Friday, 23 February 2018

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ISLAMABAD

TARIQ DERYA

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ll the pending contravention seizure cases worth Rs1.00billion at the Collectorate of Adjudication Islamabad will be decided till 30th of June Financial Year 2017-18. This initiative will help maximize the revenue recovery.

According to details explained by Dr. Arslan Subuktegin, Collector Adjudication, Islamabad, while giving an exclusive interview to Cus-

toms Today that the collectorate has adjudicate 308 contravention cases by the end of January FY17-18. It was added that the total revenue of Rs241.657million was involved in those cases who came to a decision up to January FY17-18.

Giving the details of contravention cases decided up to the end of the month of January FY1718 by different adjudication ofQicials, he said the Collector Adjudication Islamabad settled 21 cases valued at Rs161.563million while Additional Collector Adjudication Islamabad has decided contravention cases in

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number of eight in which Rs14.2million of revenue was involved.

He further said the Additional Collector Adjudication (Camp ofQice) Peshawar adjudicated 11 pending contravention cases till the month of January FY17-18 worth Rs14.53million whereas Deputy Collector Adjudication Islamabad decided 44 cases valued at Rs10.084million. He added that Deputy Collector Adjudication (Camp ofQice) Peshawar decided 217 contravention cases by the end of January FY1718 with the involved revenue of Rs40.36million

Customs North Region collects Rs108m CD during first two weeks of Feb

Customs Adjudication-II performs brilliantly by serving notices on defaulters

Customs ASO seizes foreign origin mobile phones worth Rs2.5m

NAB arrests former LDA chief over Ashiana Housing Scheme scam

Quetta ASO seizes huge quantity of NDP goods worth of Rs.20m

Customs North Region received Rs.108 m of revenue under the head of customs duty | SEE pAgE 02 |

Customs Adjudication-II demonstrated an excellent performance by issuing notice | SEE pAgE 03 |

ASO team seized huge quantity of foreign origin mobile phones | SEE pAgE 04 |

NAB has arrested former LDA DG Ahad for alleged corruption in Ashiana Housing | SEE pAgE 14 |

ASO has intercepted two passenger buses at Lakpass check post | SEE pAgE 16 |

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Zero-rating ST facility to three textile units on power supply withdrawn Friday, February 23, 2018

Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has withdrawn the facility of zerorated sales tax on consumption of electricity allowed to three textile units.

In a Sales Tax General Order (STGO) issued by the FBR stated that the sales tax facility from the textile units, including I. A. Textiles, Abdul Ghaffar Weaving Factory and Badar-ud-Din Weaving, have been withdrew on the recommendations of Regional Tax Office (RTO) Faisalabad.

customs north Region collects Rs108m cD during first two weeks of feb

ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

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he Customs ASO impounded 154 non duty paid and offending vehicles worth of Rs.258.115 million during first seven months and ten days of February Financial Year 2017-18. According to details told by Assistant Collector Majid Hussain Gaad that Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) Ishowed satisfactory performance during the above said period, he was added that under supervision of Zulifqar Ali Chaudhry Collector ASO. He told that during first seven months and 10 days of February FY17-18 the ASO seized 126 offending (vehicles use for carrying smuggled goods) vehicles in worth of Rs.137.77 million while Car cell of ASO Islamabad seized 28 numbers of Non Duty Paid (NDP) vehicles in worth of Rs.120.34 million. He said that the ASO Islamabad seized two vehicles in worth of Rs.5.07 million during first 10 days of February FY17-18, he was added that the ASO was seized 1 offending vehicle in worth of Rs.0.80 million while Car cell of Customs ASO Islamabad was seized 01 NDP vehicle in worth of Rs.4.27 million during first 10 days of February FY17-18.

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he Customs North Region received Rs.108 million of revenue under the head of customs duty (CD) during Qirst two weeks of February FY17-18.

North Region comprises Collectorate of Islamabad, Peshawar, Sambrial and Gilgit Baltistan. The North region was received Rs.232.41 million under head of Customs Duty (CD) while it was received Rs340.92 million customs duty during same correspondence period FY16-17.

The sources told that the Collectorate of Islamabad earned extra revenue of Rs.61 million during Qirst 2 weeks of February FY17-18 against same correspondence period under head of CD, it was added that Islamabad earned Rs.232.20 million under head of CD during Qirst two weeks February FY17-18 against collection of Rs.171.28 million during same period of correspondence period FY16-17.

The sources told that Collectorate of Peshawar earned less amount of Rs.30.61 million during two weeks of February FY17-18 against same correspondence period, it was added that Peshawar Collectorate was received Rs.139.14 million under head of CD during 2 weeks of February FY17-18 while it was earned Rs.168.73 million under same period during FY16-17.

customs ASo impounds 154 non duty paid vehicles

It was told that GB was closed due to heavy snow so it did not earned any revenue while Collectorate of Samberial earned Rs.138.93 million under head of CD during Qirst 2 weeks of February FY 17-18 whereas the Samberial earned Rs.0.89 million under head of CD during same period of correspondence FY16-17.

Meanwhile, The Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad showed 67% increase in the revenue collection performance under all duty

heads against an earmarked revenue collection target during first seven months of FY17-18.

According to details given by Zulfiqar Ali Ch, Collector, Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad, that the MCC Islamabad displayed adequate revenue performance against an assigned revenue collection target under all heads during first seven months (July to January) FY17-18. The collectorate received Rs4443.47million of Customs Duty (CD) against

an allocated revenue collection target of Rs3385.53million. The MCC fetched Rs6312.14million as Sales Tax (ST) during first seven months of FY17-18 against an earmarked revenue target of Rs2760.25million as ST. The Collector MCC Islamabad informed CT that, during seven months of FY17-18, the MCC Islamabad earned Rs2091.46million of Income Tax (IT) against an assigned revenue collection target of Rs1564.43million.

nA body approves allocation of Rs6.155b for 49 fBR projects

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parliamentary committee has approved allocation of Rs2.3 billion for eight development projects of the ministry of Qinance and Rs6.155 billion for 49 projects of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2018-19.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue,

which met under the chair of Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh, also discussed performance of the country’s top revenue authority. The committee members have expressed their concerns about the performance of FBR towards their objectives. However, the committee recommended the projects submitted by the Revenue Division. The FBR ofQicials informed the committee that they need more human resource to make the institution more efQicient. The committee decided that its next meeting

would be convened on 28th February, 2018 for consideration of pending PSDP. The committee also recommended that the government should give tax exemptions to Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) and other commercial banks on lending for farmers. The committee also directed to Ministry of Finance & Revenue to provide the details of ZTBL quantifying Qigures. Minister of State for Finance Rana Afzal said that government is taking measures to bring reforms in the ZTBL and it would

consider reducing the interest rate on the agriculture loans. He recommended that provinces should also establish agricultural development banks to facilitate the farmers. Committee member Syed Mustafa Mehmud said that the government should give tax exemption to the farmers only. “Giving tax exemptions to the ZTBL would result in loss to the national kitty, as it happened in PIA case,” he said. The committee discussed the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) of Finance

Division for Qinancial year 2018-19.

While considering the ‘Financial Inclusion and Infrastructure Project’, worth of Rs4.5 billion, the committee unanimously rejected that Finance Division will provide PC-I of the said project for further consideration. The committee disapproved the project regarding Renovation & Repair of Audit Complex, Lahore (Old PT&T Building). The committee members have shown their observations for not providing satisfactory reasons in this regard.

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Evaded taxes and duties retrieved from defaulter Cos after serving notices KARACHI: The Customs Export has recovered the evaded taxes and duties amounting to Rs10.75million from defaulter companies which had been issued with notices to pay the outstanding arrears. Sources told Customs Today that, during scrutiny of the import data, it was revealed that M/s Zulfiqar Ehsan Enterprises availed undue benefits and concessions by importing different consignments and misusing the SRO 466. The company was found involved in a tax evasion of Rs6.25million. After detecting tax evasion, the Customs Export served a final notice on them on January 9, 2018 to deposit the evaded amount within 14 days.

Shc seeks final arguments on petition filed by m/s Ahmed Textile

Friday February 23, 2018

Karachi

Adjudication-II performs brilliantly by serving notices on defaulters

KARACHI

m B RAnA

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed parties to submit their arguments on a constitutional petition filed by M/S Ahmed Hassan Textile Mill (Private) Limited against demanding of Rs 15,550,537 being 10 percent customs duty and 17 percent sale tax on import of natural gas power generation unit. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omer Sial, was hearing the petition. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that it has imported consignment 1 unit brand new complete Caterpillar model G 35 20C Sit a spark Ignited turbo charged after cooled of 1972 EKW KVA, continuous power at 1500 RPM, 3 Phase, 11000 Voltas 50 Hertz 0.8 power factor.

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nAB seeks record of vehicles impounds from Quetta KARACHI

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ational Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched investigations into the smuggling of used vehicles and asked the Directorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation, Quetta to provide all the relevant record.

The practice of vehicle smuggling especially of used trucks, which are banned to be imported into the country as per the Import Policy Order, has intensified.

These trucks are being smuggled into the country in a very organized manner.

The chassis of trucks are smuggled from Afghanistan to Quetta, then these are seized by the authorities leading to auctions. From these auctions, the particular cartel picks these up. As part of a case under process at the Bureau under the allegations of corruption and corrupt practices, NAB Balochistan had sought from Director Customs Intelligence & Investigation, Quetta .

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KARACHI

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he Customs Adjudication-II demonstrated an excellent performance by issuing many notices to defaulters during the month of January 2018.

Sources told Customs Today that Customs Adjudication-II served a Qinal notice on a defaulter company named M/s M K Importers and recovered Rs8million from M/s Ramees Paint Karachi.

M/s M K Importers was allegedly involved in tax evasion. The company imported mobile accessories and used systems including laptops and got them examined on October 23, 2017 by Waheed Khan and used the wrong PCT heading.

After a careful investigation, the Customs Adjudication-II issued a Qinal notice to the company on 6th of February and cleared the arrears of Rs3.25 million. Source said another company M/s Ramees Paint Karachi got cleared a consignment of different chemicals on November 11 and evaded a tax amount of Rs 8 million.

After the investigation, the Customs Adjudication-II served a show cause notice on the company on December 15, 2017 but it failed to clear the outstanding tax amount.

The Collector Customs Adjudication-II issued a Qinal notice to the company on January 8, 2018. After receiving the notice, the company deposited Rs8million in favor of the Cus-

toms Department on 7th of February.

Meanwhile, Customs Adjudication-II showed outstanding performance by taking actions against tax defaulters and issued many notices during the month of January. Source told Customs Today that Customs Adjudication-II served a Qinal notice on a defaulter company named M/s Ziaur-Rehman Traders and recovered Rs6million from M/s Nabeel Associates Karachi. M/s Zia-ur-Rehman Traders was allegedly involved in tax

Source said another company m/s Ramees paint karachi got cleared a consignment of different chemicals on november 11 and evaded a tax amount of Rs 8 million

pcA detects tax evasion by m/s Shahina & Sons

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he Directorate of Customs Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected duties and tax evasion of Rs 9.58 million by M/s Shahina and Sons, it is learnt here.

Sources told Customs Today that M/s Shahina and Sons Karachi imported a consignment of imported emergency lights, charging fans, small solar panel and other acces-

sories, and got it cleared from the PICT Karachi vide GDs on December 15, 2017 by paying customs duty at 8 percent after claiming the beneQits of the SRO 560/2007. However, the subject items were correctly classiQiable under the PCT 2507.2487 attracting customs duty at 12 percent and income tax at 10 percent, thus, by way of mis-declaration of classiQication, the company evaded/short-paid Rs 9.58 million.

The goods were cleared by Head Examiner Sultan A Khan. Sources told

that the importer violated the provisions of Section 42 (7) & (8-A) of the Customs Act-1969, Section 19 read with Section 21 of the Sales Tax Act-1990 and Section 130 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 punishable under clauses (254) and 149 of Section 471(9) of the Customs Act1969, Section 82 of the Sales Tax Act-1990 and Section 89 & 178 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and Section 7-A of the Sales Tax Act1990 read with chapter X of the Sales Tax.

evasion. The company imported different types of plastic accessories including shining plastic Dana on November 29, 2017 and used the wrong PCT heading. After a careful investigation, the Customs Adjudication-II issued a Qinal notice to the company and cleared the outstanding amount of Rs8.25million. Source said another company M/s Nabeel Associates got cleared a consignment of Silk Curtains on November 14 and evaded a tax amount of Rs6million.

pak rupee gains some value in open market he Pakistani rupee gained some value against the US dollar in open market and remained unchanged in interbank.

As per the local money market, the dollar lost five paisas in open market for buying at 111.45 and for selling at 111.75. It remained firm in interbank for buying at 110.30 and for selling at 110.50.

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Customs Preventive seizes NDP split air conditioners Friday February 23, 2018

Lahore

LAHORE: Collectorate of Customs Anti Smuggling Organization team during a successful operation recovered eight non customs paid split air conditioners.

Sources told Customs Today, that during a routine checking ASO team intercepted a vehicle near Hall Road. During checking of vehicle Customs Anti Smuggling Organization team recovered eight sets of foreign origin 1.5 tons of split air conditioners. The ASO team comprising Inspector Gulzar Bhatti, Inspector Waheed Bhatti, Inspector Zafar Khan and Inspector Mohammad Yasir.

customs Appellate customs ASo seizes foreign origin Tribunal reserves verdicts mobile phones worth Rs2.5 million of two appeals LAHORE

LAHORE

SAJID nAwAZ

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he Customs Appellate Tribunal (single & double) bench heard eight cases on Tuesday and adjourned all for different dates without those cases whose verdicts were reserved.

The division bench-II, comprising Omer Arshad Hakeem, Member Judicial and Imran Tariq, Member Technical, heard six cases including Al-Rehman Febrics versus Directorate Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad, Muhammad Tafeeq versus Customs Faisalabad, Abdul Basit versus Customs Lahore.

Furthermore, same bench heard cases of Nuzhat Bukhari versus Customs Lahore, Directorate Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore

Tribunal seeks record from parties in four appeals he Customs Appellate Tribunal’s single bench-II, comprising Omer Arshad Hakeem, Member Judicial heard five cases on Wednesday and sought the record from both parties.

Tribunal also adjourned five cases for different dates and reserved verdict in one case. The single bench-II, comprising Omer Arshad Hakeem, Member Judicial heard cases includes Habib Ullah versus Customs Lahore, Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore versus Ilahi Corporation, Directorate Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore versus Nagina Corporation and Syed Mohammad & Sons Trading versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad On Wednesday, the counsels for the appellant parties and respondent department appeared before the court and submitted arguments in the favour of their respective parties. –CB Report

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versus World Wide Scientific and Master Link versus Directorate Intelligence and Investigation Lahore. The single bench-II, comprising Imran Tariq, Member Technical, heard two cases which includes Ajmal Khan versus Directorate Intelligence and Investigation Lahore and Collector Customs Lahore versus Muhammad Ishfaq.

In all cases counsel for the appellant and respondent appeared and argued.

After hearing the parties all cases are put off into next dates and two appeal verdicts are reserved. Meanwhile, The Customs Appellate Tribunal’s single benchII, comprising Omer Arshad Hakeem, Member Judicial heard five cases on Wednesday and sought the record from both parties.

Tribunal also adjourned five cases for different dates and reserved verdict in one case.

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ustoms Anti-Smuggling Organization team seized huge quantity of foreign origin mobile phones worth Rs2.5 million.

Sources told Customs Today that Collector Customs Preventive Faiz Ahmad received credible information about some smuggling attempts. He immediately constituted a raiding team under the supervision of Superintendent Sajjad Bukhari, Inspector Abdul Rehman Butt and Anjum Sheraz.

Sources told that the above mentioned team established a check post near Thokar Niaz Baig.

During checking of vehicles the ASO team intercepted a vehicle and recovered used foreign origin Anorid mobile phone brands, Sam-

fTo concludes hearing of the appeal filed by m/s faqeer hussain

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he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has concluded the hearing of appeal Qiled by M/s Faqeer Hussain Hussain against the Regional Tax OfQice (RTO-II) Lahore and reserves its verdict.

FTO Advisor Mian Munawar Ghafoor heard the case. The counsel for the appellant argued that the RTO had failed to release the sales tax refund to the appellant since two years. He said the RTO-II has been collecting excessive tax from the company for the last two years.

Although the petitioner approached the ofQicials concerned several times for release of refunds yet the RTO ofQicials failed to clear the refunds after the passage of a reasonable time. Finally, the appellant decided to approach the FTO seeking intervention in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the RTO-II to clear the refund claims.

The counsel further said that delay in release of refunds put a burden on the taxpayer therefore RTO-II should make an audit of the cases. –CB Report

sung, HTC, Hawuai, LG. The market value of seized mobile phone is Rs2.5 million. The ASO team asked the driver of the vehicle to produce legal documents regarding possession and transportation of

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these mobile phones but he remained failed. After his failure Customs ASO team seized the mobile phones and registered a case of smuggling against the driver of the vehicle.

Arguments concluded in tax refund appeal ederal Tax Ombudsman Advisor Mian Munawar Ghafoor heard the appeal Qiled by Qiled

by M/s Master Supply Groups against the Regional Tax OfQice (RTO-II) Lahore. Case will be decided very soon.

According to details, Advisor Mian Munawar Ghafoor heard the appeal. During the proceedings, the counsel for the appellant argued that the RTO-II had failed to release the sales tax refund to the appellant since two years. He said the RTO-II has been collecting excessive taxes from the company for the last two

years. The petitioner approached the ofQicials concerned several times for the release of refunds, but the RTO ofQicials failed to clear refunds, even after the passage of a reasonable time. Finally, the appellant decided to approach the FTO seeking intervention in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the RTO-II to clear refund claims. The counsel further said delay in release of refunds puts the burden on the taxpayer so the RTOII should make audit of the case and release the extra amount collected from the taxpayer. –CB Report

customs impounds 2500 crates of nDp Iranian apples

D LAHORE

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irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation team impounded two thousand and five hundred crates of non duty paid foreign origin appleas from Badami Bagh Fruit Mandi.

Sources told Customs Today that

Director Customs Intelligence Rubab Sikandar received credible information about some smuggling attempts.

She constituted a team under the supervision of Deputy Director Usman Tariq. The team comprising Intelligence OfQicer ZulQiqar Ali Dogar, Hamid Babar, Sohail Murtaza and Fida Hussain. The customs team established a check post on G.T. Road near Shahdara and started checking of ve-

hicles. During checking customs team intercepted three Mazda trucks which were loaded with non customs paid Iranian origin apples. The drivers of the vehicles failed to provide any relevant legal documents after which customs team seized two thousand and Qive hundred crates of Iranian origin apples and shifted the same to State Warehouse. During initial investigations driver revealed that these

apples were send by one Haji Fazal Elahi to Haji Sabir who is also doing a business of fruits. They told that these apples were being smuggled from Iran through Chaman border and then via Dera Ismail Khan they brought the same to Lahore. Customs sources told that the impounded apples will be auctioned on priority to avoid further loss, because delay in auction will create problems.

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KARACHI ImRAn k AwAn

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www.customsbulletin.com he scam of misusing the Green Channel at Appraisement Port Qasim was once again proved on Wednesday when Pakistan Customs Preventive’s team raided a godown in Korangi Industrial area in Karachi and conQiscated six containers Qilled with smuggled betel nuts which were cleared under the garb of scrap from Port Qasim.

Qamar Thallo, spokesperson for Pakistan Customs Preventive, told Customs Today that investigations have been broadened due to the possibility that smugglers might have cleared many other containers through green channel.

“More such raids and conQiscation of betel nuts consignments will be conducted in coming days because price of betel nuts has taken hype and importers have reportedly smuggled many containers of betel nuts through Green Channel,” he said.

It is worth mentioning that 188 contain-

Friday, February 23, 2018

ers of betel nuts are stuck up at ports.

Since legal import is stopped the goods are being smuggled. The importer namely M/s Jebel Ali dumped the containers in Korangi area where the raid took place.

Customs Appraisement South comprising Appraisement East, MCC Appraisement West and MCC Port Qasim have put all consignments coming from Jebel Ali on red channel after the conQiscation in Korangi, a customs ofQicial revealed.

In the meantime, the customs officials involved in the scam of clearing the consignments become more active to save their

ion fiscat n o c d n aids a ts will such r nmen g i s n m o re s co days el nut oming c n of bet i d has d u c te l nuts e t e be con b e of have se pric o r te r s p m bec au i nd many hype a ggled u taken m s ro u g h te d l y uts th n re p o r l e t of be el iners conta c hann g re e n

skin including ADC Yaseen Murtaza, Additional Collector Aamir and Deputy Collector Mohammad Faisal.

According to sources, 14 containers were cleared through Green Channel of the said company from Port Qasim while only six have been conQiscated as the conQiscation was executed in Korangi area which is far from Port Qasim but some ofQicials deputed at the port have spread the information that the raid and conQiscation was done near the gates of Port Qasim on the directions and information of Port Qasim ofQicials.

“The consignee has used Port Qasim for this fraud because on other ports ofQicials have taken strict steps to prevent such smuggling but we are investigating about customs ofQicials of Port Qasim and clearing agent who was involved in clearing the consignments,” Qamar Thallo further informed.

According to ASO ofQicials, they have raided a godown in Korangi but did not stop containers near gates of Port Qasim. “Just wait for one more day, more information will come out about this racket,” the spokesperson concluded.

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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

missing major macroeconomic targets

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ccording to newspaper reports, the government has missed all the major macroeconomic targets in its 11th five-year development plan, including the target it had set to achieve growth rate of 5.4 percent to the gross domestic product. However, the government has managed to make progress in all the sectors of the economy and achieved a secure growth rate of 4.4 percent during the first four years in the office.

Reports suggest the average growth in the agriculture sector remained 2.1 percent against a target of 3.5 percent, the average industrial output remained 5.1 percent against 6.3 percent target, the large-scale manufacturing recorded an average growth of 4.3 percent against a target of 6 percent and the services sector posted an average growth of 5 percent against a target of 5.8 percent during the first four years of the plan.

Besides, the target of Investment-to-GDP ratio was set at 22.8 percent, the target of national savings was set at 21.3 percent but the government could achieve only 13.1 percent by the end of the last fiscal year which was even worse than the ratio of 13.9 percent four years ago. The exports target was set at $29.5 billion for the fiscal year 2017-18 under the plan, but reached only $20.4 billion in four years. According to the Planning Commission, the country is facing various challenges to sustainable economic development, including stagnant exports, widening current account deficit, low savings and investments. Despite all efforts and requirements, the government could not improve its position at the ease of doing business index and it failed to deliver on various accounts. The challenges are exceedingly difficult, but resources are limited.

The experts believe mismanagement is the key factors responsible for the failure of the government to settle the affairs. There is a need to take proactive approach to recover the damages and correct the trade imbalances. The mandate of this government is approaching fast to its end all the corrupt elements and mafias are working overtime to exploit the situation. The new elections are round the corner and now it is up to the people to decide the future course of action. As a matter of fact, the government has failed to manage any sector of the economy and only put additional burden of loans on the national exchequer.

Dictation by foreign lending agencies S

LAHORE

DR AfTAB AfZAL

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enate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani has called it extremely worrisome that the International Monetary Fund and other financial institutions are interfering in the internal affairs of the country over the devolution of powers under 18th Constitutional Amendment and are also creating an impression that the National Finance Commission is a futile exercise. The criticism of the senate chairman came at a time when the State Bank of Pakistan has reported that the country’s external debt and liabilities have reached $89 billion. The

economists have already feared the external debt and liabilities of the country are fast approaching the $90 billion mark and the government has little options to mend the financial affairs and arrest the depleting foreign exchange reserves. The economists also point out that in principle the total external debt and liabilities are higher by $5.8 billion after the government took $13.2 billion loans just in one year. The volume of external debt and liabilities was $75.7 billion in December 2016 and the gross official reserves were $18.6 billion. According to Rabbani, the IMF has drafted a bill in connivance with the World Bank to control the dis-

tribution of resources under the NFC award. The move is strictly against the spirit of the Constitution and the 18th amendment.

The Council of Common Interest is a powerful institution to manage the affairs between the centre and the federating units and it assures equal distribution of resources in the country.

The chairman senate is right in his observations, but the country has been mortgaged to the international financial institutions. The situation has reached the point where the donor agencies have started dictating their terms and conditions to run the financial affairs of the country.

The piling up of loans has

eroded the country’s ability to devise its financial policies on its own and in an independent manner. Industry is the basic source of revenue generation, but it is been heavily taxed for one reason or the other. Most of the industrial units have closed down and the others are on the verge of collapse due to the negligence of the officials who matter. Until the country is able to generate its own resources through indigenous means, the foreign lending agencies will continue to dictate the government of their terms and conditions. Looking toward the IMF for another bailout programme will be a disaster for the economy.

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Customs Tribunal adjourns hearing of references filed against DG I&I ISLAMABAD: Customs Appellate Tribunal dated in office the hearing of three customs references filed against Collectorate of Customs and Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation, Islamabad.

A single bench of the tribunal comprising Member, Syed Muhammad Anwar, heard the cases. The bench adjourned the cases after hearing brief arguments by the appellants. M/s Lucky Enterprises, Haq Nawaz and Wasif Hussain had filed these cases. All of these cases had been filed during 2016.

M/s Lucky Enterprises had had filed the case against MCC. It had challenged a customs duty assessment sustained by the adjudication. Haq Nawaz and Wasif Hussain had filed cases regarding release of vehicles which were seized by customs authorities amid attempt to smuggling various items. They had filed cases against customs intelligence and investigation, Islamabad.

pcA detects tax evasion of Rs 8.54m

by Rozina Enterprises hyderabad

Friday February 23, 2018

National

court re-issues nBws against absconder in gold smuggling case

KARACHI

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he Directorate of Customs Post Clearance Audit has detected duties and tax evasion of Rs 8.54 million by M/s Rozina Enterprises Hyderabad, it is learnt here. Sources told Customs Today that M/ Rozina Enterprises imported a consignment of aluminum made items, including window frames door frames and other things, and got it cleared from the PICT Karachi vide GDs on November 18, 2017 by paying customs duty at 6 percent after claiming the benefit of the SRO 562/2007. However, the subject items were correctly classifiable under the PCT 2409.2479 attracting customs duty at 12 percent and income tax at 8 percent, thus, by way of mis-declaration of classification, the company evaded/short-paid Rs 8.54 million. These goods were cleared by Head Examiner Mubushir Khan.

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ustoms Taxation and AntiSmuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi re-issued non-bailable warrants against absconding suspect namely Syed Muhammad Asim, who was booked for attempting to smuggle gold and cellular phones worth millions of rupees. Earlier, the investigation ofQicer submitted a charge sheet against a convicted lady namely Uzma Mehwish and others. She had landed at the Karachi airport through Qlight no: FZ329 from Dubai. The investigation ofQicer informed the court that a team of Customs Preventive intercepted the woman and asked her to show her travel documents as well as to get her luggage checked.

During the search of the luggage, the Customs Preventive team found 377 gram gold attached with her body worth nearly two million rupees as well as 10 expensive cellular phones concealed in the travel bag.

She also failed to produce any lawful documents on these smuggled

goods, therefore, the ofQicials of Customs Preventive took the smuggled goods into custody and Qiled a case against the woman. According to the challan, suspect Syed Muhammad

Asim son of Wali Muhammad is still absconder in this case, after his arguments, court accepted charge sheet against issued non-bail able warrants against absconder suspect.

Case was registered against above mentioned suspect lady for violation of under section 2 (s) and 16, 156 (1) (8) (89) and 157 of the Customs Act, 1969.

nAB for taking action against corrupt officials ISLAMABAD

Sources said that the importer violated the provisions of Section 23 (8A) of the Customs Act-1969, Section 26 read with Section 48 of the Sales Tax Act-1990 and Section 121 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 punishable under clauses (258) and 117 of Section 247(6) of the Customs Act-1969, Section 54 of the Sales Tax Act-1990 and Section 31 & 365 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and Section 9-A of the Sales Tax Act-1990 read with chapter X of the Sales Tax Special Procedure Rules 2007 (Special procedures for payment of sales tax by the importers) and under relevant provisions of Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

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parliamentary committee has recommended the Federal Board of Revenue to consult National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for starting investigation against the corrupt ofQicers of the Bureau. The Sub-Committee of Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue met at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Mohsin Aziz has analysed list of all inquiries conducted by the FBR and action taken under the EfQiciency & Discipline Rules, 1973 pending as on 15 Nov 2015 against the corrupt ofQicers of the FBR along with their outcome as on 31 September 2017.

The committee was astonished to see that no signiQicant actions were taken and the penalties given

were below the scope of crimes committed. The committee members were of the view that FBR had proposed soft punishments to the corrupt ofQicers. The committee has given three months deadline to the FBR management to take action in all such cases and submit a report to the Senate secretariat.

This was the Qirst meaningful action taken by any state institution against corrupt maQias in the tax machinery. Earlier, the Prime Minister’s OfQice also restricted its intervention to only seeking report of corrupt ofQicers. The FBR management started exonerating all corrupt people after the change of management in November 2015.

Headed by Senator Mohsin Aziz of the PTI, the panel had called the former FBR (member) administration Shahid Jatoi and Tanveer Malik – currently serving Director General

of Broadening of Tax base in the FBR, for assistance to arrest those people. Both the gentlemen had played a critical role four years ago in unearthing what Tanveer Malik called “hardened criminals in the FBR”. However, their work was largely wasted due to compromises struck by the FBR management in the past. Throughout the committee proceedings, the FBR’s incumbent member administration Ms Tasneem Rehman kept defending her organisation. But Minister of State for Finance Rana Mohammad Afzal did not defend corrupt people. “The special panel decided to send the cases of Asif Rasool, Sajid Hussain Arain and Abdul Hameed Abro to NAB for further investigations,” said Senator Mohsin Aziz. He said that the cases were just the beginning and the committee would send more cases to the anti-graft

body. Asif Rasool has been accused of illegally accepting irreconcilable bank credits of Rs92 billion of Fatima Enterprises Multan, which were allegedly the concealed sales proceeds of the company for the tax years, 2008 to 2011. Only for the tax year 2008 and 2009 the FBR has now detected Rs4.5 billion loss.

However, the FBR has not taken any action against Asif Rasool and the inquiry proceedings are still under process. Both Senator Mohsin Aziz and the minister of state for Qinance were not satisQied with the FBR’s action in the case. “The FBR is not taking any action against the ofQicers and I am even unable to defend such cases,” said a visibly perturbed the minister. The committee’s other member, Senator Mohsin Leghari preferred a systemic approach to end corruption in the FBR, saying, “even NAB cannot do much”.

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Importer moves SHC for release of imported bus impounded by Customs Dept Friday February 23, 2018

National 44th STp: 17 customs officers posted at different collectorates

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the Customs Department and Deputy Attorney General of Pakistan on a constitutional petition filed by one Irshad Hussain S/o Ibrahim, owner of bus No: SGM-851, seeking release order of his bus taken into possession by the Customs Department. Hearing the petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, directed them to file their respective para-wise comments on the next date of hearing.

haroon lauds contribution of tax bar associations in broadening of tax base

ISLAMABAD

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eventeen Assistant Collectors (Probationers) of BS-17 of 44th Specialized Training Programme (STP) have been posted in the respective Collectorates with immediate effect. The officers were posted on completion of Specialized Training Programme at the Directorate General of Training & Research (Customs), Karachi. The Federal Board of Revenue has congratulated the probationers on successful completion of STP and on their firs field postings. The Board wished them very successful careers and hopes that they will serve the department with utmost devotion and in accordance with the core values of the FBR, specially professionalism, courtesy and integrity. All the officers have been asked to relinquish/assume charge, using online HRMS facility made available to FBR or by using their IJP logins.

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customs officers again asked to provide detail of dual nationality ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed Customs officers posted at various departments to submit declaration of dual nationality.

The FBR on January 31 issued a circular to all Inland Revenue and Customs officers in grade 17 and above to provide details of having dual nationality.

The FBR, except few Customs offices, had provided the details. The offices where response was not received are included: Director General, Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation, FBR, Islamabad; The Collector, Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication), Islamabad, Faisalabad and Quetta; The Collector, Collectorate of Customs (Appeals), Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. –CB Report

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pecial Assistant to Prime Minister on Revenue/Federal Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan has said the government values the contribution of tax bar associations in the country towards broadening of tax base and their proposals on improving the tax regime would be welcomed for the next budget.

“We appreciate the good work being done by the tax bar associations and it is our endeavor to work closely with them for broadening of tax base and further improving the tax regime,” he said while talking to a delegation of Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) that met him at the FBR House. Haroon Akhtar Khan said tax bar associations

served the purpose of think-tanks and their input and proposals would be welcomed in the routine taxpayers outreach activities and seminars conducted by FBR for broadening of tax base and improving tax collection. The PTBA ofQice-

bearers congratulated Haroon Akhtar Khan on his elevation as federal minister and commended him for impressive revenue collection during the last four years and for acting as a bridge between the government and the business commu-

nity. They shared with him a plan of action for BTB seminars, outreach and better collection of taxes. They also invited him to chair a workshop on direct and indirect taxes to be organised by PTBA in Lahore in the coming month.

customs seizes alcohol, mobile phones, accessories from Allama Iqbal Airport T

LAHORE

m ImRAn mEhAR

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he Customs ofQicials have conQiscated as many as 13 alcohol bottles and a number of mobile phones from passengers travelling via different Qlights during raid at Allama Iqbal International Airport.

Sources told Customs Today that the customs team conducted these operations on different Qlights from different countries.

Flights included from Dubai to Lahore, Turkey to Lahore, Jeddah to Lahore and Muscat to Lahore. Customs took action in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Qlights, Turkish Airways, and Gulf Air. During actions in these Qlights customs staff recovered 13 bottles of alcohol, mobile phones and accessories while Customs allowed all passengers to go after conQis-

cation of alcohol bottles from their possession. Customs has also conQiscated 1 LED of 32 and 1 LED of 43 inches from a passenger. Customs has started strict checking of

the luggage of the passengers specially coming from European countries. Number of attempts of smuggling of foreign currency and mobile phones accessories and

other relevant items has also foiled by the customs. Dozens of mobile phones were also seized by the airport customs ofQicials during last two months.

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Revising of Valuation Ruling No: 803/2016 to be made on March 13 by Surriya Butt KARACHI: The Directorate General, Customs Valuation, Director General Surriya Ahmed Butt has decided to revise the Valuation Ruling No: 803/2016 on March 13, 2018, it is learnt.

Surriya Butt said the department was reviewing suggestions from various importers to set the new prices of melamine powder. She said some valuations issued in 2016 were being reviewed from the beginning. Moreover, the valuations will be set in view of the rising prices in the international market. Sources told CT that a petition was filed with the Customs Valuation in which change in prices of melamine powder was requested.

Evaded taxes & duties retrieved from defaulter companies KARACHI

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he Customs Export has recovered an evaded amount of taxes and duties of Rs9.49million from defaulter companies in Karachi and Mirpur which were issued with notices to pay the arrears. Sources told Customs Today that, during scrutiny of the import data, it was revealed that M/s Yonus Embroidery Karachi availed undue benefits and concessions after importing different consignments by misusing the SRO 561 through Examiner Nasir Ali on December 13, 2017.

Sources further told Customs Today that the company was allegedly involved in the tax evasion of Rs4.25million. After detecting the tax evasion, the Customs Export served on it a final notice on

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January 17, 2018 to deposit the evaded amount within 14 days. After receiving the notice, the management of M/s Yonus Embroidery Karachi deposited the evaded amount in the official account of the Customs Export on 7th of February. On the other hand, the management of M/s Union Traders and Export (Mirpur) also cleared Rs5.24million of taxes and duties on 5th of February. Sources told the correspondent that M/s Union Traders and Export also availed undue benefits and concessions and avoided paying taxes according to the customs bylaws. The Customs Export authorities issued to it a final notice on January 22, 2018. After receiving the notice, the management of the M/s Union Traders and Export (Mirpur) deposited the evaded amount of taxes into the official account.

National

Shc announces detailed judgment over regularity duty, sets aside SRo 1035(I)/2017

court seeks challan against chinese nationals in forgery case KARACHI

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ustoms Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has directed the investigation officer to submit a final charge sheet against Chinese nationals namely Zhong Zhongmin, the Country Manager and Li Chonhong, Deputy Country Manager of BGP (Pakistan) International. The suspects were booked for submitting forged documents for clearance of surveying equipment causing Rs 513 million loss to the government exchequer. They are currently in Central Jail Karachi on judicial remand. Earlier, investigation officer had produced the suspects before the court and informed that on some solid evidences an FIR No. 33/2017 had been registered against a Chinese oil and gas surveying company M/s BGP (Pakistan) International, its clearing agent M/s IMT Co, customs officials and others on the allegation of preparing/ submitting fake/bogus corporate guarantee for clearance of their surveying equipment worth Rs 677 million. He further informed that Chinese firm, its clearing agent M/s IMT Co, Customs officials and others have been named in the FIR registered by the FIA, revealed the statement.

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has announced a detailed judgment on regularity duty and set aside the impugned SRO 1035(I)/2017 dated 16.10.2017 and restrained the Customs Department from demanding any duty in terms of SRO 1035 or from enforcing the same in any manner whatsoever, whether by way of detaining or refusing the release of imported goods or otherwise.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar announced the detailed judgment which was reserved on 15.12.2017. The petition was Qiled b dozens of importers.

“Section 18(3) of the Customs Act, 1969 as and to the extent as amended by the Finance Act, 2017 is declared to be ultra vires of the Constitution, and of no legal effect; SRO 1035(I)/2017 dated 16.10.2017, issued in terms of, and in purported exercise of the powers conferred by, the amended as 18(3) is declared to be ultra vires, of no legal effect and is hereby quashed,” the SHC order said.

Court further declared that “the re-

Friday February 23, 2018

spondents or any authority or officer thereof are restrained from demanding any duty in terms of SRO 1035 or from enforcing the same in any manner whatsoever, whether by way of detaining or refusing release of imported goods or otherwise and the security given by the petitioners under interim orders is directed to be released forthwith and any sums paid by the petitioners by way of regulatory duty under or in terms of SRO 1035 must be refunded in full. Such refund may be made by way of direct repayment or adjustment (against

any tax or duty) and in one lump sum or in installments, as the FBR may determine (but the same policy must be adopted in all cases).

However, the entire amount that is refundable must in each case be settled in full not later than 31.10.2018”. Judgment was suspended for 30 days in order to enable any aggrieved person/party so desirous to avail the remedy of appeal. During this period the interim order dated 26.10.2017 made in CP D-7159/2017 (and also as made applicable in other petitions) shall continue to remain operative.

customs Values of copper filter Dryers revised

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KARACHI

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he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs values of Copper Filter Dryers through Valuation Ruling No: 1255/2018 under Section 25A of the Customs Act-1969.

The customs values of copper Qilter dryers were determined vide Valuation Ruling No.1103/2017 dated 21.03.2017. The Honorable Appellate Tribunal Karachi set aside the valuation ruling and ordered in Revision No.353/2017 dated 07.04.2017 and ordered revising of the valuation ruling after giving all

the stakeholders an opportunity of being heard. Being aggrieved with the Appellate Tribunal’s orders, the directorate has Qiled a reference before the Honorable High Court of Sindn Karachi. A number of representations were received to determine the customs value of copper Qilter dryers afresh keeping in view the international market trends.

An exercise was initiated with a view to determine the custom value of the subject goods afresh under Section 25A of the Customs Act1969 in terms of prevailing international prices. Stakeholders’ meeting was scheduled on 17.11.2017 and 29.01.2018. All the participants

were requested to submit the following documents: i. Invoices of imports during last three months showing factual value. ii. Websites, names and E-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value can be ascertained. iii. Copies of contracts made/LCs opened during the last three months showing the value of item in question. iv. Copies of Sales Tax Invoices issued during last four months showing the values of supplies (excluding duty and taxes) to substantiate their contentions.

During the course of meetings, the stakeholders requested that

filter dryers are mainly imported and used by the manufacturers of refrigerators and the values so determined in the valuation ruling are on higher side therefore these values may be rationalized.

The participants were requested to submit documents/record to substantiate their contentions but till the issuance of this ruling, the relevant documents were not submitted. One commercial importer submitted a sales invoice only. 5.

Method adopted to determine customs values: Valuation methods given in Section 25 of the Customs Act-1969 were followed sequentially.

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Thailand iris scanning effort to combat slave labor in fishing

World Customs

BANGKOK: Thailand has been using optical scanning technology on workers in its fishing industry since October to help it combat slave labor and human trafficking, (AFP) reports. The ministry has done optical scanning to 70,000 people who work on fishing boats so that we can track their identity,” Adul Sangsingkeo, the country’s labor minister, reportedly announced at a briefing on Thursday in Bangkok.

Friday February 23, 2018

new provisional govt estimate puts hk population at 7.4m

philippine holding rate is appropriate for now: wB MANILA

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new provisional estimate put Hong Kong’s population at 7,409,800 at the end of 2017, according to the Census and Statistics Department.

It represented an increase of 32,700 or 0.4 per cent from 7,377,100 at the end of 2016.The rise in population comprised of a natural increase, as well as the net movement of Hong Kong residents.

There were 56,600 births and 46,600 deaths between the end of 2016 and the end of 2017. Over the same period, 47,000 One-way Permit holders arrived in Hong Kong from mainland China, and the city saw a net outQlow of 24,300 Hong Kong residents leaving the city.

Meanwhile, The massive projected surplus, at least seven times the original estimate of HK$16.3

Japanese investment on the rise in Turkey apan recently. On February the Japanese multinational electronics and electrical-equipment manufacturer Mitsubishi inaugurated a new air-conditioner factory on the outskirts of the city, which came with an investment of US$100 million. Only a few kilometers from this factory site continues the construction of another production plant, undertaken by the Japanese firm GS Yuasa, which has invested $65 million to produce automotive batteries. Meanwhile, Moody’s Analytics reported that Japan’s GDP is likely to increase by 0.4% QoQ mainly due to high global domestic demand in 4Q2017. Exports are expected to add 0.2 percentage points to December’s GDP growth, remaining as the country’s main growth engine. Accounting for 60% of total GDP, consumption is also forecasted to rise. –CB Report

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billion for 2017-18, has reignited criticism of officials’ conservative calculations, and the resultant failure to invest in things like public hospitals and helping the elderly and the young. Experts chastised officials for taking what they called a doom-and-gloom outlook and forecasting a fiscal structural

deficit by 2021. One economist said the problem was the exact opposite, with the city facing a structural surplus. With such resources at his disposal, pressure is piling on Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po to give one-off relief measures when he delivers his annual budget on February 28.

South Africa’s bulk exports rise almost 90% to record in January

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A’s bulk export volumes shot up 88.8% year on year in January 2018 to a record 25.4-million tonnes, data from the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) showed. The exceptional increase was in part due to a carry-over from December as the ports authority said there was a backlog from the December vessels that were not invoiced, mainly due to customers not submitting cargo

dues orders timeously. However, if you add December 2017 and January 2018 together and compare that with December 2016 and January 2017, then the increase is still a large 39.9%. Bulk exports out of Richards Bay, which are mostly coal, saw a 28.6% jump to 9-million tonnes, while bulk exports out of Saldanha, which are mostly iron ore, saw a 176.8% surge to 14.8million tonnes. –CB Report

he World Bank said the Philippines’ monetary policy stance is appropriate for now even as inQlation is set to breach the central bank’s target this year. “Keeping the interest rate Qlat for now is presently the most appropriate response,” Birgit Hansl, a World Bank economist in Manila, said in an emailed response to questions last week. “If inQlationary pressures build rapidly and, most of all, if they persist over a few months, a rate adjustment would be appropriate also given that there is ample domestic liquidity.”

Governor Nestor Espenilla has taken a cautious approach to monetary policy tightening, keeping the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3 percent earlier this month even as he forecast inQlation will exceed the 4 percent upper

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limit of the inQlation target this year.

Most economists in a Bloomberg survey forecast the central bank will start raising its key rate next month. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is waiting for signs that price pressures are becoming more entrenched before raising rates, the governor said this month. A new tax law raised the cost of fuel, sugary drinks and cigarettes, putting pressure on inQlation, which the central bank estimates will average 4.3 percent this year.

Its target is to keep inQlation at an average of 2 percent to 4 percent from 2018 to 2020. “There is a possibility that inQlation may remain elevated around the upper bound of the inQlation target,” Aekapol Chongvilaivan, an economist at the Asian Development Bank, said in an emailed reply to questions last week.

Oil prices, the weak peso and strong economic growth may put pressure on prices, he said. The impact of the tax law should be temporary, and “it’s not expected to drive inQlation pressure for longer periods this year,” the World Bank’s Hansl said, echoing similar comments by central bank ofQicials.

Allianz net profit down on uS tax hit sale llianz SE (ALV.XE) said that its fourth-quarter net proQit recorded a double-digit fall, hit by one-off costs. The German insurer said net proQit fell 22% to 1.43 billion euros ($1.78 billion) compared with the same period last year. Operating proQit was EUR2.76 billion compared with about EUR3 billion a year earlier. Revenue increased 5.6% to EUR31.7 billion.

The company said the decline in proQit was mainly due to one of charges such as a EUR135 million charge related to U.S. tax reforms and EUR210 million from the sale of Oldenburgische Landesbank.

Allianz’s U.S. fund manager PaciQic Investment Management Co. posted third-party net inQlows of about EUR43 billion in the fourth quarter.

This is the sixth consecutive quarter with inQlows. Pimco went through a difQicult period in 2014 after the departure of co-founder Bill Gross, which sparked an outQlow of money. Allianz’s board proposed a dividend of EUR8 per share, a 5.3% increase from the EUR7.60 a share in 2016. “The group aims to achieve an operating proQit of 11.1 billion euros in 2018, plus or minus 500 million euros, barring unforeseen events,” Chief Financial OfQicer Giulio Terzariol said. –CB Report

woolly shepherd secures new natherland deal

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AMESTRADAM

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oolly Shepherd is to start exporting to the US after securing a fresh deal with a Netherlands retailer. Woolly Shepherd, which produces woollen panels for acoustic damping, has tripled its turnover since securing its Qirst

deal with Dutch e-retailer Zilenz in 2016. The company currently exports 15 per cent of its products to Europe and is expecting to increase this to 25 per cent in the next three years. Tim Simmons, managing director at The Woolly Shepherd, said: “We’ve come a long way since launching the business seven years ago. Starting with just two members of staff, we now employ eight people

and export to many different countries. “Exporting has always been an integral part of our growth plans.

But, for a small business like ours, it can sometimes be hard to Qind the headspace to focus on international growth. Our trade advisers at DIT have supported us every time we’ve secured new orders in foreign markets. The team has provided clarity on business culture, import rates

and regulations for each country we’ve targeted. “The U.S. is our next target and we’ve already received great advice from DIT on how to approach American buyers. The best tip I’d give to businesses looking to export would be to seek guidance from expert organisations to help navigate the process, particularly if you’re short on resources. If we can do it, so can many other local Qirms.”

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KPT shipping movements report KARACHI: Following were the Movements of Ships at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) during last 24 hours, ending at 0700 hours on Thursday. SHIPS SAILED: AL Safa M.T Shalamar SUN Plpeg MSCMila 3 SHIPS BERTHED: MSC Mila 3 Container Ship Nord Larkspur Tanker Maliakos Container Ship Chemroute Pegasus Tanker APL Antwerp Container Ship EXPECTED SAILING DATE Polo 08/02/18 Challenger 08/02/18 Maribor 09/02/18 EXPECTED ARRIVAL DATE CARGO Oriental Lotus 08/02/18 L/7500 Ethanol MOL Explorer 08/02/18 Cont Ariane Makara 09/02/18 D/3000 Chem Nave Polaris 09/02/18 D/12000 Chem M.T Lahore 09/02/18 D/70000 Crude Oil Prosper 09/02/18 Cont Northern Dedication.

kpT shipping movements report ollowing were the Movements of Ships at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) during last 24 hours, ending at 0700 hours. SHIPS SAILED: Navios Verano Polo Hansa Neuburg APL Antwerp Chemroute Pegasus Maribor Challenger SHIPS BERTHED: Hansa Neuburg Container Ship Saehan Wallaby Tanker Mol Explorer Container Ship Northern Dedication Container Ship EXPECTED SAILING DATE Mol Explorer 09/02/18 Maliakos 09/02/18 Saehan Wallaby 10/02/18 EXPECTED ARRIVAL DATE CARGO Ariane Makara 09/02/18 D/3000 Chem Oriental Lotus 09/02/18 L/7500 Ethanol M.T.Lahore 09/02/18 D/70000 Crude Oil Ever Unique 09/02/18 Cont Butinah 09/02/18 D/52416 Rock Phosphate DA Kang 09/02/18 L/612 G.C Caribbean 10/02/18 D/2000 Lube Oil Nave Polaris 10/02/18 D/12000 Chem OOCL Busan 10/02/18 Cont Virgo 10/02/18 Cont Heilan Brother 10/02/18 D/17100 GC Yangtze Harmony 10/02/18 D/26280

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Ports & Shipping

Ship detentions at chinese ports soar

S.korea’s Jan crude imports from Iran fall to 15month low outh Korea’s crude oil imports from Iran fell 47 percent in January from a year ago to 950,013 tonnes, or 224,632 barrels per day (bpd), the lowest since October 2016, customs data showed on Thursday. The fall in South Korea’s Iranian oil intake partly reflects the sinking last month of an Iranian tanker carrying 136,000 tonnes of condensate after a collision with a Chinese cargo ship. Three crew members were rescued and the other 29 members are presumed dead. The condensate cargo was to be delivered to South Korea’s petrochemical company Hanwha Total Petrochemical. South Korea, the world’s fifth-biggest crude oil importer, mainly buys condensate – an ultra-light oil – from Iran and increased purchases of the oil after sanctions against the Islamic republic were lifted in 2016. But South Korea’s oil imports from Iran have declined since November 2017 as Iran’s condensate exports had been dented by a “technical problem” at South Pars field. –CB Report

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SHANGHAI

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ith greater numbers of ships calling in Chinese ports daily, it is perhaps not surprising more ships are being inspected and more and more ships are being detained.

But in step with the increase in trafQic, the Beijing government “has become very strict” on matters of safety, security, and the environment, “putting big pressure on owners” the Greek Shipping Forum was told, February. “The rate of detentions is very high in China compared with the Paris and Tokyo Port State Control regimes,” Terence Zhao, president of Singhai Mariner Services, told the Capital Link forum.

“The number of inspections being carried out is also much higher, with one ship in 10 inspected in some ports being detained,” he said.

Zhao also warned the ship’s Qlag state is a big factοr, rather the PSC records when it comes to inspec-

Friday February 23, 2018

tions. Last year, 6,707 ships were inspected, with 5,771 booked for deQiciencies, “some 85%” he said. Of the inspected ships, 358 were detained, 5.23%, considerably higher than the Paris and Tokyo PSC detentions. Chinese inspectors found an average of 3.5 deQiciencies per ship. Zhao said detentions can lead to a ship being detained from one to 15 days, and “sometimes longer”.

There are some 55 ports with inspection centers in China, employ-

ing about 3,000 inspectors, many of them young and English speaking.

And Zhao warned “owners should advise their crew to show respect towards them”. Further, owners should take special attention to being prepared when they are sailing for China for as well as documentation and equipment inspections, part of the process is drills and indeed, the owners “should arrange special drill training for crew and ofQicers prior to sailing to China”.

Thai gDp slows but maintains outlook on solid exports GC. Meanwhile, The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) issued the following shipping report for the last 24 hours, ending 0700 hours. ALONG SIDE (Bulk Oil Pier) OP-II Nord Larkspur D. Petrol GAC 07/02/18 ALONG SIDE (East Wharves) 2/3 Lemesos Lion D. Meal WMA Shipcare 04/02/18 11/12 Challenger D. Coke OC-Services 06/02/18 15/16 Polo D. L. Cnt. Golden 06/02/18 ALONG SIDE(P.I.C.T) 8/9 Navios Verano D. L. Cnt. Riazeda 06/02/18 ALONG SIDE(PDWCP): SAPT-3 APL Antwerp D. L. Cnt. APL 08/02/18 Along Side(West Wharves) 25 Chemroute Pegasus D. Base Oil Alpine 07/02/18 ALONG SIDE (K.I.C.T): 26/27 OOCL Shanghai D. L. Cnt. OOCL Pak 06/02/18 28/29 Maliakos D. L. Cnt. –CB Report

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hailand’s economy posted its strongest growth in Qive years last year, with solid exports and tourism giving the government conQidence to maintain the country’s growth outlook for 2018.

While the economy grew slightly less than expected in the fourth quarter as state spending slowed, resilient exports prompted the government on Monday to raise its outlook for exports, which have been the economy’s main engine of growth. Exporters, however, face tougher challenges ahead from rising U.S. trade protectionism and a strong baht, hovering at four-year highs. It was down 0.1 percent after the data. The economy grew a seasonally adjusted 0.5 percent in October-December from the previous

three months, National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) data showed, slower than 0.7 percent forecast in a Reuters poll and 1.0 percent growth in the previous quarter. On an annual basis,

growth was 4.0 percent, lower than a median forecast of 4.4 percent, and the July-September quarter’s 4.3 percent expansion, which was the fastest annual pace since January-March 2013. The NESDB main-

tained its 2018 economic growth forecast at 3.6-4.6 percent, after the economy grew 3.9 percent in 2017.

Tim Leelahaphan, economist at Standard Chartered, said he was sticking to his above consensus outlook of 4.3 percent growth for 2018.

Global economic growth and higher commodity prices, robust import growth – which markets overlook suggests a strong foundation for export growth in 2018.”

The government raised its 2018 export growth outlook to 6.8 percent from 5 percent. Thailand’s exports, worth about two-thirds of the economy, jumped nearly 10 percent in 2017 after years of underperforming its Asian peers.

Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy has posted better headline growth in the last few years underpinned by a solid global economic recovery, but it is still far from Qiring on all cylinders.

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FIA arrests passenger held at Lahore airport LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration has arrested a passenger at Allama Iqbal International Airport.

According to a spokesman, the FIA Immigration intercepted a passenger, Abdul Razzaq, a resident of Sahiwal, who had arrived at the airport by flight No PK-726 from Riyadh. He presented his passport No ST189250 for clearance, which was found fake on checking. The passenger was detained for further legal action.

Friday February 23, 2018

Business

nAB arrests ex LDA chief over Ashiana scam LAHORE

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he National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has arrested former Lahore Development Authority (LDA) director general Ahad Khan Cheema for alleged corruption in Ashiana Housing Scheme, a low-cost housing project of the Punjab government.

NAB Lahore officials had taken the incumbent chief executive officer of the Punjab Thermal Power Ltd, Cheema, into custody from his office on M M Alam Road in Gulberg area. Cheema was facing allegations of illegally allotting land for the housing scheme.

foreign exchange rates KARACHI

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A NAB official said the anti-graft watchdog had summoned Cheema

Rs148b project: nAB to probe into award of motorway construction contract

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he Exchange Rates Committee of Financial Markets Association of Pakistan issued the following exchange rates bulletin. LIBOR FOR CALCULATING INTEREST ON SPECIAL US DOLLAR BONDS VIDE SBP F.E. CIRCULAR NO.42 & 21.07.98 & 04.08.98 RESPECTIVELY. LIBOR VALUE 6 MONTHS US DOLLAR 2.0964 20.02.2018 CONVERSION RATES FOR 19TH FEBRUARY 2018 FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY FOR FORWARD COVER FOR DEPOSITS (EXCLUDING FE-25 DEPOSITS).

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twice for inquiry but he did not show up. He said the former LDA

director general would now be presented before an accountability court for judicial remand. The NAB is conducting an inquiry against officials of the LDA, the Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC), the Lahore Casa Developers and others. A few days ago, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Fawad Hassan Fawad appeared before an investigation team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore in connection with alleged irregularities in the PLDC, the parent company of the Ashiana Housing Scheme.

Fawad, while serving as secretary to the project director of Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC), had played a role in the cancellation of bid a company to favour another company.

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ISLAMABAD

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he National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has decided to summon the former chairman of National High Authority (NHA), Shahid Ashraf Tarar, and contractors of the Karachi-Lahore Motorway Abdul Hakeem section to investigate alleged corruption of Rs24 billion in the award of contract for Rs148 billion for building motorway in August 2015.

According to a senior ofQicial of

NAB, the bureau will summon the former chairman of NHA, who is now representing Pakistan as the executive director of the World Bank for next three years.

He said that NAB had started inquiry into alleged irregularities in the project which will be linked with China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), M-4 (Pindi BhattianGojra-Shorkot-Khanewal and Multan Motorway sections). The official said that the inquiry against officers concerned of the NHA had been started on the basis of a complaint of the Transparency Interna-

tional (TI) and some evidence collected by NAB during a Complaint Verification (CV) process.

“We started inquiry into the Karachi-Lahore section of Motorway project after we found some evidences during the CV process,” the official claimed.

The official said that the inquiry had been ordered against the NHA management for their alleged corruption in awarding the contract in violation of laid-down laws/rules on exorbitant rates and causing alleged loss of billions of rupees to the national exchequer.

3,388 human traffickers nabbed in three years

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ISLAMABAD

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ederal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested 3,388 persons who were allegedly involved in human trafficking during last three years. Of the total, 2259 human traffickers were arrested in Punjab, 1045 human traffickers in Islamabad, 77 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), 05 in Sindh and 02 in Balochistan. The yearwise break-up of arrests issued by Interior Division showed that during year 2015, the Agency nabbed 589 human traffickers in Punjab, 382 in Islamabad, 23 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) while no human trafficker was arrested during the year in Sindh and Balochistan.

During 2016, 988 human traffickers were arrested in Punjab, 368 in Islamabad, 35 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), 05 in Sindh and no human trafficker was arrested during the year in Balochistan. Similarly, during 2017, the Agency arrested 682 human traffickers in Punjab, 295 in Islamabad, 19 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), nil in Sindh and 02 in Balochistan.

Senate body expresses reservation over mismanagement in pIA ISLAMABAD

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enate Standing Committee on Privatization and Statistics has expressed reservation over mismanagement and non-transparency in Pakistan Airlines (PIA), which was piling up Qinancial burden on national exchequer.

The committee recommended accountability and transparency

mechanism for smooth functioning to bring it out of Qinancial crisis.

The committee meeting, which discussed the privatization of PIA and its future prospect, was chaired

by Senator Mohsin Aziz.

During the meeting State Minister for Privatization, Daniyal Aziz informed that PIA had earned no proQit but the institution incurred loss of Rs 40 billion to national exchequer, which should have been allocated in people welfare schemes.

The minister said that privatization process in PIA started during last two years and management control of the institution would remain with the government.

He informed that according to privatization plan 49 percent of PIA shares would be sold out while the air transport business of PIA would be separated. Daniyal Aziz said the government was committed to enhance the capacity of national institution and to make it proQitable

through competitiveness.

He said that transparency and accountability is hallmark of the government to evolve the mechanism for good governess for providing facilities to the people. The committee meeting was attended by Senator Saleem Mandviwala,Muhammad Ilyas Bilour, Sherry Rehman , Nasreen Jalil, Khushbakht Shujat, Minister for Privatization, Daniyal Aziz and Senior ofQicials of the ministry.

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CPEC has enhanced Pakistan’s regional importance: FPCCI LAHORE: Pakistan offers tremendous opportunities for businesses and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects have increased Pakistan’s regional importance.

Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Regional Chairman and Vice President Chaudhry Arfan Yousaf expressed these views on the inauguration of Flynas Airline, according to Federation’s spokesman.

Chaudhry Arfan said, “We live in the world of connectivity, and airline industry is rapidly changing. The growth of this industry is strongly associated with the phenomenon of globalisation; therefore, addition of Flynas to our air connectivity will robust our cooperation.”

IccI for extending Export package till fY 2018-19 for exports promotion

Friday February 23, 2018

Chambers

RccI to hold 10th ApcpcI on march 11-14

ISLAMABAD

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he Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called upon the government to consider extending PM’s incentive package of Rs.180 billion for exporters till financial year 2018-19 in order to improve competitiveness of exporters and promote country’s exports. Sheikh Amir Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Pakistan’s exports after touching a seven-year low of $20.4 billion in FY 2017, were now recovering as during the first half of the FY 2018, exports improved by 11.24 percent compared to the same period of last year, which was encouraging. He said the PM’s export package of Rs.180 billion

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played positive role in turning around the falling exports of the country and stressed that government should further extend this package up to FY 2018-19 and broaden its coverage to additional non-textile sectors in order to further improve competitiveness of exporters and ensure sustainable growth of exports. He said since 2003, share of Pakistan in global exports has declined by 19 percent due to lack of long-term planning and other problems. He said Pakistan’s product and market mix was highly concentrated as few low value products were exported to few markets. He stressed that government should focus on diversification of products and markets to give boost to exports. He said government should transform export products mix from labor-intensive sectors to innovation-based high value sectors like pharmaceuticals, engineering and ICT that would help the country to achieve exportled growth of economy.

RAWALPINDI

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he Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry is going to organize three days All Pakistan Chambers Presidents Conference International (APCPCI) on March 11-14 at Gawadar. This has been announced by President RCCI Zahid Latif Khan at a press conference held at Chamber here.

Addressing the press conference President RCCI Zahid Latif Khan said that its an honor and legacy for RCCI that it has been organizing this event for the last nine years on regular basis. This time we picked Gawadar as event venue so that business community can see the development on the ground and get awareness and future aspects of CPEC. The major aim of this conference was to develop a common platform for All Chambers and Trade Associations to raise economic issues at national level, providing suggestions/ recommendation to the government related to trade policy, business environment and all issues affecting businesses directly or in-

directly, he added. President Zahid Latif Khan said that All Pakistan Chamber’s Presidents Conference is the most appropriate platform to raise economic issues and talk about the business community’s concerns.

He said that the proposed agenda highlights for the upcoming conference includes China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its possible impacts on Inter and Intra Regional trade, connectivity and regional trade integration, trade and

investment opportunities in Pakistan, Inter-regional trade barriers (Tariff and non-Tarif barriers) and settlement of international trade disputes. Answering a question related to CPEC, President RCCI said that no doubt it’s a game changer and its our collective responsibility to make it a successful national project. We allotted a full day to discuss CPEC, possible investment and joint ventures with Chinese Companies, expansion of industrial zones and infrastruc-

‘Thailand ideal destination for pak exports’ LAHORE

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ahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Malik Tahir Javaid has said that potential to export goods Thailand from Pakistan was far more diversiQied and sizeable than the current one. He was speaking at Thai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Board of Trade of Thailand, where Deputy Secretary General Kasemsit Pathomsak, Section Project Manager Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited Kulkanlaya Kritnoi, Managing Director MICAP Machineries Limited Mingpant Chaya, Thai businessmen and the LCCI delegation members also spoke on the occasion and showed keen interest in partnership with their Thai counterparts, according to Lahore Cham-

ber’s spokesman here Monday.

The LCCI president said that Pakistan was already exporting cotton, Qish and other sea food, knitted fabric, meat, raw hides and skins, machinery, medical & optical apparatus and pharmaceutical products etc to Thailand, however, more efforts needed in this direction. Pakistan and Thailand, he said, had very strong credentials to give new strengths to their respective economies as both the countries had good geographical locations making them a safe heaven for investment.

Malik Tahir Javaid mentioned that volume of trade between the two countries was much below their respective potential in various sectors of economy and lack of dissemination of business-related information could be one of the biggest reasons. The import and export proQiles of the two countries indicated

that there was a potential of increasing Pakistan’s export to Thailand, while Pakistan also had huge potential of importing goods from Thailand. He said that business-tobusiness contacts and one-to-one meetings were the most productive means of marketing country’s products. He said that Pakistan of its location was a gateway to markets of Central Asian Republics and the Gulf countries, citing that any investment made in Pakistan would Qind markets in the entire region. Industrial parks development would be a good choice for Thai business tycoons as they would surely be supported by Pakistan government as well. Malik said that Thai investors, who were interested to weigh up the energy sector of Pakistan especially untapped potential of coal and renewable/alternate energy, would be facilitated all the way.

ture development and transportation. He referred to a research report where it says that if China proceeds with just Qive percent of its trade through CPEC, this will give roughly 6 billion US dollar income annually to Pakistan along with 400 thousand employment opportunities. RCCI chief said we have invited representatives of chamber of commerce of neighbouring countries including China to discuss possible trade and investment opportunities.

RccI delegation calls on nSA nasser Janjua three member delegation of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) led by President Zahid Latif Khan called on Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security (NSA) Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua in Islamabad yesterday. Talking to the delegation Nasser Khan Janjua said China Pakistan Economic Corridor will bring economic prosperity to the region and the entire world. (CPEC) is the key to regional prosperity, connectivity and sustainable peace in the region. Under “One Belt, One Road” (OBOR) project, CPEC will serve as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics, he further added. –CB Report

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Customs court awards 17-day imprisonment to HSD Oil smuggler KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi awarded a 17day imprisonment and a fine of Rs100000 to a suspect named Gour Khan S/o Eidoo booked in a case of attempting to smuggle non-dutypaid foreign origin 24,270 liters of High Speed Diesel. During the hearing, abovementioned suspect appeared before the court along with his counsel and moved an application for pleading guilty. After the arguments, the court framed charges against him and awarded a 17-day imprisonment and a fine of Rs100000 as undergone period.

Friday, February 23, 2018

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Quetta ASo seizes huge quantity of nDp goods worth of Rs.20 million QUETTA TARIQ DERYA

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization has intercepted two passenger buses at Lakpass check post and seized huge quantity of foreign origin contraband goods along with buses in worth Rs20 million.

According to details told by Collector Ashraf Ali after receiving information about smuggling attempts he directed to enhance checking on main entry and exit points of the Quettta city. During checking they intercepted two passenger buses which were traveling from Quetta towards Karachi.

The Collector told that the ASO staff stopped the passenger buses bearing registration numbers BSB490 and BSB-987 and asked them that what is the loaded on the buses, the drivers reply was not satisfactory. He claimed that nothing is loaded on the buses except the passengers. He said that during search of passenger buses the ASO staff find huge quantity of various type of smuggled goods from cavities of buses, he was added that ASO staff seized the buses along with the smuggled goods and reg-

istered the FIRs against the possessors of contraband smuggled goods as well as the buses use for

carrying smuggled goods. Collector told that buses were coming from Quetta and were going to Karachi

when they intercepted at Lakpass check post, he further told that seized goods were including for-

eign origin Pan Prag, different brands of fake foreign origin cigarettes and smuggled tires.

customs Intelligence earns Rs 5.96 million through auction FAISALABAD

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he Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) regional ofQice auction committee has conducted the auction of impounded vehicles and other smuggled goods after the permission of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and generated revenue of Rs5.96 million through

auction process. Deputy Director (DD) Irfan Shouqat said that during different anti-smuggling activities the Customs Intelligence has seized smuggled items under the Transit Trade Route from GT Road, M1, M2, M3 Faisalabad, Sargodha and Sumandri and shifted the same to the State Warehouse. The intelligence authority has registered the cases of seized goods and referred the cases to the Adjudication Department for proceeding. After the conclusion of proceeding of the cases the court announced the judgment in favor of the Customs

Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad. Deputy Director Irfan Shouqat told Customs Today that

various parties participated in the bid of auction but only three parties offered attracted prices

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

while tyres were sold in Rs2084500, foreign origin cloth Rs3,652,000 and others different items worth Rs231000. It is to mention here that the Customs Intelligence has already expedited its efforts to generate more revenue to meet the assigned target of the current Fiscal Year 2018. The auction was held at the Customs Intelligence and Investigation ofQice Amin Town Canal Road Faisalabad. Deputy Director Irfan Shouqat supervised the auction. He said the auction will strengthen revenue generation measures of the Collectorate.