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hief Collector of Customs Central Region Samaira Nazir has said that Customs Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization is working diligently and mega seizure of over 9300 bags of skimmed milk of Afghan Transit Trade is a testimony to the fact. She was addressing a press conference held here at the Customs House Lahore Nabha Road.

She said that the case is of im-

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mense importance as it can be considered as one of the biggest case in the history of Punjab that any Customs establishment has done.

She said that the team has been motivated and instructed to conduct more such mega seizures to bring smuggling activities to its lowest ebb. Smugglers are also well-equipped and good on latest technology usage, hence, the Customs Central Region has also taken a number of measures to counter the smugglers, Nazir informed.

“We have stared training program for our Tield forces and are imparting them on modern lines which deTinitely will bring out good results,” she added.

Customs Intelligence seizes smuggled goods worthRs 98.92min last week of Jan

Gwadar Port to grab lion’s share of Central Asian Republics trade

Government facilitating business community: Sindh Governor

New software to help Customs high-ups to monitor filed staff’s activities:Zulfiqar

Collector Dr Fareed reshuffles 30 officials in Appraisement West

The Customs I&I has confiscated smuggled goods worth Rs 98.02 million | See pAge 02 |

GwadarPorthasthecapacitytohandlelarge crudecontainersofupto500,000tonnes | See pAge 03 |

Governor Sindh Muhammad Zubair said that govt was well aware to the problems | See pAge 04 |

Zulfiqar has said that the ASOMS would control manipulation of smuggling | See pAge 11 |

Collector Appraisement West Dr Fareed Iqbal has transferred, posted 30 officials | See pAge 16 |

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IHC adjourns hearing of Orient Power Company tax matter Wednesday, February 8, 2017

National

ISLAMABAD: A single bench of Islamabad High Court (IHC) adjourned the hearing of a tax matter filed by M/s Orient Power Company (Private) Limited challenging a show cause notice issued by Large Taxpayers Unit, Islamabad.

The single bench comprising of Justice Athar Minallah could not hear the case due to hearing of other cases. The administration dated in office hearing on the matter. The ATIR, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), officers of the LTU, including Commissioner Inland Revenue, Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue and Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals) were made respondents in the case.

customs intelligence seizes smuggled goods worth rs98.92m

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hairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Qamar Zaman Chaudhry chaired a meeting to review progress on NAB’s Awareness campaign on ”Say No To Corruption” lunched throughout the country. The chairman NAB said that NAB is mandated to carry out Awareness activities functions against corruption in pursuance of Section 33C of National Accountability Ordinance (NAO).

Under NAB’s awareness campaign across the country, NAB has been engaging different governmental, nongovernmental organizations, media, civil society and other segments of society in order to aware people about the ill effects of corruption. He said as per the positive feedback received from various segments of society, NAB’s Awareness and Prevention campaign on “Say No to Corruption” had been effectively and positively highlighted in print and electronic media throughout the country which has appreciated by all segments of society. He said that NAB during 2016 has taken some of the following efforts to aware people about the ill effects of corruption under its awareness and prevention campaign on “Say No to Corruption”.

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he Customs Intelligence and Investigation has conTiscated smuggled goods worth Rs 98.02 million, involving duty and taxes of Rs 40.58 million, during the last 7 days of January 2017. According to the details, the intelligence team, following the directions of Additional Director Azmat Tahira, conducted various raids to foil smuggling attempts in the region.

However, four cases of smuggling were registered against suspects.

The Customs Intelligence seized huge quantity of Viagara brand pills 100 (1680 pills), black cobra brand pills 125-mg (10,000 pills), Penagra brand pills 100-mg (7920 pills), allegedly smuggled by Qasim Khan who is a resident of Peshawar.

The team seized Indian origin goods worth Rs22.11 million involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs 12.16 million during the said period. On the other hand, Customs Intelligence impounded Indian origin and China brand items worth Rs, 32,285,576 involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs 15.49 million from Abdul Manan who is resident of Manshera city has been nominated as accused by intelligence staff in the case.

The customs has made conTiscations under Section 156(1)89 and 90 ibid read with Section 3(1) (3) of

nAB’s proactive awareness campaign remained successful

the Import and Export Control Act, 1969, after the owners failed to produce any document showing the legal import of the items.

The intelligence ofTicers, includ-

ing Superintendent Zahid Raza Bukhari, Senior Intelligence OfTicer Muhammad Tahir, Intelligence OfTicers Muhammad Saleem, Mansoor Nasir, and Sepoys Ajamal Hussain

and Muhammad Musaddiq Ahmad participated in the raids. However, seizure reports have been submitted to adjudication department for further legal action.

fBr unearths scam of rs1.61 billion tax evasion by M/s pTcL

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ISLAMABAD

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The Directorate General, Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Federal Board of Revenue, has unearthed a big scam of duty and tax evasion of Rs1.61billion by the leading telecommunication company of Pakistan M/s PTCL in collusion with M/s Huawei International.

According to the sources, the directorate got a tip-off on the basis of which Directorate I&I Rawalpindi started investigation and found that M/s Pakistan Telecommunication Company, in connivance with their foreign exporter M/s Huawei International Pvt. LTD, Singapore, their local contractor M/s Technologies Pakistan Private Limited Islamabad, cleared the consignment of telecommunication equipment (LTE) with the active help of

Clearing Agent M/s Eastern Freighter Services (CHAL No. 2442) 607, 6th Floor, Business Plaza, Mumtaz Hussain Road, Karachi. They neither made true declaration in the GDs and invoices nor did provide complete and correct particulars of the imported goods, software, at the time of clearance.

They imported Base Transceiver Stations and Distributed Base Stations classifiable under the PCT heading 8517. 6100 but

misclassified the same with intent to evade duty payable thereon at higher rate 20% notwithstanding the fact that in term of Section 2 (r) of Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act-1996, the imported Base Stations cannot be declared telecommunication equipment.

Moreover, they knowingly concealed differential value of Rs. 3,336,638,695 and thereby involved in tax fraud and evaded customs duty and taxes to the

tune of Rs. 1,612,593,037 in violation of Section 25 (1) (2), 32 (1) and (2) and 32A read with Sections 79 and 80 0f the Customs Act-1969, further read with Sections 148 of the Income Tax Ordinance-2001, punishable under Clause (14) and (14A) of Section 156 (1) of the Customs Act-969. The Directorate I&I Rawalpindi, preparing the contravention report on this issue, may forward the case for adjudication.

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Peshawar Customs suffers Rs38.47m revenue shortfall during six months PESHAWAR: The Modal Customs Collectorate Peshawar (MCCP) generated Rs9195.75million collections under the heads of various duties in the last six months of Financial Year 2016-17 against the previous figure of Rs10178.96million up to January 17, 2017. So the shortfall is Rs38.47milliom and it is 14.53 in percentage.

According to statistical section of Peshawar Customs House, the house collected Rs3538.88million against the figure of Rs3925.47million under head of custom in previous year having difference with minus Rs375.07million while the difference in percentage is minus Rs9.85million percent up to January 17.

Wednesday February 8, 2017

National

customs Adjudication imposes fine on company

gwadar port to grab lion’s share of central Asian republics trade

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he Customs Adjudication has penalized an importer and clearing agent for evading government revenue through claiming inadmissible benefit of concessionary SRO on the import of processed cheese. According to details, a Rs 1 million penalty has been imposed on M/s Sabiha Anees Trading Enterprises along with the payment of evaded revenue of Rs 10 million while a penalty of Rs 0.3 million is imposed on clearing agent M/s R.H Enterprises. Reportedly, Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation received information that M/s Sabiha Anees Trading Enterprises is involved in unlawful claim of zero rated exemptions of sales tax under 6thSchedule and reduced rate.

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Mianwali ASo seizes smuggled items worth rs 80,2700 FAISALABAD

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he Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) Mianwali has seized smuggled goods worth Rs80, 2700 involving customs duty and taxes amounting to Rs139574 under the Customs Act, 1969. As per details, Additional Collector Muhammad Saeed Asad received information regarding smuggling attempts on which he formed a team comprising Superintendent Chaudhary Sardar Muhammad, Muhammad Mansha Mehmood ul Hassan Havaldar, and sepoys Ghulam Sarwar, Muhammad Feroz, and Said Rasool. The team intercepted a trailer bearing registration no: JV-0386 near Khanser Toll Plaza district Bhakkar, Mianwali. That vehicle loaded with foreign origin corn starch 100 bags (2500 kilograms), made in India, and foreign origin sulphonic acid loaded in 6 drums (1260 kilograms ).

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ISLAMABAD

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wadar Port has the capacity to handle large crude containers of up to 500,000 tonnes deadweight and it will promote economic development in the country and would provide vast employment opportunities to the locals.

Furthermore, the establishment of free-trade and economic zones and export processing zone would attract foreign investment, and employment opportunities to the local people. Gwadar would generate massive revenues for the Balochistan province, an ofTicial at the Minister for Ports and Shipping told Customs Today.

While elaborating a comparison between Gwadar Port and Iranian Chabahar Port, he said that countries of Central Asia would likely to beneTit from both Chabahar and Gwadar. As for the competition between the two ports, it will not be a “winner take all” outcome.

The sources said that Gwadar Port was located on the Gulf of Oman, close to the entrance of Persian Gulf. It is a deep warm water sea port, about 460-kilometer west of Karachi and approximately 75kilometer east of Pakistan border with Iran. “It is strategically between the oil-rich Middle East, the economically shortest route to the oil-rich Central Asian States through land-locked Afghanistan, and heav-

ily populated South Asia. It is at the mouth of the Gulf through which 40 percent of the world’s oil passes daily,” he added.

He said that Gwadar Port would become a trade hub, once road and rail tracks are linked with rest of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia. Pakistan has future plan for development of Gwadar to cater to the needs of foreign trade of the Central Asian Republics and the Chinese provinces off Xingjian and the

He said that gwadar port would become a trade hub, once road and rail tracks are linked with rest of pakistan, Afghanistan and central Asia. pakistan has future plan for development of gwadar to cater to the needs of foreign trade of the central Asian republics and the chinese provinces off Xingjian and the Sichuan provinces

fiA arrests 2,922 human smugglers

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ISLAMABAD

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www.customsbulletin.com ederal Investigation Agency (FIA), in its countrywide crackdown on human smugglers and trafTickers, has conducted total 1888 raids and made 2922 arrests during November 18, 2015 to December 21, 2016.

The Agency, launched a campaign on the directives of Minister for Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, has been making hectic efforts for iden-

tifying agents, facilitators and master minds of illegal immigrants and rackets involved in such heinous crimes. A data issued by Interior Division on Monday revealed that results of special campaign were very encouraging. Of the total arrests, the number of POs was 878, 33 MWTs, 170 CAs and 1841 arrests in fresh cases. Province-wise data showed that in 1378 raids conducted in Punjab, FIA made 1510 arrests, of which 634 were proclaimed offenders (POs), 16 Most-Wanted TrafTickers,

(MWTs), 78 CAs and 782 arrests in fresh cases. In Sindh, FIA conducted 119 raids and made 168 arrests, out of which 07 POs, 09 MWTs, 69 CAs and 83 arrests in fresh cases. Similarly, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FIA conducted 202 raids and made 258 arrests, out of which 66 POs, 04 CAs, 188 arrests in fresh cases and no MWT was arrested. In Islamabad, FIA conducted 110 raids and made 897 arrests, out of which 170 POs, 08 MWTs, 17 CAs and 702 arrests in fresh cases.

Sichuan provinces.

So far as Chabahar Port is concerned, he said that it was situated on the Makran Coast of the Sistan and Balochistan of Iran and was ofTicially declared as a free trade and industrial zone by the Iranian government. The port has received India investment up to $ 131 million.

Berths in Port of Chabahar include general cargo and bulk and Berth capacities range from 2,000 to 2,500 tonnes.

prA issues notice to pu on non-payment of tax he Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has issued another notice to University of Punjab (PU) on its non-payment of tax. According to sources of Customs Today, the PRA had served its notice on Punjab University which was in risk of defaulting Rs148million. The PRA had also served a show-cause notice two months ago on PU but the institution could not satisfy the PRA.

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Fauji power plant inaugurated KARACHI: President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday inaugurated the 118-megawatt coalbased power plant of FFBL Power Company (FPCL) at Bin Qasim. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the president said the plant is an important addition to publicprivate initiatives against energy deficit. “Pakistan is steadily improving its power generation capacity and addition of the Fauji Foundation plant will be equally beneficial for Karachi,” the Mr Mamnoon said. He said the government has formulated an efficient Energy Policy that has largely moved country towards the path of economic prosperity and this growth has to be sustained on strong and steady basis.

Wednesday February 8, 2017

Business

'govt facilitating business community' ISLAMABAD

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overnor Sindh Muhammad Zubair Monday said that government was well aware to the problems of business community which were being resolved on priority. He said that the role of business community was very important in the economic development therefore they would be given facilities to play their due role in the national development, said a statement issued here.

Muhammad Zubair said this while talking to a 20-member delegation of Businessman Panel led by its Senior Vice Chairman Mian Zahid

cement sales up 7.5 percent KARACHI

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Hussain. The Governor said that government would resolve all infrastructure, energy and tax related issues and asked the taxation authorities not to harass businessmen.

“Our exports can only rebound when we provide incentives to the

kMc to conduct property survey in karachi to recover taxes: wasim

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ocal cement despatches in the first seven months of 2016-17 increased 9.52 per cent year-on-year to 19.61 million tonnes. Exports in July-Jan dropped 3.44pc to 3.3m tonnes, data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) shows.

Overall cement sales went up 7.45pc to 22.9m tonnes. The capacity utilisation for the seven-month period was 85pc. An APCMA spokesman said domestic despatches in January were 2.72m tonnes, up 0.78pc year-on-year.

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exports sector”, he said, adding that government had taken steps to strengthen external trade.

The governor said that government had achieved a lot of tasks during last three years and country was heading towards a bright fu-

ture. He said that government had achieved almost all of the objectives by successfully meeting the challenge of extremism, terrorism and chronic energy shortages.

The Governor said that difficult decisions on vital national matters were now being taken with consensus, adding that huge investment was pouring in the energy sector and several new projects were in the pipeline. He mentioned the projects in solar, hydel, coal and nuclear, besides the three new power generation plants that would be run with LNG soon. At the occasion Mian Zahid Hussain and other business leaders said that they unconditionally supports vision of the Prime Minister, Muhammed Nawaz Sharif.

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ayor Wasim Akhter has said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is about to initiate a survey encompassing all categories of properties so as to expedite and streamline recovery of Municipal Utility Tax (MUT) in the metropolis.

He said this during an exclusive interview with the news agency said KMC, faced with a severe budgetary deTicit of Rs 8 billion, does not only

expect urgent support from the provincial and federal governments, but is equally committed to raising funds on self-help basis.

Emphasising the importance of the job, he said the current recovery rate of the only tax imposed by KMC, rest being fees, is pathetically low. “KMC is presently collecting, on an average, Rs 15 million to Rs 20 million as MUT against the envisaged Rs 250 million to Rs 300 million per month,” said the Mayor. The massive population Tlow to Karachi during the past ten years and emergence of new businesses and habitat demands fresh survey to re-

assess numbers, as well as the value of properties, located in the metropolis.

“This is important as the surge has also enhanced manifold the demand for civic amenities and facilities that again require massive funds to meet the same,” he elaborated. The properties to be covered were said to range from amenity plots to industrial, residential and commercial plots. KMC Senior Finance OfTicer, Khalid Mehmood, while complimenting the mayor, said Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, as per existent estimates, can easily collect Rs 600 million to Rs 800 million under the head of MUT.

companies Bill 2016 sails through lower house ISLAMABAD

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he government has succeeded in getting a bill that envisages greater provisions for corporate transparency and due diligence passed by the National Assembly. The Companies Bill, 2016 was among three bills that the lower house passed when it met on Monday after a two-day break. Other pieces of legislation included: the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill-2016 and the Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill 2016. In addition, the house also passed a unanimous resolution expressing solidarity with the people of Occupied Kashmir. The opposition also staged a token walkout from the house to protest the assassination attempt on PPP president (southern Punjab) Shaukat Basra minutes before the session was adjourned. Earlier, Law Minister Zahid Hamid moved the companies bill in the assembly.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, while delineating its salient features, said: “The bill has been drafted keeping in view best international practices and after taking feedback from all stakeholders.”

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Zong to invest $200m in 2017, eyes 3g/4g expansion ISLAMABAD

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hina Mobile Pakistan (ZONG) plans to invest additional $200 million in 2017, the company said ramping up competition among telecom providers in a growing market. China Mobile Pakistan (Zong) has reafTirmed its stated commitment of adding more investment in Pakistan in the coming years,” the

company said in a statement. “The company announced another USD $200 million investment in Pakistan at its annual business conference, which was the biggest telecom event of the year so far.”

The statement said the company aims to expand its network by adding 3G/4G sites which are poised to reach the highest mark of 10,500 by the end of 2017. Zong had already invested three billion dollars in Pakistan in the recent years

and is the Tirst to invest in the auctioned 3G and 4G licences two years back. The company started its operation in the country in April 2008.

“With additional investment and network expansion, Zong intends to expand its coverage 4G coverage to not only urban but also rural areas of the country,” it added. Zong’s 4G subscribers have reached a record two million, while it has expanded its 4G coverage to over 300 cities across Pakistan.

Number of mobile users surpassed 140 million-mark, equivalent to 77 percent penetration rate in the country’s population of 200 million.

Amsterdam’s VimpleCom Ltd-owned Mobilink holds the market leadership. It had 41 million cellular subscribers as of December 2016, said the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Together with its newly-acquired telecom operator Warid, the twin now has more than 50 million mobile users. CMPak

played second Tiddle to it with nearly 27 million cellular subscribers, according to PTA, followed by Norwegian Telenor (40 million) and Etisalat-owned Ufone (19 million).

Numbers of 3G/4G subscribers still account for a quarter of total mobile subscribers in the country, emboldening an importance of investment and development in the fast data technologies. Total 3G/4G subscribers stood at 37.5 million as December 2016, said the PTA.

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ISLAMABAD

TAriQ DerYA

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ollowing the border management steps adopted under the National Action Plan (NPA) the anti smuggling measures intensified in Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa (KPK), tremendous increase in enforcement activities lead to increase in seizers, however, drastic decrease in value of exports is alarming, during previous years (2013,14,and 2015) exports were higher under value of billion of rupees against the export during financial year 2015,16 and 17, if effective steps not taken it is fear that trade amounting to billion of rupees will be shifted to Chahbahar border Iran from Torkham.

These views were expressed by by Qurban Ali Khan Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Peshawar while talking with Customs Today during an exclusive interview. Qurban Ali said that following the anti smuggling measures at international borders the Collectorate collected revenue of Rs1.33 billion through seizers of smuggled items during initial six months (July to December) FY16-17.

The collector said that MCC have shown an increase of Rs681.7 million in the value of seized goods during the corresponding period of financial year (July-December) 201516 adding that in January FY-16-17 the Collectorate following the anti smuggling measures at border collected revenue

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Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Rs290.066 million through seizers of 75 vehicle including offending and non customs paid vehicles. Collector Qurban Ali said that after the implementation of border measure the performance of ASO Peshawar become outstanding as it collected Rs.253.436 million through seized smuggled goods and by impounding 51 offending and 24 NDP vehicles during the month of January FY16-17 adding that Collectorate collected revenue of Rs.1567.95 million during first 07 months of July to January FY16-17 under head of anti smuggling activity to seized various kind of smuggled goods and vehicles. Answering to a query collector said for the data collection the MCC has also taken a number of steps to ensure better data collection and analysis, adding that attainment and subsequent analysis of the customs data was strategic priority for better border management, the customs have a network for gathering data on the movement of different consignments around the world and the analysis of the same enabled the authorities to make the effective decisions.

Answering a query regarding decline in exports he said that drastic decrease in value of exports in corresponding times is also see in 2013-14 the Torkham did business under value of Rs.127761.70 million as for as during FY14-15 it did business under value of Rs.126337.10 million and unluckily the Torkham did exports under value of Rs.89507.68 million during FY15-16 adding that Torkham did business up to December 2014 under value of

Rs.63168.51 million, up to December 2015 it did business under value of Rs.42714.82 million as for as the Torkham did exports up to December 2016 under value of Rs.38409.35 million the above said declined figures showed -39.20% decline up to December 2014 against exports value up to December 2016 and comparison of exports showed -10.08% declined up to December 2015 against exports up to December 2016.

n an e show v a h c t Mc ue of id tha he val a t s n r i o t ng m collec pondi s681.7 s e r r f r o o se er) the c increa ecemb uring d D s y l d o u go 6ar (J seized ry fY-1 cial ye a n u a n n a fi J of at in anti period g the ing th n d i d w a o l 6 1 e fol 2015order ctorat e l l o es at b c r e gh u h s t a 17 throu me g m n 6 i l 6 g 90.0 smug ue rs2 n e v e hicle ted r f 75 ve o s collec r e seiz

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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

Averting doomsday scenario

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t is good omen that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has clarified the government’s position on the country’s debt profile and dispelled the impression that Pakistan is heading toward any doomsday scenario. However, he has presented a fictional comparison on the issue of taking foreign loans between his and the previous government tenures. In his opinion, the previous government took around Rs7.833 trillion loan during its five-year term from 2008 to 2013, showing an average annual compounded growth rate of 19 percent, but the average loans rate during the present government’s three years tenure stands at 9.75 percent. He further argues that the net debt-to-GDP ratio on June 2008 was 53.1 percent which increased to 60.2 percentin five years until June 2013 when the current government took over the office. And that net debt-to-GDP ratio remained unchanged during the three years government of the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz from June 2013 to June 2016. As a matter of fact, it is the routine in Pakistan for the ministers to defend the wrong policies of governmentsbut censure the policies of the past governments.

Mr Dar’s narratives make no difference of him with his peers in the past on the issue of performance of the government.

However, the only differentiation is that he defended the continuous addition in the stockpile of foreign debts, saying as a developing country it is inevitable.The current government is facing the challenges of good governance and has failed to prove its mettle in financial discipline. The financial management is the area of concern as finding solution to financial woes in foreign loans is not an answer. The only way to improve the financial health of the country is to generate income from local resources which are business and industry. But both of these sectors are not only facing mismanagement but also a kind of chaos.

It is hard to start a business and sustain it in a hostile environment due to unwanted interference of the officialsfor apparently personal gains. The business community accounts are checked at various stages from the utility bills to their standard of living, but the officials are immune to any check and balance at any stage.

case of political beneficiaries T

LAHORE

Dr AfTAB AfZAL

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he World Bank, in its World Development Report 2017, has revealed a not very secret fact that there is a nexus between politics and business in Pakistan as politically connected organizations received 45 percent more loans than the rest of others from 1996 to 2002. Another fact is that more than 50 percent of the politically active beneficiaries of such loans came as defaulters at the end of the day. The loan money also remained unproductive in most of the cases, costing the country’s gross domestic product of around 1.6 percent. The report

says that the recipients of loans were given preferential treatment by the lending agencies and they were able to smash through the regulatory barriers. However the others, who were not politically active, faced many requirements. The bank does not rule out the growth of economies in a hostile environment where the nature of governance is not questioned, but such growth is not sustainable. No doubt good governance is the first step toward development of the economy.

The countries with good policymakers, administrative and managerial skills perform better than those which run the economic affairs on adhoc basis and without developing a mechanism for the implementation of their policies.

In that case, all the vital policies are issued and implemented through executive orders. According to the bank, powerful political actors are the real problemfor the economy as they resist transition from factor-intensive growth phase to another growth model. It calls for the developing economies to revise their methods of governance to face the challenges of security, growth and equity. The institutions are held responsible for the failure of policies and reaching technical solutions. An improvement in the governance is necessary for the success of policies.

The need for better governance also increases when circumstances change. Tax evasion, corruption and security are the main

challenges and a credible mechanisms of rewards or punishment should be in place to streamline the affair and curb malpractices.

The bank report reveals very real situation about policies and reforms, saying political expediencies come in the way of introduction of reforms and implementation of policiesin Pakistan. The foreign financial institutions often discuss policy matters in open and point out anomalies in political and financial disciplines. In Pakistan’s case, politicians are the main beneficiaries of the government reforms and loan programme.

The report covers about sixyear lending during the turn of century, but the situation is not different even today.

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Economic growth for UAE slow at 2.3% ADU DHABI: The UAE’s economy will grow at 2.3 per cent this year, slower than the 2.6 per cent rate projected for 2016, according to the latest data from the Central Bank. “The slowdown is driven mainly by the fiscal consolidation and the expected fall of oil production in 2017 following the commitment of the UAE to the Opec production cut decision,” the bank said in its latest economic review. This year the oil sector will expand at a rate of 0.8 per cent, while non-oil growth will be at 2.9 per cent. The forecasts are based on revised new figures of growth projections and global economic developments, including the Brexit vote in the UK and uncertainty following the US presidential elections, it said. The economy will pick up momentum next year, however, forecast to grow at 3 per cent as both the oil and non-oil sectors gather pace.

Business community urged to explore huge, untapped African market KARACHI

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onorary Consul General of Rwanda Farooq Aazam Khawaja, while expressing deep concern over the lack of awareness about trade potential and lucrative investment opportunities in the African market, urged the business and industrial community of Karachi to effectively penetrate into the African market by exploring this untapped and huge market with a massive population of more than 1.25 billion in 55 countries.

Exchanging views with Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Office Bearers during his visit to the

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Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Farooq Khawaja said that the recent reports by World Bank, IMF, African Development Bank and other Financial Institutions around the world have been highlighting this promising market which offers countless trade and investment opportunities. “China, India, France, Japan, EU, US and others have been taking keen interest in the African market as they fully realize its potential but unfortunately, we, the Pakistanis, remain totally unaware and it is a matter of grave concern that this important market is largely being neglected not only by the government but also by the business community as well”, he added. President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Vice President KCCI Muhammad Younus Soomro and KCCI Managing Committee members were also present at the meeting.

Hon. Consul General of Rwanda further informed that Rwanda was the third easiest country.

Wednesday February 8, 2017

Chambers

private sector interactions necessary to improve pak-Spain bilateral trade H

FAISALABAD

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E Carlos Morales, Ambassador of Spain said that promoting frequent interactions between private sectors of Pakistan and Spain was necessary to raise awareness about potential areas of mutual cooperation and improve bilateral trade between the two countries. He said this while addressing business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry He said after the grant of GSP Plus status to Pakistan by the European Union, Pakistan’s exports to Spain have improved due to which bilateral trade in 2015 reached US$ 1.1 billion while the balance of trade was in favor of Pakistan. He said that after GSP Plus, Pakistan’s exports to Spain improved by 44 percent during the Tirst year, 24 percent second year but only 5 percent during the third year. He said Pakistan’s exports to Spain mostly consisted of textiles and stressed Pakistan should focus on diversiTication of its exports to achieve better results. He said Spain was third largest trading partner of Pakistan in EU and 7th largest in the

world. However, there was more scope for improving trade relations between the two countries. He said TDAP should inform Spain Embassy in advance about upcoming trade fairs in Pakistan so that Spanish companies could be motivated to participate in such events. He said over 120,000 Pakistani community in Spain could act as a bridge for improving trade relations between the two countries. He said Spain’s tourism industry was the 2nd largest in the world as last year 75 million

tourists visited Spain while its own population was 46 million. He said Pakistan could promote tourism by improving infrastructure and encouraging domestic tourists and Spain could cooperate with Pakistan in tourism sector. He said ICCI delegation should visit Spain to explore new areas of mutual collaboration and assured that Spain Embassy would cooperate in making its visit successful. In his welcome address, Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and

Dubai chamber of commerce and industry top-performing SMe exporters

D DUBAI

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ubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a special ceremony on Wednesday to recognise its members that have demonstrated outstanding export performance during the last nine months of 2016. The SME Exporter of the Month gathering honoured nine companies that operate in the trade sector, namely Universal International FZE, Moon Flor General Trading LLC, Signature Snacks LLC, Al Khoud Trading, Raheeq Alasal Trading LLC, Rais Hassan Saadi Logistics LLC, Orient Links Co LLC, Mohamed Abdulrahman Al Bahar L.L.C., and Rayhan Al Sharq General Trading. The companies were recog-

nised for their exceptional performance in the following categories: company with the highest export value, company with the highest number of export markets, company with the highest number of CertiTicates of Origin issued, and recent start-up company that has reached the highest export value during a particular month.

During the ceremony, H.E. Hisham Al Shirawi, 2nd Vice-Chairman, Dubai Chamber, congratulated the companies and presented their representatives with a certiTicate of recognition and an SME Exporter of the Month trophy. “The recognition earned by the selected companies goes a long way in motivating Dubai Chamber members and other businesses in the emirate that operate in the realm of trade. At the same time,

it allows us to take the pulse of the trade sector and learn more about business practises that serve as enablers for success and sustainable growth,” said H.E. Al Shirawi. He added that the initiative establishes new standards for other traders in Dubai, while it also enhances the competitiveness of the emirate’s business community. Representatives from the top-performing companies expressed their gratitude to Dubai Chamber for its support in encouraging healthy competition within the local business community, which ultimately beneTits their companies.

Dubai Chamber launched the Exporter of the Month initiative in 2009 under the name Exporter of the Quarter, to recognise the outstanding exporting companies in Dubai.

Industry said that Pakistan and Spain enjoyed cordial political relations since 1951 which should be transformed into thriving trade and economic relations as the current volume of two-way trade between the two countries did not reTlect true potential. He said Pakistan’s major exports to Spain included some textiles products while Pakistan’s major imports from Spain included all sorts of machinery & parts, chemical materials & products, iron & steel etc.

rwanda to export fortified foods wanda will start exporting fortified foods, next month, thanks to a new modern factory launched yesterday. The Africa Improved Foods – Rwanda, based at Kigali Special Economic Zone Nyandungu, started production of fortified porridge flour yesterday.

The $45-million (about Rwf36 billion) factory is expected to produce 45,000 tonnes of fortified food annually, enough to help boost exports and prevent child malnutrition across country. Up to 60 per cent of its output is expected to be exported to regional and global markets.

The facility is a consortium of Royal DSM (the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company), the Dutch Development Bank, the DFID, the UK’s development financing institution under the Impact Acceleration Facility. –CB Report

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Deputy Collector Asma issues notice to owner of non-duty paid items Wednesday February 8, 2017

National fiA recovers rs137m in operation against illegal money changers LAHORE

M iMrAn MeHAr

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FAISALABAD: The Customs Adjudication Deputy Collector Asma Hameed has issued a show cause notice to the owner of non duty paid tyre and tubes.

Sources told Customs Today that Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) intercepted a vehicle near Guttwala Toll Plaza and recovered huge quantity of non duty paid tyres and tubes .The ASO team asked the owner of the who was identified as Latif and second person Shoaib to show legal documents regarding legal import of tyres and tubes but they failed to produce any legal documents regarding possession of the above said items.

pakistan, Afghanistan govts urged to remove hurdles in transit trade A

PESHAWAR

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he Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has recovered huge amount of money in the wake of operation against illegal transactions of money. According to sources of Customs Today that during the ongoing crackdown against illegal hundi hawala business, FIA has arrested 73 people in raids conducted in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Chichawatni and Toba Tek Singh during the last three months. The suspects had been booked under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947 under which they faced imprisonment up to three years. They were involved in transferring money to Afghanistan, China and Middle East and within the country illegally. The FIA said it had filed challan of most of the suspects in the court. The agency is also monitoring some money changers suspected of doing hundi/hawala business under legal cover.

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rTo-i starts crackdown against tax defaulters he Regional Tax Office-I (RTO-I) in its full swing and conducting raids against the administration of private hospitals, which are not being paid taxes for such a long time, despite several intimations. In this regard, a team of RTO-I under the supervision of deputy commissioner was raided at a private hospital Mamji, located in Federal B Area of Karachi and sealed all records of the hospital. The Deputy Commissioner Manzoor Abro while talking to Customs Today said that the RTO-I office has already served several notices to the management of the Mamji Hospital, but the hospital management could not respond against the legal notices. –CB Report

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representative of Pak-Afghan business community has asked the governments of both the countries to remove hurdles in the Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) in order to strengthen economy in the region.

Senior vice-president of PakAfghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries and a leading businessman Zia ul Haq Sarhadi reiterated his demand while addressing a meeting of Pak-Afghan Liaison Committee on Transit Trade here the other day. The governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan must take concrete steps for the promotion of trade between the two countries and remove bottlenecks in this regard if they want to strengthen their

economies through bilateral trade, Sarhadi observed.

Pak-Afghan Liaison Committee Chairman Fayyaz Anwar, Afghan Consulate second Secretary Mohammad Naeem Sarwaray, Transit

Trade Additional Director Amjadur Rehman, Customs (Torkham) Additional Collector and executive ofTicer of the Trade Development Authority were also present on the occasion.

Zia ul Haq Sarhadi urged the

leadership of both the neighbouring states to set aside their political differences and ensure facilitation of the business communities on both sides of the border. He, However, lamented that lack of interest on part of the governments and some political disputes were affecting both the ATT and bilateral trade.

He called for convening a meeting to review the new Afghan transit trade agreement as soon as possible adding business could be attracted to Pakistani ports by facilitating the business communities of both the countries.

The meeting reviewed the reservations of the businessmen of both Pakistan and Afghanistan on the new transit trade agreement and demanded of their governments to take immediate steps for redressing the same.

fBr earns rs330m under amnesty scheme A

ISLAMABAD

M fAiZAn

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fter the launch of amnesty scheme for real estate sector, the Federal Board of Revenue has collected Rs330million under Section 236w (Advance Tax on Property) from 13,500 transactions in just less than two months, 7th of December 2016 to up to 31st of January 2017.

According to details, in December 2016, 4,319 transactions were made, and the FBR received Rs94million under the head of Advance Tax. By January 2017, 9, about 181 transactions were made, and the FBR collected revenue of Rs321million.

So the FBR’s policy to bring the real estate sector in the tax-net has been successful.

It is pertinent to mention here that this tax is being collected on the difference between the revised FBR valuation rate and the district commissioners’ (DC) rate under the scheme. The tax collected under the Section 236w is not ad-

justable. As a result of transactions, Rs11.2 billion black money of real estate sector has been converted into white money. The Federal Board of Revenue is expecting to collect Rs40billion revenue by this

amnesty scheme. According to an FBR estimate, around Rs4000billion is evaded in the property sector each year. It is also important to mention here that this scheme is available for an unspeciTied pe-

riod. People, whitening the money in the real estate sector, will not be asked to mention their source of income but next year taxpayer will have to pay income tax on this amount as per law.

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FBR’s intelligence wing seizes smuggled cigarettes worth Rs 4.6m QUETTA: The Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) intelligence wing has seized smuggled cigarettes worth Rs 4.6 million.

According to the sources, the FBR I&I wing officials, along with the Frontier Corps personnel, signalled a bus to stop near Airport Chowk, Chaman, but the driver of the bus sped away.

The FBR officials and the FC personnel chased the vehicle, which led to the recovery of imported cigarettes hidden in specially designed secret cavities in the floor and roof of the bus.

Sargodha ASo seizes ceramic tiles worth rs637,212 FAISALABAD

nAeeM SHeikH

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argodha Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) has foiled a smuggling attempt and confiscated non-duty paid ceramic tiles worth Rs637,212 involving duty and taxes of Rs174,188 and impounded the offending Mazda truck Rs1 million.

Additional Collector Muhammad Saeed Asad received credible information regarding transportation of smuggled items. He immediately formed a special team comprising Superintendent Chaudhary Sardar Muhammad, Inspector Bashir Hussain,

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Bashir Ahmed, Sepoys Muhammad Mansha, Hafiz Naseer Ahmed, Muhammad Imran and Muhammad Iqbal to foil the smuggling attempt.

The ASO team started checking vehicles near Bhalwal Road district Sargodha. During checking the ASO team intercepted a Mazda mini truck bearing registration no JU-1673 loaded with 613 meters foreign origin ceramic tiles. The team asked the driver to show the legal documents regarding possession and transportation of the ceramic tiles. The driver, who was later identified as Bilal Rashid son of Abdul Rashid residential Budla Sanat Tehsil and District, Multan having CNIC No, 363024079083-1, remained failed to provide any required document. After his failure the ASO team confiscated the loaded tiles along with the offending vehicle.

The ASO team registered a case of smuggling against the accused under Section 168 of the Customs Act, 1969 and forwarded the case to the customs Adjudication for further proceeding.

National

need to enhance tax to gDp ratio stressed: kashif Anwar P

LAHORE

M HAYAT

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akistan has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios among developing countries and the fact has been brought into light on a number of platforms but no signiTicant improvement has taken place.

Both federal and the four provincial governments have failed in the past seven years to deliver on their promise to increase tax-to-GDP ratio to 15 percent in Tive years which is a fact that it is thought-provoking.

These views were expressed by Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry former vice president and former member of Federal Board of Revenue Tax Reform Committee Kashif Anwar while talking to Customs Today. He added that it may be recalled that under the 2009 NFC award the centre and four provinces were required to achieve 15pc tax-toGDP ratio by 2014-15, and a path towards this had been chalked out for all Tive stakeholders. However, all of them missed the target. He explained that things have lately improved, but only marginally. In this connection the federal government was required to increase the ratio from 9.3pc in 2009-

10 to 13.25pc by the terminal year 2014-15. But even after seven years, the target is nowhere near achievement, he underscored, adding that the tax-to-GDP ratio has inched up from 9.4pc in 2012-13 to 9.5pc in 2015-16.

However, thanks to better tax collection by FBR, the four provinces received more funds than were promised by the federal government in the 2015-16 Tinancial years. Anwar said

Wednesday February 8, 2017

that FBR collections amounted to Rs3.131 trillion out of which Rs1.448 trillion was reported in the Tirst half (July to December 2015) and Rs1.683 billion in the second half (January to June 2016) of Tiscal 2015-16. He said that in Pakistan tax revenue constitutes only about 9.5 percent of GDP, one of the lowest ratios in the world and only 840,000 people in a nation of about 190 million Tile tax returns.

ASo confiscates non-duty paid items worth rs 2 million KARACHI

MuBeen HuSSAin

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he Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has foiled a smuggling attempt in a recent raid and confiscated contraband items worth Rs 2 million.

According to details, in pursuance of a tip-off received by Director General Shaukat Ali, the ASO team started searching vehicles at Mochko.

While searching the vehicles, the ASO team intercepted a public transport vehicle bearing registration no: CH14538. The team searched the vehicle and recovered non-duty paid electronic items, including different mobile phones, cameras as well as foreign origin cigarettes. The items were being smuggled from Afghanistan to Karachi. The ASO team asked the possessor to show legal documents regarding possession and transportation of the said items. But he remained failed to show any required document. After his failure, the ASO team confiscated the smuggled items and registered a case of smuggling against the accused. The case has been forwarded to the Customs Adjudication for further proceeding.

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Dg Valuation issues reference value for pVc door

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KARACHI

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irectorate General of Customs Valuation issued the reference values for PVC door/Tloor mat.

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

During the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it has been observed that PVC door/Tloor mat falling under PCT headings 3918.1000 are being assessed at different values and

certain transactions are on very low side. The Directorate General, after carefully examining the clearance data, also conducted market inquiries to verify the authenticity of declarations. Online prices were also obtained to corroborate the Tindings of the market surveys. The Directorate, therefore, has found that the customs values of PVC Door/Floor Mat are as PVC Door/Floor Mat China origin US$0.90 per kilogram.

These values are, however, for reference/guidance only and Tinal assessment may please be made after considering other factors which have bearing on the customs value.

Meanwhile, The Directorate Gen-

eral of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of eitiylacltaie, methyl acetate through Valuation Ruling No 1023/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.According to details, The values of the ethyl acetate were earlier determined vide Valuation Ruling No 646/2014 dated 21.3.2014. There were several representations from different importers/ traders and trade bodies i.e.

Pakistan Chemicals and Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA), for determination of customs value of the methyl Acetate and Sec Butyl Acetate as well. Hence, existing valuation ruling which is over one year and ten month old is required to be revised in

the light of honourable High Court of Sind at Karachi’s orders dated 10.11.2015 in constitutional petition No. D- 6918/2015. Since 90 days have passed and representations were received from commercial importers regarding values determined in afore mentioned valuation ruling, an exercise was initiated to re-determine the values of Ethyl Acetate, methyl Acetate and Sec Butyl Acetate in the light of international price trend, in terms of Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969. Meeting with all the stakeholders including importers, trade bodies i.e. Pakistan Chemicals and Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA) and representatives from clearance Collectorates.

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Kuwait announces budget deficit of $25 billion Wednesday February 8, 2017

World

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait, which has posted a budget surplus for 16 years in a row, has approved for the third consecutive time a budget with expenses surpassing the income forecasted by the state despite the introduction of several austerity measures to reduce state expenditures.

The financial year begins on April 1 in Kuwait and Finance Minister Anas Al-Saleh said the budget deficit for the year is estimated at $25.9 billion. The government is considering the issuance of international sovereign bonds to finance the deficit but no date has been fixed.

Al-Saleh hinted, in November 2015, that it would be offering around $9.8 billion to international investors at the beginning of this year.

french customs seizes illegal automotive waste

Taiwan witness growth in global textile market TAIWAN

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FRANCE

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rench customs seized 15 tons of automotive waste in Lyon, as it was about to be exported to Morocco.

Reportedly, the cargo impounded by the French Costumes consisted of automobile parts, which were intended to be transported to Morocco illegally by a car broker. Other items conTiscated included engines, dashboards and mirrors.

It is against Moroccan law to import unauthorized waste into Morocco, with a Tine of MAD 50,000 to 2,000,000 and a penalty of three months to two years of imprisonment for anyone convicted of the crime. In France, the export of this waste is punished with a Tine of EUR75,000 and up to two years of imprisonment.

Meanwhile, French Foreign Min-

iraq oil exports decline as opec agreement raq’s rate of oil exports in January fell month-on-month by roughly 161,000 barrels per day (bpd) as the country began making efforts to comply with an OPEC agreement to cut production. Reportedly, early estimates are based on analysis of independently gathered tanker loading data, and not official Iraqi export figures. According to analysis report, Iraq exported a total of 3.89 million bpd in January. The Iraqis are making the bulk of their cuts at southern fields,” said Robin Mills, chief executive officer of Dubai-based consultant Qamar Energy, who advises clients working in the region. “Most of the decline is coming in the south because the Iraqis have moved forward some of the maintenance on fields there. The Kurds haven’t been cutting and I don’t expect them to cut at all.”–CB Report

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ister Jean-Marc Ayrault will travel to Tehran next week to reafTirm Europe’s commitment to Iran’s landmark nuclear agreement, which US President Donald Trump has threatened to scrap. According to the French Foreign Ministry, Ayrault will arrive in the Iranian capital on Monday to participate in a session of Iran-France joint economic commission, which is slated to be held with the participation of the two countries’ ofTicials. Some 50 French

Tirms are said to participate in the forum on Tuesday. The deal struck in 2015 with three European countries, Russia, China and the United States gave Iran relief from a range of sanctions, allowing it to strike major business deals with Europe for the Tirst time in years. During Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s historic visit to Paris in January last year, Iran and France signed a series of basic trade deals worth billions of dollars.

Swiss financial watchdog sanctions bank for 1MDB breaches

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wiss Tinancial watchdog FINMA has sanctioned private bank Coutts for breaching moneylaundering regulations in its business relationships with Malaysia’s scandal-tainted sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. “Coutts has seriously breached money-laundering regulations by failing to carry out adequate background checks into business relationships and transactions associated with Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB,” FINMA said in a

statement on Thursday. FINMA said it ordered the bank to disgorge unlawfully generated proTits of CHF6.5 million ($6.56 million) and will also consider opening enforcement proceedings against the bank employees responsible. In December, Singapore’s central bank imposed a penalty of 2.4 million Singapore dollars (CHF1.7 million) on Coutts, which was sold by Royal Bank of Scotland to Union Bancaire Privée in March 2015. –CB Report

he textile industry in Taiwan has witnessed a significant growth over the recent years since it’s originally establishment in 1950s.

After over 60 years of development, the textile industry in Taiwan has transformed from mass production to more innovative and value-added integrated product chain. Today, this island is world’s 7th largest textiles exporter and 31st clothing exporter, according the WTO. It also one of the world’s leading producers in functional and technical textiles.

According the statistics from Taiwan government, currently there are over 4,300 textiles manufactures in Taiwan, with employment of over 140,000 people. In 2015, Taiwan’s textile and apparel industry reached

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value of US$13 billion, of which 95% were textile output and 5% were clothing. Nearly 78% of Taiwan’s total textile and apparel production are exported every year. Over the years, textile and apparel products made in Taiwan are also gaining more and more shares in the global market. In 2015, Taiwan’s textile exports reached value of $10.8 billion, while import value reached $3.46 billion, achieving a trade surplus of $7.34 billion. This was also the third largest trade surplus among all Taiwan’s major industrial sectors, making textile sector one of the most important foreign exchange earners in Taiwan’s export-oriented economy.

Thousands of Taiwan’s leading textile companies can be in your contact list if you register to join BizVibe today! Whether you are looking reliable suppliers, top textile manufacturers, wholesalers and potential customers in over 90 major countries, or Tinding out what your competitors are buying and which suppliers they’re using.

iQ posts Qr3b profit in 2016 ndustries Qatar (IQ) has posted a net proTit of QR3bn in 2016, the region’s industrial giant announced last night.

The net proTit is down 34% on the previous year, mainly “impacted by weaker prices, and one-off items.”

Incorporated as a Qatari joint stock company in April 2003, IQ directly holds shares in the following subsidiaries or joint ventures Qatar Steel, Qapco, Qafco and Qafac. “Reported results for the year are considered highly commendable considering the challenging macro-economic and competitive environment in which the group was operating under during

2016. The year started on a cautionary note with oil prices falling below $30 per barrel and presented many challenges to the group during the year,” IQ said. “The low oil price environment had a direct and a signiTicant impact on the group’s petrochemical segment as prices remained very low in the early part of 2016. The lower oil prices presented greater opportunities for the non-natural-gas-based petrochemicals producers (for example naphtha-based producers) to be more competitive and posed serious challenges for the gas-based petrochemical producers,” IQ said. –CB Report

Sharp rise in trade between Afghanistan and iran

T KABIL

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he Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MoCI) said since 2014 Afghanistan’s trade volume with Pakistan has dropped by about 50 percent but that trade with Iran has increased signiTicantly.

Since 2014, Iran has replaced Pak-

istan as Afghanistan’s single biggest trading partner. According to the ACCI, 25 percent of Afghanistan’s total trade volume is with Iran. The ACCI said that Afghanistan’s annual trade volume tops $8 billion USD of which nearly $2 billion USD is exchanged between Afghanistan and Iran. “Our trade volume with Iran has increased since 2014,” MoIC spokesman MusaTir Qoqandi said.

Economists however criticized government for its economic policy saying Afghanistan’s share in trade is only through the importation of goods opposed to that of export.

“We are an import country with a 95 percent trade balance deTicit. It does not matter from which country we import goods, because we are not a trade partner with Iran; we are a market for them [Iran],” eco-

nomic analyst Azrakhsh HaTizi said.

Construction material, raw materials and food are the primary goods Afghanistan imports from Iran. But the ACCI said that in addition to these goods, large quantities of salt, fuel and gas are imported into the country illegally and that illicit trade – between Afghanistan and Iran – amounts to almost $1 billion USD annually.

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Hungarian customers prefer used Opel Astras, Suzuki Swifts BUDAPEST: Hungarian men buying used cars tend to go for Opel Astra models, while women prefer Suzuki Swifts, AAA Auto Group’s Hungarian unit says, based on its sales data, according to a statement sent to the Budapest Business Journal.

A typical Hungarian men would opt for a gray hatchback, sedan or combi in the majority of cases, while women seem to prefer red hatchbacks as their choice of second hand car, AAA Auto said, based on its sales data for 2016. The top three cars for men were the Opel Astra, Suzuki Swift and Ford Focus, while for women it was the Swift, Astra, and Opel Corsa models. “Sales data for AAA AUTO Group gives us and our customers important information for judging vehicle popularity and buying or selling preferences.

Apple to launch mobile payment service in Taiwan he US technology giant, APPLE, said that Apple Pay, a mobile payment and digital wallet service provided

by Apple Inc, will soon be available in Taiwan. According to details, consumers will be able to use iPhones and Apple Watches equipped with Touch ID fingerprint authentication to make payments, the Web site said, but did not give an exact date for when the service would start. Shoppers would simply need to place a finger on the Touch ID sensor and hold their iPhone within 2.54cm of contactless readers at stores to make a purchase, it added. When using an Apple Watch, buyers would need to doubleclick the side button and hold the display within 2.54cm of a contactless reader, then wait for a gentle tap that signals completion of the transaction, the Web site said. Apple said seven banks are to be part of the launch of the Apple Pay service in Taiwan: Cathay United Bank, CTBC Bank, E.Sun Commercial Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank, Taishin International Bank and Union Bank of Taiwan. –CB Report

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Major omani firms announce dividends he board of directors of BankDhofar has recommended a cash dividend of 13.5 per cent and a bonus share of 7.5 per cent for 2016. The total cash dividend will amount to OMR25.64 million, while the bonus shares will constitute 142.44 million shares of 100 baisas each. The proposed dividend and financial statements are subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Oman and shareholders at the annual general meeting scheduled to be held on March 27, according to a disclosure statement posted by the bank on the MSM website. Shell Oman Marketing Company’s board has decided to propose a final dividend of 106 baisas per share for 2016. The total dividend amount will be around OMR10.6 million and will be payable to shareholders in April 2017, after getting approval from the annual general meeting. –CB Report

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World Customs

7 kg gold ‘smuggled’ every day using migrant carriers

Wednesday February 8, 2017

BD customs detain innovative gold smuggler for the fifth time he golden streak of smugglers caught at the airport continues with the fifth arrest to top off the month of January. According to details, Jahangir Alam, a Feni local flying in from Oman was questioned at the green channel in the customs where he, as expected, denied having any gold on his personage. An xray and a brief Q/A session later, 10 gold bars worth Tk60 lakh were confirmed to be in his anal passage. On January 26, Md Didarul Alam Jahangir of Chittagong flew in with 14 gold bars hidden in his anal cavity.

On January 25, Fazlul Haq, had 1kg of gold bars inside him.

On January 14, Md Jahangir Alam, a resident of Burichong in Comilla, was caught with 13 gold bars smuggled inside his person. On January 5, Sharif Ahmed, a resident of Maynamati Bazar in Burichong, Comilla was apprehended with a dozen gold bars weighing 100grams each. At each instance, customs officers were lying in wait for the smugglers to arrive.

The smugglers, at every turn, denied possessing any gold. The usual routine of taking them to neighbouring hospitals for an x-ray, and then back to the airport where they were made to drink copious amounts of water to aid them in expelling the gold bars packed in condoms in their anal cavity ensued. –CB Report

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KHATMANDU

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he Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority has expressed its concern over the misuse of a facility provided to Nepali international travellers to legally carry 50 grams of gold while entering Nepal.

Every day an estimated 700 migrant workers travel to Nepal. The anti-corruption body believes that most migrant workers are paid a commission to carry gold for racketeers.The CIAA has alleged that businessmen are using travellers as

carriers for importing gold in excesses of 7 kilograms every day. In a review report following an inspection at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the CIAA has expressed its grave concern that the informal channel is being used to import gold by dodging tax.

Each Nepali returning home is permitted to carry 50 gram gold from abroad. With a high inTlow of oversees returnees, it is suspected that the market absorbs all the yellow metal that comes this way. Above the permitted limit, Rs420 tax is levied on each additional gram. With this technique, traders can spare payment of Rs21,000 when they use one carrier. Police ofTicials believe these workers are paid between Rs5,000

and Rs15,000 for ferrying the gold that is collected once they clear the immigration and customs. On Saturday’s exchange rate, businessmen will have to pay over Rs24,000 less for 50 gram of gold in the Qatari market. By avoiding applicable taxes by using migrant workers, businessmen tend to accrue proTits around Rs400,000 on each kg of gold. Nepal Rastra Bank has warned authorities of this illegal business in the backdrop of falling remittances that might have been used to buy the gold instead of sending the money back home. “This is a real hard issue to deal with. All of the gold collection is done outside the airport premises and it is hard to keep track of each person brining in gold.

Volvo Malaysia eyes bigger export market in region

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BUDAPEST

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olvo Car Manufacturing Malaysia Sdn Bhd is eyeing a bigger export market in the Asian region this year following the restructuring of its plant in Shah Alam that will expand its production capacity.

Managing director Fredrik Karlsson cited Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia and Taiwan as the five new export

markets.

“We will start exporting in mid-year (upon completion of the plant), starting with the XC90 luxury SUV, followed by a new car at end of the year,” he said.

Karlsson said the RM20mil plant revamp was part of Volvo’s expansion plan ahead of 2020 in order to raise its total production to 5,000 cars a year.

For this year, he said the car maker aimed to increase the capacity by 50% from the current 1,500 cars and another 50% next

year. Sixty per cent of the total production is meant for domestic consumption while the rest is for export to Thailand.

“Over the years, it has been the other way around. But because Thailand was having difficulty (economic turmoil and bad weather) last year, we had a lot less production then,” he said.

With the restructured plant, which is likely be completed by mid-year, he expected the ratio for domestic and export consumptions to change to 25:75.

Volvo has marked its presence in Malaysia since 1967 with Shah Alam as its first production plant outside Sweden. Karlsson said Malaysia would continue to be Volvo’s important market, as well as the production and purchase hub for South-East Asia.

By becoming the purchase hub, Volvo would look into the possibility of Malaysian suppliers making forays in China, he said, adding that, “This will of course be a huge opportunity for Malaysian suppliers.”

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FIA nabs scores of suspects involved in hundi/hawala Wednesday February 8, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested scores of suspects involved in illegal money transaction (hundi/hawala) from the provincial capital and other cities during the last three months.

According to an FIA official, the agency arrested more than 70 during its ongoing crackdown against illegal hundi/hawala business and conducted 59 raids in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Chichawatni and Toba Tek Singh during the last three months.

He said the hawala/hundi business thrived in the country, especially after the increase in withholding tax on bank transactions. The FIA’s action has managed to check this trend making it difficult for the people to do hundi/hawala in the garb of some other business, he added.

Accountability court grants 15 days physical remand of pwD engineer

‘new software to help customs to monitor filed staff’s activities’

LAHORE

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M iMrAn MeHAr

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n Accountability Court has granted 15 days physical remand of a suspect, happened to be Executive Engineer of Public Works Department. The suspect, Zaheer Ahmed Warraich, is facing charges of corruption, and was arrested from Lahore.

According to details, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested the engineer on charges of holding assets of Rs 80 million beyond known sources of his income.

NAB received an application in 2015 from some whistle-blowers against Zaheer Ahmed Warraich and later the investigation officials unearthed that the accused got ap-

Anf recovers seven kg hashish from two drug peddlers he Regional Directorate of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Punjab conducted a raid near Gourmet Bakery, G1 Market, Johar Town, and arrested two drug pushers namely Muhammad Faisal s/o Muhammad Afzal and Naseem Bibi w/o Muhammad Mushtaq, residents of districts Lahore. The Anti-Narcotics Force recovered seven kilogram of hashish from the possession of the two said persons. Meanwhile, The Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) arrested five accused and recovered huge quantity of narcotics in different operations. According to details, ANF recovered six kilogram Hashish from a drug carrier who was identified as Ahmed Ali Khan a resident of Bannu.

In another operation, ANF arrested Muhammad Ali a resident of Narowal at Sialkot International Airport and recovered 650 gram Heroin concealed inside his clothes. –M Imran Mehar

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pointment in PWD as an Assistant Executive Engineer on August 13, 1991 and promoted as executive engineer on August 2008. During his service, the accused managed to acquire various assets worth Rs 80 million approximately.

The arrested accused illegitimately owns four luxury vehicles, various bank accounts in his own name and in the name of his brothers. While peering into details, he owns two houses of two kanal each, one kanal plot and one villa in a posh locality in Lahore.

Zaheer Ahmed also managed to acquire a share in controlled poultry sheds consisting of 32 kanals and almost 160 kanal of agriculture land in District Toba Tek Singh and 20 kanal agriculture lands in Faisalabad. The Accountability Court has granted 15 days remand for further investigation against the accused.

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ollector (Preventive) ZulTiqar Younis has said that the AntiSmuggling Operation Management System (ASOMS) would control manipulation of smuggling detection record as well as help the Customs Department’s high-ups to monitor the location and ofTicial activities of the Tield staff.

While talking to the state-owned news agency, the collector said that the ASOMS, developed by the Customs Department in collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), was adopted in the collectorate operational system on test-run basis, to control smuggling and related activities speedily and effectively.

The collector said that the software would help remove ambigui-

ties and generate computerised ‘Detention Memos’ and ‘Seizure Reports’ which were earlier being written manually by the detecting ofTicials.

“DeTinitely, computerization of Customs Department will amply improve its operations, and secondly, the importance and work-load of Customs operations will increase

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manifolds with the fast completion of projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” he maintained. The collector (Preventive) said it had also been decided to change the Customs staffers at airports after every four months to avoid monotony and give relaxation time to ofTicials performing hectic duty of public dealing.

fTo adjourns hearing of case filed by M/s cAT hears 12 important cases he Customs Appellate Tribunal abad, customs Faisalabad versus khan filling Station against rTo-ii till feb division bench-II comprising Iftikhar Ahmed, Farhan Saleem versus

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he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has postponed the hearing of a case Tiled by M/s Khan Filling Station Lahore against Regional Tax OfTice-II (RTO-II) till February 2017. According to details, FTO Advisor Tariq Yousaf, heard the case of M/s Khan Filling Station against chief commissioner Inland Revenue (CCIR)/ Regional Tax OfTice-II in which the counsel for the appellant argued that the Regional Tax OfTice-II (RTO-II), Lahore failed to release the sales tax refund of the

last two years. He said that the RTO collected excessive tax from M/s Khan Filling Station during last two years. They approached the commissioner many times for issuance of refunds but the RTO ofTicials did not pay the refunds after the passage of reasonable time. At the end, the company decided to approach the FTO seeking interference in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO adviser to direct the RTO to clear the refund claims and solves all matters of appellant. –Muhammad Nawaz

Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Member Technical Imran Tariq heard 12 cases and adjourned all the cases until the next hearing. The Customs Appellate Tribunal adjourned the hearing of 12 cases, including J.K Fabric Mills versus customs Lahore, Pak Elektron Limited (PEL) versus Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore, Colony Mills versus customs Lahore and customs Lahore versus Punjab Impex.

On Monday, the tribunal heard cases of Safder Ali versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisal-

directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad and Abdul Bari versus customs Faisalabad. Furthermore, the tribunal heard Aamir Shehzad versus customs Faisalabad, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad versus Muhammad Akram Chohan, Syed Rehan Zaidi versus customs Lahore and Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad versus Arif Abdullah. In all the cases, the representatives of the appellants and respondents appeared before the court and argued in favor of their respective parties. –Muhammad Nawaz

pcA detects tax evasion of rs12,943 by M/s numan gul

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LAHORE

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ustoms Post Clarence (PCA) has summoned M/s Numan Gul in duty and tax evasion of Rs 12,943 by on the import of tarpaulin. According to details, the PCA observed that the import clearances data against HS Code 6306.1210 ef-

fected from various Model Customs Collectorate during the calendar years. 2012 and 2013 revealed that inadmissible concession of Sales Tax and Value Added Sales Tax under the SRO 1125()/2011 dated 31.12.2011, wrongfully availed on the import of tarpaulin i.e. sun shedding which is speciTically excluded from that ambit of said SRO and hence was not entitled for such beneTit under the said

SRO. It has been observed that importer had imported various consignments consisting of tarpaulin and got it cleared under PCT heading 6306.1210 with inadmissible concession under SRO 1125(I/201 1, dated 31.12.2011. Hence, it was said that the importers have short paid an amount Rs12943 sales tax, additional sales tax and income tax due to wrongful, concession under the

SRO I 125(D/2011 dated 31.12.2011. The importer was asked to pay above mentioned short paid amount of duty/ taxes within 10 days of receipt of this letter positively. The importer was told in case they do not agree with the audit observation; they may provide the written clariTication along with supporting documents as well as import documents.

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Estonian Port of Tallinn’s profit grows 22.5% in 2016 WASHINGTON: The state-owned Estonian port company Port of Tallinn saw its revenue grow 11% to 110.9 mln euros and profit soar 22.5% to 49.5 mln euros last year.

Revenues of the Port of Tallinn group grew in 2016 above all thanks to the addition of ferry traffic as a new service and record-setting international passenger carriage results, chairman of the supervisory board Aare Tark said. Despite a very complicated year and the launch of an entirely new b siness, the company was able to increase its profitability, he remarked. The results were also affected by freight flows. While the volumes of container goods, ro-ro goods, bulk and mixed cargoes grew, the flows of the port’s largest group of commodities liquid cargoes declined.

georgia ports Authority sets record for container moves in Dec he Georgia Ports Authority posted 12.3 percent growth in year-over-year container volumes for December, an increase made even more impressive by the fact that December 2015 reflected inflated cargo numbers as the threat of a strike on the West Coast sent more containers Georgia’s way. December’s 292,172 twenty-foot equivalent container units — known as TEUs — marked a new record for the ports, executive director Griff Lynch told the GPA board Monday at its first meeting of 2017.

The growth in containers was replicated in December’s roll-on/roll-off cargo, with 63,967 autos, trucks and heavy equipment units handled at Colonel’s Island in Brunswick and

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Ocean Terminal in Savannah, also a 12.3 percent increase year-over-year.

Break-bulk tonnage was up 15.8 percent, while liquid and dry bulk tonnage was down 22.6 percent last month, as growth in biodiesel and asphalt imports were unable to offset lower imports of vegetable oil, chemicals and caustic soda and exports of turpentine and petroleum products. Revenue for the month was $29.3 million, 2.5 percent above the amount budgeted for December and 10.2 percent above December 2015. Operating expenses came in at $17 million. Overall, the port marked its busiest year ever in loaded container traffic in 2016, moving 2.94 million TEUs, an increase of 71,083 over 2015. Counting loaded and empty containers, the Port of Savannah moved 3.64 million TEUs in calendar year 2016. –CB Report

Ports & Shipping

port sector wants a solid tax anchor in budget WASHINGTON

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ax incentive, tax exemption, easing of monetization of operational ports, enhanced funds, etc are the pointers that the port sector is looking forward to in the upcoming Union Budget to be presented on February 1. “It will be helpful if the ministry of Tinance comes up with some tax incentive for port-based industry. This portbased industry could be anything, right from cement to power to marine to petrochemicals, etc,” said Neeraj Bansal, deputy chairman of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT).

Apart from that, the other expectation by the public port is to have policies that will promote coastal and marine sectors.

“The ports sector has been grappling with issues such as last mile connectivity. The allocation of corpus to government backed bodies like Indian Port Rail Corporation Limited should be enhanced with a clear road map laid down for them

to take pro-active role in improving the logistics connectivity to port projects,” opined Sandeep Upadhyay, managing director and CEO at Centrum Infrastructure Advisory Ltd. His other expectation is that the Tinance ministry should allocate enhanced corpus of funds for improving connectivity to greenTield as well as operational port projects by carving out a portion of dedicated funds like National Investment and Infra-

structure Fund. Once connectivity is prioritised, there is a strong possibility of reviving Tinancing interest from multilateral-funding agencies and infrastructure focused funds in the ports sector. Easing of monetization of operational port assets by relaxing exit clause in the concession agreement is the other reform which is may be a much anticipated welcome move for the private ports operating on Indian shores.

Wednesday February 8, 2017

port of Long Beach predicts “modest growth” in 2017 he Port of Long Beach expects “modest growth” in 2017 after experiencing a 5.8% decline in overall container cargo in 2016, according to interim Chief Executive Duane Kenagy. Kenagy told 300 participants at the ‘State of the Port’ event that the Port of Long Beach’s fundamentals remain strong and that the Port remains on track for continued growth in 2017 and onwards. In an interview, Kenagy told AJOT that the new automated Long Beach Container Terminal has been operational for almost a year and will be a major draw for ocean carriers as the larger 18,000 TEU (20 ft. containers) begin to arrive. Kenagy is hopeful that the plans for a new on-dock rail facility at Pier B will substantially increase the Port’s ability to consolidate on-dock rail moves, reduce truck traffic, and speed container rail deliveries to customers in the Midwest and at other destinations. Kenagy also told AJOT that, “Community organizations will be the major beneficiaries of the new ondock rail project because it will lessen truck traffic and emissions.” –CB Report

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coSco ports, cMA terminals join forces C

WASHINGTON

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osco Shipping Ports has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CMA Terminals Holding in Shanghai. The two parties have agreed to seek cooperation in ports worldwide and preference will be given to ports that the Ocean Alliance calls. Meanwhile, both sides have also agreed to provide support in terms of business and service to the ports that the other side has already invested.

Zhang Wei, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Cosco Shipping Ports and Farid Salem, Executive Officer of CMA CGM Group signed the MOU in the presence of Huang Xiaowen, Deputy General Manager of China Cosco Shipping Corpora-

tion Limited and Chairman of Cosco Shipping Ports, Fang Meng, Deputy Managing Director of Cosco Shipping Ports, Jean-Yves Duval, Senior Vice President, CMA CGM Asia and Baocai Wang, President of CMA CGM China.

Since the establishment of the Ocean Alliance, the cooperation between Cosco Shipping Ports and CMA Terminals Holding has become closer. Both sides wish to create more opportunities in global port investment and operation. The discussion of cooperation began in early 2016 and on this basis, both sides have recently reached consensus and signed the MOU. CMA CGM, founded and led by Jacques R. Saadé, is a leading worldwide shipping group. Its 536 vessels call more than 420 ports in the world, on

all 5 continents. In 2015, they carried 18 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).

Meanwhile, Indonesia is taking several new measures to improve the economics and efficiency of its maritime logistics sector. Jakarta is implementing a plan to enable the country’s ports to capture a larger share of transshipment business related to domestic cargo. It is also introducing a series of regulatory changes to support more investment and private sector participation in maritime logistics and reduce cargo dwell times at ports throughout the archipelago. An agreement to jointly develop a new $3 billion deep-sea port with Japan has also been signed. The transport ministry said it is working with the four dominant state-owned port operators on a plan to sup-

port the implementation of a hub and spoke system for domestic cargo distribution centered on Tanjung Priok as a primary domestic and international hub port. The “integrated chain port” plan includes development of an information technology management system and changes to regulation that the administration said will help bring home a larger share of transshipment business that originates domestically. Indonesia has more than 10,000 inhabited islands spread over an area as wide as the United States. Much of the export cargo handled by secondary ports such as Kuala Tanjung in North Sumatra, Bitung in North Sulawesi, Makassar in South Sulawesi, Sorong in West Papua, and Tanjung Perak is currently transshipped via Singapore.

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Hyderabad ASO impounds non-duty paid Toyota Premio HYDERABAD: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) impounded a non-duty paid Toyota Premio model-2004 worth Rs8,00,000 involving duty and taxes of Rs1.0 million during a crackdown in Badin. According to details, Collector Agha Shahid Majeed Khan received credible information about a non-duty paid vehicle in Badin city. He immediately constituted a special team under the supervision of Additional Collector Omer Shafique. The ASO team started searching vehicles near Badin and intercepted a Toyota Premio bearing registration No: AAA-639 model-2004.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

collector Dr fareed iqbal reshuffles 30 officials in Appraisement west KARACHI cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

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ollector Appraisement West Dr Fareed Iqbal Qureshi has transferred, posted 30 ofTicials within his collectorate.

Ahmed Nawaz has been posted to look after AIB and R&D. Abdul Qayoom has been transferred to Group-III, pre-refund and external audit. Zahid Pervez is moved from Group-III to Group-V, BG Cell, Internal Audit.

Saeed Ahmed Soomro would look after Group-VI. Masood-ulHasan has been transferred from Group-VI to Group-VII/One Customs. Asad Masood is moved from Group-VIII to Group-VII, Afghan Transit Legacy cases while Abdul Rasheed Khan on joining will look after Law branch.

Mubarak Ali Shah and Abdul Aziz (QD) have been deputed at Assessment Hall. Azfar Noor is assigned Assessment Hall/One Customs Group; Syed Riffat Ali is assigned Assessment Hall/Establishment; Masood Ahmed is assigned Assessment Hall/Bonds.

Aftab Iqbal is assigned Afghan Transit Legacy cases; Mohammad Qasim Shaikh and Bashir Ahmed Se-

har are assigned Assessment Hall/Afghan Transit Legacy cases.

Nadeem Ahmed Khan is assigned Licensing Branch/Afghan Transit Legacy Cases; Rab Dino Sand is de-

puted at Assessment Hall/Internal Audit, Mohammad Rahim is deputed at Assessment/ External Audit and Shahid Murad is assigned Bond/Bank Guarantee Cell.

Appraising Officers Riffat Ali Zaidi and Khan Mohammad Keerio are placed on the disposal of Additional Collector-IV. Appraiser Nafeesuddin Qureshi is deputed at

KICT, Zafar Iqbal is moved from BOML to KICT, Ali Rizwan Hameed is moved from KICT to BOML and Andul Latif is moved from KICT to Headquarters.

customs court approves physical remand of suspects in tax evasion KARACHI

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ustoms Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has remanded three suspects, Syed Muhammad Rizwan, proprietor of M/s Unique Enterprises, Samiullah and Shahryar of M/s Lucky Diamond Enterprises, to the customs custody on physical remand until February 6, 2017. The suspects

were booked in an alleged tax evasion case. During the hearing, investigation ofTicer produced the suspects before the court and informed that they were involved in mis-declaration of value of imported HS Code and the value of imported PVC Tlakes/ recycled granules and clearance of the same in the garbs of iron/steel remeltable scrap. Therefore, the suspects were found involved in evasion of duty and taxes to the tune of Rs1.4 million.

He stated that investigation has not been completed yet, therefore, prosecution needs their physical

remand, after the hearing, court sent them to customs lock up till February 6, 2017 on physical remand and directed the investigation ofTicer to produce them on next date of hearing along with progress report.

According to the prosecution, case was registered on complainant of Intelligence OfTicer Aqil Alam under section 16, 32 (1) & (2) 79 (1) of the Customs Act 1969, punishable under section 156 (1) (9) (14) (43) ibid read with section 3, 6, 32, 34 of the Sales Tax Act 1990 further read with section 148 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

Meanwhile, Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has sent two suspects, Abdul Nafay and Noor Ali, to Central Jail on judicial remand and directed the investigation ofTicer to submit charge sheet against them.

The suspects were booked for attempting to smuggle 45,000 liter Iranian origin high speed diesel. During the hearing, Investigation OfTicer Pervaiz Ahmed Zardari, produced the suspects before the court and submitted that the Anti-Smuggling Organization intercepted an oil tanker bearing registration number TKS-540 in the limits of Moucko

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

Check Post Hub River on January 22, 2017 and recovered 45,000 liter Iranian high speed diesel. The worth of the diesel is said to be Rs 3.46 million open market. The investigation ofTicer also informed the court that both accused were asked to produce legal documents of the diesel, but they had failed to produce anything.

Therefore, diesel and oil tanker were taken into the custody and the suspects were arrested. After the hearing the statement, the court sent the suspects to Central Jail Karachi and directed the investigation ofTicer to complete the investigation and submit charge sheet against them.