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Karachi, Tue December 20, 2016

KARACHI

S R KHAN

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) could bring some minor changes in clearance of goods to bring transparency in the import process, it is learnt here.

Sources informed Customs Today that Director General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Shaukat Ali has recom-

mended examination and assessment of consignments which are filed through “green channel” including “yellow and red channels”.

The sources said that the director general has suggested this after an importer and his agent tried to use “green channel” to get their consignment cleared. Sources said that FBR Chairman Nisar Mohammad Khan and other senior officers would consider the suggestion and the ministries of commerce and finance would

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also be taken into confidence on the issue.

It is pertinent to mention here that Customs I&I-Enforcement had foiled an attempt to evade duty and taxes of Rs 9.3 million at Port Muhammad Bin Qasim. The incident raised many questions regarding clearance of the consignment through “green channel. The sources revealed that the FBR would also discuss change in clearance system with the top ranked officers of the Pakistan Customs.

Customs surpasses November’s target by Rs 50 million

Multan Customs to take action against illegal money exchange firms

CPEC to play important role in eliminating terrorism: CM

Customs ASO impounds Rs 40m illegal vehicles, smart mobile phones, items

ASO seizes huge quantity of contraband items in November

TheMCCsurpassedassignedrevenuecollection targetundertheheadofallduty/taxes | See pAge 02 |

CustomsIntelligenceMultanRangeOfficeantimoneylaunderingunitwillmonitormoney | See pAge 03 |

CM Shehbaz Sharif has said that CPEC was a vital project of progress | See pAge 04 |

Customs Preventive ASO has made total 26 seizures amounting to Rs 40 million | See pAge 14 |

TheCustomsCollectorateASOimpounded nondutypaidvehiclesandothercontraband | See pAge 16 |

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Reference value of TV tuner determined at $7.4/pc Tuesday, December 20, 2016

National

KARACHI: The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has announced the reference values for set top box (STB)/TV tuner of China origin at $7.4 per piece.

This Directorate General has initiated an exercise to develop database values for different items wherein it has been observed that declarations are of wide range and do not correctly reflect values of the items as traded in the international market.

During the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it has been observed that digital satellite TV board without antenna falling under PCT Heading 8528.7190 are being assessed at different values and certain transactions are on very low side.

customs surpasses November’s target by Rs 50 million

KARACHI

ISLAMABAD

S R KHAN

tARiQ DeRYA

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ollector of Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement-West Dr Farid Iqbal Qureshi has held a meeting with officials of the Karachi International Containers’Terminal (KICT). During the meeting, the collector told the KICT officials to ensure smooth clearance of the imported containers, adding that the services at the terminal should be improved for the convenience of the importers. Earlier, the importers had held a meeting with the collector and informed him about the problems being faced by them at the terminal. They said that they have to pay extra charges in terms of demurrage due to delay in clearance of their consignments. The collector assured the importers that their issues would be resolved soon. Dr Qureshi has told the terminal operator to improve their service. The General Manager of KICT assured Dr Qureshi that the issues of the importers would be resolved soon. It may be mentioned here that the importers’ delegation had first tried to contact the KICT authorities, but all their efforts went in vain and eventually they took their grievances to the Collector Appraisement-West, who has taken positive measures in order to resolve their issues.

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he Model Customs Collectorate surpassed assigned revenue collection target under the head of all duty/taxes by collecting Rs 1158 million against Rs 1108 million during November 2016. Islamabad Customs Collector Dr. Arslan stated that performance with regard to revenue collection remained outstanding, as the collectorate not only achieved the target by 100 percent but also surpassed it by Rs 50 million.

He further informed that the collectorate generated customs duty to the tune of Rs.436.806 million against the assigned target of Rs.436 million in November 2016, adding that the same stood at Rs 369.92 million during corresponding period of last year.

The collector said that it collected Rs 413 million in the wake of sales tax against the assigned target of Rs 397 million by surpassing its target

by Rs 16 million, adding that the department bagged Rs 419 million as sales tax during November of last year. During November 2016, the Islamabad Customs collected revenue in the wake of income tax to the tune of Rs 218.24 million against the assigned target of Rs 268.00 million, Collector Arslan added.

He further said that the collectorate generated Rs 7 million under

collector Dr farid holds meeting with Kict delegation

the head of federal excise duty (FED) against the assigned target of Rs 7 million during the same period, while it collected Rs 82.25 million as federal excise duty during corresponding of last year 2015. OfTicials said that the Islamabad Customs was trying to play its due role in order to achieve annual target of running Tiscal year 2016-17. Meanwhile, Customs Collector Dr. Arslan Subuctageen Monday held a meeting with

preventive Tield staff to review the performance of Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) and car cell of Tirst Tive months (July-November) of Tinancial year 2016-17. Deputy Collector Shahid Jan told Customs Today that Arslan urged the preventive department to gear up anti-smuggling activities and made more and more seizures of smuggled goods and vehicles. The collector also directed the car cell to launch crack-

down on non-duty paid vehicles’ owners and tighten noose around the smugglers, Shahid Jan said, adding that the collector also showed satisfaction on the performance of the ASO and car cell. The ofTicials of car cell and ASO informed the collector about hurdles and issues faced by them during crackdown on smugglers, while the collector assured them that their problems will be solved on early basis, Jan added.

collector Raja tahir orders to impound smuggled vehicle C

FAISALABAD

iQRA SHeHZADi

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ustoms Adjudication Collector Raja Tahir Majeed ordered to impound a foreign origin Toyota Land Cruiser after it proved nonduty paid. According to details Faisalabad Customs Intelligence and Investigation impounded a used Toyota Land Cruiser bearing registration no. BF-4209 into its custody as the owner, Asif Farooq failed to

provide any customs clearance documents. Later, the vehicle was sent for forensic examination where cut or welding spots were found on chassis of the vehicle. The case was forwarded to adjudication along with forensic report claiming that smuggled vehicle is not only a loss to national exchequer but also a security threat. Customs Intelligence OfTicer Farzand Ali represented the department in the case, while no one appeared from respondent’s side to defend the allegations.

Therefore, Collector Raja Tahir Majeed in light of the above stated fact, declared the conTiscation of foreign used Toyota Land Cruiser lawful under clause 89(i) of section 156(1) of the Customs Act, 1969. Meanwhile Customs Adjudication department decided 111 smuggling cases involving customs duty and taxes worth Rs 101.195 million during the Tirst six months of current Tinancial year 2016. All the Ordersin-Original (ONOs) in the cases were issued in favour of Customs Anti-

Smuggling Organization (ASO) and Customs Intelligence and Investigation. The department heard cases of smuggled vehicles, cloth, generator, ceramic tiles, diesel and oil, ladies fabrics , mobile phone , old and used machinery and others miscellaneous items during the said period.

According to details, Customs Adjudication Collector Raja Tahir Majeed settled 5 cases involving Rs 32.602 million, while Additional Collector Beelamur Ramzan decided 20 cases involving Rs31.539 million. Mean-

while, The Customs Adjudication, Faisalabad recovered Rs16.670 million after decided different seizer cases during the month of November Tiscal year 2016-17. Sources told Custom Today that the adjudication decided almost 32 smuggling cases during the month of November. Customs Adjudication issued order in the favor of Customs Anti Smuggling-Organization, Sargodha, Maniwali, Jhang, Sara-E- Muhajir and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Regional OfTice Faisalabad.

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FIA nabs human trafficker from Kot Momin FAISALABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested a human trafficker namely Muhammad Rafique son of Ghulam Muhammad who is a resident of Kot Momin district Sargodha during an action. Sources told Customs Today that FIA Deputy Director Syed Imam Zaidi and Sub inspector Muhammad Nadeem conducted a raid along with his team and arrested the accused who was running illegal business of sending innocent people abroad after extorting big amounts from them.

The accused extorted Rs 5,50,000 from a person Muhammad Riaz for sending him Saudi Arabia on employment visa. However, he failed to fulfill his commitment.

ericson, warid telecom moves customs tribunal against oNo

Tuesday December 20, 2016

National

multan customs to take action against illegal money exchange firms

ISLAMABAD

m fAiZAN

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/s Ericson Private Limited and M/s Warid Telecom has filed an appeal against the Order-in-Original (ONO) issued by Customs Adjudication collector before the Customs Appellate Tribunal and pleaded that the there is no violation of law, and the demand of the duty and taxes on not cleared goods is illegal and not in practice. The companines stated that not a single case cited to prove demand and payment of duty and taxes where GD was not filed, for seeking clearance of goods; therefore, penalty imposed is unwarranted and uncalled for in the circumstances of the case, also very harsh.

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iR challenges tribunal’s order against tax recovery KARACHI

m BiLAL

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he Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) Inland Revenue (IR) Zone-II commissioner has approached the Sindh High Court (SHC), challenging impugned order of the appellate tribunal against the recovery of Rs 67.708 million from M/s Adam Sugar Mills Limited.

Counsel for the applicant stated that a show cause notice was issued to the respondent and the registered person was directed to pay Rs 67.708 million for contravention of Section 3, 6, 7, 8 (1) (a) 8 A8 (1) (d) and 73 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 read with the sub-rule (36) of Rule 2 of Sales Tax Special Procedure Rules, 2007 along with default surcharges and penalty in terms of Sales Tax Act. According to the applicant, being aggrieved, the said respondent approached the commissioner and filed an appeal which was allowed and order was passed in favour of the respondent.

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MULTAN

imRAN ALi

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ustoms Intelligence and Investigation Multan Range OfTice anti-money laundering unit will monitor money exchange Tirms working in the jurisdiction to stop the smuggling of dollar. According to details, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan Range OfTice have decided to take action against money exchanger’s which are involved in money laundering. Customs Intelligence special anti-money laundering unit will keep a close eye on dollar trade and purchase in the South Punjab region. Customs Intelligence and Investigation anti-money laundering unit is checking records of the money exchange companies working in the Jurisdiction.

Customs Intelligence will take action against money exchange companies who were involved in illegal trade of dollars and money laundering and is examining the record and business volume of the reputed money exchangers to collect information about those who have purchased dollars in these days. Customs Intelligence Multan will take action against those which were involved in the higher purchase of dollar. Customs Intelligence Multan Range Office is probing money exchange companies working in Bahawalpur, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan

and Sadiqabad to unearth the suspect money launderer involved in the trade of foreign currency including dollar and other foreign currencies. Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan has also deputed special staff at Multan International Airport and other airports of the area to foil any attempt of money laundering after the shoot of dollar in the country due to illegal smuggling of dollar. Meanwhile, Multan Customs Collector

customs intelligence will take action against money exchange companies who were involved in illegal trade of dollars and money laundering and is examining the record and business volume of the reputed money exchangers to collect information about those who have purchased dollars in these days

Reference values of glass refills for vacuum flasks

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KARACHI

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www.customsbulletin.com irectorate General of Customs Valuation has issued the reference values for glass refills for vacuum flasks. The directorate general has initiated an exercise to develop database values for different items wherein it has been observed that declarations are wide range and do not correctly reflect values of the items as traded in the interna-

tional market. During the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it has been observed that glass refills for vacuum flasks falling under PCT Heading 7020.0020 are being assessed at different values and certain transactions are on very low side. The directorate general, after carefully examining the clearance data, also conducted market inquiries to verify the authenticity of declarations.

Online prices were also obtained to corroborate the findings of the

market surveys. The office, therefore, has found that the customs value of glass refills for vacuum flasks of China origin at $1.8 per kilogramme. The value is, however, for reference/guidance only and final assessment may please be made after considering other factors which have bearing on the customs value. The clearance collectorates may like to consider the values given above before finalising the assessment of the subject item.

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.

fSt to hear complaints filed by fBR employees ederal Service Tribunal to resume hearing of complaints about ‘seniority’and ‘dismissal’on Thursday filed against Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) by its employees. A division bench of Federal Service Tribunal comprising of Members, Syed Rafique Hussain Shah and and Dr Nazir Saeed would resume the hearing of references which it had adjourned with directions to submit reply on certain matters to the FBR.

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Punjab govt approves two projects worth Rs 15.8b LAHORE: The Punjab Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) has approved two development schemes of Urban Development & P&D sectors with an estimated cost of Rs15,086.558 million (Rs15.8 billion). These schemes were approved in the 39th meeting of Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) of current fiscal year 2016-17 presided over by the P&D Punjab Board Chairman Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan. P&D Provincial Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, members of the Planning & Development Board, provincial secretaries concerned and other senior representatives of the relevant provincial departments also attended the meeting.

Tuesday December 20, 2016

Business

cpec to ‘eliminate’ terrorism: cm LAHORE

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hief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor was a vital project of progress and prosperity of Pakistan and was a game changer.

He said that completion of this project would not only change the destiny of Pakistan but the whole region would also got beneTit from it. He said that development projects under CPEC were being completed expeditiously throughout the country. The CM said that China was making historic investment of 46 billion dollars in Pakistan and this

NAB achieves 77.6% success in court cases ISLAMABAD

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ational Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) Prosecutor General Waqas Qadeer Dar has said NAB achieved success of 77.6 percent in cases filed by it in courts and 416 accused were convicted since 2011. Addressing a press conference here, he said NAB in its action against corrupt elements recovered Rs 280 billion since it was established and returned the money to the national exchequer. He said NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry was following a policy.

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investment would not be limited to this amount only but more investment would also be made.

Shehbaz Sharif said that CPEC had opened the doors of foreign investment in Pakistan and Chinese investment of billions of rupees was also creating a large number of job oppor-

tunities.He said that CPEC would also play an important role in eliminating terrorism and extremism from the region as well as poverty alleviation. He was talking to a delegation of Muslim league-N. The Chief Minister said that under CPEC, energy projects were being completed speedily throughout the

country. He said that the under-construction 1320 megawatts coal power plant in Sahiwal would be completed much before the stipulated period and would start production by the beginning of next year.He said that coal power plants of 1320 megawatts were usually completed in four to Tive years.

He said that speed of work on Sahiwal Coal Power Plant was unprecedented.

He said that Sahiwal Coal Power Plant was an example with regard to production, speed and standard and would be a masterpiece of Pak-China friendship. Shehbaz Sharif said that people of Pakistan wanted progress, prosperity and peace. He said that the elements engaged in the politics of chaos, anarchy and sit-ins had no concern with the problems of the people and only wanted to achieve their selTish agenda.

Sindh, Balochistan cms won’t attend Nfc meeting F

PESHAWAR

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inance Minister Ishaq Dar will chair a meeting here on Monday to discuss the National Finance Commission-related issues, specially provincial reports regarding the NFC and the federal government’s proposal to establish national security fund comprising three percent of the divisible pool.

Chief ministers of Sindh and Balochistan, who are holding portfolios of Tinance ministry in their

provinces, will not be attending the meeting, Balochistan CM Sanazullah Zehri is in Dubai and Chief Secretary Saifullah Chattah will represent the province in the meeting.

CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah, till the filing of this report, was also in Dubai to attend his party meeting summoned by Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari. Senator Salim Mandviwala told The News that CM Sindh would not be attending the meeting. New member Professor Ali Cheema will represent Punjab. At least two provinces, KP and Sindh, want to have the right to collect

GST on goods as they were collecting on services. All the provinces are, however, unanimous that the 7th NFC Award should be finalised as soon as possible, sources told The News. Sindh Private Member Senator Salim Mandviwala stated that any effort to make CPEC part of the NFC was not acceptable to Sindh. CPEC is a federal issue and its burden should not be put on the provinces. Moreover, security fund comprising three percent of divisible pool will not be allowed as it will cut the provincial resources, he added.

efforts underway to boost garments export to $1 billion SIALKOT

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akistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) Central Chairman Ijaz A Khokhar on Sunday said setting up of Sialkot Development Forum (SDF) was under consideration of the business community. Talking to APP here, he said the forum would be set-up with consensus of the business community. The objectives of the SDF were to find out ways and means for resolving problems confronting by the business community of this export hub and to identify other problems, he added.

He said the exporter community of the city was making strenuous efforts for enhancing the export volume. He said, “We are making adequate efforts for boosting exports of garments to $1 billion by 2020”, adding that the PRGMEA was making hectic efforts for achieving the target. Ijaz underscored the need of setting up Business Promotional Board in Sialkot for finding out ways and means for the growth of different industrial sectors, including sports goods, surgical instruments, hand-made badges, leather garments, musical instruments, gloves and sports wears sectors.

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govt to spend Rs 20 billion to enhance exports in three years ISLAMABAD

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he government would spend Rs 20 billion over next three years to enhance Pakistan’s export competitiveness and institutional strengthening under Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2015-18. In response to emerging international changes, several other initiatives are being implemented to

enhance export basket and market share, sources at Commerce Division said here on Saturday. The sources said total volume of Pakistan’s exports in terms of billion dollars was 24.5 during 2013 and 20.8 during 2016.

Highlighting the steps taken by the government to enhance exports, the sources said a sales tax zero-rating regime for Tive export oriented sectors, i.e textile, leather, carpets, surgical and sports goods has been

introduced with from July this year.

The other steps were establishment of Export Promotion Council for Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics, and Rice Export Promotion Council, support for import of plant & machinery to strengthen supply chain and encourage value addition and Performance Based Incentive (PBI) to offset burden of higher utility costs and local levies and taxes on export sectors, i.e. per unit price based refund a 4% of 10% over last

year’s exports. The sources said under short-term export enhancement measures, four product categories i.e. Basmati rice, horticulture, meat and meat products, and jewellery, are being focused with parallel focus on markets including Iran, Afghanistan, China and European Union. An additional Rs. 6 billion is available this Tiscal year to exporters through Textile Policy 2014. Policy of uninterrupted energy supply has been implemented with zero elec-

tricity load-shedding on industrial feeders since October 2015 and zero gas load-shedding for industry since March 2016. In order to fulTil long, awaited demand for reducing cost of doing business, the government has taken a major step of reducing electricity tariff by Rs. 3 for industrial units with effect from January 1, 2016. Furthermore, the fuel adjustment has been passed on to consumers to further reduce cost of production.

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ISLAMABAD m fAiZAN www.customsbulletin.com

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has collected Rs 188 billion until December 15 under head of customs duty while Rs 159 billion were collected during the previous Tiscal year.

Sources told Customs Today that the FBR has shown outstanding performance in revenue collection and 18 percent growth is witnessed in collection of customs duty while growth in income tax and federal excise duty is less than 5 percent. Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and FBR Chairman Nisar Mohammad Khan have lauded the efforts of Member Customs Nasir Masroor Ahmed and other ofTicials and their teams for collection of revenue under the head customs duty.

On the other hand, the revenue shortfall is increasing every month during the current Tiscal year and it is expected that the FBR may not achieve the second quarter revenue collection target which is estimated at Rs 900 billion.

To achieve the revenue targets for the current Tinancial year, the FBR needs to collect additional 17 percent revenue as compared to the last year’s revenue target.

The FBR chairman is not satisTied with the efforts for revenue collection by the Large Tax Payers Units Islamabad and Karachi. The Finance Minister had clearly told the FBR chairman and his team in the last meeting that the revenue target for Tiscal year 2016-17 will not be reviewed.

Meanwhile, The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been taking a number of measures under a strategy to enhance export by raising gross production of value added good and Tinished products in the country. These measures include issuance of SRO’s, reduction of duty, sales tax as well as customs duty as well as facilities offered to exporters especially in the form of prioritized payment of sales tax refunds.

A well placed source at FBR told Customs Today that in 2013-14, an SRO 809 was issued to give an incentive duty free import of textile machinery to importers. Moreover, exporters were given draw-back for local taxes and levies on textile products on FOR values and their enhanced export if increased beyond 10% (over last year’s export) at 4% on garments, 2% on made up and 1% on processed fabric.

The source further said that FBR lowered the rates of sales tax for exporters as well as introduced and expeditious refund system for manufacturers-cum-exporters. The system performed well and produced good results in the increased tune and value of exports especially exports of textile products. The source said that the beneTit of Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies Scheme remained available for the exporters in the Tiscal year 201516. Export ReTinance Facility was at 4.5% Long Term Finance Facility was at 6% (In November, 2015 the rate was further reduced to 5% and spinning and ginning were included along with continuation of incentive of duty free import of textile machinery. The source

said that Tive export oriented sectors namely leather, sports goods, surgical goods and carpets made part of zero rated tax regime from July 1, 2016. Now Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has approved payment of all the pending sales tax refunds till April 30, 2017, whose refund payment orders (RPOs) have been approved by the concerned department and authority.

all is shor tf e u n e reve r re n t nd, th the c u a g h n r i r e u R oth he fB onth d o n the that t er y m v d e e t g c n e r si is exp uarte i n c re a and it ond q c r e a s e e y h fiscal hich is ieve t ot ach rg e t w a n he t y n a o m ieve t c ti h e l c l a o c o t . ue cial billion reven t finan s 900 n R e t r a r u 7 c ated onal 1 or the estim additi gets f t r c a e t l l t e s o u the la reven ds to c ed to R nee r B a f p e m h e as co year, t rg e t evenu r t n e nue ta e v e p e rc r year ’s

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Tuesday, December 20, 2016

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for country’s sake

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olitical polarization and administrative failures are probably the main actors which are hindering the economic development of the country. Energy crisis, security situation and low investment are the secondary causes or are the byproducts of the principal causes haunting the nation. In its supplemental report of ‘the Asian Development Outlook’, the Asian Development Bank has lowered the rate of economic growth in Asia from 5.7 percent to 5.6 percent for 2016-17, but has maintained the Pakistan’s rate of growth at 4.5 percent for the current fiscal year ending June 2017. Earlier in its report published in March this year, the bank forecast the growth rate at 4.5 percent, hoping better performance in the service sector. The forecast for the next fiscal year was projected at 4.8 percent. The bank highlights structural reforms as a principal factor to boost productivity, improve investment and support domestic demand to maintain momentum of growth in the country. According to a senior bank official, Asian economies continue their robust expansion in the face of global economic uncertainties while the industrial economies would exceed the expected growth this year by 1.5 percent.

The bank has especially cut its projected forecast for the economies of the South Asian region from 6.9 percent to 6.6 percent. Indian economic growth has been slashed from 7.4 percent to 7 percent due to demonetization policy, bleak performance of the agriculture sector and low investment. The bank has its own standards to gauge the growth of economies in various regions of the world.

However, every country has its unique policies and business culture which goes in favour or disfavor of their respective economy. Pakistan is a country of self-made individuals as all the government policies depict best example of ‘leg pulling’ which hardly facilitate across the board businesses growth. The policies often bring windfall for some entrepreneurs and disasters for the others and are often discarded at the end of the day. A majority of the government officials is honest but black sheep foil every attempt of the smooth implementation of the government policies. The nation will achieve economic development when people will develop understanding that it is their country and the whole nation would have to work in tandem in all spheres of life.

New ADp loan A

LAHORE

DR AftAB AfZAL

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s a new World Bank study has called subsidies on electricity charges ‘disproportionate,’ the government is negotiating another loan programme with the Asian Development Bank to support various sectors in the country. The study believes the correlation between measured power consumption and household welfare is weak and this goes in the favour of the rich consumers. According to the news reports, the new loan programme of $4.77 billion covers energy, transport, natural resources, water and urban infrastructure, services and public sector management. There

are several complicated sets of arrangements including policybased programmes and multitranche Tinancing for 2017, covering cost-sharing and Tinancing parameters for a period of three years. The programme envisages a ceiling of 85 percent for the loan portfolio and 90 percent for the technical assistance portfolio.Pakistan occupies a place in group ‘B’ list of the developing countries in the bank and is eligible for various lending programmes. The latest suggestion of the loan programme shows the government would not miss an opportunity to burden the nation with more liabilities. The present set up has allegedly sold its Tinancial sovereignty by accepting a three year loan programme from the International Monetary

Fund. The ADP’s sovereign operations amount comprises $3.2billion from regular ordinary capital resources and $1.1bn from concessional lending resources. In a country which is already marred by corruption and mismanagement, this kind of loans allegedly bring windfall for the black sheep in the ofTicial cadre. The result of the previous loans is testimony of the fact that how public money is used and misused in non-productive sectors. Despite the presence of strict check and balance system in the ofTicial level, no one dare challenge the imprudent spending by the ruling or inTluential political elite. Loans area the burden on the economy and on every individual of this nation. The governments come and go, leaving behind heaps

of Tinancial and administrative troubles for the next government.

And this is going on in this country since independence. The amount of the proposed loans will be used to set up rapid public transportation projects in Peshawar and Karachi and improve the conditions of the national and provincial highways. The government has already taken loan to improve railway system, but the condition of this largest job provider of the country is before everyone. The energy supplies could not be improved despite signing various loan programmes. Loans alone could not serve any purpose unless the government improves its administrative and managerial abilities and launch capacity building programmes for the policymakers.

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Saudi contributes $61.6m to PA budget RIYADH: The Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Ahmed Qattan said the Saudi Fund for Development has transferred $61.6 million to the Palestinian Authority. In remarks to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Qattan said that the amount was paid in instalments over an eight month period from April to November this year. Some $7.7 million as sent every month. Qattan explained that the instalments are part of the kingdom’s contribution and monthly support for the Palestinian Authority’s budget, stressing that the kingdom will continue to support the Palestinian cause on all political, economic and humanitarian levels. The Director General of the Budget Department at the Palestinian Ministry of Finance, Farid Ghannam, said that Riyadh stopped paying its monthly financial contributions to the Palestinian Authority for nearly seven months.

traders call for shifting of courts from f-8 markaz ISLAMABAD

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delegation of Traders Welfare Association F-8 Markaz, Islamabad led by its President Sardar Tahir Mehmood visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) to highlight issues of their market. Sardar Tahir Mehmood said that presence of district courts in F-8 Markaz was a major cause of problems for business activities and called upon the government to shift these courts from F-8 Markaz as early as possible to save businesses from further losses. He said existence of district courts in one of the major business centres of Islamabad was not only dangerous for the precious lives of honorable judges and lawyers, it was also creating difficulties for the residents of the area due to heavy rush of people. He called upon the local administration to complete

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the Islamabad High Court building as soon as possible because till the completion of said building, shifting of courts from F-8 was not possible. He said absence of a rent control act in Islamabad was giving rise to rent disputes of traders and they were feeling insecure about the future of their business. He stressed that government should promulgate a balanced rent control law in Islamabad to address this long standing issue of trading community. Addressing the delegation, Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry that district courts should not be located in a business area due to security reasons. He said already many people have lost their lives due to terrorism in district courts compound and government should relocate these courts.

Tuesday December 20, 2016

Chambers

Kcci’s initiatives to be fully supported: Saleem Nawaz P

KARACHI

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akistan Ambassador to Bosnia, Lt. Gen (Retd.) Saleem Nawaz has assured to fully support and cooperate with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in all its initiatives on promoting trade and investment ties with Bosnia.

Speaking at a meeting during his visit to Karachi Chamber, he said that Pakistan’s Embassy in Bosnia would surely welcome all suggestions given by Karachi Chamber towards enhancing the existing trade ties between the two countries.

Vice Chairman Businessmen Group & Former President KCCI Zubair Motiwala, President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Senior Vice President KCCI Asif Nisar, Vice President KCCI Muhammad Younus Soomro, Former President KCCI Majyd Aziz and KCCI Managing Committee members were also present on the occasion.

Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Saleem Nawaz further stressed the need to enhance linkages with the businesspeople of Bosnia which was an es-

sential market in the European Union. “In this regard, Pakistan’s Embassy in Bosnia will try its best to extend full support and cooperation to those businessmen who are looking forward to enhance trade with their counterparts in Bosnia”, he added. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chairman Businessmen Group & Former President KCCI Zubair Motiwala stated that although Pakistani business and industrial community was keen to do business with their Bosnian counterparts but they were unable to do so mainly because of the political instability which was the aftermath of civil war.

Underscoring the need to look for

opportunities of enhancing trade between Pakistan and Bosnia, he advised Pakistan’s Ambassador to facilitate visits of trade delegations and stay focused on improving government-to-government and business-to-business interactions. “Pakistan can offer a lot to Bosnia in terms of investments, in terms of exports and also in terms of commodity supplies. All we need to do is to compliment and supplement each other”, he added.

Zubair Motiwala further advised the Ambassador to understand the Bosnian government policies, particularly its foreign investment policy, taxation policy, labor laws and

Scci asks tDAp to evolve mechanism for proper use of export Development fund

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SIALKOT

cuStomS BuLLetiN RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

ialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has urged the TDAP to evolve an effective direly needed mechanism for the “proper” use of the Export Development Fund (EDF), which was meant for the promotion and development of country’s export sector.

Addressing an important meeting of the Sialkot exporters held at SCCI here, the SCCI President Majid Raza Bhutta said that the Sialkot exporters deserve for all the EDF-related incentives for the promotion and enhancement in Sialkot exports.

He pointed out that Sialkot’s exportoriented industries were being ignored regarding distribution of EDF

due to the prolonged lacked mechanism. SCCI President Majid Raza Bhutta also demanded a special package of trade relative incentives

by TDAP especially the direly needed Research & Development funds for upgrading and modernizing the export-oriented industries of. He added the advanced manufacturing and production technologies should immediately be brought in Pakistan from abroad for developing and boosting these industries in the larger national interest. President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Majid Raza Bhutta urged the government to make some effective and positive measures for ensuring the continuity of the government’s effective and positive economical, industrial and trade policies for strengthening the

national economy and promotion of sustainable trade activities in the country. He said that the government’s encouragement and patronization was also vital for country’s business community which could also help business community in playing its pivotal role in pulling out the national economy from the stressful condition, besides, strengthening the national economy through increasing the exports. On this occasion, the Sialkot exporters urged the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to prepare an ultra modern advanced trade strategy for ensuring the maximum consumption of Sialkot made traditional and nontraditional export items in the international and world trade markets, following the global challenges of WTO.

visa regime, which if favorable would surely attract Pakistan’s business and industrial community.

Earlier, President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, while congratulating Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Saleem Nawaz on his appointment as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bosnia, said that the overall trade volume between Pakistan and Bosnia remains very low at less than US$1 million which requires serious attention. “Pakistan’s embassies around the world including Bosnia must play an active role in enhancing trade by engaging their commercial attachés and other staff towards promoting Pakistani products and services, besides highlighting the improved security situation in the country, particularly Karachi where the law and order situation is much better as compared to what it was in the past”, he advised.

He also assured full support and cooperation of Karachi Chamber to Pakistan’s Embassy in Bosnia, which would surely yield positive results keeping in view the significant role being played by Karachi Chamber in the economic development of Pakistan.

Russian pm predicts increase in arms exports up to $20b n prospect, the volume of Russian arms exports may reach $20 billion, the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced on Thursday, Interfax news agency reports. “Now we export weapons worth approximately $17 billion. In future, this figure could reach 20 billion dollars”, – said Medvedev in an interview to reporters of Russian TV channels. As the head of the government stressed, “this figure means that we remain the largest supplier of arms in the world, it is only the United States that is ahead.” Interfax is broadcasting live a meeting between the Prime Minister of Russia with TV channels on the subject of the year’s results.—CB Report

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FIA arrests human trafficker from Faisalabad Tuesday December 20, 2016

National customs values of pVc panaflex sheets revised KARACHI

wAQAR AHmeD ANSARi www.customsbulletin.com

he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of PVC Panaflex sheets through Valuation Ruling No 988/2016 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969. According to details, the customs values of PVC Panaflex sheets were earlier determined vide Valuation Ruling No.892/2016 on July 27, 2016. Representations were received from commercial importers for determination of the value of the sheets afresh. Hence existing valuation ruling which is over four month old is required to be revised in the light of orders of the Sindh High Court issued on November 10, 2015 while hearing a constitutional petition.

Since 90 days have passed and representations were received from commercial importers regarding values determined in aforementioned valuation ruling, an exercise was initiated to re-determine the values of the PVC Panaflex sheets.

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customs to launch crackdown against iranian oil sellers n special instructions of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Model Customs Collectorate (MCC), Sialkot and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Gujranwala have decided to start a joint campaign against sellers of smuggled diesel and petrol. Sources told Customs Today that the FBR received information selling of Iranian diesel and petrol is on peak in Gujranwala Region. The FBR instructed the customs intelligence to take stern action against sellers who involved in selling of smuggled oil.

Both departments will arrange meetings to discuss ways and means to eradicate the selling of illegal Iranian fuel.—Saleem Awan Sheikhu

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FAISALABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested a human trafficker namely Muhammad Shehzad Ali son of Ghulam Mustafa. Sources told Customs Today that suspect extorted a huge amount from different people by promising them to send abroad After receiving information, FIA Deputy Director Syed Imam Zaidi and Inspector Muhammad Sohail conducted a raid and arrested the accused. The FIA has also recovered passports and several fake visas of different countries from his possession.

The officials sent the accused behind the bars after registering a case No 537/2016 against him under section (U/S), 17/22 Emigration ordinance (E.O), 1979.

peshawar customs to realise revenue target of Q2, ADc fazal hopes M

ISLAMABAD

tARiQ DeRYA

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odel Customs Collectorate, Peshawar will deTinitely achieve its revenue target for second quarter of current Tinancial year 2016-17, as hectic efforts are being made to realise the target. This was said by Additional Collector Fazal-e-Samad during an interview with Customs Today, adding that auction of non-duty paid vehicles, gold, currency and other goods was giving special attention to generate more revenue. The collectorate also tightened checking of cargo and passengers at Bacha Khan International Airport, Peshawar and at border along with Afghanistan, he said, adding that the collectorate showing better performance in order achieve maximum growth. He said that the de-

partment was trying to auction recently seized gold this month if the case, which is under trial in Customs Adjudication, was decided this month. He informed that the value of the gold has been estimated at Rs

50 million. In order to meet the revenue targets, auction of non-duty paid vehicles and other smuggled goods will be held once or twice in December 2016, he said, adding that the Peshawar Customs will have to

collect maximum revenue to surpass the target of second quarter. Samad said that reinforcement of Peshawar airport has almost been completed, adding that during last week he visited the airport thrice to examine the preparation and preventive measures to curb smuggling of gold and currency. He further said that customs ofTicials have tightened the checking passenger and cargo in arrival and departure lounges at the airport, adding that vigilance has also been enhanced at border along with Afghanistan in order to curb smuggling. Besides issuance of directions to Tield staff for strict vigilance over the illegal movement of currency and gold, both the additional collector and collector repeatedly visited airport and other Tield formations to guide and brief the staff concerned on the subject, he said.

central Region collects Rs 52.79b in 5 months T

LAHORE

m HAYAt

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he Customs Central Region has collected Rs 52,790 million under the head of duty and taxes during (July-November) of the Tinical year 2016-17.

The Customs Appraisement collected Rs 25,300 million during Tive months of the Tinancial year 201617 against the collection of Rs 26,623 million during the same period of the last year. The Collectorte of Customs Preventive collected Rs 11,235 million during the period under review against Rs 12,231 million during the same period of the last Tinancial year. On the other hand, the Collectorate of Customs Multan collected Rs 11,922 million during the period under review against Rs 20,296 million it collected the last Tinancial year. The Collectorate of Faisalabad collected Rs 4,330 million during the Tirst quarter of the Tinancial year 201617 against Rs 3,122 million during the Tirst quarter of the Tinancial year 2015-16. On the whole the col-

lectorate collected Rs 52,790 million during the period under review. Source told Customs Today that Chief Collector of Customs

Central Region Samaira Nazir has directed all the collectors under her supervision to speed up collection of the duty and taxes to achieve the

Tinancial year’s targets. Besides, the lower staff has also been ordered to put their maximum efforts for the revenue collections.

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SHC transfers petitions filed by Global Trade Links, others KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has transferred a case pertaining to the Valuation Ruling No 863/2016 issued on June 2, 2016 to another bench. A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah was hearing the constitutional petitions filed by M/S Global Trade Links, M/s Asharaf Traders and others. During the hearing, the court was informed that petitions containing the same subject were being heard by another bench headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi. Therefore, the court transferred the matter to the bench no 4. Earlier, counsel for the petitioners stated that petitioners are engaged in the lawful import of toilet soaps from various sources around the world, including Indonesia, Malaysia and the UAE.

gujranwala customs intelligence impounds vehicle worth Rs 8m SIALKOT

SALeem AwAN SHeiKHu www.customsbulletin.com

he Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Gujranwala impounded a non-duty paid car worth Rs 8 million from a show room during a raid.

Reportedly, Director General Shaukat Ali has strictly instructed all officials that so many vehicles are plying on roads without payment of customs duty and these vehicles should be impounded in order to recover legitimate revenue. Following the instruction of DG, Deputy Director Ali Zeb Khan has directed all officials in Gujranwala region to launch crackdown against the

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smuggling. Superintendent Tariq Rafique instructed Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Sarwar to constitute a team in order to visit vehicles’ show rooms. The deputy superintendent constituted a team under the supervision of Intelligence Officer Syed Majid Raza, comprising Sepoy Usman, Sajid Raza, Mubashir and others to impound nonduty paid vehicles from show rooms.

The team checked documents of vehicles regarding to chassis, engine numbers, etc and found a vehicle bearing Registration No BDV-884 which was non-duty paid. The team asked show room owner to show documents regarding customs clearance, but he could produce the same; therefore, the officials impounded the vehicle under the customs laws and issued show cause notice to the owner. The team will also register a case under custom laws and refer the case to the Customs Adjudication for further legal proceedings. The customs will auction the vehicle if the decision is announced in favour of the department.

Tuesday December 20, 2016

National

Addl collector Beelam issues notice to owner of C non-duty paid vehicle

custom court sends 7 suspects on remand

KARACHI

m BiLAL

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FAISALABAD

NAeem SHeiKH

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he Customs Adjudication Additional Collector Beelamur Ramzan has issued a show cause notice to owner of a non duty paid Toyota Hilux Surf involving customs duty worth Rs 1316109.

Sources told Customs Today that Mianwali Anti Smuggling Organization intercepted a Toyota Hilux Surf bearing registration no.LEC- 113777 near M.M Alam Raod Mianwali. The team asked the owner of the vehicle who was identiTied as Jehanzeb Khan to show documents regarding legal import of the vehicle but he could not produce any legal documents regarding possession of the above said vehicle. Therefore, the ofTicials impounded the vehicle under customs laws and forwarded the case to Customs Adjudication for further legal action. Now, Additional Collector Beelam issued notice to the accused person on the violation of Section 10-A. 89(1) and 156(1) of the Customs Act, 1969 punishable under Section 156(1)89 of the Custom Act, 1969 and served

him a show cause notice as to why the seized vehicle should not be conTiscated under aforementioned provisions of the law besides penal action as warranted in law. However, the adjudication has directed the accused to Tile reply on next date of

hearing. The seizing agency has also been directed to Tile reply in the respective case. The adjudication authority also directed Deputy Collector Muhammad Rizwan to attend the hearing on schedule date along with relevant record.

ustom Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi on Wednesday sent seven suspects on physical remand until December 13, 2016. The suspects were allegedly involved in smuggling of 9,000 litres diesel through wooden boat. During the hearing, Investigation Officer Azhar Malik produced the suspects, Abdul Hanan, Momin Khan, Syed Ameen Khan, Gulam Khaliq, Badshah Mehmood and Muhammad Ayyaz, in the court. He submitted that the customs authorities succeeded in capturing the boat near Mubarak Village Karachi and recovered 9,000 liters of diesel. The officer informed the court that after recovery of diesel, the customs authorities arrested the accused persons and seized the diesel along with wooden boat AlBattail BFD 12344. He further informed the court that the alleged owner of the boat, Abdul Aziz, is absconder and financer abettors and others to be ascertained during the investigation. He requested the court to send the suspect on a 14-day physical remand. After the arguments, the court sent the suspect on physical remand and directed the investigation officer to produce them in the court on the next hearing along with progress report.

Rtos briefed on amnesty scheme for property sector

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ISLAMABAD

m ARSHAD

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egional Tax Officers 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 briefing session for the RTOs and other officials was arranged here at Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Headquarters. Chairman FBR Nisar Muhammad Khan along with his lead team members in-

cluding, Member Inland Revenue Policy Rehmatullah Khan Wazir, Member Inland Operations Dr. Muhammad Irshad and Dr Muhammad Iqbal gave detailed briefing to the officers 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 Rev-

enue (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 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 briefing 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 officials since the promulgation of the said bill in the parliament as well as due course of deliberations at the level of standing committees.

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Turkey increasing sunseed imports from Ukraine Tuesday December 20, 2016

World

ANKARA: Ukraine substantially expanded sunseed exports in October 2016, when the monthly export volume was the highest in five seasons, reports UkrAgroConsult. So, 59.1 KMT of sunseed was shipped abroad in October against 2.9 KMT in September 2016 and 7.4 KMT at the same time last season.

Altogether, Ukraine exported 62 KMT of sunseed in 2016/17 (September-October), or seven times as much as in the same period of last season (8.8 KMT) and only less than in MY 2003/04, when over 170 KMT was exported for these two months. This pace of sunseed exports confirms UkrAgroConsult’s forecast for 2016/17 announced at 500 KMT. The range of sunseed export destinations was enlarged to 30 countries in October 2016 against 20 a month earlier.

Dubai customs foils smuggling of 872,784 captagon pills

JEDDAH

cuStomS BuLLetiN RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

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ustoms ofTicials at Duba Port foiled an attempt to smuggle 872,784 Captagon pills that were hidden in a truck coming to the Kingdom. Director General of Customs of Duba Port Ali Al-Atwi

customs seizes 854kg gold in Apr-oct he Customs department has seized 854 kg of gold between April-October this fiscal, with maximum quantity emanating from Myanmar, UAE and Thailand, Parliament was informed today. Minister of State for Finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar said that the Customs department had seized 4,035 kg of gold in 2014-15, 2,976 kg in 2015-16 and 854.39 kg between April-October of current fiscal. In the seven month period, 246 kg gold coming from Myanmar was seized by Customs, followed

by UAE (151 kg), Thailand (125.99 kg), Bangladesh (54 Kg) and China (50 Kg). The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) of CBEC is keeping a strict vigil in sensitive areas at airports/borders, and flights from sensitive sectors are being scrutinised, Meghwal said.—CB Report

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said that the drugs were found hidden in an artistic way inside sheet metal templates that were Tixed to the car’s Tloor. He noted that necessary measures were taken against those involved, noting that the pills were found in a “Barad” truck coming on one of the ferries entering the port.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia-based Islamic Development Bank had agreed to provide USD 500 million loan to part-Tinance the USD 15 billion Turk-

menistan-Afghanistan- Pakistan-India (TAPI) natural gas pipeline project. “An agreement to provide for the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) extending a loan of USD 500 million to the TAPI project consortium was signed last month,” an ofTicial said here. Also, TAPI Pipeline Co is in talks to rope in Saudi Fund for Development and the Japanese government as partners in the 1,814-km project that will transport gas from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh Tields to Fazilka in India. IsDB has expressed interest in Tinancing the project not just on Turkmenistan’s territory, but in Afghanistan and Pakistan, he said.

The long-delayed transnational pipeline was formally inaugurated on December 13. Turkmenistan’s national oil company Turkmengaz is the leader of the consortium of national oil companies of the four nations. It has 85 per cent equity in TAPI Pipeline Co (TPCL). The state-owned gas utility GAIL India, ISGS of Pakistan and Afghan Gas Enterprise (AGE) have 5 per cent stake each.

Russia may begin wheat deliveries to Venezuela from 2017

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ussia may begin wheat deliveries to Venezuela in early 2017, said RosSelkhozNadzor following the results of RussianVenezuelan talks. “Taking into account the strong interest of Venezuela in Russian wheat, its exports to the country may start as soon as early 2017 provided technical aspects are rapidly approved and this agreement is signed by authorized agencies of both nations,” RosSelkhozNadzor reports. Previ-

ously, Vladimir Volik, Director of the Ag Ministry’s department of agri-markets regulation, said Russia would build up grain deliveries to Latin America. “We’ll build up deliveries to African markets and Latin America. Last season (2015/16), Russia supplied 389 KMT of wheat to Mexico, i.e. the nearest neighbor of the largest grain exporter – the U.S. We are interested in Brazil’s market as well,” he said.—CB Report

uK financial firms pay record uSD90b in tax LONDON

cuStomS BuLLetiN RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

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he UK’s Tinancial services sector paid a record GBP71.4bn (USD93.4bn) in tax in the year to March 31, 2016, a 7.4 percent increase on the Tigure for the previous year.

According to Tigures published by the City of London Corporation, revenues from Tinancial services contributed some 11.5 percent of total UK tax receipts. Its report, produced

by PwC, said that banks and insurance companies are the highest taxpaying sub-sector following reforms to corporation tax and the bank levy.

Financial companies paid GBP8.4bn in corporation tax in 2015 compared with GBP7.6bn a year earlier, with bank levy revenues increasing more than 25 percent to GBP3.4bn. According to the report, for every GBP1 of corporation tax paid – one of the

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largest direct taxes – Tinancial services Tirms contribute another GBP3.83 paid in other direct taxes. “In light of the UK’s decision to leave the EU, these new Tindings not only demonstrate the signiTicant contribution made to government revenues, but are also key in helping us to understand the potential impact of Brexit on different sub-sectors within Tinancial services,” said Mark Boleat, Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation. “As one of the UK’s biggest service exporters, it’s understandable the sector also contributes a considerable amount of tax.” “Despite this, the sector arguably stands most to lose as negotiations loom. It makes it clear the argument that Government should be engaging with Tirms as it approaches talks with the remaining EUR27, and the pulling of the political trigger.” Andrew Kail, Head of Financial Services at PwC, said: “The City of London Corporation report shows the continued importance of the Tinancial services sector to the UK Exchequer and the wider economy.

manila customs needs 2,000 employees

he Bureau of Customs (BoC) is hiring new employees to Till up the more than 2,000 positions that were left vacant for years as a result of the past administrations’ rationalization policies and freeze on hiring. The BOC spokesman, retired colonel Neil Anthony Estrella, disclosed on Wednesday that an initial of 1,366 vacant positions in the Customs central ofTice and various collection districts across the country are open to interested applicants. “We have the money [to fund the hiring of new employees or promotion of current employees],” Estrella told The ManilaTimes, saying that hiring of additional

people is needed because of lack of manpower, particularly in ofTices performing important functions. Aside from the hiring freeze implemented at the start of the past Aquino administration, there are other factors that contribute to the decimation of almost half of the original workforce of the Customs bureau. These are Executive Order (EO) 366, Republic Act (RA) 9335 or the Lateral Attrition Law and lifestyle check on Customs ofTicials and employees. EO 366, signed by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004, aimed to rationalize the bureaucracy by removing 30 percent of the 1.5 million.—CB Report

iran currency transition likely to go smoothly

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TEHRAN

cuStomS BuLLetiN RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

inancial jobs in Iran are unlikely to be inTluenced much in a negative way by the change of currency unit, Zeynab Rezaee, an accountant told Trend December 15.

Iran is expecting a to experience change of currency unit as the cabinet

recently introduced a bill to do so. A Trend survey suggests not much trouble will surround the transition.

Iran’s currency the rial is ofTicially rated at about 32,000 USD. The term rial, however, is used only in ofTicials statements. People use toman, which is equal to 10 rials each. “One thing that everyone says is the change of currency will be ofTicially announced after the current Tiscal year is over,

so preventing any major effort in the aftermath, Rezaee said. “We used to Tile our records in the rial, now after the unit is changed, we will only have to state the numbers in toman.” One of the reasons for changing the currency is to minimize the number of zeros that go onto money notes because of years of high inTlation. In the past 20 years, the value of the rial has dropped Tive-fold. During the

Khatami administration a US dollar would be exchanged for 8,000 rials. It is now exchanged for 39,000 rials.

The government has also cited concern to remove the difference between ofTicial and non-ofTicial denominations. Yet, some Iranians are worried that they make mistakes when typing prices. “I have been using rial when entering prices to POS machine so far.

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Customs Court adjourns hearing of gold smuggling case LAHORE: The Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has adjourned the hearing of a case of the Pakistan International Airlines airhostess, who is allegedly involved in gold smuggling case.

The airhostess, Nuzhat Bukhari, was arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Force and then she was handed over to the customs for prosecution. The customs prosecution team presented her before the court for remand where she accepted her crime. After that the court sent her to jail for judicial trial.

The senior airhostess was arrested while attempting to smuggle two kilogram of gold to New York.

customs Valuations revises value of Kraft liner board, paper

Tuesday December 20, 2016

National

islamabad customs earns Rs 42 million through auction

customs Appellate tribunal rejects appeal filed by Alfred Benedict LAHORE

KARACHI

wAQAR AHmeD ANSARi

muHAmAmD NAwAZ

www.customsbulletin.com

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he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of bleached/unbleached Kraft liner board and paper Valuation Ruling No 989/2016 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.

The Customs values of bleached/unbleached kraft liner board and paper were determined under section 25-A of the Customs Act 1969. Valuation Ruling No.833/2016 dated 19.04.2016. All Pakistan Paper Merchants Association has requested for revisiting the above mentioned ruling to reflect the current price trend in international market and in light of order of the Sindh High Court (SHC) in CP No.6918/2015 dated November 11, 2015. Accordingly an exercise was undertaken to examine contents of the associations request and to determine the Customs values of the subject goods in the light of pre\ ailing international market prices.

he Customs Appellate Tribunal has dismissed an appeal filed by M/s Alfred Benedict against additional collector of Customs Adjudication (AFU) Lahore. According to details, Member Judicial Omer Arshad Hakeem of bench-II said in his final remarks that appeal being devoid of merit and dismissed with no order as costs. In pursuant of an information received through the collector of Customs Preventive Lahore, an ASO team, after obtaining warrant under section 162 of Customs Act 1969, raided a house in Defense Housing Authority where two people introduced themselves as Alfred Benedict son of Boota Benedict. After showing the warrant, the ASO team entered the house and found a huge quantity of foreign origin liquor.

On demand, Alfred Benedict and his two companions failed to produce any legal documents regarding the lawful import of alcohol. The liquor worth one million was smuggled and seized under the section 168(1) Customs Act. After the completion of legal process the accused person with two others namely Amir Malik and Javaid Justin also arrested and criminal case was registered against him. After show case notice and adjudication proceedings order in original (ONO) passed that seized goods are confiscated with penalty of Rs. 2, 00, 000.

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fBR nominates oďŹƒcers as authority to decide women harassment cases he Federal Board of Revenue has nominated it Chairman, Member (Admn) and Chief Management as authorities to decide and impose penalties in women harassment cases. The FBR chairman would decide cases of officers of BS-20 & above, Member (Admn) to decide cases of BS 17-19, while Chief Management would handle the cases of the officers of BS-16 and below. The FBR nominated these officers under clause 2(d) of the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace at, 2010 who would impose penalties under U/C 4(4) of the said Act as recommended by the inquiry committees.—CB Report

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ISLAMABAD

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he Islamabad Customs auction cell earned Rs 42 million through auction of nonduty paid vehicles and smuggled goods held at customs warehouse G-11 Islamabad.

According to details the customs presented 45 smuggled vehicles and 54 lots of miscellaneous seized for auction. The process of auction was supervised by Deputy Collector Aniqa Afzal, while people from

Rawalpindi and Islamabad participated in this public auction.

Out of 45 vehicles 38 were sold for Rs 38 million, while the customs earned Rs 4 million through the auction of various seized items.

OfTicials said that all the bidders, who succeed the bids, deposited 25 percent of the total amount on the spot to customs. The bidders also paid 10 percent income tax along with their computerized national identity card (CNIC), while the bidders will have to pay remaining amount within seven working days of the this auction.

The ofTicials said that this was third auction held during Tirst 5

months of Tinancial year 2016-17, adding that auction cell collected hand some revenue through this auction by maintain transparency.

They further said that all participants were given equal chance to participate in the auction.

The Islamabad Customs presented Mercedes-Benz bullet proof, Renault Recovery Truck, Toyota Corolla, Yamaha Motor bikes, Toyota Land Cruiser, Mini Pajero, Toyota Double Cabin, Nissan Single Cabin, Mitsubishi Truck, Renault Megan, Toyota Hilux, Mercedes-Benz Ambulance, Toyota Carina, Honda Accord, Mitsubishi Gallant, Nissan X-Trail Comfort, Nissan Sunny, etc.

faisalabad Adjudication recovers Rs16.670m in Nov

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FAISALABAD

iQRA SHeHZADi

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he Customs Adjudication, Faisalabad recovered Rs16.670 million after decided different seizer cases during the month of November Tiscal year 2016-17. Sources told Custom Today that the adjudication decided almost 32 smuggling cases during the month of November.

Customs Adjudication issued order in the favor of Customs Anti SmugglingOrganization, Sargodha, Maniwali,

Jhang, Sara-E- Muhajir and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Regional OfTice Faisalabad.In the smug-

gling cases included clothes, Tea , auto spare part, Iranian diesel, Rani Juice, LCDs, LEDs, remotes , remote covers,

mobile phones , old and used machinery, children shows, grey fabrics and used laptop, Toyota Corolla vehicles, land cruiser, powder, sulphate, yarn, almond and other items . Collector adjudication Raja Tahir Majeed decided one case of Rs1 million While Additional collector (ADC) BeelumUr-Ramzan settled three cases involved in Rs4.460 million. Similarly Deputy Collector Asma Hameed (D.C) decided 28 cases of Rs11.210 millions and announced decision in the favor of the customs intelligence and investigation during the above said period.

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FIA foils attempt to smuggle foreign currency at Lahore airport Tuesday December 20, 2016

Lahore

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday foiled an attempt to smuggle a large amount foreign currency at Allama Iqbal International Airport.

Sources told Customs Today that a passenger namely Sheikh Ashfaq Ahmad, son of Sheikh Muhammad Umar, holding passport# CS1155674, was travelling from Lahore to Dubai by flight no EK625 on December 7, 2016. He was in possession of foreign currency approximately equal to $11,000.

The passenger was a frequent traveler and had 42 departure and arrival stamps on his passport during 2016. The customs official detained the accused with currency and took steps for investigation and his prosecution.

tribunal orders customs to recover taxes from Siara textile mills LAHORE

muHAmmAD NAwAZ www.customsbulletin.com

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he Customs Appellate Tribunal has dismissed a case of M/s Siara Textile Mills against Customs Adjudication collector, additional collector and Air Freight Unit (AFU), Lahore, and ordered the customs authorities to recover the outstanding taxes. Technical Member Imran Tariq heard the case and said that the customs authorities should recover the default amount of taxes along with default surcharge under appropriate section of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 and Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. The tribunal also waived off penalty of Rs 15,000 on the appellant, M/s Siara and clearing agent. As per precise fact of the case, the customs superintendent learned that M/s Siara Textile im-

fBR to move court against wapda for non-payment of Rs 1.5b taxes he Federal Board of Revenue is going to move the court against has Pakistan WAPDA Foundation for not paying Rs 1.5 billion taxes. The FBR’s Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation-Inland Revenue is filing case against Wapda for non-payment of sales tax and income tax despite carrying out multiple business activities. The foundation is engaged in multiple business activities including manufacturing & supply of transformers, assembly of transformers, operating petrol pumps at various locations, and operating vehicle repair & transformer reclamation workshops etc. Since the foundation was neither registered with the sales tax nor income tax, the intelligence agency examined the case from the point of taxation under the relevant laws. —CB Report

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ported a consignment of Indian raw cotton and claimed two percent sales tax instead of 16 percent under SRO 1125(I)/2011. During the course of audit, the customs ofTicers observed that the consignment of raw cotton imported by the appellant was liable for payment of 16 percent sales tax not two percent and the importer was not entitled to the beneTits of the said SRO. After the showcase notice and complete examination of the record, the adjudication authorities passed the Order-in-Original and imposed Rs 2.5 million in the wake of sales tax and Rs 2.4 million as income tax on the mills.

The appellant challenged the order before the Customs Appellate Tribunal and claimed the beneTits of SRO 1125(I)/2011. The appellant also argued that the respondent department did not have jurisdiction to recover the short payment of income tax and sales tax and the show cause notice was vague and suffered with defects.

customs ASo impounds illegal vehicles, mobiles worth Rs 40m

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ustoms Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has made total 26 seizures amounting to Rs 40 million during the

month of November Tinancial year 2016-17. As per details the anti-vehicle smuggling squad of ASO impounded two vehicles on suspicion of being tempered/smuggled ones on 3rd January 2016. The vehicles included Mistubishi Pajero (GDI-3000) model 1998, value Rs 2.2 million, Mistubishi Pajero, model 1995, white colour and green value Rs1.5 million. The ASO also im-

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pounded one Toyota Estima model 2000 valuing around 1 million, cleared as ambulance and being used as private. Similarly, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado model 2005 white colour was detained on suspicion of being a smuggled one by ASO squad no 2 on 26.11.2016. The estimated value of the vehicle is Rs 3.5 million. The squad also impounded Toyota Coaster model 2001 which was suspected to be tampered while in another raid anti vehicle smuggling squad of ASO seized Mistubishi Pajero model 1995 suspected to be tempered. In yet another raid the ASO conTiscated Mistubishi Pajero model 1995 and a Toyota Vitz car model 2000 as no import data reTlected against the chassis number.

The ASO also seized other items including smart mobile phone which were attempted to be smuggled in Lahore. In the same way the ASO conTiscated Audi A4 Model 2014 4000cc petrol from a workshop near Diyal Mansion, Lahore that has estimated value of the vehicle of Rs 10 million.

customs Appellate tribunal hears 13 cases pcA detects Rs 3,032,981 duty he division bench-II of the Cus- tan, Aijmar Traders versus Customs evasion by m/s Jullander pvt Limited toms Appellate Tribunal com- Lahore, Customs Faisalabad versus

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irectorate of Post Clarence Audit (PCA) has detected Rs 3,032,981 tax evasion by M/s Jullander Pvt Limited Rahim Yar Khan on account of inadmissible exemption of SRO 567 ()I 2006 and SRO 1007 (1)/ 2005. According to details Directorate of Post Clearance Audit Lahore observed that certain importers having their principal activity of manufacturer of pesticide and other agro chemicals are involved in the evasion of duties and taxes during customs clearance of zinc sulphate which is classiTied under PCT heading

2833, 2940 by availing irregular exemption of customs duty under S.No. 4 of SRO567 (1)/2006 and exemption of sales tax S NO 5 of table -II of SRO 1007 (I) 2005. The PCA observed that the said SROs were meant for poultry ingredients only. It was observed that M/s Jullander Pvt Limited Rahim Yar Khan has imported consignment of the aforesaid impugned goods which were prima facie fertilizers and not entitled for the exemption of customs duty and sales tax under the said SROs during calendar year 2014.—M Hayat

prising Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Technical Member Imran Tariq heard 13 cases and adjourned all the cases until the next hearing. The Customs Appellate Tribunal adjourned the hearing of 13 cases, including Usman Ali versus Customs Sambrial, Muhammad Sohail Ashraf seven appeals versus Customs Lahore and Asim Sons versus Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore. On Wednesday, the tribunal heard cases of Muhammad Sohail Ashraf versus Customs Lahore, Saeed Nawaz versus Customs Mul-

Muhammad Aamin, Naik Badshah versus Customs Lahore and Javed Khan versus Customs Faisalabad.

Furthermore, the tribunal heard Mir Bakhat versus Customs Faisalabad, Nadir Shah versus Customs Faisalabad, Abid Shah versus Customs Faisalabad and Muhammad Ashraf versus Customs Faisalabad. In all the cases, the representatives of the appellants and respondents appeared before the court and argued in favour of their respective parties.

After hearing the arguments from the parties.—Muhammad Nawaz

customs court adjourns cell phone smuggling case

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he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling adjourned hearing of mobile phones smuggling case.

The special court has adjourned the hearing of smuggling case against Naveed Bhatti. Earlier, the court had

approved extension in judicial remand of Bhatti who was arrested by the customs authorities from Allama Iqbal International airport when he was making an attempt to smuggle 170 cell phones of assorted brands from China to Lahore. The Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) team of Lahore Customs had presented the accused Naveed Bhatti before the special court and asked for his physical remand of Tive

days for interrogation. After completion of physical remand, the court sent him to jail on judicial trial, which was extended again for 14 days. The mobile phones were hidden in bottles of water which the passenger claimed that he brought that water from Saudi Arabia, it was added. The sources said that the total value of the mobile phones has been estimated at Rs 5 million. The Special Federal Court of

Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has rejected the post arrest bail plea of two female suspects allegedly involved in smuggling of 14kg gold and currency from Multan International Airport. The customs authorities at Multan International airport recovered 14kg gold wearing both females in their hands in shape of ornaments along with 39,000 Saudi riyals and United Arab Emirates dirhams.

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Port district options to be explored WASHINGTON: In the wake of the defeat of the Upper County port district proposal on the November ballot, people interested an alternative port district configurations will meet to discuss the issue next week. Prior to organizers of the Upper County port district stepping forward, there had been discussion of pursuing a countywide port district. That effort was set aside to give the Upper County proposal an opportunity to succeed. The final vote tally for the Upper Country port district was 62.3 percent no to 37.7 percent yes. Jim Armstrong, executive director of the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce, said a range of options are up for consideration — including not pursuing any form of a port district.

capacity upgrades, digitization drive public indian port growth ndia’s major, or public, ports booked strong growth in container volumes in November, fueled by capacity upgrades and paperless cargo processes that will gain further momentum with the rollout of a single window system in the coming months. The country’s 12 major ports together handled 702,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units during the month, an increase of 8 percent on the same month last year, the newest port statistics collected by JOC.com show. November traffic at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust came to 372,201 TEUs, up 2.2 percent from 364,000 TEUs in November 2015. By terminal, volumes

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were as follows: APM Terminalsoperated Gateway Terminals India, at 146,696 TEUs; Jawaharlal Nehru Container Terminal, at 136,407 TEUs; and DP World Nhava Sheva, at 89,098 TEUs. Chennai Port, which has suffered months of declining volumes amid chronic truck bottlenecks, fared exceedingly well in November, a sign that some of those productivity issues have eased thanks to automated gate procedures and new rail services. The country’s busiest east coast gateway saw volume expand by 19.5 percent during the month to 135,000 TEUs from 113,000 TEUs a year earlier.

Terminals at JNPT and Chennai load the majority of India’s containerized cargo handled at major ports. Statistics show major ports handled a combined 5.63 million TEUs in the first eight fiscal months through the end of November, a rise of 4.15 percent from 5.4 million TEUs in the same period in 2015.—CB Report

Ports & Shipping

port taranaki to get $12 million new tug boat in 2018 WASHINGTON

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aranaki won’t get its own Boaty McBoatface moment despite the port getting a new tug in 2018. Earlier this year people of the United Kingdom voted a polar research vessel be named Boaty McBoatface – a name that was vetoed by their government who instead named it RRS Sir David Attenborough – after the legendary documentary maker – despite the name ranking fourth in the public vote.

But Port Taranaki’s new boat, which will replace the 45-year-old Kupe, will face no such controversy. A model of Port Taranaki’s new tug boat which will arrive in 2018.

A model of Port Taranaki’s new tug boat which will arrive in 2018. It will be named by the port’s management board as well as representatives of Ngati Te Whiti hapu. “Things we’re considering is something that pertains to the area or the history of the area,” Ngati Te Whiti chief executive Shaun Keenan said. “We take into account

things like existing boat names and the function the boat will be performing.” Meanwhile, In the wake of the defeat of the Upper County port district proposal on the November ballot, people interested an alternative port district conTigurations will meet to discuss the issue next week. Prior to organizers of the Upper County port district stepping forward, there had been discussion of pursuing a countywide port district. That effort was set aside to give the Upper County pro-

posal an opportunity to succeed. The Tinal vote tally for the Upper Country port district was 62.3 percent no to 37.7 percent yes. Jim Armstrong, executive director of the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce, said a range of options are up for consideration — including not pursuing any form of a port district. “We have a group that is interested but we’ve been putting off meeting until we saw the precinct information. We get that this week,” Armstrong said.

Tuesday December 20, 2016

cruise ship welcomed at port of Kingston he Port of Kingston on Tuesday (December 6), welcomed its largest ever cruise ship, ‘MS Monarch’. In an interview with JIS News prior to the arrival of the cruise ship, Vice President, Cruise Shipping and Marina Operations at the Port Authority of Jamaica, William Tatham said the ‘MS Monarch’, operated by Royal Caribbean’s Pullmantur Brand, would call at Kingston Wharves at 6:00 a.m. with 2,700 passengers on board. Mr. Tatham said the ship was unable to secure berths on Jamaica’s north coast as those at the Montego Bay and Falmouth ports are full. He said the decision to call on Kingston was secured after discussions between the Port Authority of Jamaica and the cruise operators in 2015. “It’s a very short call. It comes in very early… and it’s going to depart at 1:00 p.m.,” he noted. Mr. Tatham said tours of historic locations in and around Kingston including Port Royal, Devon House and Bob Marley Museum have been planned for the passengers.—CB Report

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port marlborough boss unclear over quake impact T

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he Tinancial impact of November’s earthquake on the region’s port remains unclear, its boss says. Port Marlborough chief executive Ian McNabb said although no change was expected for cruise ship trafTic or the log trade, other freight was being shipped from Auckland to Lyttleton. Before the 7.8 magnitude quake, freight was transported to Wellington and then ferried across to Picton, before being transported to Christchurch by rail and road, he said. McNabb was speaking at the Marlborough District Council’s planning, community and Tinance committee last week as he presented the company’s annual report.

It made sense shipping freight from Auckland to Lyttleton, but it meant the trafTic was not coming through the port, he said after the

meeting. “What’s happening is that there is some freight being put on a particular international shipping line, on their normal rotation,” McNabb said. “It gets some trucks off the road.” The port, one of the busiest in New Zealand, was owned by council company MDC Holdings.

McNabb did not know how much trafTic the shipping line was taking away from the port, but suspected it was only some and not all. He had “absolutely no idea” what the Tinancial impact would be at this stage. It depended partly on how long State Highway 1 between Ward and Christchurch would be closed. There was no reason why Marlborough’s log trade would be affected, he said.

Nearly 660,000 tonnes of logs were exported through the port in the 2015/2016 Tinancial year.

According to the company’s annual report the port’s revenues lifted by 5.5 per cent to $25.85 mil-

lion on the back of strong log exports. Thirty-Tive cruise ships visited the port that year. A couple of cruise ships were cancelled this season due to weather, but that was nothing to do with the earthquake, McNabb said. Whether ferry travellers would be as willing to drive the long way up to Christchurch to take the Interislander or Bluebridge ferries to the North Island remained to be seen, he said. “Are passengers still going to come? We don’t know,” McNabb told the committee. An Interislander media spokesperson said the company had a larger number of cancellations than usual following the earthquake, but bookings were tracking at 5 per cent above last year.”It is looking to be a busy summer season,” the spokesperson said. McNabb said the total damage sustained to the port in the earthquake was less than 1 per cent of the total worth of Port

Marlborough, $170m. There were still a “couple of things left to do” in the port, and the most important one was Tixing the Bluebridge ramp, which the company Strait Shipping used to load up their ferries. McNabb expected repairs to be completed next week. It was all relative, but compared to Lyttleton in the Christchurch earthquakes the port had escaped unscathed, McNabb said. McNabb also spoke to the committee about the future of Havelock, which was running out of land when it came to the demands of the mussel industry. The company Aroma, of Christchurch, had relocated to Havelock and 230 people were currently employed by Tishing company Sanfords in the township, McNabb said.There was demand for another two buildings related to the mussel industry. However the infrastructure, such as water and sewerage, had to be in place.

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Sialkot ASO recovers huge quantity of smuggled Iranian dates SIALKOT: Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) of Customs Collectorate Sailkot has recovered huge quantity of smuggled Iranian dry dates worth Rs.100.000 from a van during vehicles checking on Sambrial Road.

Sources told Customs Today that Assistant Collector Fahad Bashir and Superintendent Sardar Manzoor constituted a team under the supervision of Inspector Aamir who established different check posts to curb smuggling attempts. The above mentioned inspector along with his team members started checking of vehicles on Sambrial Road.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

faisalabad ASo seizes huge quantity of contraband items in November FAISALABAD NAeem SHeiKH

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he Customs Collectorate Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) impounded non duty paid vehicles and other contraband items valued at Rs 24,418,249 in November 2016. Sources told Customs Today that ASO team following the directions of Collector ZuliTkar Ali Chaudhary conducted many raids to foil smuggling bids and seized foreign origin cloth (2038 kilograms ) worth Rs 1385250, Indian tea (175 kilograms) worth Rs, 27000, tyres and tubes (70 numbers) Rs 350000, auto spare parts Rs 475500, electronic goods Rs, 732508, foreign origin blankets (1700 numbers ) Rs 450000, and other goods worth Rs 2247991 during the said period.

During November, the ASO impounded nine vehicles worth Rs 7700000 including, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Vitz car, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Hilux Surf, Toyota Crown car, Toyota Hiace van, Isuzu Truck and others. MCC Faisalabad ASO covers different regions including Jhang, Mianwali, Sara-eMuhajir, Sargodha and Faisalabad where field units are working to

curb the smuggling activities in their respective regions.

Sources said that Collector Chaudhary Zulfikar hailed the per-

formance of the Collectorate and hoped that the Collectorate would achieve 100 percent target of revenue collection by the end of cur-

rent fiscal year under all heads. The ASO team who seized smuggled goods consisted Superintendent Muhammad Saeed Akhtar Joiya In-

spectors Khalid Ashraf Noor, Ali Zahid, and Sepoys Muhammad Ashraf, Liaquat Ali, Israr Ahmad and Muhammad Abdullah.

SHc adjourns hearing of petition filed by 49 firms till 21st KARACHI

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has restrained the Customs Department from issuing Tinal orders on a constitutional petition Tiled by 49 companies, seeking release of bank guarantees, deposited with the nazir of the court at the time of provisional release of the subject consignments. According to details,

Karachi Tubes Mills (Private) Limited, AN Industries (Private) Limited and others, sought issuance of certiTicates to the petitioner for the release of the bank guarantees.

A two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah was hearing the petition. During the hearing, Kashif Nazeer advocate Tiled power on behalf of the Customs Department and sought time for Tile para-wise comments on the next hearing. Therefore, the court adjourned the hearing for December 21, 2016 and continued the interim order passed earlier. On the last hearing, the court had

restrained the respondent and directed them that no Tinal order shall be passed until further orders of this court. Earlier, the counsel for the petitioners stated that the petitioners were leading businessmen and were engaged in manufacturing of welded steel pipes and were paying their liabilities regularly. He said that they imported raw material, including alloyed prime hot rolled steel sheets in coils. He said that the goods were imported from China on various dates against free trade agreement between Pakistan and China at the zero percent duty.

However, the customs ofTicials cleared the goods at the rate of 5 percent customs duty which was challenged and at the order of the SHC, the petitioners Tiled differential amount through bank guarantees. Therefore, the goods were released by the way of pay orders of 50 percent duty taxes to custom department and 50 percent with nazir of the court. The petitioners paid 100 percent by way of pay order or the bank guarantees, however, the appellate authority passed order in favor of the petitioners and when petitioners approached the the

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customs authorities for the release of securities, the customs authority released only bank guarantees whereas others collectors released all kinds of securities such as pay orders and bank guarantees. Citing chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Chief Collector South, East and West as respondents, the petitioners pleaded that the court may direct the respondents to issue certiTicates to the petitioners for release of pay orders/ bank guarantees, deposited with the nazir at the time of provisional release of the subject consignments.