtors.

Under the amnesty scheme, gor immovable property acquired on or after July 1, 2016, the rate of tax is 10

%, where holding period of immovable property is up to one year; the rate of tax is 7.5 % where holding period of immovable property is

more than or equal to one year but less than two years. The rate of tax is 5% where holding period of immovable property is more than or equal to two years but less than three years; the rate of tax is 0 % where holding period of immovable property is more than three years. For immovable property acquired before July 1, 2016, the rate of tax is 5% where holding period of immovable property is up to three years. The rate of tax is 0% where holding period of immovable property more than three years. Meanwhile, the capital gain tax will not be applicable on the Rirst sale of plots given to the dependents of armed forces personnel who have been martyred in the line of duty. Basic threshold of Rs 3 million for application of withholding tax on purchase of immovable property was increased to Rs 4 million.

customs impounds 131 vehicles worth Rs 162.3m T

ISLAMABAD

tARIQ DERYA

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he Model Customs Collectorate impounded 131 nonduty paid vehicles and other vehicles being used for smuggling worth Rs 162.39 million during Rirst Rive months (July-November) of Rinancial year 2016-17.

Deputy Collector Shahid Jan said that performance of Anti Smuggling Organisation (ASO), especially car cell of Customs Preventive remained satisfactory during the said period. He informed that the car cell impounded 64 non-duty paid vehicles worth Rs 98.99 million, besides the ASO impounding 67 vehicles worth Rs 63.4 million under Section 157 of the Customs Act, 1969. Only in November, the ASO foiled various smuggling attempts and impounded 16 vehicles being used for smuggling worth Rs 18.6 million, while the car cell impounded 13 non-duty paid vehicles worth Rs 26.03 million during the same period. The deputy collector fur-

ther said that Customs North Region Chief Collector Sarwat Tahira Habib has sent appreciation note on showing outstanding performance, adding that Islamabad Customs Collector Arslan Subuc-

tageen also hailed the performance of ASO and car cell. He added that both departments were doing their best to curb smuggling and generating revenue in order tom meet revenue targets for sec-

ond quarter of the Riscal year. The car cell impounded Toyota Corolla, Vitz, Suzuki Pick up half cut, Mercedes cars, Toyota Hiace vans, Toyota Surf, Toyota Prado and other vehicles during the said period.

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FIA arrests proclaimed offender-cum-human trafficker FAISALABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested a proclaimed offender-cumhuman trafficker during a raid.

Deputy Director Syed Imam Zaidi told Customs Today that the accused namely as Muhammad Shezad Ali son of Ghulam Mustafa has been arrested following intelligence information. He is a resident of Siraj Town Gojra, Toba Tek Singh.

The deputy director said that accused extorted Rs 218,000 from a citizen for sending him to Dubai on employment visa. He has looted number of other citizens in the wake of sending them abroad on fake documents. FIA team also recovered fake visa stamps, medical certificates and other documents used for travelling from the possession of the accused.

Name on EcL: SHc bench refers Ayyan’s contempt plea to chief justice KARACHI

M BILAL

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Sindh High Court (SHC) bench has referred the contempt plea, filed by model Ayyan Ali against the Interior Ministry for not removing her name from exit control list (ECL), to SHC Chief Justice after the bench returned a split verdict. Ayyan had moved the SHC, requesting to initiate court’s contempt proceedings against the officials of interior ministry for not putting her name off from the list that had restrained her from going abroad despite the SHC’s directives. The SHC division bench, comprising

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Justice Ahmed Ali M Shaikh and Justice Kareem Khan Agha, was hearing the application but it could not find unanimous verdict; therefore the application now referred to SHC Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah who will make a decision as the referee judge. Earlier, the super model in her second contempt plea submitted that her name was not removed from ECL despite the court’s earlier directives.

This act from the interior ministry is the contempt of the court and proceedings should be initiated against them, she added. The federal law officer had informed the court that on its directives, Ayyan’s name was removed from ECL on the charges of money laundering but on 15, June 2016 her name was reinserted in the list following her nomination in the murder case of custom Inspector Chaudhry Ijaz. “Ayyan’s name was put on no fly list in the lights of statement of deceased’ wife,” he added.

Ayyan was barred to leave the country in June 2016 by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the agency had stopped her when she was about to fly for Dubai after her name was put off from ECL on the SHC’s directives.

Saturday December 10, 2016

National

No restriction on Indian imports at karachi port, Dastgir tells Senate body T

Appraisement bags Rs 1389.50m in November

FAISALABAD

NAEEM SHEIkH

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ISLAMABAD

cUStoMS BULLEtIN REpoRt www.customsbulletin.com

ederal Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan has told Senate Standing Committee on Textile Industry that despite diplomatic tension between Pakistan and India, the trade regime has not been changed by the government.

He was speaking in response to the issue raised by the Committee Chairman Senator Mohsin Aziz that a huge quantity of raw cotton had been stopped at the Karachi port.

He said the government had not issued any notiRication in this regard.

However, he said that the government had put restriction on import of 500,000 cotton bales in a year through Wagah border, while there was not any such restriction on Karachi port. Mohsin urged that the government should instead ban the value added products from the neighbouring country in a bid to protect the local textile industry. The meeting was informed that local textile industry was in a dilapidated condition and its exports were on a declining trend due to a number of

issues including high prices of gas and electricity, high tariffs on import of input materials for industries, restructuring of loans with banks and revival of sick units.

Mian Lateef from Chen One group told the committee that due to these certain issues, 40 industries in Khurrianwala industrial estate were closed which resulted in not only sharp decline in industrial sector export but also abandoning 400,000 jobs. He said if the govern-

ment resolves the issue of restructuring of bank loans of these industrialists, the units would be revived and it would help in surging of textile exports by about $3 billion annually and producing one million employment opportunities.

He said the industrialists did not want to be written off their loans but they want to restructure the loans so that the industrialists could stand on their own feet and revive their industries.

he Customs Appraisement collected Rs 1389.50 million during the whole month of November2016 against the assigned target of Rs 846.76 million surpassing it by 164 percent. Sources told Customs Today that Customs Appraisement collected revenue under the heads of customs duty (CD), sales tax (ST), income tax (IT) and federal excise duty (FED) during the above said period. According to the statistics data available to Customs Today, it collected Rs 319 million as customs duty against the set target of Rs 144 million. The collectorate surpassed the target set for sale tax by Rs 162% as it collected Rs 1061.90 million against the set target of Rs 657 million. It collected Rs, 8.52 millions under the head of income tax during the above said period against the set target of Rs 42 million and surpassed the target by Rs 20% million. It collected Rs 0.08 millions in wake of Federal excise duty (FED) against the set target Rs 3.76 Millions. Customs Appraisement Additional Collector Saeed Asad says that their department already send notices to a number of tax defaulters in recent months asking them to clear outstanding tax dues at the earliest to avoid stern action.

‘Apple paper production involves in tax evasion’

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KARACHI

M BILAL

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he Customs authorities informed the Sindh High Court (SHC) that M/S Apple Paper Production (Private) Limited has been involved in evading a huge amount of sales tax and legal proceedings have been initiated in accordance with law.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, was hearing the constitutional petition Riled by M/S Apple Paper Production.

During the hearing, the court restrained the respondents from taking any coercive action against the peti-

tioner pursuant to impugn proceedings till next date of hearing. During the hearing, counsel for the respondents Riled para-wise comments which were taken on record. In a reply tax department stated that petitioner approached the court with unclean hands and mala Ride intent, it has been evading huge amount of sales tax for which legal proceedings have been initiated in accordance with law, petitioner mislead the court and obtained stay order, so that the petitioner can continue with tis illegal acts and keep on evading sales tax such the petition is liable to be dismissed. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is doing lawful business and fulRilling the

all requirements, petitioner import and manufacturing and supply of goods having description paper and paperboard, however, ofRicials of the respondents issued notice to the petitioner dated 04/11/2016 for physical veriRication of manufacturing feasibility, production, capacity, machinery installed etc of the petitioner by its nominated ofRicer. According to the petitioner, dated November 10, 2016 ofRicials of the tax department without issuing any severing notice suspended its sales tax registration illegally. Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Commissioner Inland Revenue Zone-II Corporate Regional Tax OfRice and Deputy Commis-

sioner Inland Revenue intellegince, Investigation & Prosecution Zone-II Corporate Regional Tax OfRice as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may set aside impugned notice, restore its sales tax registration no and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner. Meanwhile, Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi awarded 20 days imprisonment and Rs 100,000 Rine to a suspect, Muhammad Asim, who was arrested while attempting to smuggle 114 mobile phones worth Rs 1.228 million. In default of payment of the Rine, accused will suffer simple imprisonment for further six months, the order said.

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Thai banks sets sights on cross-border payment services Saturday December 10, 2016

World

BANGKOK: With Thailand’s geographic advantage for trade and investment in Asean, local banks are keen to flex their muscles in the cross-border payment business, particularly in neighbouring markets. Among them is the Bank of Ayudhya (BAY), the country’s fifth-largest commercial bank by assets, which plans to provide cross-border payment service in Myanmar via a collaboration with a local bank, said Thakorn Piyapan, head of digital banking and innovation at BAY. BAY is in the process of developing its own cross-border payment system, which is expected to be completed soon, said Mr Thakorn, who is also head of Krungsri Consumer, the bank’s unsecured lending arm. BAY expects to roll out the service in the first quarter of next year after it gains approval from the Bank of Thailand, he said without providing further details.

Saudi customs seize over $16,000 worth of gold

Iran to export $380m in fishery products

RIYADH

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Bahrain jails local, thai woman for smuggling drugs ahrain has jailed a local man and a Thai woman to five years behind bars for attempting to smuggle drugs into the kingdom, local media has reported. The defendants are said to have smuggled the drugs by hiding them inside the handles of their bags and shipping them into the country. Following a tip-off by the anti-narcotic department at the Ministry of Information led to the discovery of the drugs, after which the defendants were arrested. Both were also fined $8,000 (BD 3,000) each. The Thai woman also received an additional six months’jail sentence after she failed a drug test. The Kingdom of Bahrain has one of the strictest anti-drugs laws in the region. In 2014, Al Arabiya News Channel documented the efforts of Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior in the arrest and capture of one of the most active drug cartels in the Gulf during a sixmonth mission.—CB Report

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he Customs’ Department at King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Dammam thwarted an attempt to smuggle 3.599 kilograms of gold. (Al Arabiya) The customs’ department at Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Dammam thwarted an attempt to smuggle 3.599 kilograms of gold.

Yousef Al-Zakan, customs chief at KFIA, said a passenger who arrived in Saudi Arabia was trying to smuggle gold hidden inside the socks and underwear which he was wearing, adding that some of the gold was wrapped in a medical corset. According to Zakan, appropriate legal measures have been taken against the perpetrator who wanted to evade paying the customs’ fee for the amount of gold he was carrying.

TEHRAN

Meanwhile, The customs’ department at Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Dammam thwarted an attempt to smuggle 3.599 kilograms of gold.

Yousef Al-Zakan, customs chief at KFIA, said a passenger who arrived in Saudi Arabia was trying to smuggle gold hidden inside the socks and underwear which he was wearing,

adding that some of the gold was wrapped in a medical corset. According to Zakan, appropriate legal measures have been taken against the perpetrator who wanted to evade paying the customs’ fee for the amount of gold he was carrying.

Zakan added that Article 16 of the anti-money laundering system stipulates that all passengers .

Russia may start wheat exports to Venezuela in early 2017

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ussia may start wheat supplies to Venezuela already in early next year if the sides agree on technical aspects and sign a respective agreement, Russia’s agricultural watchdog, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor), said on Monday. “Taking into consideration Venezuela’s high interest in importing Russia’s wheat, the export of Russia’s wheat to Venezuela’s market may begin already in early 2017 if

the authority agencies of both countries agree on technical aspects and sign this agreement,” Rosselkhoznadzor said in a statement. In early October, Rosselkhoznadzor said Russia could begin wheat supplies to Venezuela before the end of 2016.

The watchdog already prepared and sent a draft protocol the Venezuelan side. The document concerns safety measures to ensure quality and phytosanitary requirements of grain supplies. —CB Report

eputy agriculture minister said Iran will export 380 million dollars of Rishery products in the present Iranian calendar year (to end March 21, 2017).

Deputy Minister of Agricultural and Head of Iran Fisheries Organization Hassan Salehi said the exports Rigure for Risheries in previous Iranian year stood at 350 million dollars while 150 million dollars of the same products were imported to the country.

“Accordingly, the country’s export outweighed its imports by 200 million dollars indicating 150% of positive trade balance in the Risheries sector,” the ofRicial continued. Salehi went on to state that plans have been made to produce 20 thousand tons of Rish through Rish farming cage systems in the present year; “efforts are being made to meet pro-

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duction objectives.” He estimated that over one million tons of Rishery products will be produced in the current year asserting “the country is expected to export Risheries worth 380 million dollars by the end of the year.” On the latest status of Rishing sturgeon, deputy agriculture minister said “on the basis of the decision made during the Meeting of the Caspian littoral states held in in the Kazakh capital on July 12-13, commercial Rishing of sturgeon will remain banned for the next year though Iran will Iran will keep breeding the Rish in order to prevent loss of export markets.” Hassan Salehi, while referring to launch of preferential trade with Eurasian countries in the next three months, said “preferential trade with countries of the Eurasian region is of great importance as regards exports of Rishery products, especially given the fact that we are now conducting negotiations with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan over development of target markets.”

HSBc to step up hiring in china SBC Holdings plans to step up hiring in China for its retail and wealth business next year. The London-based lender is persisting with its expansion in China despite Britain’s economic slowdown and measures to stem capital outRlows. The bank increased the number of retail bank employees in China’s Pearl River Delta by 57 per cent in the 12 months to September, according to Mr Kevin Martin, the Rirm’s Asia-PaciRic head of retail banking and wealth management. The pace of hiring may accelerate next year as HSBC Holdings expands in areas

like mortgages, credit cards, personal lending and wealth services in the Pearl River Delta, he said. “We’re exactly where we expected to be,” Mr Martin said in an interview in Hong Kong last Friday, referring to his unit’s growth in the region. “Historically, our customers in Shenzhen were Shenzhen-Hong Kong customers. Now the Shenzhen customers stay in Shenzhen because we’re building our local business as well as our cross-border business.”

HSBC started its credit card business in China yesterday after it received regulatory approval to issue cards by itself.—CB Report

Netherlands to boost illegal online gambling fines

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AMSTERDAM

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egulations in certain regions of the world are clamping down in various ways on the proliferation of online gambling made available to anyone who has an internet connection. The regulatory bodies of a number of European Union mem-

bers have been using censorship and Rines to discourage the illegal use of gambling services from these unlicensed operators. Unfortunately many of the methods used to stop illegal use of unlicensed online casinos and sports books have proven to be unsuccessful. In the Netherlands for example the regulatory body Kansspelaanbieders (KSA), would send warning letters to illegal unli-

censed online gambling operators that focused on Dutch players. Then if no compliance was acquired and sufRicient warning and explanation were provided the Dutch organization KSA proceeded to issue a Rine. Now the Kansspelaanbieders (KSA), is stepping up its attack on the unlicensed gambling operators in the new year which will include much larger Rines and penalties for those serving Dutch

players in the jurisdiction. Current internet gambling laws in the Netherlands stipulates the maximum penalty of €150,000 per violation which has been levied on a number of operators over the years, but the actual amounts were not as high as the maximum.

Now however from January 2017, online gambling operators offering services to Dutch players will be exposed to a heavy six-Rigure Rine.

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LHC adjourned case against extra sales tax on POL products LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has adjourned a case against imposition of extra sales tax on petroleum products till December 9, 2016. Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) woman leader Andleeb Abbas challenged the extra sales tax on petroleum products on November 23.

Justice Aisha A Malik heard the case in which, the counsel for the petitioner, Shiraz Zaka, submitted that the federal government could not impose sales tax on petroleum products without getting approval from Parliament, as per Article 77 of the Constitution of Pakistan. He added that 17 percent sales tax is being charged on petroleum products without seeking approval from parliament, he added.

customs seizes 1,000 smartphones from vehicle of courier company

Saturday December 10, 2016

National

Unit-VI collects Rs 9.4 from new taxpayers: Dc faizan Ali

fSt reserves verdict on compliant filed by fBR employees seeking promotion ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

tARIQ DERYA

NAEEM ULLAH tARIQ

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he officials from Customs Department have recovered 1,000 smuggled smartphones from a vehicle of a private courier company,Leopard Courior Company on GT Road near Rawat. According to the Customs officials, the total value of the cell phones is Rs 20 million. The phones were smuggled from abroad and were being moved to Rawalpindi from Lahore using a private courier service. Customs Anti-Smuggling Cell officials intercepted the mini truck of the courier company on a tip off. The officials found the phones duly packed and sealed. Customs Assistant Director Rana Shakeel, while talking to media, said that the consignment was from Lahore and was probably destined for Rawalpindi and Islamabad. He added that they seized the vehicle and the contraband cell phones and asked the courier company to take away the other parcels.

he Federal Service Tribunal (FST) has reserved a decision on a compliant about ‘promotion’ filed by an employee of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) before a division bench of the tribunal. The FST division bench, comprising Member, Rafique Shah and Dr Nazir, heard the case of promotion filed by Abdul Basit. The bench reserved the decision after the board submitted a report. Another bench of FST, comprising Member Rafique Shah and Dr Nazir also heard cases filed by Attique Ahmed Abbasi, Zeeshan Zafar, Mian Muhammad Shahzad, Mian Asif Mehmood, Ch. Muhammad Sajid, Ahmad Din, Rizwan Jillani, Muhammad Younas, Muhammad Hussain, and Muhammad Rafique.

The bench adjourned hearing of these cases for coming days. The appellants had submitted complaints about their due promotion which was not yet granted by the department. They have prayed the tribunal to issue necessary directives to the board in this regard. Members, Ishtiaq Ahmedand Muhammad Javed Iqbal Kasi heard cases of three recently filed cases carrying complaints about ‘dismissal from services’, ‘withholding of two annual ‘increment’.

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customs values of tyres and tubes revised he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of tyres and tubes vide Valuation Ruling No 985/2016 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.

Earlier, the custom values of tyres and tubes were determined vide Valuation Ruling No 812/2016 dated January 28, 2016 .The trade community has been demanding revision of prices of this commodity owing to downward trend in its prices in international markets and in the light of order of Sindh High Court (SHC) dated November 13, 2015. Therefore, an exercise was undertaken to re-determine the customs value of the subject goods under Section 25A of the Customs Acts 1969.A meeting with stakeholders was held on Oct 4, 2016.—Waqar Ansari

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LAHORE

MUHAMMAD NAwAZ www.customsbulletin.com

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egional Tax OfRice-II (RTOII), Zone-I, Unit -VI collected Rs 9.4 from new taxpayers and Rs 0.75 million through income support levy which was imposed by the government of Pakistan under the Income Tax Ordinance 2016.

This was stated by Deputy Commissioner Zone-I Syed Faizan Ali Zaidi during an exclusive interview with Customs Today. He said that Regional Tax OfRice-II is collecting taxes under circle system. Zaidi explained

that under the circle system any ofRicer is responsible for audit, enforcement and legal matters of any case which is most effective from the previous system because the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has given full authority to ofRicers regarding any case. Talking about jurisdiction, Faizan Ali said that Zone-VI collect taxes from Nishter Town, and also collect taxes from traders, importers, manufactures, retailers and wholesalers those having business in Nishter Town. Deputy Commissioner said that 650 income taxes and 150 sales tax cases came in Active Taxpayers List (ATL) from UnitVI collect taxes. He said that the one-I of Regional Tax OfRice-II (RTO-II) is using all available resources to bring

more taxpayers in tax net. He said that Unit-VI of zone-I has collected Rs 9.4 million from new taxpayers under BTB and registers fraud cases without those who claims for zero rated sector because textile, leather, surgical, sports and carpet exporters are exempted from taxes. He told that he is working as focal person of Broadening of Tax Based (BTB) in Zone–I of Regional Tax OfRice-II. Faizan said that the mapping of general public is difRicult for BTB but he always collect information through withholding, buying and selling of properties and Excise and Taxation department and he takes action for Broadening of Tax Based (BTB) for huge collection and strengthen national economy.

Values of ‘fusible interlining material’ challenged

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KARACHI

wAQAR AHMED ANSARI www.customsbulletin.com

he Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the tax authorities to Rile their para-wise comments on a petition Riled by M/s Amir Brothers challenging impugned Valuation Ruling No 926/2016 through which customs values of “fusible interlining material” was increased.

A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah was hearing the petition. During the

hearing, Kashif Nazeer advocate Riled power of attorney on behalf of the Customs Department and sought time to submit para-wise comments;

therefore, the court granted him time and adjourned the hearing. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is engaged in the law-

ful import of fusible interlining material especially from China, adding that petitioner is highly professional and having goods reputation in open market. It imported consignments relating to non-woven fusible interlining and woven fusible interlining and Riled goods declaration which was not accepted by the ofRicials of the customs department.

According to the petitioner, respondents arbitrarily assessed the said goods at the enhanced value on the basis of impugned Valuation Ruling No 926/2016.

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FIA arrests accused involved involved in hundi, hawala Saturday December 10, 2016

Lahore

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore has nabbed an accused who is involved in money laundering and hundy business.

According to deputy director administration FIA Lahore, a team of the department conducted a raid under the supervision of Deputy Director Jameel Khan, Inspector Nasir Awan, Inspector Badar, ASI Ashfaq, Maroof and Shafqat at Jagirdar Hotel room no 128 l,where a person namely Muahammad Ullah was found involved in illegal business of hundi/hawala.

During search following FIA team recovered PKR, 25,40,000, manual receipts regarding hundi hawala, ledgers, mobile phone having entries, sms, whatsapp messages of hawala, hundi etc.

LHc bars fBR from recovering Rs 253.4m tax from LESco

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LAHORE

cUStoMS BULLEtIN REpoRt www.customsbulletin.com

ahore High Court (LHC) has barred Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) from recovering Rs 253.4 million tax from Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) for three days. Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza passed the orders on a petition filed by the Lesco challenging the tax notices for recovery of Rs 253.4 tax. Earlier, Lesco’s counsel arguing before the court submitted that electricity distribution companies were not included among those companies which were bound to pay tax on their income and sales. But, despite the fact, the Inland Revenue imposed 253.4 million tax in 2012 and had issued notices for the recovery of the same, he added. He contended that the FBR wanted to

customs court adjourns cell phone smuggling case he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Thursday adjourned hearing of mobile phones smuggling case. Earlier, the court had approved extension in judicial remand of accused, Naveed Bhatti, who was arrested by the customs authorities from Allama Iqbal International Airport while making an attempt to smuggle cell phones from China to Lahore. The Investigation and Prosecution team presented the accused before the special court and asked for physical remand of five days to interrogate him. After completion of physical remand, the court sent him to jail for judicial trial that was extended for 14 days. As per the details, the Customs Preventive staff intercepted the persons at the airport for checking and recovered 170 android mobile phones of assorted types from his luggage. The mobile phones were hidden in bottles of water which the passenger claimed that he brought that water from Saudi Arabia, it was added. —M Imran Mehar

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recover the tax forcefully and it was feared that the bank accounts of the Lesco would be seized. He pleaded the court to dismiss notices issued by the FBR for the purpose. The court after hearing arguments disposed of the petition and stayed the FBR from recovering the tax for three days. The court directed the Lesco to approach Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue. Meanwhile, The Lahore High Court (LHC) has summoned senior officers of the Ministry of Housing and Works in a case pertaining to the suspension of the allotment of an apartment to an employee of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). LHC Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah heard the application field by Tariq Khursheed, lower division clerk of the FBR. During the hearing, the counsel for the appellant said his client went on leave to offer Haj three years ago.

‘Long delay in refund payment inflicting leather industry’ T

LAHORE

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he Customs Collector ZulRiqar Younas has said that all refund claims of the Pakistan Tanners Association north zone members would be cleared on priority basis, admitting the fact that long delay in refund payment has been inRlicting the industry. Addressing the meeting of PTA North Zone, Customs Collector assured the leather exporters of early clearance of their all pending rebate claims.

The Collector pledged to provide all necessary facilities to the Lahorebased exporters and importers, besides removing hurdles to motivate them to do their business through Lahore Dry Port.

ZulRiqar Younas said that Pakistan Customs was introducing the business-friendly policies for encouraging the business community to struggle hard for promotion of

NAB to file references of corruption against different organisations

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n executive board meeting of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was held under the chairmanship of Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, chairman NAB, at NAB headquarters. The following decisions were made during the meeting. The executive board meeting decided to Rile three corruption references. First corruption reference was decided to be Riled against Tahir Basharat Cheema and others. In this case, the accused persons were accused of misusing their authority

for making 437 illegal appointments in BS-1 to BS-16 in Gepco, thus caused huge losses to the national exchequer. Second corruption reference was decided to be Riled against Mian Masood Akhtar, former Superintendent engineer Pak PWD and others. In this case, the accused persons were alleged for misuse of authority in road construction projects. Third corruption reference was decided to be Riled against Gohar Ullah, Director of M/s Fateh Textile Mills, Hyderabad.—M Imran Mehar

exports. PTA north zone chairman Azam Malik while addressing the meeting, stressed the government to act decisively and rescue the leather industry from Rinancial crisis, as worst ever cash Rlow crunch has brought the second largest industry to the verge of disaster. “The FBR is hampering the growth of one

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of the most productive sectors, generating employment of over one million people and earning foreign exchange of around $1 billion, by denying the exporters their right of refund,” he said. He added that government should take realistic view of the matter and release the long outstanding refunds at the earliest.

customs tribunal hears 10 cases he Customs Appellate Tribunal division bench-II comprising Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Technical Member Imran Tariq heard 10 cases and adjourned all the cases until next date of hearing. The Customs Tribunal adjourned 10 cases including Shahnaz Parveen versus Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Lahore, Muhammad Habib Khan versus Faisalabad Customs and Baz Muhammad versus Lahore Customs Intelligence and Investigation. On Wednesday, the tribunal heard cases, including Abdul Ali versus Lahore Customs Intelligence, Faisalabad Cus-

toms versus Muhammad iJaz, Season Foods versus Lahore Customs, Faisalabad Customs Intelligence versus Shakoor, Multan Customs Intelligence versus Abdul Ghafoor and Abdul Karim versus Multan Customs Intelligence. Meanwhile, the tribunal on Tuesday heard nine cases including Hussain Trading versus Faisalabad Customs, Safder Ali versus Faisalabad Customs Intelligence, Faisalabad Customs versus Iftkhar Ahmed, Farhan Saleem versus Faisalabad Customs Intelligence.

Furthermore, the tribunal heard cases of Abdul Bari versus Faisalabad Customs.—Muhammad Nawaz

tribunal orders release of diamonds, jewellery

M LAHORE

MUHAMMAD NAwAZ www.customsbulletin.com

ember Judicial/ Chairman Justice retired Malik Manzoor Hussain heard the case and said in his Rinal remarks that the show case notice and subsequent order passed by adjudication ofRicer are declared void and illegal

and appeal has been accepted with the direction to the respondent to return the seized goods to the appellant/owner within 45 days.

Precise fact of the case that customs authorities was intercepted 24 diamonds and jewellary of different discretions, on the demand the appellant Pervaiz Khashanian failed to produce any legal document regarding lawful import of the Diamonds and Jewellary,

the goods were seized under the law and case was also registered in the relevant police station. Show case notice was issued by the Muhammad Akram, Collector, whereupon proceeding were iniated and impounded order is passed that the recovered goods were conRiscated with penalty of Rs150, 000 on the appellant. The appellant being aggrieved and Riled case before the available forum member CBR who heard

the matter and dismissed the appeal, appellant challenged both order before the Lahore High Court (LHC). LHC accepted writ petition and matter was remanded back to the Customs Appellate Tribunal to decide the matter on merit. Before the customs Appellate Tribunal appellant produced copies of Gazette notiRication in which the jurisdiction of Muhammad Akram was challenged.

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Fiji port operations modernised WASHINGTON: FIJI Ports Corporation Ltd CEO Vjira Piyasena this morning told members of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources that all its operations were privatised in 2013 and they now had three private companies running the operations at Fiji’s ports.

These comprise FPCL providing the executive management with Government as the main shareholder; Fiji Ports Terminal Ltd – an associate company that manages the cargo terminals in Suva and Lautoka; and Fiji Ships & Heavy Industries Ltd – a subsidiary which provides slipway repair services and heavy industry work. “All our operations and organisations have been modernised,” Mr Piyasena said.

Houston prepares to battle for growing petrochemical trade ill be a pivotal year for the Port of Houston as new and expanded petrochemical plants in the area start churning out what soon could be an additional 500,000 20-foot-equivalent units of annual plastic resin exports. Houston hopes to garner most of that volume, but faces competition from intermodal rail shipments to Asia via the US West Coast. To improve its chances, the port is adding capacity, rebuilding terminals, and working to attract imports to balance export demand.

Competing ports and some shippers question whether Houston’s historically tight supply of empty boxes will handicap the port in competition with intermodal routings via transloading centers in Dallas-Fort

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Worth, an import hub with a surplus of empties. Roger Guenther, executive director of the Port of Houston Authority, said those concerns are unwarranted. “We’re very confident we will have enough empties,” he said, noting the port occasionally has vessel calls by ships to pick up empty boxes for repositioning. “That’s a good sign that the equipment is going to be here.” Houston has been pursuing additional import cargo, and has seen success with development of retail distribution centers such as a large Wal-Mart DC in nearby Baytown that was instrumental in attracting Houston’s first all-water Asian container service a decade ago. The port’s traditionally export-heavy container volume now is closely balanced between imports and exports. Through September this year, Houston had 651,156 TEUs of full imports and 686,424 TEUs of full exports, according to PIERS, a sister product of JOC.com within IHS Markit.—CB Report

Ports & Shipping

port of Everett takes a ‘big beating’ with cargo decline EVERETT

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ower oil prices, a weaker Chinese economy and trade sanctions with Russia are contributing to less cargo passing through the Port of Everett this year.

While a decline had been expected, it was greater than what port ofRicials had forecast because of a dramatic drop in cargo for oil projects in Alaska and Canada. “We took a big beating on that one,” said Carl Wollebek, the port’s chief operating ofRicer.

Last year, Royal Dutch Shell used the port to stage equipment for exploring drilling sites off Alaska’s coast. The port also moved a substantial amount of cargo headed for Canada’s shale oil industry. This year, Shell suspended its Alaska exploration, and shipments for shale oilRields has dried up, Wollebek said.

The increase in energy industry cargo in 2015 masked a downturn in timber exports bound for China’s construction industry. The Port of Everett exported 187,861 tons of

logs in 2014 and 144,991 last year, a 23 percent decline. Log exports through October slightly are behind where they were 12 months ago.

Wollebek said they likely will close that gap by the end of the year. Timber exports are expected to be about the same in 2017, he said. Economic sanctions between Russia and the United States have taken a toll on Everett’s waterfront. The sanctions came out of Russia’s takeover of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. As a

result, the Russia-based Far Eastern Shipping Co. (FESCO) no longer sends a cargo ship to Everett, which used to receive a FESCO ship at least once a month. Another line, Sakhalin Shipping Co. still moves freight between Everett and Russia. At the same time, shipments to the South PaciRic and Southeast Asia have increased, Wollebek said. Fifty-Rive containers full of soybeans from South Dakota are waiting at the port for a ship headed to Papua New Guinea, he said.

Saturday December 10, 2016

port of Houston authority approves 2017 budgets he Port of Houston Authority’s (Port Houston) 2017 Operating and Capital Budgets were approved at a special meeting of the Port Commission earlier this month. Solid financial performance is expected to continue in 2017. Port Houston has projected that total revenue will grow eight percent over expected 2016 results, fueled by container cargos. The 2017 capital improvement programme includes strategic investments providing new growth opportunities, along with recapitalization projects needed to sustain high service and efficiency levels, and channel development projects. Cash flow generated by operations will help support the 2017 capital budget of US$73 million. The Port Commission also approved rate increases under Tariff Nos 8, 14, and 15, effective January 1, 2017. Tariff increases will equal the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index average for a 12-month period ending October 2016 as published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics later this month. —CB Report

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port of oakland project must address pollution W

WASHINGTON

cUStoMS BULLEtIN REpoRt www.customsbulletin.com

est Oakland is home to the fifth busiest port in the United States and, as a result, home to the toxic diesel fumes spewed from ships, trucks, cargo equipment and trains. The carcinogenic diesel and grime from freight traffic accumulates in the air, settling thickly on surfaces across West Oakland and eventually making its way into our lungs.

One in five children in West Oakland has visited the hospital for respiratory problems. We have an astoundingly high asthma rate because diesel emissions in West Oakland are up to 90 times higher than California’s average. Our youngest and most vulnerable bear the pollution burden of freight that comes

across the Pacific Ocean. With the redevelopment of the old Oakland Army Base, we could chart a future for our city that includes secure new jobs for residents and clean air for our families. But the groundbreaking of the first piece of that development is not moving us toward that cleaner future.

Not yet. The developer, Prologis, has yet to lay out an air-quality plan for the operations of the distribution center that is kicking off development of the Oakland Global Trade and Logistics Center. The distribution center will include 250,000 square feet for cargo, bringing a flood of new trucks rumbling through West Oakland. Construction plans include 55 truck docks and 78 truck trailer parking stalls. How will that affect the air we breathe? While I wish I could lay out numbers on the diesel pollu-

tion we can expect to experience, those aren’t available — the city has yet to commission a trucktraffic analysis for West Oakland.

It’s time for proactive urban planning from our local leaders if we’re going to be a green and resilient community. We deserve the highest-quality planning for the Oakland Global Trade and Logistics Center. This is a project being built on public land and funded in part with public dollars. What does a healthy port project look like? It looks like zero-emissions cargo handling equipment (like electric forklifts) and zero-emissions trucks.

The technology is already available today and in use elsewhere. We should think about infrastructure like electric charging stations and zero-emissions shuttles for workers to bring relief to local families breathing dirty air.

Why not bring the newest freight technology to bear on some of our toughest health problems? If we’re truly ahead of the game, we should be focused on how to power the distribution center too. The Port of Los Angeles is building an entire terminal powered by solar panels — we can do that here. The city and Mayor Libby Schaaf have touted the new Oakland Global Trade and Logistics Center as a green project for our city’s future. Let’s truly make it so. Oakland is a linchpin in the Bay Area’s expanding freight industry. The new distribution center is just the beginning. Regional leaders must create a healthy port community as we develop the Port of Oakland. For example, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District can regulate developments that bring traffic into communities.

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Peshawar ASO seizes quantity of smuggled goods worth Rs 28m ISLAMABAD: Peshawar Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized three trucks loaded with foreign origin smuggled goods worth Rs28 million. According to details told by Peshawar Customs Collectorate in the pursuance of credible information the ASO team with the help of local police established checkpost at Khazana village, Charsadda Road Peshawar and intercepted three trucks bearing registration numbers Z-6199-Peshawar, C-2757-Mardan and Z-9117-Peshawar.

Saturday, December 10, 2016

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Multan customs enhances vigilance to curb gold, currency smuggling: Sarfraz MULTAN IMRAN ALI

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ultan Customs Collector Sarfraz Ahmed Waraich all the collectorates and Directorate General of Customs Intelligence have enhanced vigilance to curb gold and currency smuggling. While talking to media, the collector said that on the special instructions of Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, the Airport Security Force, FIA, Customs and other law-enforcement agencies are on high alert at Multan international airport to foil any attempt of smuggling. Sarfraz Waraich said that the government has already launched a crackdown against illegal money changers at the airports. He said that the government would not allow any unscrupulous element to play with destiny of the country. The collector said that all the international Rlights are being personally monitored by the collector, deputy, additional, assistant collectors and they are visiting important Rlights to further enhance the level of vigilance.

Meanwhile, The Customs Collectorate Multan has organized a party to bid farewell to three of its em-

ployees namely Syed Hameedullah Khan, Ameer Khan and Muhammad Iqbal Kamboh. The farewell ceremony was arranged by Collector Sarfraz Ahmad Warraich in honor of the retired employees on completion of their service tenure. The farewell

function was attended by staff members of the Customs House Multan.

The staff of Customs House paid rich tributes to their retiring colleagues for the services they rendered in the department. Collector Sarfraz Ahmad Warraich appreciated their long

standing services which they contributed for the Customs Department. During farewell ceremony, Collector told staff member of Multan Customs to perform their duties honestly and devotedly to accomplish their assigned tasks. Collector

Sarfraz Ahmad Warraich appreciated retired employees for performing their job with full responsibility and devotion in their service period and employees of our organization are our real assets which assist us in achieving our desired goals.

ANf seizes 236kg drugs worth Rs 782m ISLAMABAD

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he Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has seized 236kg drugs worth Rs 782 million in 21 countrywide raids.

The seized drugs include 53kg heroin, 180kg morphine, 77kg opium, 26kg hashish and 1.2kg amphetamine. The operations also resulted in arrest of 25 persons involved in drug smuggling to stu-

dents and conRiscated 5 vehicles.

According to details, ANF Quetta seized 180kg morphine while carrying out an intelligence led operation at Chagi. Morphine was concealed in a deserted house located in Maskhel area of District Chaghi. As per reports, drug was to be handed over to some other narcotics gang for smuggling to some unidentiRied location.

In another intelligence led operation, ANF Quetta intercepted a truck near Nalient, Coastal Highway, Gwadar and recovered 20kg opium concealed inside the truck.

An accused on board namely

Karim Bux resident of Gawadar was also arrested during the operation. Yet in another intelligence led operation, ANF Quetta seized an unattended single cabin pickup (without registration number) at Hoshab Road, Kech, search of the vehicle led to seizure of 30kg heroin concealed inside the vehicle. ANF Rawalpindi raided near Nafees Chowk, Attock and recovered 500 gram hashish from two drug peddlers, namely Khalid Mehmood and Noman Mukhtar, residents of Attock. In another operation, ANF Rawalpindi during routine road checking near Chungi

No.a 26, GT Road, Islamabad intercepted a Suzuki Khyber and recovered 5kg hashish concealed in it. An accused namely Noor Khan, resident of Khyber Agency, was arrested on the spot. Yet in another operation, ANF Rawalpindi apprehended a person identiRied as Muhammad Asif resident of Toba Tek Singh along with 1.5kg hashish at bus stop, Chungi No 26. In fourth operation, ANF Rawalpindi intercepted a parcel containing a decoration piece made up of wood at PIA Cargo, Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad and seized 500 gram heroin concealed

Published by M S Raza O# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Road Karachi, Printed by Dhoom Printing Building No RY/A, 11/6,11/7, Mashoor Mahal,o I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi

in it. The parcel was destined for the UK. In Rifth operation, ANF Rawalpindi arrested a local drug peddler, namely Kifayat Ali along with 140 gram hashish who was arrested near Old Suzuki Stand, Daniore, Gilgit. In sixth operation, ANF Rawalpindi on pursuance of information seized an unattended bag containing 20kg heroin from parking of Daewoo Bus Terminal, Rawalpindi. In seventh operation, ANF Rawalpindi intercepted a Suzuki Cultus Car at bus stop, Chungi No. 26, GT Road, Islamabad and recovered 2kg hashish concealed in it.