Dec 24 layout 1

Daily on www.customsbulletin.com

Find us on

pAkiSTAN’S FirST iNDepTH NewSpAper oN CuSTomS

Daily

Vol 1 Issue No. 272

Karachi, Thu December 24, 2015

KARACHI

AFTAB CHANNA

www.customsbulletin.com

C

hief Collector Enforcement South Zahid Khokhar has stated that the staff of the Air Freight Unit AFU has recovered precious antiques worth $10 million in the international market. He was addressing a press conference held at AFU. MCC Preventive Collector Tariq Huda, Additional Collector AFU Tahir Qureshi, Deputy Collector AFU Amjad Leghari and others were also present on the occasion.

Price Rs. 14.00

The chief collector said there was an information that highly valuable antiques will be smuggled to some Far Eastern country. Therefore, a strict check was ensured in the light of the reports.

On December 17, 2015, the Customs Preventive staff deputed at international departure lounge of Jinnah International Airport, Karachi intercepted four passengers identiSied as Raheel Shakeel, Muhammad Javed and Irfan Ahmed and Faisal Jamal along with their collective baggage comprising 11 packages after having been passed through the ASF baggage Scanning machines, Zahid Khokhar added.

FBR taking effective measures to curb smuggling: Director Saleem

Dr Irshad hails performance of Multan RTO in tax collection

Dar discusses Pak-funded projects with Afghan envoy

Customs Preventive ASO impounds Indian saris, laces worth Rs 10 million

SCCI expoters pays rich tributes to victims of Army Public School

Customs Intelligence Saleem has said that curbing smuggling is need of the hour | See pAge 02 |

The FBR Member Operations Inland Revenue Dr. Irshad Khan visited the R T O | See pAge 03 |

Afghan envoy Janan Mosazai called on Minister Ishaq Dar here on Tuesday | See pAge 04 |

Customs Lahore Preventive ASO has seized Rs 10m smuggled Indian saries | See pAge 12 |

A large number of the Sialkot exporters today attended a prestigious ceremony | See pAge 09 |

2

www.customsbulletin.com

SHC adjourns bail plea of alleged poppy seed smuggler Thursday, December 24, 2015

National

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has adjourned till December 28 the bail petition of a suspect allegedly involved in smuggling of 34 tons of poppy seeds to Malaysia. The court put off the bail petition filed by Asif Malik, who moved the court, seeking his release after the Customs Court rejected his bail. According to the prosecution, the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation had seized around 34 tons of poppy seed from two containers on August 11, 2015.

The consignment of poppy seeds was being smuggled to Malaysia in the garb of sea salt from Karachi Port.

FBr taking effective measures to curb smuggling: Director Saleem

KARACHI

ISLAMABAD

muHAmmAD YouSAf

SHAHiD miNHAS

www.customsbulletin.com

www.customsbulletin.com

he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has repeated non-bailable arrest warrant for absconder in a case pertaining to the pilferage of ISAF cargo.

Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi adjourned the hearing of case till January 14. The court directed the investigation officer to make all-out efforts to arrest the accused. According to the details of the case, M/s Ports Connection (Private) Limited, bonded carrier and M/s Saryal Cargo Channel and Customs Clearing Agency were found involve in the illegal and unauthorized pilferage of various consignments of ISAF meant for re-exportation from Mazar Sharif, Afghanistan to ISAF Germany through Torkham Customs Station, Peshawar via Port Qasim, Karachi. According to the export documents, the containers were declared to contain batteries filled with acid and lamps. During examination at the port, instead of declared goods, the containers were found to contain a huge quantity of wooden pallets; sand bags, concrete blocks and 01 box used tube lights, whereas remaining nine containers were found as per declarations in the relevant goods declarations.

T

D

irector Customs Intelligence and Investigation Muhammad Saleem has said that curbing smuggling is need of the hour and strong policies are being adopted to curb smuggling in the country, He was addressing a seminar on “Impact of Smuggling on Pakistan’s Economy” hosted by Mir Khalilur Rehman Memorial Society.

Apart from Director Customs Intelligence and investigation Muhammad Saleem, Collector Customs Peshawar Qurban Ali, Collector Customs Lahore Mukarram Jah Ansari and other ofSicials also participated in the seminar.

Addressing the seminar, Muhammad Saleem said that “we are following zero tolerance policy against the smugglers and are focusing on smuggling free Pakistan.” He said: “We have introduced strong intelligence network in this regard.”

He said that the government has launched a grand operation in the country against smuggling and there is a full coordination with other law enforcement agencies. He added that all the law enforcement agencies and customs department have join hands for smuggling free Pakistan. He said during the last few months, the Customs Depart-

Arrest warrant issued against suspect involved in iSAF cargo case

ment successfully has foiled several attempt of smuggling on borders and cities. He said that the department is well aware of the impact and loss of money through smuggling and it is hoped that the department will break the network of smuggling mafias with the current strategy.

Meanwhile, The Anti-Smuggling Organization of Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation

Rawalpindi has seized 22 smuggled generators in Tarnol area of Islamabad. The market value of seized items is Rs 21 million.

Sources told Customs Today that Additional Director Mohammad Saleem received information about smuggling of the generators. Soon after receiving the tip off, he formed a raiding team under the supervision of Deputy Director Customs Intelligence Afzal Ahmad Wattoo. The

ASO team raided the godown of M/s. Universal Diesel Services, G and Company and M/s. Jannat Generators and recovered 22 smuggled generators. The ASO team asked the owner of the godown to produce legal documents regarding the possession but he failed to show any relevant documents. The ASO team seized the generators and registered a case against the owner of the smuggled generators.

Sindh excise to launch token tax strickers next year: esrani

P

KARACHI

wAQAr AHmeD ANSAri www.customsbulletin.com

rovincial Miniser for Excise and Taxation Gyan Singh Esrani has said that in the beginning of new year, the Excise Department will issue new number plates for registered vehicles while his department will also launch token tax stickers.

He was answering to questions of members of the Sindh Assembly. He assured the members that there will

be no complaint by customers regarding issuing of new number

plates. He said that the Sindh Excise collected Rs 32 billion during Siscal

year 2013-14 while Rs 35.530 million were collected during Siscal year 2014-15. He informed the members of provincial assembly that from June, 30 2010 to June 20, 2014, at least 1,181,988 vehicles were registered by the department. He said that 760,629 vehicles were registered in Karachi, which includes 898,345 motorcycles. Replying to a question, he said that from July 2013 to May 2014 total 751,867 motorcycles paid motor vehicles tax and the department issued tax token stickers to them. He

said that from 2008 to 2012 total 651 new persons were appointed in the department. Meanwhile, The Sindh Excise and Taxation Department has sealed six factories and two private schools due to property tax evasion. Sources told Customs Today that six factories had been avoiding to pay property tax from the last four years. The sealed factories include Samna Industries, Samna Plastic, Arjumand Chemicals, Imran Dyeing, Mazhar and Company and Suleman Sanitaryware.

3

www.customsbulletin.com

FBR seeks tax proposals for Budget 2016-17 KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has asked all the stakeholders, including chambers and associations to submit their proposals related to income tax for the budget 2016-17.

According to a notification, FBR has initiated formulation of proposals for the Finance Bill and Budget 2016-17. “In order to benefit from the collective wisdom of general public and all the stakeholders, including chambers of commerce and industry, trade and industrial bodies, provincial bodies and regulatory authorities, proposals have been invited for the upcoming budget,” it said.

FBr directs prAL to prepare lists of withholding agents

Thursday December 24, 2015

National

Dr irshad hails performance of multan rTo in tax collection

ISLAMABAD

SHAHiD miNHAS

www.customsbulletin.com

he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to prepared lists of withholding agents who have free tax numbers.

Sources told Customs Today that the FBR has directed Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) to finalize these lists according to RTOs and LTUs and forward the same to Inland Revenue Operation Wing.

Sources said that these lists will be provided to RTOs and LTUs concerned then the chief commissioners will make contact with withholding agents having free tax numbers for their enrollment.

T

Supreme Court rejects bail plea of excise clerk LAHORE

muHAmmAD NAwAZ www.customsbulletin.com

upreme court of Pakistan ‘Lahore Registry’ has rejected the bail plea of of Excise and Taxation department clerk Ahsan Ikhlaq who is involved in embezzlement of Rs 12 million case. The officials of anti curruption department arrested Ahsan Ikhtaq outside court premises. According to details, two members bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa heard the case.

During hearing of the case the counsel of accused argued before the court that all the allegations against Ahsan Ikhlaq are baseless.

He informed the court that his client Ahsan Ikhlaq collected motor registration fees and deposited the same amount to cashier, he said that his client is ready to face inquairy so court should accept his temporary bail.

S

MULTAN

imrAN ALi

www.customsbulletin.com

T

he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Member Operations Inland Revenue Dr. Mohammad Irshad Khan visited the Regional Tax OfSice.

FBR Member Operations Inland Revenue Dr.Muhammad Irshad spent very busy day in RTO in which he chaired various important meetings with ofSicials. The IR-Operations member held meetings with the high ups of the RTO Multan and discusses the important issues in respect of tax collection.

The FBR Member Operations Inland Revenue Dr. Muhammad Irshad has visited RTO for Sirst time after the appointment of new chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and he is visiting all tax ofSices of FBR in the major cities in order to boost performance of revenue collection in the country.

He presided over the meeting in the Regional Tax ofSice in which Chief Commissioner RTO Multan HaSiz Muhammad Jamil Owaisi Additional Commissioner Zubair Bilal, DC Headquarter Naveed Ahamd along with other members of the RTO Multan were also present .

He was given presentation on revenue collection of the tax ofSice so far with detail brieSing on the performance about current Siscal year 2015-16.

Additional Commissioner Zubair

Bilal Regional Tax OfSice informed FBR Member Operations Inland Revenue Dr. Muhammad Irshad about the revenue collection that RTO have outshined in the tax collection by attaining more than set targets for the on-going Siscal period 2015-16.

Tax Office Multan has collected almost Rs 80217 million during the 2nd quarter of the current fiscal year and achieved 102% tax collection target during this period. Dr.Muhammad Irshad ex-

FBr inland revenue operations member Dr muhammad irshad has visited rTo for first time after the appointment of new chairman of the Federal Board of revenue (FBr) and he is visiting all tax offices of FBr in the major cities in order to boost performance of revenue

FBr promotes all BS-16 customs officials to BS-17 KARACHI

AFTAB CHANNA

www.customsbulletin.com

T

he Federal Board of Revenue FBR has promoted all the ofSicials of Pakistan Customs from grade BS-16 to BS-17 with effect from December 18, 2015.

In this regard, Qasim Khan Khattak Secretary Mgt.Cus-III forwarded

a letter to all the Chief Collectors of Customs informing about the development made by the FBR. “In pursuance of approval conveyed vide Finance Division’s OM No 1(138)R-I/2015-908 dated 18.12.2015, all the existing regular Principal Appraiser BS-16, Superintendent Preventive BS-16 and Superintendent Customs BS-16 in the Customs Department under the administrative control of the FBR are hereby granted one time Higher Time Scale BPS-17 with effect from

18.12.2015”, according to a letter available with Customs Today. The Higher Time Scale is subject to the following terms and conditions: On time grant of BPS-17 is allowed to all the regular incumbents of above post, irrespective of their length of service. In future, three years satisfactory service in above cadre/post BPS-16 is prescribed for grant of BPS-17 to them. The recruitment rules, nomenclature / tier of the posts and seniority of incumbents of above posts remain intact.

pressed that Multan have significant contribution in the tax collection of country.

He appreciated performance of RTO Multan in terms of tax collection and directed all officials to mobilize the taxpayers of the jurisdiction and advised to put maximum efforts to find potential tax payers to widen the tax net of the country for further collection. Broadening of tax base and enforcement are the areas where the FBR should not compromise.

FBr employees will enjoy four holidays he employees of FBR will enjoy four leaves during current week.

The entire staff of Regional Tax Office-I, RTO-II and Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) are very happy on these four leaves. The FBR employees will avail leaves of Eid Milad un Nabi which is fallong on 24th December, on 25th December they will avail leave of Christmas and Quaid-e-Azam Day.

T

4

www.customsbulletin.com

LNG to help end energy crisis: Khaqan Thursday, December 24, 2015

Business

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) would help overcome the energy crisis. Talking to a news channel, the minister said unfortunately the issue remained neglected during the previous governments. The present government after coming to power started taking steps to meet the country’s energy requirements. As a short-term, it planned to import LNG to meet the gas demand while work on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project had been started, which would be completed in four years.

kSe closes negative on last trading day before four holidays KARACHI

CuSTomS BuLLeTiN reporT www.customsbulletin.com

T

he Karachi stock Wednesday opened with positive note, but started sliding till closing at 32500.75 level by shedding 140.32 points on the last trading day before four holidays.

The Karachi Stock Exchange benchmark KSE-100 index recorded the highest trading level of 32706.10 points and lowest level of

110 textile mills closed operations in 12 months

32489.58 points, with the volume of 71,791,890 shares, having Rs5.8 billion value. As many as 329 companies were active; of which 117 advanced, 192 declined and 20 remained unchanged. Commercial banks remained the highest traded sector with total volume of 13,937,500 shares, while oil & gas marketing companies remained second traded sector with a total volume of 11,600,300 shares. The three top traded companies were Jah.Sidd.

Co with a volume of 10,106,500 and price per share of 20.06 (1), Habib Bank with a volume 5,858,600 of price per share of 201.80 (2.65), and

CuSTomS BuLLeTiN reporT www.customsbulletin.com

s many as 110 textile mills have shut down during the last year mainly to due to the high cost of doing business, particularly the cost of electricity and gas. All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) Chairman Tariq Saud, in a statement, said that the high cost of doing business has started hitting textile industry severely, as further closure of operations of the textile mills was reported to the association.

A

KARACHI

CuSTomS BuLLeTiN reporT www.customsbulletin.com

ISLAMABAD

CuSTomS BuLLeTiN reporT www.customsbulletin.com

A

fghan envoy Janan Mosazai called on Finance Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar here on Tuesday.

The ambassador on the occasion conveyed to the Minister good wishes and compliments from the Afghan President and also communicated President’s desire for early

he country’s branchless banking is expanding as the number of such accounts increased by 44.4 per cent to 10.8 million during the second quarter of 2015, as compared with 7.5 million in the previous quarter of January-March.

According to the Branchless Banking (BB) Newsletter released by the State Bank of Pakistan, around 47,902 biometric devices were installed for real-time account opening at agent locations during April-June 2015 quarter. A total of 1.3 million accounts were opened during the quarter through the biometric verification system. This increase also resulted from massive opening of level zero accounts, which now constitute 87 percent of the total BB accounts. These accounts are basic mobile-wallet accounts with low know-your-customer requirements and small transaction limit. The active-to-total account ratio climbed to 34 percent from 20 percent in the previous quarter, which may be attributed to the release of two Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) tranches and rise in fund transfers between m-wallets and mobile top-ups.

T Sui North Gas with a volume 5,548,000 of price per share of 24.90 (-1.14). The top three gainers were RaShan Maize with price per

share 8899.99 (399.99), Island Textile with price per share of 615 (24.75) and Highnoon (Lab) with price per share of 567.45 (22.85).

Dar discusses pak-funded projects with Afghan envoy

KARACHI

Branchless banking accounts up by 44.4% to 10.8m in Q2

completion of the projects that Pakistan is undertaking in Afghanistan as a goodwill gesture.

In particular, Janan Mosazai conveyed the desire of the Afghan President for the early conclusion of Jalalabad – Torkham highway which would provide for better communication between the two countries and promote trade and business activities. The Minister said that the FWO was undertaking the JalalabadTorkham highway project on fast track basis and 41% physical work has been completed. Although the project was due for completion at

the end of 2016, the Minister said that he would play his due role to ensure that the FWO completed the highway project by June 2016. The Afghan Envoy assured of complete facilitation in the construction of the highway. Minister Dar further informed the Afghan envoy that more than 90% progress had been achieved in other Pakistan-funded projects and these would also be completed soon. He also thanked the Afghan President for his message of goodwill and his deep resolve to take Pak-Afghan cooperation to greater heights.

SBp launches videos, app to aware public of banknote security features KARACHI

T

CuSTomS BuLLeTiN reporT www.customsbulletin.com

he State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has launched Sive videos and a smartphone application to enhance public awareness and understanding of the currency notes’ security features.

The SBP, as a part of its campaign “Rupay ko Pehchano”, launched the videos and application in a cere-

mony attended by high-ranking ofSicials of the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and presidents and senior executives of the commercial banks. A total of 5 videos have been developed, one each for Rs5000, Rs1000, and Rs500 notes, and one for Rs10, Rs20, Rs50 and Rs100 notes and the Sifth highlights the security features of all the currency notes in circulation.

The smart phone application, downloadable from both Apple and

Android platforms, gives information on security features of the currency notes both in descriptive and pictorial forms. SBP Governor Ashraf Mahmood Wathra, while launching the videos and smartphone application, said that the SBP has adopted a three pronged strategy to combat counterfeiting which involves enhancing the security features of our currency notes to make counterfeiting even more difSicult, besides using machines for the cash

processing function in the banking system to ensure that no fake notes pass through the banking system; and creating awareness amongst the general public about the security features of the currency notes to help them differentiate between genuine and fake notes.

He said that under the strategy some advanced security features were being added in the higher denomination currency notes of Rs500 and above and that these notes with

enhanced security features, after the Federal Government’s approval, would be available for issuance by third quarter of Calendar Year 16, adding that, a comprehensive cash management strategy has been issued to automate banks’ cash processing functions by January 2017.

The smartphone application being launched would enable millions of smartphone users in the country to have complete information about the security features, he said.

www.customsbulletin.com

ADVERTISEMENT

5

6

www.customsbulletin.com

7

Thursday, December 24, 2015

www.customsbulletin.com

ISLAMABAD m ArSHAD www.customsbulletin.com

T

he forceful arguments by the Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Nisar Mohammad Khan on Tuesday successfully grabbed support from Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue in favour of stance on Money Bill, Income Tax (Second Amendment) Bill 2015.

On October 31, President Mamnoon Hussain promulgated an ordinance to further amend the Income Tax Ordinance 2001. The clause-II of Article 89 of the Constitution requires the presentation of this said ordinance before the either house of the parliament for either approval or extension in the tenure for the promulgation of the ordinance. A day earlier, on Monday, committee members raised numerous objections on the nature, formation, timing of promulgation as well as others of the said ordinance.

However, Chairman FBR Nisar Muhammad Khan played a an effective move and invited the committee to lunch on Tuesday at the FBR in the name of an informal meeting to address the reservations and concerns of the members. Chairman Committee Salim Manviwala along with Senators Sardar Fateh Mohammad Hassani, Mohsin Aziz and Talha Mehmood attended the informal briefing. According to Senators, Chairman FBR, is an honest and hardworking government ofSicer and he effectively advocated FBR’s stance and addressed almost all the concerns of the committee members. Therefore, committee will Sinalize its recommendations in next few days.

Senator Salim Manviwala told Customs Today that committee took up the issue in detail with FBR chairman and his team. Therefore, committee will propose at least four amendments in the said ordinance including granting exemption to all sectors instead of restricting it up to twelve sectors alone.

Moreover, he said that committee would also propose amendment in the tenure of validity of the ordinance from July 2015 to June 2016. Sim-

ilarly, we have also sought statistics of revenue collection under 8% and 2% duty separately” he added. Senator Mohsin Aziz also told Customs Today that FBR Chairman removed almost all concerns by dint of his forceful arguments, which proved rightly as correct. Due course of his brieSing, Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan agreed to add other sectors also under this ordinance and also promised to take all out necessary measures in next budget” he added saying that FBR Chairman also committed to take all concerned sectors into conSidence through a comprehensive consultative process. Reporters were not allowed to cover this informal meeting therefore a well-placed ofSicial source at FBR told Customs Today that Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan said that article 77 of the constitution allowed the state to impose new taxes as well as change the existing ratio of taxes. Regulatory duty was levied under Customs and Excise Act.

r Nisar n B F n a Chairm an played a a d the mad kh muham ove and invite ay esd em effectiv to lunch on Tu n of a tee commit r in the name ss B re at the F eeting to add s lm ern informa tions and conc rva the rese he members of t

8

www.customsbulletin.com

Founder & Chairman Zulfiqar Ali Editor rahil Yasin editor@customsbulletin.com.pk For advertising & subscription marketing@customsbulletin.com.pk www.customsbulletin.com Phones: 042-35781643-4, Fax: 042-35781645 Address: 627, Siddiq Trade Centre, Gulberg, Lahore

eDiToriAL

New tranche of imF loan programme

T

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved tenth loan tranche of the $6.2 billion loan programme apparently after the government bowed to its dictation and slapped Rs 40 billion additional taxes on the people to meet the shortfall in tax revenues.

The history of loans, which started in 1951, reveals a compelling fact that the governments after governments in Pakistan had failed to improve financial discipline at home and found it an easy way to get loans from world lending agencies to meet the state expenditures. After the approval of the current tranche from the IMF board of directors, at least $4.98 billion would have been disbursed to Pakistan under the programme which the donor agency had approved in September 2013. As a matter of fact, the current government could not meet the conditionalities of the donor agency to restrict the budget deficit and reduce net domestic assets within a limit prescribed by the agency for the first quarter of the current fiscal year. When the government finds it easy to impose indirect taxes, it actually forces the economic development to take two steps back. Instead of taking hard decisions, the economy of loan is approaching toward a saturation point as the nation has been burdened with $90 billion loans so far. The government had been given a target to collect Rs 640 billion taxes, but it could collect Rs 600 billion, leaving with no option but to burdened the economy with another Rs 40 billion tax to pave the war for the tenth tranche of the loan. The new financial colonialists always attach strings with extension of loans and the amount of money the government spends on the arrangements of meetings in Dubai can be anybody’s guess.

According to news reports, the government has so far enjoyed 14 waivers in nine reviews of the national economy, highlighting a fact that the government is still not in a hurry to introduce structural reforms in the tax collection system.

The point is when the government knows it cannot meet the tough conditions of the donor agencies, why it is insanely runs after loans. The World Bank, IMF, Asian Development Bank or any donor agency, all push the government to increase taxes to generate additional revenue.

Best countries for doing business P

LAHORE

Dr AFTAB AFZAL

www.customstoday.com

akistan has secured a rank as low as 103 out of 144 nations, behind India, Kazakhstan and even Ghana on Forbes’ annual list of the best countries for business in 2015. Denmark has topped the list of the 144 nations on the Best Countries of Business in 2015. Pakistan is lagging behind in business matters and political leadership is incapable of doing any good to improve the situation as they have to heavily rely on the bureaucratic set up which has its own accesses and limitations. The country has always scored poorly on metrics such as Sinance and trade and has

failed to arrest corruption in ofSicial cadre. Earlier, the World Bank had pointed out ambiguous laws and structural anomalies as the stumbling blocks in the way of business, trade and foreign investment in Pakistan. In the list, the United States the Sinancial capital of the world and the largest economy lost four points to reach 22, but performed poorly on monetary freedom and red tape. India ranked 97th on the list despite developing into an openmarket economy as traces of its past policies still haunts its economy. Pakistan is the emerging economy with rising middle class having per capita income of more than $12,000, but every businessman in the country has to struggle for survival on several fronts, in-

cluding ofSicial rigmarole, energy crisis and factors which tend to increase cost of production. Despite all odds, the long-term growth is positive as 42 percent of the population consists of young generation and World Bank has projected this Sinancial year’s growth at 4.5 percent. The government is struggling to ensure its presence in the global economy while efforts are on to achieve regional integration. The business community in Pakistan is under pressure, especially from the government agencies, and is looking investment opportunities in other countries, including Bangladesh where anti-Pakistan sentiments still run high. Sri Lanka and UAE are also attractive destinations for capital Slight, but

the government is still entangled in withholding tax issue with traders. The government agencies are hell-bent to kill the hen which gives golden egg once for allwithout realizing its aftermath.

The ultimate power and key lies in the hands of the government to resolve the matters.

There is urgent need to break the monotony not only in the ofSicial behavior, but also on the businessmen’s ends. In the age of science and technology, the business community must look for options to earn through the industry which needs minimum energy requirement and calls minimum interference of the tax ofSicials. Pakistan is English speaking country with highly qualiSied software engineers and developers.

9

www.customsbulletin.com

Iran ready to trade with Russia TEHRAN: Iran said that it has completed the preparations for establishing a joint bank account with Russia to facilitate trade between the two countries in their own currencies.

Valiollah Seif, the governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), told a visiting Russian delegation that both Tehran and Moscow need to create a mechanism to connect their banking sectors, stressing that this is necessary for bolstering trade ties between the two countries.

Seif said a special committee should be set up between Iran and Russia to identify the current obstacles that are preventing the expansion of their mutual banking relations.

He also said that a technical team also needs to be formed to activate mechanisms for providing credit lines between Iran and Russia.

SCCi expoters pays rich tribute to victims of Army public School large number of the Sialkot exporters today attended a prestigious ceremony held at the auditorium of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here today to pay tributes to the victims of Army Public School (APS) Peshawar. The Sialkot exporters paid rich tributes to all the victims of Army Public School (APS) Peshawar.

They termed the day of Dec 16, 2014 as the blackest day in the human his-

A

tory. Addressing the participants, President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Maj (Rtd) Mansur Ahmed expressed complete solidarity with the armed forces of Pakistan and they also pledged to make all out sincere individual and collective efforts to weed out terrorism from the country.

SCCI President Maj (Rtd) Mansur Ahmed hosted this prestigious ceremony to express solidarity with the families of the martyrs besides giving a very strong message that we stand united and firm against all evil designs. On this occasion, Sialkot businessmen’s leader Riazud Din Sheikh, SCCI SVP Muhammad Sarfraz Butt, VP Ehtesham Gillani and former SCCI President Dr. Muhammad Aslam Dar, while delivering their speeches, expressed complete solidarity with the armed forces of Pakistan and they also pledged to make all out sincere individual and collective efforts to weed out terrorism from the country.—CB Report

Thursday December 24, 2015

Chambers

pHD Chamber of Commerce to organise first indian expo in islamabad R

ISLAMABAD

CuSTomS BuLLeTiN reporT www.customsbulletin.com

upinder Singh Sachdva, CoChairman Punjab and member managing committee of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with a delegation to discuss the possibilities of cooperation for organizing a four days Indian Expo at Islamabad in the second week of March 2016. He said holding Indian Expos at Lahore was a regular features, however, it was for the Sirst time that an Indian Expo would be held in Islamabad and desired that ICCI should fully cooperate to make this event successful.

He said Indian Government has allowed PHD Chamber to organize Expo in the federal capital of Pakistan and added that about 100 stalls of various Indian products including machinery and equipment, engineering goods, food products and others would be displayed in the said Expo. He said facilitating the frequent exchange of trade delegations and holding single country exhibitions was the best way to promote

bilateral trade and economic relations between Pakistan and India.

He assured to provide all possible support to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry for organizing delegations and trade fairs in India. Speaking at the occasion, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that both governments have again started the process for normalization of relations which was a welcome sign for the business com-

munities as they needed tension free environment to boost two-way trade. He said Pakistan and India being the largest economies of South Asia have huge potential to promote trade and sustained normal bilateral relations were the key to fully exploit available trade potential for mutual beneSit of both countries. He said lot of trade between Pakistan and India was taking place via Dubai and peaceful relations would help in promoting direct trade between the

Hanover park Chamber folding

A

NEW YORK

CuSTomS BuLLeTiN reporT www.customsbulletin.com

fter struggling Sinancially for the past few months, the Hanover Park Chamber of Commerce will cease operations at the end of the year and encourage its members to be part of a revamped Bartlett Chamber of Commerce. “We had a good amount of members, but it Sinancially made sense to join with Bartlett,” said Hanover Park Chamber of Commerce Board Member Balwinder Chhokar. All Hanover Park Chamber members have been invited to join the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce, according to a letter sent to chamber members Dec. 14.

“We’re conSident that its (Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce) resources, support structure, highly engaged membership, and strong

record of community involvement will be a great value to Hanover Park Chamber of Commerce members,” the letter said. The Hanover Park Chamber of Commerce “didn’t have funds to continue,” said Bartlett Chamber’s Chair-elect Lee Price.

“We’re looking forward to a stressful and intense Sirst couple of months,” Price said. “And we’re also looking forward to giving (businesses) the tools they need to grow.” He said the two chambers aren’t merging due to liability issues, but the name is changing to Bartlett Area Chamber complete with a new logo. Price said the Bartlett Chamber of Commerce has about 265 members, and the Hanover Park Chamber had 65 members. It’s unclear, though, how many new members the Bartlett Area Chamber will acquire because some businesses are likely members in both. The Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce board will include

members from both towns. Price said Hanover Park Chamber board member Rebecca Walker has already agreed to serve on the new Bartlett Area Chamber board. “This is a window of opportunity to collaborate with our neighbor Bartlett,” said Hanover Park Village President Rod Craig. “It’ll be good for businesses and our relationship with Bartlett.” Bartlett Village President Kevin Wallace, who served as chairman of Bartlett’s chamber for two terms, said he is looking forward to working with Hanover Park. “The more businesses you have collaborating together, the better off the members are,” he said.

Meanwhile, President and CEO of the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce Lou Santoni announced he will retire in April 2016. Santoni shared his decision Wednesday with the chamber’s board of directors, staff and members.

two countries. He highlighted that measures like improving trade infrastructure, enhancing transport connectivity, customs facilitation , increasing people to people contacts by easing bilateral visa regimes, improving telecommunication links, sharing information and organizing specialized trade fairs were the measures that would help in improving bilateral trade and economic relations between our two neighborly countries.

Zarathushti chamber to meet in goa eeding a request from the Goa chamber of commerce and industry (GCCI), the world Zarathushti chamber of commerce has decided to conduct its annual global meeting in Goa and has invited member of British parliament and well-known economist Lord Meghnad Desai as the chief guest. Being the only chamber of commerce for the miniscule Zarathushti community, the body aims to promote and reward entrepreneurship among Parsis. The 15-year old chamber will hold its annual general body meeting on December 19 at the international centre, Dona Paula, during which GCCI will throw light on investment opportunities in the state. Four heads of local industries will also speak about their experience with investing in Goa and the opportunities available.—CB Report

H

10

www.customsbulletin.com

US: Police arrest man for smuggling bogus jackets from Bangladesh Thursday December 24, 2015

World

HEMPSTEAD: A man was arrested after police said he imported tens of thousands of fake North Face jackets from Bangladesh. Haryash Paul was arrested when the jackets were seized in a warehouse in Nassau County. Paul will be arraigned in Hempstead Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, Police detained two people when they were smuggling 1.80 lakh yaba tablets in a car in Ananya residential area of Chittagong city last night. Following information, police halted the car around 11:00pm and found the pills inside two cartons, said Mohammad Mohsin, officer-in-charge of Bayezid Police Station.

During primary interrogation, detainees Ehsan Mohammad Arafat, 32, and Sirajuddin, 36, told police that they were taking the tablets to Hathazari from Anowara, Mohsin added.

interpol seizes $9.8m worth of fake, illegal medicine

Dubai Customs opens registration for ipr Award DUBAI

CuSTomS BuLLeTiN reporT www.customsbulletin.com

SINGAPORE

CuSTomS BuLLeTiN reporT www.customsbulletin.com

T

S

ingapore was among 13 Asian countries that participated in a multinational operation led

by Interpol which seized more than $9.8 million worth of fake and illegal medicine. The month-long Operation Storm VI saw the arrest of 87 individuals and the investigation of nearly 500 pharmacies and markets, as well as some 100 illicit online pharmacy websites, Interpol announced yesterday. As part of the operation in Singapore, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) seized more than 200,000 units of adulterated and fake sexual enhancement drugs, with a street value of more than $500,000. September’s operation brought together law enforcement and drug regulatory agencies to target organised pharmaceutical crime across Asia. In total, it recovered

uS court sentences man to 5 years for smuggling cigarettes judge sentenced a northern Virginia man to five years in federal prison for trafficking $13 million in cigarettes out of the commonwealth, including through an elaborate scheme captured on camera by the News4 I-Team.

Stephen Chen, a Fredericksburg small business owner, admitted making bulk purchases of tobacco from big box warehouse stores, then reselling the cigarettes illegally to accomplices for profit. Va. Crime Panel to Study Cigarette Smuggling Those cigarettes were later trafficked to Pennsylvania and New Jersey to be illegally sold again, according to federal prosecutors.

Chen pleaded guilty to a federal money laundering charge in connection with his cigarette-smuggling operation. —CB Report

A

more than two tonnes of medicine worth about US$7 million (S$9.8 million), including antibiotics, anti-hypertension medication, and erectile dysfunction and diet pills. The Philippines National Police seized 300 units of fake rabies vaccines. Interpol Global Health and Safety Unit head Aline Plancon said: “Operation Storm VI demonstrated the sophistication

and determination of criminal groups engaged in pharmaceutical crime, creating dangers to public health and the safety of the population. There is therefore a need for increased cooperation and information sharing on crimes related to falsiSied and illicit medical products being manufactured, transported and sold in the Asian region.”

Sri Lanka Customs discovers gold bars hidden in rectum

A

Sri Lankan man has been arrested for trying to smuggle gold bars into the country in his rectum. The 42-year-old was intercepted at Bandaranaike International Airport after Customs ofSicers noticed him “walking suspiciously”, Customs spokesman Leslie Gamini told the BBC. His Slight had arrived from Singapore early on Tuesday morning. The man was discovered to have four bars, totalling 400g of gold, inside his body. Its value was

estimated to be about 2 million Sri Lankan rupees (NZ$20,000).

The man had been “Sinding it hard to walk”, Gamini said.

He told Customs ofSicials he was a coordinating secretary at Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Post, Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs, Sri Lankan newspaper The Nation reported. OfSicials told the media more than 70 people had been arrested for smuggling gold into Sri Lanka this year. —CB Report

he Dubai Customs DC has announced the opening of registration for its IPR Award for Schools and Universities for 2015-2016. School and university students are encouraged to be part of the drive and submit entries in any of the award’s six categories which are: Best IP Website Name Best IP Awareness Campaign Best Innovation/Invention for IPR Protection Writing a Book (Story) Short Play and Short Film on IP and the dangers of counterfeit products.

The award is aimed at inculcating the values and ethics of intellectual property rights in student community engaging the students in the Sight against counterfeiting and raising their awareness on DC’s efforts to safeguard IP rights of producers and innovators according to the DC.

Yousuf Ozair Mubarak Director of the IPR Department at Dubai Customs said “Dubai Customs’ Intellectual Property Awar for Schools and Universities is aimed at instilling the spirit of competition among applicants and raising their awareness of intellectual property rights. Hence we can disseminate this culture to the younger generations so as to engage the largest possible segment of our community in addressing piracy counterfeiting and commercial fraud. “Dubai Customs’ IP Award has recently gained momentum due to our leadership’s initiatives towards stimulating innovation namely marking 2015 as the Year of Innovation as per the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the launch of the National Innovation Strategy by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai” he added.

indonesian people-smuggling crew could face 8-year jail term

I

ndonesian prosecutors asked a court to jail the captain and crew of a boat that attempted to take asylum-seekers to New Zealand for eight years for people-smuggling.

Captain Yohanis Humiang and his Sive crew were taking 65 mostly Sri Lankan migrants to New Zealand when they were intercepted by Australian authorities in late May, who allegedly paid them US$32,000 (S$45,000) to return to Indonesia.

Claims that Australia made a payment renewed tensions over the issue of migrant boats, which

have long been a flashpoint between the neighbours. The boat turned back and arrived near Rote island in remote eastern Indonesia, where the captain and crew are now standing trial. “The defendants, by taking the immigrants to New Zealand, acted for personal gain as they took money from the Australian Navy,” prosecutor Alex Selle told the local district court.

Selle also recommended that the accused pay a fine of 500 million rupiah (US$36,200) or face another six months in prison. —CB Report

uk Border Force seized 12.3m illegal cigarettes

O

HARWICH

CuSTomS BuLLeTiN reporT www.customsbulletin.com

ne million cigarettes were seized at the Port of Harwich last week – bringing the total number of illegal cigarettes stopped at the port in the past two months to 12.3 million. Border Force ofSicers found the latest haul inside a lorry

trailer coming from the Hook of Holland listed as holding machinery.

An x-ray of the truck detected an anomaly with the load, and a further search revealed the machinery was nothing more than a series of metal boxes containing the tobacco.

If the smuggling attempt had been successful it would have cost the Treasury an estimated £200,000 in unpaid tobacco duty.

The seizure, at around 7am on December 15, is the latest in a series of high value smuggling attempts through the port. These include: November 5 – one million cigarettes in a load of dishwashers November 17 – 6.3m cigarettes in a load of washing machines November 25 – three million cigarettes in a load of tortilla chips November 30 – one million cigarettes

in a load of potatoes Charlotte Mann, Border Force assistant director at Harwich, said: “This was an excellent detection that has starved those responsible of the proceeds of their criminality. “The use of technology, ofSicer expertise and intelligence has also seen Border Force ofSicers at Harwich detect millions of smuggled cigarettes since the start of November.

11

www.customsbulletin.com

2-in-1 PC shipments to see growth in 2016 WASHINGTON: While notebook and tablet shipments have seen slow growth or decreases, 2-in-1 notebook/tablet shipments have significantly increased and therefore global 2-in-1 shipments in 2016 are expected to grow on year by a doubledigit rate, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers.

As demand for notebooks has been stagnant and tablets have been cannibalized by large-size smartphones, many notebook/tablet vendors, such as Asustek Computer, Acer and Lenovo, will launch more 2-in-1 models in 2016, the sources said.

Meanwhile,Shipments of beef to the UK were back 18% in October 2015 compared to the same month in 2014, according to AHDB.

international notebook shipments expected to decline in 2015 nternational notebook shipments next year are expected to decline between 5 and 6 percent from this year’s estimated of total 163 million units, with shipments of Taiwan’s Asustek Computer Inc and Acer Inc to fall further than their peers’, the Market Intelligence and Consulting Institute said yesterday.

While the other top four PC vendors’ notebook shipments are expected to be flattish or grow from this year, Asustek’s and Acer’s shipments are to decline annually due to increasing competition and a declining market,” an MIC analyst, who declined to be named, told reporters on the sidelines of a news conference. The analyst said PC vendors Lenovo Group Ltd , HP Inc and Dell Inc are expected to secure the top three positions, but the shipments are forecast to be flattish next year.

Apple Inc is expected to secure the fourth-largest PC vendor position with

Ports & Shipping

oakland port discovers 2 live giant African snails in shipment

mediterranean Shipping Comp. signs deal for $100m port he Mediterranean Shipping Company yesterday committed to the construction of a $100m private island cruise port, set to get underway at Sandy Cay in early 2016.

The development is expected to create 600 construction jobs and employ more than 300 permanent employees.

Prime Minister Perry Christie, along with MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, signed a heads of agreement on Wednesday, with both sides hailing the moment as a major economic thrust for the northern Bahamas. According to Mr Christie, the agreement paves the way for the construction of the “self-sustaining operation and environmental management” of a cruise port, the likes of which the country has never seen.

Additionally, Mr Christie said the cruise destination, set to serve 369,000 guests annually, is expected to feature shopping, dining, retail and recreational spaces, an amphitheatre and a shipbased infirmary. The development’s plans also call for a marine reserve at Sandy Cay, offering a unique diving experience for guests. Mr Christie noted that historically, MSC’s cruise activities in the Bahamas have in recent years generated around $17m of direct expenditure. MSC is considered the world’s second largest global shipping company.—CB Report

T

I

SAN FRANCISCO

CuSTomS BuLLeTiN reporT www.customsbulletin.com

T

5 percent annual growth in notebook shipments on the back of the promising outlook for its 12-inch notebook, the analyst said. The MIC said Asustek would likely retain the fifth position in international notebook shipments next year. MIC analyst Jane Yeh said that while the international notebook industry would continue to face headwinds next year, 2-in-1 detachable tablet shipments are forecast to increase significantly from this year.

International shipments of 2-in-1 detachable tablets are expected to jump 42.85 percent to 20 million units next year from this year’s estimated 14 million units, MIC senior manager Charles Chou said. —CB Report

Thursday December 24, 2015

wo live Giant African Snails, considered among the most damaging mollusks in the world, apparently hitched a ride on a shipment of wooden pallets from American Samoa and were found at the Port of Oakland earlier this month, officials said.

The snails, along with a pile of dead snail eggs, were found in early December by U. S. Customs

and Border Protection Agriculture specialists on the pallets.

They were forwarded to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Inspection Station, which identified them as Giant African Snails.

The mollusks can grow up to 8 inches long, consume at least 500 different of types of plants, and can cause structural damage by eating paint, plaster, and stucco in houses, according to the USDA. They are also carriers of various plant and human pathogens, including a parasitic nematode that can lead to meningitis in humans.

“Giant African Snails are a serious agriculture and human health

threat, since they consume such a wide variety plants and can carry diseases,” said Brian J. Humphrey, director of field operations for U.S. Customs in San Francisco.

It’s the second time over the past two months that the mollusk has been discovered in shipments at the Oakland port. In November, customs agents discovered a Giant African Snail in a shipping container of commercial goods from Asia, Humphrey said.

In both instances, CBP immediately reloaded and safeguarded the shipment until required treatment could be completed.

Shipments of copper expected to drop 20-30% in 2016

S

BEIJING

CuSTomS BuLLeTiN reporT www.customsbulletin.com

ome Chinese importers of reSined copper have reduced bookings of term shipments for 2016, expecting lukewarm domestic demand and weak prices to continue, industry sources in China said. Term shipments of reSined copper are likely to fall 20-30 percent in 2016, said one executive at a large trading Sirm in Shanghai, putting average monthly term imports next

year at about 200,000 tonnes, down from 250,000 tonnes a month in 2015. The drop in term volumes would likely cut reSined copper stocks in China’s local market and bonded warehouses, and any unexpected demand surge could fuel higher premiums and prices in domestic <0#SCF:> and global markets, sources said.

Plans for the reduction of term shipments come despite suppliers cutting their premiums on top of the cash London Metal Exchange copper prices to overcome weak import

demand. “Our overall term bookings have fallen 40 percent,” said a manager for a large plant that uses reSined metal to make rods and tubes, declining to be identiSied as he was not authorized to speak to media.

The manager said China’s policy to increase property sales would lift demand for copper to be used in power cables and home appliances such as air-conditioners, but that the rise in consumption would take months to be reflected in the market. An executive at an international trading firm said his

company’s clients were not keen to take term shipments for 2016, and that it had not booked refined copper from Chilean producer Codelco for China for the first time in years. Expected higher interest rates in the United States also were dampening imports, as it made dollar-denominated financing deals for stocks in China’s bonded warehouses more expensive.

Still, some large Chinese importers are betting on prices to recover and have kept bookings for 2016 steady.

12

www.customsbulletin.com

Sialkot ASO confiscates smuggled black tea SIALKOT: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized foreign origin black tea worth Rs 50,000 during an operation. Sources told Customs Today that Model Customs Collectorate Collector Ahmed Reza Khan received information regarding smuggling of black tea. A raiding team comprising Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Erfan, Inspector Muhammad Manshah and others conducted a raid near GT Road, Sialkot and recovered black tea.

The raiding party asked the accused to produce legal documents regarding the import of tea, but the accused failed to produce the same.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Customs preventive ASo impounds indian saris, laces worth rs 10 million LAHORE m HAYAT

www.customsbulletin.com

C

ustoms Lahore Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization has seized Rs 10 million smuggled Indian saries and laces, sources told Customs Today.

The sources said that the Customs ASO on information of Collector of Customs Mukarram Jah Ansari intercepted a truck which was coming from Rawalpindi near Sabzi Mandi and seized the truck loaded with illegally imported Indian saries and laces. The truck was initially loaded in Azad Kashmir and somehow reached Lahore, it was said.

The collector constituted a team led by Deputy Director Dr Adnan under the supervision of Superintendent Mumtaz Ajmal Mian while two inspectors Khalid Butt and Irfan Mumtaz were the part of the team which intercepted the above said truck. The sources said that the detained truck belonged to one driver Sudher and the owner name is Nawazish. It was reported that the customs authorities registering a case started investigations. Meanwhile, The Customs Preventive has seized 90

smart phones from a passenger who had arrived at Allama Iqbal International Airport, sources told Customs Today. According to

details, the customs authorities intercepted a passenger Muhammad Imran who was using green channel and thoroughly checked his

luggage and found 90 android mobiles worth Rs 3 million. The sources said that the accused is a resident of Gujranwala and was

coming from Dubai. Sources added that the customs AFU authorities registered a case and seized the mobiles.

Dar to lay SBp annual report on national economy in Senate ISLAMABAD

m ArSHAD

www.customsbulletin.com

F

inance Minister Ishaq Dar will present the Annual Report for the year 20142015 of the State Bank of Pakistan on the state of the economy along-with the Statistical Supplement in the Senate today.

In this regard, all the required documents carrying Statistical Supplement have been dispatched

to the Senate Secretariat” a well placed source at Finance Ministry told Customs Today.

The source said that Finance Minister would also lay the special audit report on clearance of circular debt of power sector Rs 480 billion in the Senate today.

As per rules, at the time of presentation of these reports, members can also ask question about the reports therefore Finance Ministry may have to respond to queries in this regard especially weaknesses of national economy pinpointed by State Bank of Pakistan in its fresh report.

The source said that SBP released Annual Report for the year 2014-2015 of the State Bank of Pakistan on the State of the Economy few days back and this stated that several key macro indicators recorded improvement, says the State Bank’s Annual Report State Bank of Pakistan today released Annual Report on the State of the Economy for the year 2014- 15.

According to the Report, Pakistan’s economy did reasonably well during FY15, in contrast to a number of other emerging economies that are facing slower economic growth.

The real GDP growth increased to 4.2 percent in FY15, and key macro-economic indicators like inSlation, Siscal balance and current account balance recorded improvements.

The Report emphasizes on the improvement in the external sector given its signiSicant positive spillover to the rest of the economy. The external account improved due to a robust growth in worker remittances and a sharp decline in global oil prices.

As a result, not only country’s FX reserves reached an all-time high level of US$ 18.7 billion by

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

end-June 2015 (sufSicient to Sinance around 5 months of the country’s import bill), the exchange rate also remained stable during the year. More importantly, the improvement in the external account signiSicantly diluted the global risk perception for Pakistan.

The Report further explains that the stable PKR parity kept CPI inSlation under control, and lowered inSlation expectations in the country. However, the signiSicant reduction in CPI inSlation during FY15 was caused primarily by a sharp decline in oil and other commodity prices.