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Vol 1 Issue No. 258

Karachi, Tue December 8, 2015

KARACHI

ABDUL REHMAN

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he Custom Intelligence and Investigation has seized 148 sulfur hexaOluoride gas cylinders worth Rs50 million from industrial area of Karachi, it learnt here.

According to the details, the visit of Customs Intelligence Director General Imtiaz Ahmed to Karachi is proved encouraging, as it has given new momentum to the antismuggling operations in the region. The custom ofOicers following the directions of Direc-

Price Rs. 14.00

tor Asif Margoob Additional Director Nadeem Ahsan and Assistant Director Kaleemullah raided a warehouse situated in site area of Karachi and recovered 148 cylinders, while the value of items was estimated at Rs 50 million. The team headed by Deputy Superintendent Hajji Aslam and consisting of Parvez Ahmed Zardari, Rana Ansram, Khuram Saeed, Munwar Ali, Saif Hashmi and Muhammad Aqmal Hashmi conducted a raid to hold smuggled items. According to the sources, the custom intelligence has registered a case against accused person and registered case number is M-2142/DCI/SEIZ/2015.

Customs ASO seizes contraband items worth Rs 184m in five months

FBR expects number of tax return filers to double after resolution of WHT issue

CPEC is a corruption-free project: Ahsan Iqbal

Hyderabad ASO confiscates smuggled items worth Rs 10m

ICCI appeals govt to finalize effective national water policy

ASO of MCC Preventive, Lahore has seized items worth Rs 184 million | SEE pAgE 02 |

FBR expects that the number of filers will double once the issue of withholding tax | SEE pAgE 03 |

The CPEC is a corruption-free project, said Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal | SEE pAgE 04 |

ASOseizedsmuggledgoods,includinganoil tankerworthRs10.6minNovember,2015 | SEE pAgE 12 |

ICCI has called upon the govt to finalize of a comprehensive | SEE pAgE 09 |

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Customs Appellate Tribunal chairman to hear 40 cases Tuesday, December 8, 2015

National

ISLAMABAD: Customs Appellate Tribunal Chairman Ghulam Murtaza Bhatti to hear around 40 cases in upcoming two-day visit to tribunal headquarters in Islamabad.

The chairman would hear the cases as single bench and in division bench.

According to the CAT officials, around 30 cases would be heard in division bench while the chairman will hear ten cases as single bench. CAT registry and staff had finalized preparations to hold tribunal proceedings on Monday and Tuesday as the chairman was scheduled to stay for couple of days on Islamabad for completing hearing of cases.

Lahore ASo seizes contraband items worth Rs 184m in five months

Dar tells fBR to obtain proof of payment for non-Lc imports ISLAMABAD

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inance Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has directed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to take necessary measures to curb illegal trading practices impacting foreign exchange market in country.

The minister, in particular, asked FBR to obtain from importers, the proof of payment and origin of payment for non-LC imports at the time of custom clearance. At the same time, FBR should scale up its anti-smuggling operations. The directions have been given to FBR Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan and senior officials for immediate compliance. Dar noted that despite the stable outlook of the external account certain elements had put pressure on the Pakistani Rupee in the kerb market through their speculative and manipulative activities. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is determined to check such manipulation and all necessary steps will be taken to counter illegal practices. Following a recent meeting on the subject chaired by the finance minister, the SBP has already geared up its regulatory role and the relevant government agencies, including the FBR would also do the needful in this regard.

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LAHORE

M HAYAt

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) of Model Custom Collectorate Preventive, Lahore has seized items worth Rs 184 million during the first five

months of the current financial year 2015-16.

The official sources told Customs Today that the ASO teams under the supervision of assistant collector Dr Muhammad Adnan Khan, headed by superintendent Mumtaz Ajmal Mian, deputy superintendents Saleem Akhtar, Mazhar Butter and Ejaz Rasool Shah, inspectors Khalid Butt, Irfan Mumtaz, Shahid Bhatti, Arif Mayo, Shahid Khan, Saj-

jad Bukhari, Hameed Bhatti and Amjad Khan seized smuggled and non-duty paid vehicles, cycle parts, cloth, cigarettes, segars, perfumes, hair oil, mobile phones, autoparts, weilding electrodes and other miscellaneous goods in November valuing Rs 86 million.

The sources said that cases valuing Rs 184.389 million have been made during the period from July 2015 to November 2015 whereas

cases valuing Rs 147.85 millions were made during the corresponding period of last year.

The sources said that the ASO has intensiOied measures against smuggling activities following the directives of collector of Customs Mukarram Jah Ansari. They added that the collector told the ASO to adopt zero tolerance policy against the smugglers and foil attempts of smuggling at every cost.

Dar hails MpcL’s plans to add 200 MMScf gas to the system ISLAMABAD

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inance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met a delegation of Mari Petroleum Company Ltd (MPCL) led by its Managing Director Lt Gen (r) Nadeem Ahmed.

At the outset, Lt Gen (r) Nadeem

Ahmed thanked the Finance Minister for the government’s policies as well as his role which had helped turnaround the company. He briefed the Finance Minister about the company’s exploration, development and production efforts, with reference to post-dismantling of Mari Cost-Plus Gas Price Agreement (GPA).

He stated that the decisions taken

by ECC relevant to the gas sector had enabled the Mari Gas company to raise spending on exploration activities to US$106 million this year as

compared to US$ 32 million spent last year. The Finance Minister was also informed that MPCL will add up to 200 MMSCF gas per day to the system within a couple of months that will result in annual saving of $ 250-300 million for the country. The MD on this occasion also referred to the company’s application for conversion to 2012 Policy which would allow MPCL to bring on stream substantial new production (around 100-150 MMSCF) by end-2016. The MD also informed the Minister that

with improvement of security conditions in Balochistan, a number of new opportunities are likely to open up. Finance Minister welcomed the company’s plans to beef up supply of natural gas that would help meet the growing needs of power and fertilizer sectors in the country. He stated that the country was endowed with precious natural resouces and it was imperative that we make full use of them. He appreciated Mari Gas’s exemplary exploratory work and said utilization of indigenous resources

was the way to preserve precious foreign exchange and boost economic development. He said the government has embarked on the path to growth and development and it was important that energy requirements for the development activities are cattered for. The Minister stated that the government would ensure that the exploration activities continue all over the country in a safe and secure environment and all necessary measure would be taken to acheive that objective.

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ANF recovers 50kg high quality hashish KARACHI: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Sindh has recovered 50 kilograms of high quality hashish worth millions of rupees.

According to details, on a tip off, the ANF Sindh conducted a raid at Bismillah Market near Sabzi Mandi at Super Highway, Karachi, and recovered 50 kilograms of high quality hashish.

The drug was kept in plastic bag while a case has been registered and further investigation is under progress. Moreover, raids are being conducted in various areas of the province to apprehend the syndicate involved in the crime.

importers express concern over enhancement of duty on cars

Tuesday December 8, 2015

National

fBR hopes tax return filers will double after resolution of wHt issue

KARACHI

wAQAR AHMED ANSARi www.customsbulletin.com

mporters have expressed concern over enhancement of import duty on cars. The government has recently announced 10 percent increase in import duty on cars. Sources told Customs Today that the government is already bearing a huge loss of Rs 40 billion, so it has decided in principle to increase tax and duties on 300 items. Importers said that they are worried on 10 percent increase on import duty of the vehicles. They said that this measure will definitely increase the prices of cars. A rough estimate shows that there will be at least Rs 20,000 increase in the prices of these imported cars.

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fBR all set to use Urdu language in all its departments ISLAMABAD

M fAiZAN

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fter clear instruction from Supreme Court, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed all its staff members to get training of Inpage software.

Sources told Customs Today that for this purpose, the FBR will send all its assistant secretaries and private secretaries to Secretariat Training Center for training of Urdu software Inpage.

The training will be completed in three weeks. It is necessary to mention here that as compared to other government departments, the ratio of introducing Urdu language is higher, while on the other hand, work is still going on to launch Urdu website of FBR. Member FATE Nadeem Dar and Member IT Raana Ahmad are working on this project.

Sources further said that after launching of Urdu language traders.

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ISLAMABAD

M ARSHAD

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) expects that the number of Oilers will double once the issue of withholding tax on bank transactions is resolved with the traders’ community.

Both sides are making all efforts to resolve this issue but no progress has been achieved on this issue so far. A well-placed ofOicial source at the FBR told Customs Today that the number of Oilers would be almost doubled as well as the volume of tax revenue would also touch the historic level. Presently, there are around one million Oilers of the income tax returns in the country and there has been a signiOicant increase in the number of Oilers due to recent imposition of withholding tax on bank transactions.

The source said that FBR had been following different strategies for widen tax next by bringing more people in the tax net and recent act of levying WHT was also one of these measures.

According to Zubair Tufail vice president FPCCI, once the dispute between the FBR and traders’ community is resolved, the exiting number of income tax returns Oilers will increase to double Oigures.

This number will increase because all the chambers of commerce and industry will bind their members as well as other traders to Oile

tax returns despite the fact that no one can become member of these chambers without showing national tax number. It is pertinent to note here that FBR experienced 22% increase in the revenue collection in last month (October 2015) and it was just because of new addition of new Oilers of the income tax returns.

Similarly, according to the provisional Oigures received so far, FBR has made a net collection of more than Rs. 223 billion, as against net

According to Zubair tufail vice president fpcci, once the dispute between the fBR and traders’ community is resolved, the exiting number of income tax returns filers will increase to double figures.

fBR freezes bank accounts of Nazeer textile KARACHI

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has frozen the bank account of Nazeer Textile Mills due to alleged tax evasion of Rs 3.5 million. Sources told Customs Today that the FBR sent many reminders to the company, asking it

to clear outstanding tax dues, but the company failed to respond to any of the notices. After the passage of 100 days, the FBR froze the bank account of the company and recovered the outstanding tax from its accounts. Sources said that the Regional Tax OfOice sent notices to 32 companies, asking them to deposit tax amount. The RTO marked December 25 as the deadline for submission of the tax returns. The RTO authorities said that strict action will be taken against those compa-

nies which fail to clear the outstanding amount. Meanwhile, The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to promote MIS ofOicers BS16 to the IT Cadre post BS-17 through the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) examinations.

In this regard, Riaz Muhammad, Secretary Mgt IR-III, has forwarded a letter No 11(5)S.L/BS-16/2014MIR-III to all the Chief Commissioners of RTOs/LTUs, all Director General (Inland Revenue), Directorate General I & I-IR, Islamabad.

collection of Rs. 183 billion made last year showing an increase of 22% in October. Meanwhile, After clear instruction from Supreme Court, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed all its staff members to get training of Inpage software. Sources told Customs Today that for this purpose, the FBR will send all its assistant secretaries and private secretaries to Secretariat Training Center for training of Urdu software Inpage.

iHc disposes of case filed against AtiR

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he Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday disposed of a case Oiled against Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR). The IHC judge, Justice Aamer Farooq, heard the case and directed the tribunal to decide the fate of tax complaint on merit and furbish a speaking order in this regard.

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Cement sale increases by 15.64% Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Business

LAHORE: The domestic cement sale has increased by 15.64 per cent during July to November 2015 as compared with the same period of last fiscal year. Domestic dispatches rose to 12.2 million tons during this period against 10.56 million tons during same period of last fiscal. The overall situation during first five months of current fiscal year showed a growth of 5.46 percent compared to the same period of last fiscal year. Quantitatively the total dispatches by cement industry were 14.77 million tons from July 15 to November 15 against 14 million tons during corresponding period of last fiscal year.

kSE-100 index adds another 146 points to reach 32853 KARACHI

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tarted with negative note, the Karachi Stock Exchange Monday gained momentum after second session and gained 145.63 points to take the tally to 32853.34 points at closing.

The market recorded the highest trading level of 33010.22 points and lowest level of 32595.00 points, with the volume of 82,748,960

Banking sector’s profit soars by 19% in Q3 LAHORE

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shares, having Rs5,904,032,824 value. As many as 329 companies were active; of which 167 advanced,

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ISLAMABAD ume of 19,522,800 shares, while the commercial banks remained second traded sector with a total volume of 14,156,000 shares. The three top traded companies were K-Electric Ltd with a volume of 9,165,000 and price per share of 7.37 (0.13), PIAC (A) with a volume 9,020,500 of price per share of 9.30 (0.64), Pak Elektron with a volume 8,438,000 of price per share of 64.25 (0.02).

The top three gainers were Ferozsons (Lab) with price per share 991.82 (34.54), Mari Petroleum with price per share of 541.81 (25.80) and Archroma Pak with price per share of 441.93 (21.04).

cpEc is a corruption-free project: Ahsan iqbal

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he country’s banking sector’s profit soared by 19 per cent to Rs46.6 billion in third quarter of current calendar year 2015, mainly due to 19 per cent growth in net interest income (NII). Amongst top banks, Bank Alfalah (BAFL), Habib Bank (HBL) and United Bank (UBL) enjoyed the highest profitability growth of 67 per cent, 38 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively. NII of the sector grew by 19 per cent to Rs112.8 billion.

142 declined and 20 remained unchanged. Cement remained the highest traded sector with total vol-

ANf seizes 12 tonne of drugs worth Rs10.2b in six raids

ISLAMABAD

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he China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a corruption-free project, said Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal.

The minister, in a statement, said that there is no chance of corruption in the projects as out of total $46 billion, $40 billion would be invested in power

sector through private investors and private sector would have to get return of its investment. The remaining $6 billion would be a concessional Oinancing from Chinese government for the projects of infrastructure, he said, adding that the Chinese government would nominate a panel of three reputed companies in this regard. Ahsan Iqbal said the bidding would be made among all the three companies and the lowest bidder would be awarded with the contract. He said national institutions had Oixed the tariffs for different energy projects of investment including coal, wind, hydel and solar in

country’s energy policy. The contract would be signed with any contractor to purchase the electricity on the Oixed tariff, he added. The minister said being a time-tested friend, China had taken a decision of huge investment in Pakistan at a time when the local investors were hesitating to invest in the country. The minister said the CPEC had changed the world’s perception regarding Pakistan. Meanwhile, talking to a Chinese delegation, he said Pakistan and China could work on joint ventures in industrial sector to produce competitive products for global markets.

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he Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has seized mega cache of 12 tons of drugs, including 7.8 ton opium, 4.4 ton poppy straw and 70 kg hashish worth Rs 10.2 billion during six different operations across the country and arrested five accused drug traffickers besides seizing two vehicles.

According to details, an ANF Rawalpindi road check team, while acting on a tipoff, intercepted a truck with Registered No C-2781Mardan near Tarnol, GT Road and recovered 4,400kg poppy straw.

Driver of the truck, identified as accused Iftikhar Khan, resident of Peshawar, was taken into custody.

As per initial information, poppy straw was being transferred to Southern Punjab for preparation of drug. Similarly, the ANF Quetta in two different intelligence-led operations, launched at Killi Nasai and Killi Dilsore, Tehsil Muslim Bagh, District Qilla Saifullah, seized huge consignments of opium weighing 4,604kg and 3,243kg respectively. Both drug consignments were stocked at desolate sites situated in the mountainous terrain far away from the populated area.

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world Bank lauded for helping pakistan achieve SDgs ISLAMABAD

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ederal Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid Sunday lauded efforts of the World Bank for helping Pakistan to achieve sustainable socio-economic development goals and alleviate poverty in the country.

He said this in a meeting with Senior Director for Climate Change

at the World Bank John Roome who was called on the Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid on the sidelines of the UN-led global climate change conference.

Both sides discussed various development initiatives of the World Bank and their impacts on agriculture, water irrigation, energy, health, livelihood and gender development sectors launched in Pakistan, said a press release.

He said the World Bank ofOicial

that present government would further welcome any support required to cope with delirious impacts of climate change on various socio-economic sectors and people’s livelihoods. “The gains made over the years particularly in the agriculture, water, education, health and energy and poverty reduction in the country are being threatened by the devastating impacts of climate change” Zahid Hamid told John Roome. He added Oloods, heat waves, cyclones,

sea intrusion, shifting and weakening rainfall patterns and surging glacial melt. However, the PML-N led government would welcome any project of the World Bank launched in Pakistan, which would help the country cope with the climate change impacts and boost its climate resilience.

The minister also informed how Pakistan is bearing the brunt of climate change despite its negligible contribution in the overall climate-

altering global carbon emissions. He told him, “The country’s contribution to global emissions is minuscule – roughly 0.8 percent of global GHG emissions.

On the basis of per capita GHG emissions, we stand 135th in the world. Yet, the country is frequently exposed to extreme weather events such as droughts, sea level rise, Oloods, landslides, recession of glaciers and glacial lake outburst Oloods (GLOF); and cyclone activity.

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ISLAMABAD M ARSHAD www.customsbulletin.com

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enator Nuzhat Sadiq, an active member of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization, has said that payment of taxes is a must to improve the national economy.

In an exclusive interview with Customs Today, she said that there is a need to create awareness about tax culture in the country as the government needs money to spend on the public welfare projects.

Replying a question about recently announced new taxes of Rs 40 billion, she said that the government had decided to impose regulatory duty on luxury items to bridge shortfall in revenue collection. She said that an incentive package has been announced for potential taxpayers to increase tax net. Imports of luxury items have gone up over the past few months and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar is not happy with the trend as the substantial increase in imports of luxury items was a worrisome factor for the government and while government was working on various proposals to curtail them. She said that it was unfortunate that no one willing to pay taxes in full quantity and wished to find out ways and means to evade taxes.

Therefore, this national approach towards the payment of taxes needs to the changed which is possible only by dint of mass awareness campaign.

Appreciating the economic and financial policies of the government, she said that fi-

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Tuesday, December 8, 2015

nance minister Ishaq Dar was leaving no stone unturned to lift national economy up and fruits and yields of his hard work had started emerging.

Pakistani economic uplift has not only been recognized by the local monetary institutions, but international monetary organizations and rating agencies have also acknowledged it and it is positive signs for national prestige in the world.

She said that the government had increased tax net up to 33% and there was a dire need of tax reforms in the system to make it more effective. Moreover, steps are being taken to make Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) tax-friendly in order to encourage the masses for paying their taxes.

This is why inflation rate has come down due to the prudent policies of the government, besides an increase in foreign reserves. Even, Senator added that all local and foreign economic indicators had been pointing out marvelous economic revival in result of economic policies followed by the government. This is why International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), USAID, AUAID, JICA, DFID and number of other international institutions have extended their full cooperation to the current government.

She also observed that results of by-elections, first and second phases of local government elections and even results of local government in the federal capital were expression of public confidence in the economic policies which had brought country out of economic crisis. Country’s foreign exchange reserves have also touched a historical highest volume, which have crossed the figures of $ 20 billion.

To a question about, tax reforms and facilitations for the taxpayers, Senator Nuzhat Sadiq said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) should focus on make the tax filling system more and more easy so that common people could easily file their income tax returns.

Moreover, she said that tax collectors should avoid creating an environment of fear for new taxpayers because people are afraid of coming into tax-net and tend to remain nonOilers. Actually, people want to pay taxes if they have conOidence in honest expenditure of their tax money. Our government has initiated mega projects like Metro Bus Service, Orange Train as well as overlaying and repair of Motorway (M-2) which had been pending for a number of years, these development works give conOidence to public about accurate and correct use of their tax-money. Moreover, she said that tax rate must also be rational so that everyone may easily pay without feeling any extra burden. In developed countries, people pay taxes just because of the fact they get incentives and facilities in return of their tax-money. She hoped that government would over come the energy crisis by 2018. Once the government comes up to commitment of eliminating energy crisis from the country, it will be easy for our party to contest general elections 2018 after fulOilling the main agenda of election manifesto for which PML-N had been granted mandate by the people of Pakistan in general elections 2013.

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

EDitoRiAL

Dar’s narratives

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inance Minister Ishaq Dar, the chief of staff of Nawaz Sharif on finance and economy, has boasted of the foreign exchange reserves which have crossed $21 billion due to what he believes dynamic policies of the government. He hopes a sustained pace of growth will turn Pakistan into an economically sovereign state by 2018, the year when the mandate of the current government will end. During his meetings with officers in the Federal Board of Revenue office, he blamed the previous government for taking heavy loans due to which his government had to turn towards the International Monitory Fund to get more loans to pay back the old debts. Saying this, Mr Dar revisited the hackneyed phrases of his predecessors as the sitting officials are in the habit of blaming the previous government for every wrongdoing.

On another note, Dar appreciated the FBR officers for their tremendous performance in tax collection during the last two fiscal years, saying they have done four years job just in two years by collecting huge amount of taxes and bringing thousands of new taxpayers into the tax net. He also advised the FBR officials to fix more difficult and aggressive tax collection targets for the next year. Dar is absolutely right that tax collection needs to be increased, but it will be only possible when potential taxpayers are brought into the tax net. No one wants to pay tax voluntarily all over the world, but the tax system has been developed in the progressive economies over the years and it cannot be done overnight in Pakistan. Every country has its own ground realities and we cannot blindly follow the footsteps of others.

The PML-N government is taking tough and unpopular decisions of tax collection, but without evolving a modern tax collection system. In this situation, a hope that the nation will enjoy the fruits of the government’s unpopular decisions will remain a hope until the trust deficit between the government and the business community is removed. Quoting noted economists; Dar says that Pakistan’s economy is set to take off’. But the minister should know when wings of economy are clipped, how it will take off. There is a need to take confidence building measures between the government and the business community.

When businessmen are harassed, it pushes capital flight from the country.

pak, china economic ties S

LAHORE

DR AftAB AfZAL

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ome top economists and social scientists have projected fasts economic growth in China, predicting that China will overtake the United States as the world’s leading economy by 2025. The United States has been reigning as undisputed economic power for the last over a century but its dominance is drawing to a close keeping in view the pace of development in China. Noted economists have also predicted that China is shaping as the new world economic leader due to its increasing economic growth, ever-expanding cultural influ-

ence, and its quest to involve regional economies in trade, business and investment.

China has been slowly heading toward road of development for the last half a century and has acquired a dramatic rise both in its gross domestic products and stock exchange, definitely showing that the Asian nation is outperforming various global economies in business and trade. Though many economists doubt the myth of the fastest Chinese growth, yuan continues to gaining stronger against the US dollar and more and more people worldwide will be looking to China, not America in coming years. Many prominent scholars look the answer of the China’s economic

dominance in the history, claiming that the United States’ gradual fall from the upper echelon of economic superpower is part of an inevitable pattern seen time and again throughout the history of mankind.

All the great nations eventually watch a day that comes when their dominance slips away from their hands. Earlier, the Great Britain was the world’s dominant power for three centuries and now it has been cut short to an island.

Pakistan and China are close friends and a close cooperation between the two countries will definitely shed positive impact on the economy of the country but also in the region. Pakistan is a nuclear power with ad-

vanced defense technology and its economy is also growing at a fast rate. A great responsibility lies on the shoulders of the leadership in Islamabad is that it will have to keep a balance between its political relations with the United States and economic relations with China.

A point to ponder for world leaders: The fast industrialization has raised pollution at an alarming level in China and has a slightest lead on the United States in least giving importance to the climate change. Industrial development should not take away life and health of the people around the world.

This is a serious issue and coordination among the countries on the subject is indispensable.

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Qatar’s exports to UAE reach QAR4.7 bln WASHINGTON: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ranked third as a destination for Qatari exports and represented 9.4 per cent of the country’s total exports. In addition to that, the GCC received 16.2 per cent of the total imports, shows a report. The quarterly report issued by Qatar’s Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics revealed that the UAE ranked first among GCC countries as a major trading partner for Qatar, according to Qatar-based Raya. Qatari exports to the UAE amounted to QAR4.7 billion and accounted for 6.9 per cent of the total exports, while imports from the UAE amounted to QAR2.5bn and accounted for 8.8 per cent of Qatar’s total imports. Kuwait came in second place with exports amounting to QAR800 million and accounting for 1.1 per cent, followed by exports to Saudi Arabia (QAR600m), which accounted for 0.8 per cent of the total value of Qatari exports.

icci urges govt to finalise effective national water policy slamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called upon the government to finalize of a comprehensive and effective National Water Policy in consultation with all stakeholders to cope with the looming water scarcity issue because if not tackled with proactive measures, rising water crisis would jeopardize the economic future of the nation

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and bring disastrous consequences for the whole country.

Atif Ikram Sheikh, president, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said an Asian Development Bank report has already described Pakistan as one of the most “waterstressed” countries in the world which should be a cause of concern for the policymakers. He said the water availability in Pakistan has now come down to 1100 cubic meters per person from 5600 cubic meters in 1947 and if no planning was done to conserve sufficient water, its availability would further decline to less than 900 cubic meters per person by 2050. He said the rising water shortage would have serious implications to the economic development of the country as it would badly affect the agricultural productivity which contributed about 21 percent to the total GDP growth. He said dwindling water availability would also jeopardize food and energy security of the country and threaten the viability of industrial sector as well.—CB Report

Tuesday December 8, 2015

Chambers

Businessmen asked to explore Brazilian market for exports B

ISLAMABAD

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razil offers huge business opportunities and Pakistani businessmen should step up efforts to explore this big market for promoting trade and exports with South American region, observed Burhanul Islam, Ambassador-designate of Pakistan to Brazil and accredited to Columbia, Bolivia, Venezuela and Guyana during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said Brazil was exporting poultry products worth billions of dollars to China, Middle East and India as its trade with China is $83 billion and with India $18 billion.

He said that Brazil has good potential to make Pakistan a hub of poultry products to export them to China, South Asia, Middle East, Central Asia and other regions at affordable cost and stressed that Pakistani entrepreneurs to establish joint ventures with Brazilian counterparts in poultry sector. He said Brazil was also a big market for Pakistani sports goods, especially footballs, surgical items and leather

products and said that Pakistani businessmen should try to open a Display Centre in Brazilian market to get better penetration in South America. Burhannul Islam said Pakistani food was very popular in Brazil and urged that Pakistani businessmen should open restaurants that have great potential for success in Brazilian market. He said businessmen should focus on improving the branding of their products to

beat the competition in South American market.

He said ICCI should take a delegation to Brazil to explore business opportunities for Pakistan products and assured that his Embassy would extend all possible assistance to make its visit successful.

In his welcome address, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that South America was

‘traders be consulted before making decisions‘

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LAHORE

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he Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged the government to take trade and industry related all decision in consultation with the stakeholders to overcome the economic challenges.

While talking to a delegation of traders, the LCCI president Sheikh Muhammad Arshad, senior vice president Almas Hyder and vice president Nasir Saeed said that it would also help much needed conOidence building between government and private sector.

They said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry had already started spade work to this regard to identify the challenges being faced by the trade and industry.

The LCCI president Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said that trade

and Industry is the backbone of the economy as the government generates more than 90 per cent of its total resources from this sector therefore it can make a great contribution in turning Pakistan into one of the greatest nations in the world provided due facilitation and an enabling business atmosphere are ensured. He said that lowest tax-to-GDP ratio and inefOiciency of Public Sector Entities are the reasons of sharp economic decline. He stressed the need for strengthening of institutional framework for being a prerequisite to economic stability, progress and prosperity. He said that only strong institutions could guarantee good governance but unfortunately neverever in the past due attention was given towards strengthening of institutions. He said that weak institutions always weak system and no country can achieve its targets with a weak institutional framework. The

LCCI president said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry acts as a bridge between the government and the business community. It has always tried to ensure a business-friendly environment through sharing views with the government and by taking all the stakeholders onboard on all the economy related issues. The primary objective of LCCI is to protect the interests of the business community while remaining committed to the cause of development of the country. The LCCI senior vice president Almas Hyder said that there are a number of issues that must be tackled on priority, the biggest one is how to keep the momentum of growth in the wake of a less than targeted growth of the Agriculture and the Manufacturing sector.

The second one is the widening gap between exports and imports that could be contained by reducing import of luxury items.

still a virgin market for Pakistan and there was a need to strengthen cooperation with Brazil to gain better access to this huge untapped market. He said ICCI would like to sign MoU with Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote connectivity between private sectors of both countries and asked the Ambassador-designate to Brazil to play his role for materialization of this idea.

fpcci head asks students to serve ailing humanity o doubt education is important but the medical education is of utmost importance because it is a continuous source to serve the ailing humanity, said Mian Muhammad Idrees, President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Chief Executive Officer Aziz Fatima Medical and Dental College. He paid rich tributes to this medical college for its quality education and said that the result of MBBS 5th year students was 70 percent while this medical college grabbed 6th position among the private medical colleges of this province. He said that this college has been giving best results from the very early days.—CB Report

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Customs recovers cigarettes worth 357,000 euro in France Tuesday December 8, 2015

World

PARIS: Customs officers made the seizure after inspecting a truck that had arrived in Rosslare port from Cherbourg in France. A massive haul of smuggled cigarettes has been discovered hidden in a consignment of hot tubs. Customs officers made the seizure after inspecting a truck that had arrived in Rosslare port from Cherbourg in France on Saturday night. The lorry was registered in Lithuania. The Revenue said the vehicle had been identified as suspicious and the cigarettes, which had a retail value of more than 357,000 euro, were discovered after a scanner was used to examine the load. The cigarettes were branded Minsk Superslip, Minsk Short and NZ Gold Superslip. The Revenue said the driver of the truck, aged in his 20s, was questioned and later released as investigations continue.

US customs arrests 2 women in drugs smuggling case

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wo women were arrested Tuesday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection ofOi-

cers on suspicion of trying to smuggle a combined 137 pounds of narcotics through the Port of Nogales in separate attempts.

OfOicers at the Mariposa crossing referred Darla Marlene Pimber, 20, for further inspection, when they found 25 pounds of meth, nearly six pounds of heroin and more than two

pounds of cocaine inside her vehicle, according to a statement from Customs and Border Protection. The drugs are worth around $180,000, the statement said.

Customs ofOicials said one of their canines alerted ofOicers to another vehicle at the DeConcini crossing later in the day. After inspection, ofOicers discovered almost 105 pounds of marijuana, worth more than $52,000, in the rear of 46-yearold Claudia Gomez-Martinez’s SUV, the agency said. Both Gomez-Martinez, of Nogales, Mexico; and Pimber, of Tucson, were tuned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The drugs and vehicles were seized by Customs and Border Protection ofOicers, according to the statement. Customs and Border Protections ofOicers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States, the statement said.

They work under the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate legal trade and travel.

canada: police seize crack cocaine, meth in drug busts WINDSOR

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indsor police charged four people after two separate drug investigations in the city.

The drugs and gun unit was investigating information about suspected drug dealers from the Toronto area. OfOicers found two males in a vehicle in the 2600 block of Howard Avenue at 11 a.m. A 25year-old and 17-year-old suspect were both placed under arrest for trafOicking. In searching the 25-yearold suspect, police seized two cell phones and $1120 in Canadian currency. Police say the 17-year-old suspect was in possession of 11.9 grams of crack cocaine, $615.00 Canadian currency and a cell phone.

OfOicers seized brass knuckles, an additional 36.3 grams of crack cocaine, a digital scale, and another

cell phone from the suspect’s vehicle. In total, police seized 48.2 grams of crack cocaine with an estimated street value of $4820.00 Damian Ranger, 25, from Toronto is charged with possession of crack cocaine for the purpose of trafOicking and possession of a prohibited weapon. The 17-year-old, also from Toronto, is charged with possession of crack cocaine for the purpose of trafOicking, possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of a prohibited weapon while prohibited. In a separate case on Thursday, ofOicers obtained a search warrant for a residence located in the 500 block of Aylmer Avenue. Police saw suspects associated to the address in a vehicle in the 1300 block of Wyandotte Street East. At 4:50 p.m., members of the Emergency Services Unit stopped the vehicle and arrested two male suspects for trafOicking. Police seized 12 grams of cannabis marijuana, 49.4 grams of crystal methamphetamine and $1615 in cash.

South African customs confiscates Saudi anti-narcotics Australian police seize 500 grammes gold worth R3 million at airport he gold was found in the pock- ger‚ disembarking from Dubai last of meth hidden in vacuum foils attempt to ets and a moneybag of a male week‚ was searched in the common smuggle 980,000 amphetamine pills

Saudi anti-narcotics squads have foiled an attempt to smuggle 980,000 amphetamine pills which are used to stimulate the central nervous system (CNS). The security forces succeeded in smashing the drug smuggling ring and arrested two Saudi nationals and two Turkish accomplices in Riyadh.

The anti-narcotics squads which acted following a tip-off detected a pick-up truck as it was in a desert area on Ramah highway and was eventually seized on arrival at the Saudi capital.

The suspects have been referred to the relevant investigation authorities for questioning. In a separate operation, the anti-drug squads arrested traffickers as they were attempting to smuggle 801,000 amphetamine pills by sea.—CB Report

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olice have seized drugs believed to be bound for the Stereosonic music festival in Adelaide this weekend. Authorities discovered 500 grams of methamphetamine hidden in a vacuum cleaner at a Prospect home in Adelaide’s inner north. A 25year-old has been charged with trafOicking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug and refused bail. The arrest came as police warned revellers not to consume illicit drugs at the music festival being held at

Bonython Park. Superintendent John De Candia said sniffer dogs would be patrolling the site before and throughout the event. “If you want to be 100 per cent safe, then don’t take the illicit drugs,” he said. “Have that conversation with your mum and dad, and your friends Sunday morning, that you had a great time, and that you’re home safely, and they’re not thinking about writing an obituary in next week’s paper.”—CB Report

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passenger who was hiding it under a Kurta worn over his clothing. South African Revenue Service Customs ofOicials have conOiscated gold worth almost R3 million at the King Shaka International Airport.

In a second bust in KwaZulu-Natal‚ ofOicials intercepted Ecstasy tablets in a suspicious parcel. The gold was found in the pockets and a moneybag of a male passenger who was hiding it under a Kurta worn over his clothing. The luggage of the passen-

search room after being proOiled by the Customs Passengers team‚ SARS said in a statement on Thursday. Although nothing untoward was found in his luggage‚ the “bulging pockets” under his Kurta convinced an alert ofOicial to inspect further. He found 48 gold bars weighing 5.6kg in the passenger’s pockets and a money bag wrapped around his waist. “The case is still in an investigation stage‚ and the suspect has not yet appeared in court‚” SARS said.—CB Report

Malaysia Marine police seize syabu worth RM100,000

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total of 1, 018 gram of syabu worth about RM100,000 was seized from a man from Nunukan at Batu-Batu Sabindo here at about 7am on Sunday – conOirming complaints by Kalimantan Utara Governor Bapak Iriyanto that drugs

are being smuggled into Kalimantan through Sabah. Sabah Marine Police Commander, ACP Mohamad Madun said, the drugs, believed to have been transited here is the biggest seizure for Sabah marine police so far this year. Also present at the press conference was Tawau Marine Police Commanding OfOicer ASP Krishnan Ramasamy and case Investigating OfOicer Insp. N. Nalini

from the Narcotics Department here. The latest seizure followed the arrest of a 33-year-old Indonesian who confessed to carrying a bag containing syabu. Mohamad said the team on Ops Landai duty were patrolling the area on boat when they saw the man sitting suspiciously at Pantai Batu-Batu about 20 metres from the shore. “As our team approached and introduced them-

selves, the man tried to Olee but was apprehended after the drugs were found on him,” he said, adding that the man had an Indonesian International Labour Card. Mohamad said the drugs were found in a green plastic bag containing two round packets wrapped with brown adhesive tape, adding that each packet contained ten packets of the white crystalline substance.

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Mahana joined the Metro Ports organisation in 2015 PERTH: Mahana joined the Metro Ports organisation in November and will have nationwide responsibility for business development, acquisitions and development of strategic alliances with Metro’s stakeholders. The company says that his strong background in the US Gulf region will allow Metro Ports to continue its growth there through the development of stevedoring, logistics and general cargo operations. He brings more than 20 years of experience in various business development and logistics positions with several highprofile companies, including director of sales and marketing for Consolidated Terminals and Logistics Co. and Cooper/Consolidated; vice president of sales and marketing for Grillot Land & Marine; and general sales manager for The Ohio River Co.

worldwide server shipments rise 9.2% from Q3 of 2014 n the third quarter of 2015, worldwide server shipments grew 9.2 percent from the third quarter of 2014, while vendor revenue increased 7.5 percent year over year. Asia-Pacific grew the most in shipments, with a 23.8 percent increase. The region also posted the highest vendor revenue growth at 25.4 percent for the period, according to Gartner. “The third quarter of 2015 produced growth on a global level with mixed results by region,” said Jeffrey Hewitt, research vice president at Gartner.

“All regions showed growth in both shipments and vendor revenue, except for Eastern Europe, Japan and Latin America, which posted revenue declines of 5.8 percent, 11.7 percent and 24.2 percent, respectively, for the period.

Currency exchange rates are one of the main reasons for the disparity in regional server market performance.” HP continued to lead the worldwide server market based on revenue. The company posted just over $3.7 billion in server vendor revenue for a total market share of 27.3 percent.—CB Report

Ports & Shipping

Norway’s shipping sector faces bleak year

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Strikes to halt operations at greek ports nother 24-hour strike by transport workers in Greece is expected to halt operations at at many Greek ports and terminals on Thursday. The strike has been called by the country’s two main labour unions and will leave most public transport services closed from 06:00hrs (local time) on December 3 until 06:00hrs on December 4. Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) has issued an advisory saying berthing, shifting and sailing operations at ports may be delayed during the stoppage period.

The Greek Seamen Union and Piraeus Towage Crew Union are among those striking, making local ferries, tug boats, pilots and stevedores at all ports likely to be affected.—CB Report

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orwegian companies that provide supply ships and drilling rigs to the global oil industry face a bleak year ahead as contracts disappear and Oinancing options dwindle in the face of weak global crude prices.

They could increasingly be forced to sell or write down the value of assets, cut jobs and tap shareholders

for cash to weather the downturn, according to industry experts. This would herald more pain for Norway, where the overall oil sector accounts for about a Oifth of the economy and unemployment is rising, especially in the oil capital Stavanger and its environs on the west coast. Oil Oirms like Statoil, which offshore shipping companies rely on for business, have slashed costs and projects to cope with a 60-percent plunge in crude prices since June last year. The offshore shipping sector provides complex services and equipment for oil and gas companies such as platform

supply vessels and anchor-handling tug supply craft which tow oil rigs and assist in their positioning. It employs around 17,000 people, according to the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association. The Norwegian oil services sector stock index has lost more than half its value since Brent reached its peak in June 2014.

(Graphic: reut.rs/1lUcSH9). The effects of the oil price drop have been underlined by supply ship owners in recent weeks. Last month Deep Sea Supply said it had taken 10 platform supply vessels out of service – out of its total Oleet of 39 ships.

Tuesday December 8, 2015

global tablet shipments to fall 8.1% in 2015 lobal tablet shipments are expected to fall 8.1% in 2015 from a year ago, as a shift to detachable tablets hasn’t yet been enough to offset a decline in the overall market, according to data tracker International Data Corp. Tablet shipments will reach 211.3 million units in 2015, IDC said Tuesday, but have declined in three consecutive quarters this year. Tablet sales have been hurt, in part, by the growing size and sophistication of smartphones.

Despite the decline, IDC said the market was transitioning to detachable tablets, which come with optional keyboards. The detachable segment was seen growing 75% in 2015 and nearly doubling in size in 2016, IDC said. ”We’re starting to see the impact of competition within this space as the major platform vendors Apple, Google and Microsoft now have physical product offerings,” said Jean Philippe Bouchard, the research director of IDC’s tablets division.

The transition to detachables will help stoke two other trends, IDC said, including the growth of the Windows operating system and a turnaround for Apple’s iPad line. ”Though early reviews for the iPad Pro have been mixed, we believe the Pro to be the only reason for Apple to gain tablet market share in the coming years,” said Jitesh Ubrani, senior research analyst of IDC’s world-wide mobile device trackers. —CB Report

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cosco, china Shipping extend merger talks into new year

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alks between state-owned giants Cosco and China Shipping will continue into the new year, the groups said in exchange Oilings, six months after trading in shares of their listed subsidiaries was suspended.

The lengthy negotiations over “asset consolidation,” widely accepted by the industry as merger negotiations, were extended to

Jan. 10, according to announcements to the Hong Kong and Shanghai bourses. There is very little to be gleaned from the exchange filings, although with the shares suspended, there seems to be no reason for such secrecy, which has annoyed smaller investors unable to either offload or buy stocks since Aug. 10.

While the groups are state owned, minority investors not controlled by Beijing hold about 45 percent of Cosco, 53 of China Shipping Container Lines and 59 of

China Shipping Development.

“After analysis and negotiation with the parties concerned, the controlling shareholder is planning the assets consolidation of related business segment of associated companies, which involves the company’s material asset reorganization. So far, the relevant matters are still under research and analysis,” was the filing by China Cosco.

This was matched by CSCL and China Shipping Development. As outlined in an earlier report on JOC.com, the sheer scale and com-

plexity of both state-owned giants will make any merger a difficult, if not impossible task. This was highlighted in a note to customers by investment bank Jefferies, which said the groups had two options: Consolidation under one listed platform, or a series of asset swaps to create multiple listed entities each with a focused business line. Neither format looks attractive. “The former could be simpler but too pricey for the parent while the latter may be too complicated to be executed,” Jefferies said.

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Multan Customs seizes records of two deed-writers MULTAN: A special team of Customs Intelligence and Investigation and Inland Revenue has seized the records of two deed-writers during a raid near Kachehri Chowk. The seized items includes computers, laptops, documents, registers and ledgers. Both of these deed-writers were involved in showing high value of properties at very low rates in documents to give benefits to their clients.

Sources told Customs Today that the two deed writers were intentionally prepared such deed-agreements of properties in which they showed the value of high priced properties as low as up to 10pc to save taxes.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Hyderabad collector Ahmad Mujtaba’s ASo confiscates smuggled items worth Rs 10m HYDERABAD ASLAM ANJUM QURESHi www.customsbulletin.com

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he Model Customs Collectorate Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) seized smuggled goods, including an oil tanker worth Rs 10.6 million in November, 2015.

Following the instructions of Collector Dr Ahmed Mujtaba Memon, the ASO team started anti-smuggling campaign in the region under the supervision of Additional Collector Umar ShaOique.

The ASO team, including Deputy Superintended Sikander Akbar Phanwar, Inspectors Khair Muhammad Pahtan, Momin Shah, Abdul Ghaffer Sheikh, ShaOi Muhammad Jamali, Muhammad Ali Lohar, Mushtaq Ali Lakho and Qazi Abu Tuaseef, sepoys Usman Jonejo and Muahmmad Isa, and Driver Nisar Hamdani participated in the raids.

As per details, the ASO conOiscated 18,631 litres of Iranian diesel worth Rs 1.524 million involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 784,363 and an oil tanker bearing Registration No. C-2769. It also held smuggled electronics including LED TVs and DVD players worth Rs 1.6

million involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 897,458.

Besides, 210 cartons of smuggled miscellaneous goods value 2 million,

1,005 kilograms of Oireworks, cigarettes and gutka and other items

worth Rs 10.64 million were also conOiscated during the said period.

customs intelligence seizes 4 cartons of smuggled medicines KARACHI

ABDUL REHMAN

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he Custom Intelligence and Investigation seized Indian origin smuggled medicines worth Rs 550,000 during an operation against smuggled cosmetics items and health care medicines.

On the directions of Customs Intelligence-anti smuggling Director Asif Marghoob Ahmed Siddiqui, a team comprising Superintendent

Muhammad Abbas, Deputy Superintendent Hajji Aslam, Ameren Bhanwar, Saif Hashmi, Inspector Parwez Ahmed Zardari, Muhammad Aqmal Hashmi, Rana Ansram Rabbini, Munwar Ali, and Khuram Saeed conducted a raid in the different areas and also raided a courier service center and recovered four cartons of Indian origin medicines.

The ofOicials have seized the medicines and registered a case No. M-2139/DC/SEIZ/2015, while no one has been arrested yet.

According to the custom ofOicers, such medicines are cheap in

India as compare to Pakistan and also banned in Pakistan. Due to restrictions, some people for their vested interests smuggled these items from neighbouring country, which pose a negative impact to national economy. They said that Director Asif Marghoob Ahmed has ordered the ofOicials to control the smuggling in the region, adding that operation against smuggled goods has been expedited. They said that raids were being conducted in different areas of Karachi and smuggling that damaged not only local markets but also nation economy, will not be tolerated at

any level. Meanwhile, The Custom Intelligence and Investigation seized Indian origin gutka worth Rs 2 million, which was recovered from a truck during a raid. According to the details, the intelligence team following credible information received through Director Customs Intelligence-anti-smuggling Asif Marghoob Ahmed Siddiqui conducted a raid to hold smuggled goods. Additional Director Nadeem Ahsan made a team headed by Deputy Superintendent Hajji Aslam and consisting of Inspector Parvez Ahmed Zardari, Muhammad Aqmal Hashmi, Rana Ansram, Munwar Ali,

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

and Khuram Saeed. The team intercepted a truck on R.C.D highway, Karachi and recovered 70 cartons of gutka of assorted brands, which are sold at high cost in Pakistan.

However, no one has been arrested in this case, as the driver of the truck did not have information about the gutka and he was just providing transportation facilities.

OfOicials said that further investigations are underway, in this regard. The ofOicials said that all the Indian gutka hs been took into custody, besides registering a case, the custom case number is M2143/DCI/SEIZ/2015.