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PakISTaN’S fIRST INDEPTh NEwSPaPER ON CUSTOMS

Daily

Vol 1 Issue No. 290

Karachi, Tue February 9, 2016

DERA MURAD JAMALI

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akistan Tehreek-iInsaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has taken the government to task for not reducing prices of petroleum products as per international rate and presented a Oivepoint charter of demands.

Addressing a huge rally here, the PTI chief threatened the government that he would take to the streets if his demands

were not met. He called for making the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) a completely autonomous body, saying, “Some Rs700 billion are stolen in the department annually.”

Imran Khan demanded reversal of infrastructure taxes on gas prices and the newly-imposed taxes on electricity besides cutting electricity rates by Rs3 per unit. He called for reduction in the prices of diesel, kerosene and petrol by Rs20 and Rs5 per litre respectively.

About prevailing PIA crisis, he said that the pri-

Price Rs. 14.00

vatisation process of the national-Olag carrier should be stopped immediately and asked the government to appoint professionals to key institutions. Imran also asked the government to release funds for making payment to the employees of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and other institutions who had not received their salaries for last Oive months. He said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had on record told the National Assembly that Pakistanis had some $200 billion in banks abroad.

Sumaira Nazir new Chief Collector Central Region

Multan Customs reshuffles 12 employees at various positions

Protests cost Rs2.5b: PIA flight op partially started despite strike

Multan Customs Intelligence impounds trucks for carrying illegal items

Single digit sales tax to enhance tax base

FBR has appointed Samaira Nazir as Chief Collector of Customs Central Region | SEE PagE 02 |

Customs Collectorate Multan has reshuffled 12 customs employees | SEE PagE 03 |

PIA has started flight operation despite strike by the employees of the national flag | SEE PagE 04 |

Multan Customs Intelligence has impounded two trucks being used | SEE PagE 12 |

ICCI in collaboration with the ACCA organized seminar on sales tax on services | SEE PagE 09 |

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IR-Intelligence steps up eorts to stop money laundering Tuesday, February 9, 2016

National

KARACHI: The Inland Revenue (IR) Intelligence and Investigation has deputed its teams at dierent famous hotels in Karachi to keep an eye on local investors who may try to send their black money abroad using illegal means.

The IR Intelligence has taken this step following information that representatives of real estate sector from the United Arab Emirates arrived in Karachi who would help the local investors to transact their money from Pakistan to UAE in order to avoid the liable taxes.

The IR Intelligence has formed three teams comprising three members those will trace the investors holding meetings with the representatives of the real estate.

Sumaira Nazir made new chief collector of Central Region

aNf foils smuggling bids at BB airport, seizes 34.7kg heroin ISLAMABAD

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has appointed Samaira Nazir Khan as Chief Collector of Customs Central Region while Rozi Khan Burki has been transferred from the ofOice of Chief Collector Lahore to Member HRM FBR-HQ Islamabad.

According to details, transfers of two BS-21 ofOicers and a BS-20 ofOicer of the Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) has been undertaken.

Rozi Khan Burki (BS-21) has been transferred from the ofOice of Chief Collector Lahore to Member HRM FBR-HQ Islamabad. Samaira Nazir Khan (BS-21) has been moved from the ofOice of Director General Customs Valuation Karachi to the ofOice of Chief Collector Customs Lahore. Syed Tanveer Ahmed (BS-20) is transferred from the post of Director Training and Research Karachi to Director General (OPS) of Customs Valuation Karachi.

Meanwhile, The Directorate General, Customs Valuation has determined the customs values of metallic yarn vide Valuation Ruling No 796/2016. The values were determined under section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969.

According to details, several importers approached the Directorate General for revision of Valuation

he Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has foiled four bids to smuggle Rs222 million worth 34.7kilogram heroin abroad at Benazir Bhutto International Airport.

ANF Commander Brigadier Ramzan said that on intelligence tips-off regarding drugs smuggling, the force apprehended four passengers leaving for Saudi Arabia, Italy during search and scanning procedure.

The ANF airport team arrested two passengers identified as Qasim Ali and Ghulam Ali, both hailing from Sargodha, and recovered 11.3kg kilograms of heroin from their luggage. They were taken into custody separately from pedestrian entry gate of BBIA. Both accused were scheduled to fly for Riyadh by Shaheen Airline Flight No. NL-739.

Moreover, the ANF team arrested Muhammad Saghir, resident of Sialkot, at the same airport after recovery of 11.350kg heroin from his luggage. He was to fly for Austria by Qatar Airlines Flight No. QR-613.

Another passenger named Ashfaq Ali, resident of Faisalabad, was detained after recovery of 12.05kg heroin from his baggage.

Ruling 377/2011 dated 27-9-2011 of metallic yarn since it was more than four years old and the prices in the international market have declined. It was, therefore, deemed expedient to initiate working for the subject item.

A meeting of the stakeholders was attended by the representatives of PYMA (Pakistan Yarn Merchants Association), local manufacturer M/s Brightex Industries, commercial importers and clearance Collectorates. M/s Lorex Industries, a leading manufacturer of metallic yarn, was also requested and later

reminded by telephone to attend the same but they abstained from attending the meeting.

The requisite documents were submitted by only one importer M/s Saleem Winding Works, Karachi hence the same could not be deemed a representation of all commercial importers.

The local manufacturer, M/s Brightex Industries argued that the customs values determined Valuation Ruling No 377/2011 dated 27.9.2011 were fair and reOlective of international prices even at the present time and in support of their

arguments submitted clearance data whereby importers have themselves declared prices of metallic yarn ranging from $ 5.2/kg to $ 6.0/kg. The representatives of yarn merchants argued that the prices of basic raw material i.e. PET have considerably declined over the past few months, therefore, the values of metallic yarn should accordingly be reduced. Instead of furnishing any documentary evidence about downfall in prices of the metallic yarn in the international market, they relied upon their rhetoric of decline in international prices.

Collector Jawwad agha for speedy settlement of audit paras

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KARACHI

SOhaIL RaB khaN

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ollector Appraisement West Dr Owais Jawwad Agha has directed the ofOicials concerned of the Customs Collectorate to take up and settle the audit paras sent by the Directorate General of Internal Audit on merit and also send notices to the importers in case of any recovery generated against them.

Sources told Customs Today that

Dr Jawwad has also asked the authorities concerned to ensure early disposal of the audit paras so that revenue would be enhanced before the completion of third quarter of the Oiscal year 2015-16.

The Collector Appraisement West has also encouraged the ofOicials of the Collectorate, particularly of the Post Release VeriOication (PRV) Unit and Appraising Intelligence Branch (AIB), to detect short recovery, tax evasion and mis-declaration cases.

Responding to a query, the sources informed Customs Today that the authorities concerned of the Collectorate were not paying any heed towards the audit paras sent by the Directorate General of Internal Audit-Customs.

Meanwhile, Customs Appraisement West has collected at least Rs 23.056 billion taxes and duties under various heads in the month of January 2016.

According to statistics available with Customs Today, the Customs

Appraisement West collected Rs 8,952.28 million under the head of customs duty, Rs 9,902.35 million under the head of sales tax, Rs 4,002.20 million as income tax and Rs 199 million under head of federal excise duty during January 2016.

Significantly, the Customs Appraisement West collected Rs 364.79 million on the last working day of January 2016 i.e. January 30 that included Rs 354.95 million under the head of customs duty; Rs

338.60 million under head of sales tax; Rs 364 million as income tax and Rs 199.61 million as federal excise duty.

At all, the Customs Appraisement West so far collected Rs 152,426 million taxes and duties since August 1 to January 30, 2016 that included Rs 56,209.19 million under head of customs duty; Rs 68,824.05 million as sales tax; Rs 26,191.33 million as income tax and Rs 1,202.33 million under head of federal excise duty.

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18 thousand yards of illegal cloth seized LAHORE: The Customs Preventive has impounds 18,000 yards illegally imported cloth from a goods station near Larri Adda.

According to details, customs Anti-Smuggling Organization on information raided the Adda and seized the cloth.

The cloth was valued at Rs 0.8 million involving Rs 0.4 million duty and taxes.

The raid was conducted on the instructions of Assistant Director Dr Adnan and under the supervision of Superintendent Munawar Khan and Deputy Superintendent Saeed Joya.

Customs appellate Tribunal Bench-II reserves verdict in duty evasion case

Tuesday February 9, 2016

National

Multan Customs reshuffles 12 employees at various positions

ISLAMABAD

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ustoms Appellate Tribunal, Islamabad Bench-II has reserved judgment of a case involving duty evasion of Rs 4,704,426. The decision was reserved by the Customs Appellate Tribunal’s Division Bench comprising of Chairman Ghulam Murtaza Bhatti and Member Technical, M Nazim Saleem. According to details, Rs 4,704,426 duty was evaded on 27 imported electricity generators which were confiscated by the department after finding that duty was not paid on imported items/generators. In this case, Customs Appellate Tribunal was approached by appellant Malik Jehangir.

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Customs officials recover 40 rare turtles from Chinese citizen LAHORE

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he Customs officials have foiled an attempt to smuggle rare turtles at Allama Iqbal International Airport and handed over the suspect to Lahore Wildlife Park Department for further investigation. A Chinese citizen, who was identified as Xi Hong bearing passport number G 24793530, was trying to smuggle 40 rare turtles from Lahore to Colombo Sri Lanka by hiding them in his luggage. Officials have also recovered Rs 3,750, $1,000 and 300 Youan form his possession. The Customs officials have registered a case under Wildlife Act 2007 against the culprit whereas the accused has stated that he was unaware of the ban on exporting turtles. DG Lahore Wildlife Park Department, Khalid Ayaz has appreciated the performance of Customs and Wildlife Anti-Smuggling Cell.

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MULTAN

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he Customs Collectorate Multan has reshuffled 12 customs employees according to a notification issued by headquarters. Deputy Collector Muhammad Ali Malik has relocated at least 12 customs inspectors after consultation with Collector Multan Customs.

Superintendent Tanvir Ahmad Malik has been posted as Custodian of the State Warehouse Multan and Recovery Cell with his existing charges. Principal Appraiser Mehmood Ahmad Khan has been withdrawn from the Recovery Cell and is posted at CPF Bonded Warehouse in addition to his existing duties. Superintendent Muhammad Yousaf Baloch has been posted as the Custodian of State Warehouse Industrial Estate in addition to his existing tasks.

Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Amir Farooq will now take charge of export terminal Muzaffargarh and Deputy Custodian of the State Warehouse Industrial Estate. Appraiser Muhammad Ashraf Hussain Shah has been given the charge of Deputy Custodian of CPF Bonded Warehouse Customs Dry Port along with his existing charge.

Deputy Superintendent officiating Syed Ghulam Raza Shah has been transferred from Multan

Customs House to State Warehouse as deputy with additional duty at the Multan International Airport. Inspector Malik Muhammad Yousaf and Inspector Arshad Nadeem are also transferred from Multan Customs to State Warehouse Industrial Estate as assistant custodian.

Inspector Shahid Nawaz Mirza and Inspector Ishaq Ahmad Marral have been posted as assistant custodians of CPF Bonded Ware-

Deputy Collector Muhammad ali Malik has relocated at least 12 customs inspectors after consultation with Collector Multan Customs. Superintendent Tanvir ahmad Malik has been posted as Custodian of the State warehouse Multan and Recovery Cell with his existing charges

aSO seizes vehicles, goods worth Rs 21m in Jan LAHORE

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization of the Customs Preventive has seized smuggled non-duty paid vehicles, including cars, auto parts, cloth and other miscellaneous goods amounting to Rs 21.652 million during the month of

January 2016.

As per details, the seized vehicles include Toyota Camry Car, Honda Accord Car, Toyota Coaster Coach, Toyota Vitz Car and Toyota Land Cruiser. Cases valuing Rs 273.49 million have been made during the period July, 2015 to January, 2016 whereas cases valuing Rs 235.578 million were registered during the corresponding period of the last year (2014-15).

On the directions of the Collector of Customs Preventive, the ASO

team comprising of Assistant Collector Dr. Muhammad Adnan Khan, Superintendent Munawar Ahmad Khan, Deputy Superintendents Saeed Akhtar Joiya, Saleem Akhtar and Ejaz Rasool Shah; Gulzar Hussain Bhati, Muhammad Khalid But, Amjad Khan, Abdul Ghaffar, Ghulam Hussain Kalas, Shahid Khan, Sajjad Hussain Bukhari, Abdul Hameed Bhatti, Tariq Baig, Muhammad Arif and Asif Nawaz Inspectors have started crackdowns against smugglers.

house Customs Dry Port Multan in addition to their existing duties. Inspector Shahid Nawaz Mirza and Inspector Ishaq Ahmad Marral have been posted as assistant custodians of CPF Bonded Warehouse Customs Dry Port Multan in addition to their existing duties. Inspector Muhammad Abdulllah and Shafqat Ali Awan are posted as Assistant Custodian of State Warehouse to their existing charges.

fIa arrests two human traffickers from Muridke he Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two human traffickers in two different operations. As per details, the FIA anti-human trafficking cell raided Muridke and arrested Shahid Mehmood and Abdul Islam. The FIA has registered cases against the suspects under sections of human smuggling and fraud with citizens.

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PR likely to generate Rs 12 billion through freight trains Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Business

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways will likely to earn more than Rs 12 billion revenue through freight trains during the ongoing fiscal year as compared to Rs 8.346 billion it generated during 2014-2015 The organisation was hoping to cross the set revenue generation targets in freight sector this year, an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP. “Fast Cargo” train would also run between Karachi to Rawalpindi to help generating more revenue, he added. “Pakistan Railways had allocated around 85 to 90 locomotives for freight trains,” the official added.

PSX starts week with bearish trend, gains 227pts to close at 32706 KARACHI

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he bearish trend started new week as Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Monday added 227.24 points to take the tally to 32706.22 points level at closing.

The stocks recorded the highest trading level of 32851.23 points and lowest level of 32461.91 points, with the volume of 152.17 million shares, having about Rs8.70 billion

OgDCL can drill from 2,500 to 5,500 metres ISLAMABAD

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he Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has nine own rigs with the capacity to drill up to 5,500 meters deep, a senior official in the company said.

“The company-owned rigs’ drilling capacity is from 2,500 to 5,500 meters, which are almost 35 to 40 years old,” the official said while talking to APP. Besides, he said, OGDCL had eight rented rigs operating at different oil and gas wells with contractors’ own workforce and other resources.

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value. As many as 329 companies were active; of which 167 advanced,

142 declined and 20 remained unchanged.

Commercial banks was the top traded sector with 16,294,600 volume, while cable & electrical goods remained second with 12,169,900 volume. The three top traded companies were Engro Fertilizer with a volume of 9,439,500 and price per share of 81.11 (-0.04), TRG Pak Ltd with a volume 7,177,000 of price per share of 27.87 (0.25), and Pace (Pak) Ltd with a volume 6,904,500 of price per share of 6.72 (0.13).

The top three gainers were Nestle Pak with price per share 7500 (250), Unilever Foods with price per share of 6000 (200) and Bata (Pak) price per share of 3400 (110).

Protests cost Rs 2.5b: PIa flight op partially started despite strike ISLAMABAD

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akistan International Airlines (PIA) has started Olight operation despite strike by the employees of the national Olag carrier as two PIA Olights carrying 725 Umrah pilgrims from Jeddah landed at the Benazir International Airport Islamabad. PIA spokesman Daniyal Gilani said that Olight operations have partially initiated and will pick up in the coming week. He said that the

protests have cost about Rs2.5 billion loss to date. He added that the PIA staff returning to duty is being welcomed and provided ample security.

Meanwhile, a PIA plane carried passengers from Islamabad to Gilgit while another Olight airlifted passengers from Gilgit to Islamabad. Flights PK 4232 and PK 605 departed for Abu Dhabi and Gilgit from Islamabad airport on Sunday morning, while Olights PK 4231 and 606 arrived at Islamabad airport from Abu Dhabi and the Gilgit and Jeddah-Islamabad Olight PK 7330 landed at the airport around 2:37pm, Olight data shows. On the other hand,

the PIA employees’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) has resolved to continue their protest against the government’s plans to privatise the national Olag carrier. JAC Chairman Captain Sohail Baloch warned of marching towards the Jinnah Terminal on Monday (today) if the ‘missing employees’ were not found. Speaking to media representatives in Karachi, he said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should not make PIA an issue of his ego and called for immediately initiating a dialogue in view of what he termed was the hardship being faced by people due to the closure of Olight operations.

govt urged to demolish encroachments in Islamabad RAWALPINDI

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he increasing encroachments in the federal capital’s Super Market are not only making the city ugly and creating problems for shoppers but also have become a security risk. Almost all the pavements and parking lots have been encroached by vendors dealing in different goods.

Shopkeepers reportedly charge money from the vendors for setting up stalls in front of their outlets. According to official sources, most of the vendors who have set up stalls in the Super Market are those who had earlier been doing business at Faizabad on state land and their illegal outlets were dismantled by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in its anti-encroachment drive. The sources said that shopkeepers were the main reason for mushroom growth of encroachments as they mint money from the vendors.

Whenever, the CDA tried to launch a campaign to remove the encroachments, the same influential people got it stopped. Aslam, a regular shopper at the Super Market, said the people visiting the market faced difficulty in moving freely as almost all the pavements and verandas were occupied by illegal stallholders.

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Citrus exporters want to tap france with zero duty under gSP plus KARACHI

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he Citrus exporters are keen to tap France after tax waivers granted under the GSP plus, said Ahmad Jawad, former chairman standing committee of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, while taking to Head of Economic Affairs in embassy of France Eric Noitakis.

Eric Noitakis said that Pakistan can export citrus to France at zero percent import duty under the generalised scheme of preferences (GSP) plus status granted by the European Union (EU). He said the fruits are in good taste and they can be exported to the European country at zero percent duty.

A statement, Jawad said that private sector intends to strengthen Pakistan-France economic ties by facilitating business-to-business

contacts and promoting exchange visits. The second largest European economy has a signiOicant fruits’ consumption volume. However, Pakistan ranks 65 in the list of its trading partners. Their annual bilateral trade amounted to approximately one billion dollars. “This needs to be further increased,” Jawad said.

He said Pakistani mangoes successfully entered the EU markets after compliance with the quarantine requirements of the European Com-

mission’s Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection.

“Now, we are looking forward to kinnow,” he added.

“France has an expertise in agriculture and I think at this time we need transfer of technology to enhance productivity as well as in the value addition sector.”

Jawad said Pakistan’s government will also conduct road shows in Paris in May. “I hope that the event may help in building conOi-

dence and encouraging interactions between businessmen of Pakistan and France,” he added.

The country exports kinnow to Russia, UAE, Philippine, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada and a few other countries.

Traders slashed their current season kinnow export forecast by 43 percent after climate change destroying crops and decimating yields in the Punjab province.

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ederal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has appreciated both the sitting and former team of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for making untiring efforts to achieve the revenue targets.

In this regard, he mentioned that the FBR had collected Rs 785 billion in second quarter of the current Oiscal year and thus revenue collected in the Oirst half of the Oiscal year was Rs 1,385 billion and there was 18.2 percent growth in tax collection.

Addressing a news conference along with FBR Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan, Special Advisor to Prime Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan and others here at the FBR Headquarters, he said that the volume of total revenue collection was Rs 1,940 billion before the PML-N took charge of the affairs of the country.

A large number of representatives of traders including former President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Muzammil Hussain Sabri and others were also present on the occasion with an objective to formally launch

the Voluntary Tax Compliance Scheme.

He further said that government was trying hard to keep the inOlation rate below 4% by the end of the Oinancial year as well as to higher GDP growth would be 5%. He said that government has started making payments to the energy related projects and even then volume of foreign exchange reserves stood higher than $ 20 billion.

He said that after the announcement of this scheme, government held dozens of sessions of parleys with traders in last Oive and half months and then came to the conclusion; however, traders’ representative organizations also took a lot of care of interests of their community fellows due course of talks.

He said that Pakistan had completed 10 review of extended fund facility program with International Monetary Fund (IMF) and IMF had endorsed progress made by the government in achieving targets in all Oive sectors.

Finance Minister said that leaders of opposition parties had started protest against privatization of PIA and Voluntary Tax Compliance Scheme without going through the relevant legislation.

“With the approval of President Mamnoon Hu sain the Voluntary Tax Compliance Act has no become formal part of the constitution, but fe politicians were criticizing this bill without ha ing required knowledge about this bill” he adde Moreover, Dar cleared that the scheme w not an amnesty scheme for whitening of bla money of politicians or businessmen but was confined only to whitening of worki capital of traders. On high moral groun Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif decided exclude parliamentarians from th scheme and this decision is welcom ing one.

d amma h u M ar an Nis sor to Prime m r i a h fBR C pecial advi e haroon S u khan, r on Reven here at the e s Minist n and other id that the he sa r kha on akhta dquarters, ue collecti en ea fBR h of total rev before the e of on volum 1,940 billi the affairs s f was R k charge o too untry PML-N the co

usow ew aved. was ack t it ing nds to his m-

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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

DiďŹƒcult road to economic development

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ccording to the available data, Pakistan has the fifth largest coal and copper reserves in the world and has the potential to produce 60,000 megawatts of electricity through the Indus River flow alone, but the nation has been facing acute shortage of electricity for the last many years. The government had promised to end energy shortage when it came to power in 2012, but the situation is same after it has completed two and half years of its tenure and no sign of improvement are visible. Economy is the core issue of the country and all hopes are now rest on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and TurkmenistanAfghanistan-Pakistan-India (Tapi) gas pipeline projects which are regarded as the game changers. However, in practical, the government could not take any initiative to improve energy and industrial sectors.

According to an official of the Board of Investment, the country’s middle class population will reach 100 million by 2025, turning Pakistan into a big consumer market for global manufacturers. However, Pakistan is one of the few South Asian countries, which ranked low in ease of doing business index. The board is already working on a project in coordination with the World Bank to improve the ease of doing business ranking. To improve the situation, the country will have to liberalize its investment policies and open up the consumer market to attract local and foreign investment. The federal government has to coordinate with provinces to devise investment-friendly policies and curb red tape which is the biggest hurdle in the economic development of the country. On one hand, the officials are helpless to take bold decisions on the projects of national interests and on the other they are biggest hurdle in smooth implementation of development-oriented programms.

The government will have to simplify business registration procedure for local and foreign investors, digitalize the property and construction affairs and introduce a soft tax regime. Earlier, the government had set up one window operations not only to facilitate investors in setting up their business, but also to protect them from any coercive action from the government officials.

Impact of human rights violations on economy T

LAHORE

DR afTaB afZaL

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he terms of good or bad governance only apply when the government has the will and power to implement its writ across the board without giving least consideration to political expediencies. However, every government in the country seems to be marred by conOlicts and confusions on every subject matter whether it is the economy, security or even the administrative affairs. Pakistan is the sixth largest populated country in the world with vast natural and human resources, but incapacities and incapabilities are hindering its growth and emergence as a modern and liberal democratic country.

The world is ready to help Pakistan, but we as a nation are unprepared to fulOill even the basic requirements. The European Union granted Pakistan special incentive arrangements for sustainable development and good governance (GSP Plus status) from January 1, 2014, but the ground situation is that the exports are recording a free fall. The government has nothing to offer other than lip service, putting the scheme in jeopardy despite it is ofOicially operational for another eight years. In its Oirst assessment report on the impact of GSP Plus scheme, the European Commission has noted with concern the blatant violations of human rights in Pakistan. It has told the government to take concrete steps on the

implementation of 27th international conventions relating to human rights, environment and good governance. Though the government itself is not in a situation to claim or defend its record of human rights, the situation in the social sector is even the worst. Apart from extra-judicial killings, forced disappearances and failure of the government to protect minorities and other weak segment of society, the authorities need to comply with international obligations. The government will have to change its basic rules and policies in its internal and external fronts and should have to give priority only to economy. According to the commission, the Oight against terrorism has created new challenges of human rights which need to be ad-

dressed whereas respecting, protecting and promoting human rights will lead to address the root causes of militancy and extremism.

The current government carried out over 300 executions as it had the lifted the moratorium after coming to power, raising questions on compliance of international conventions. The judicial system is marred by faults and Olaws from evidence to prosecution and corruption is rampant. The moratorium was the best option which the previous Pakistan People’s Party government had applied during the whole of its tenure.

However, the current government has taken a bold step and has submitted allthe required reports to the monitoring bodies of the UN human rights conventions.

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Egypt’s petroleum imports down 72% in Oct 2015 CAIRO: Egypt’s petroleum imports fell 72.4 percent to $1.12 billion in October 2015 down from $3.663 billion in the same period the previous year, official news agency MENA quoted the official statistics agency CAPMAS report on Thursday.

Exports of petroleum products on the other had declined 29.3 percent to $280.2 million in October 2015, down from $396.3 million in the same month a year prior.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2015/16 ending 30 September 2015, Egypt’s trade deficit was unchanged from the same period of the previous year, standing at $10 billion, due to more than 50 percent drop in oil price globally, which brought down the cost of petroleum imports (crude and products) by $1.2 billion, The Central Bank of Egypt said in December.

wCCI establishes board to promote entrepreneurship omen Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) in collaboration with KP government has set up a board for promotion of female entrepreneurship in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing a press conference here at WCCI office, Sajida Zulfiqar said the board members would be secretaries of different government departments and leading business women of KP who will chalk out policies for promotion of business by female in the province.

The Women Chamber of KP, she con-

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tinued, will continue its strenuous efforts for promotion of women entrepreneurship in the province by providing maximum facilities to business women to flourish and grow. Prominent business women including Nasira Lughmani, President WCCI, former President WCCI, Mrs. Ilyas Bilour, SVP WCCI, Mrs. Shamama Arbab and others were also present on the occasion. Sajida Zulfiqar said WCCI has planned numerous programmes for promotion of female entrepreneurship and in this regard a convention of business women will be held in Peshawar on February 16 and 17, next. In the convention, participants would be briefed about promotion of business, new business trend and approach methods of displaying products in national as well as international markets. She said after holding of convention, the WCCI will organize an exhibition in Peshawar.—CB Report

Tuesday February 9, 2016

Chambers

Single digit sales tax to enhance tax base I

ISLAMABAD

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slamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Association of Chartered CertiOied Accountants (ACCA) organized seminar on sales tax on services and inter-provincial harmonization. A large number of business community and tax professional attended the event.

The event highlighted that after the passage of 18th amendment to the constitution, three provinces except for Baluchistan, have established their own tax authorities for collection of sales tax on services, however, the issues like overlapping between federal and provincial tax authorities and double taxation were creating problems for taxpayers. They were of the opinion that federal government should have drafted a framework within which provinces could tax services. They said without cross provincial consensus and inter-provincial harmonization on tax collection of sales tax on services, there would be issues of double taxation and excessive administration burden both on

the businesses and tax authorities.

The experts observed that very high tax rates in Pakistan were promoting culture of tax evasion and government should focus on low tax rates for enhancing tax base and improving tax revenue of the country.

The businessmen said that tax regime in Pakistan was very complicated with multiple tax rates as taxpayers were paying almost 10 different taxes in addition to many indirect taxes. They said businessmen wanted to pay tax, but high taxes and difOicult tax system were

the main hurdle in better tax compliance. They said government should simplify tax system and introduce single digit sales tax rate in order to attract more taxpayers into the tax net.

Atif Ikram Sheikh President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry in his welcome address said that positive changes were happening gradually in the tax system and stressed that government should make tax policies in consultation with trade bodies by addressing their key concerns on tax

PCJCCI marks China’s new year

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LAHORE

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akistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCJCCI) has marked China’s new year with a ceremony to greet Chinese friends, businessmen and colleagues. At the occasion, PCJCCI President Shah Faisal Afridi said that Pak-China ties in the Oields of trade, investment and culture had reached the climax at present. This mutual collaboration beyond trade and investment is increasing economic and cultural credibility of Pakistan at international level, he added. He expressed heartiest congratulations on traditional New Year to the Chinese people, the overseas Chinese nationals and the Chinese companies in Pakistan.

While expressing his contentment, he said that China and Pak-

istan together would give rise to a new paradigm of Regional co-existence. He appreciated the Chinese endeavours for enhancing the South-South integration through infrastructural investments in trade and business. He said that Pakistan should enhance the capacity of the current system rather than any intention to overthrow it. Pakistan should realize that, if we become the bridge between the engines of growth, we will be able to carve out a large economic bloc of about 3 billion living in this part of the world nearly half of the world.” “This is going to be a Fate-Changer for Pakistan,” said Shah Faisal Afridi.

Afridi adding that Pakistan was proud of being the best friend of a great country like China and assured to continue his efforts for maintaining the sincere and cordial relations with business community of China.

He mentioned that China’s role in

the current international Oinancial system is constructive and we had to make some efforts and contributions on our part.

Meanwhile, The cement manufacturers have urged the government to impose regulatory duty on cement imports from Iran to save the local industry. All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) Chairman Mohammad Ali Tabba, in a statement, said that the cement imports from Iran have touched alarming levels. “Over the last year larger and larger quantities are arriving daily and now the quantities are at an alarmingly high-level reaching about 2,000 tons per day.”

Ali Tabba alleged that despite statutory customs duty of 20%, the Iranian cement is selling at the price levels of 40% below the retail price of domestically produced cement in the Balochistan market due to connivance of customs ofOicials.

matters. Chas Roy-Chowdhury ACCA’s Head of Global Taxation, Arif Masud Mirza Regional Head of Policy MENASA ACCA Hammad Siddiqui Acting Country Director Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), Muhammad Yasir Technical Advisor Tax Compliance FBR and others also addressed the event and called for simpliOied tax system. It was stressed that SMEs should also focus on improving their Oinancial management skills to deal with tax matters more effectively.

US creates 151,000 jobs in January bout 151,000 jobs were created in the United States in January, a deceleration from recent months as firms shed education, transport and temporary workers, but hired others in manufacturing, retail and food services.

The unemployment rate fell to 4.9 percent, its lowest level since early 2008.

A report published yesterday by the Labor Department showed that employers are still hiring steadily, but at a slower pace. The January figures follow seasonally adjusted job growth of 262,000 in December and 280,000 in November. The broader hiring slowdown reflects an increasingly muddled picture for the US economy. Global financial pressures and a volatile stock market have curtailed growth, but January’s jobs.—CB Report

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Japan’s food exports rise 21.8% in 2015 Tuesday February 9, 2016

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TOKYO: Japan’s food exports rose 21.8 per cent to a record ¥745.2b in 2015. The increasing popularity of Japanese cuisine and its unique fruit in overseas markets has driven a record high of exports for the third year running. Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries has released a preliminary report stating that Japan’s food exports rose 21.8 pert cent to ¥745.2b in 2015 compared to the year prior, driven by demand in Asia, the US and Europe. Exports of apples were valued at a record ¥10b, according to the Japan Times, with exports of beef, rice, green tea and Japanese whiskies also increasing sharply.

Markets in Asia accounted for three-quarters of Japan’s total food exports, with increasing demand also seen in the US and Europe. The Japanese government has set a target of ¥1 trillion in food exports by 2020.

US Customs seizes marijuana worth $300,000 LAREDO

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S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ofOicers recently seized a signiOicant amount of marijuana in a commercial shipment of soap at World Trade Bridge. “This seizure demonstrates a great example of teamwork from our CBP ofOicers,” said Port Director Gregory Alvarez, Laredo Port of Entry. “The ofOicers’ training clearly played a signiOicant role in the discovery of this hard narcotic.”

Two cages hold packages containing 1,806 pounds of marijuana seized by CBP ofOicers at World Trade Bridge in Laredo, TexasThe seizure occurred on Thursday, Jan. 28, when a CBP ofOicer referred a tractor trailer hauling a commercial shipment of soap for a non-intrusive inspection. A canine and nonintrusive inspection by CBP ofOicers

h kong Customs seizes drugs worth $595,000 ong Kong Customs yesterday seized about 2 kilograms (kg) of suspected methamphetamine and a small amount of suspected cannabis in Mong Kok, and arrested two men and a woman. The total market value of the drugs seized was about $595,000.During an anti-narcotics operation in Mong Kok yesterday afternoon, Customs officers intercepted a man and a woman and found about 2kg of suspected methamphetamine inside the rucksack the man carried. The man and the woman were arrested at the scene.

Subsequent premises search at the man’s residence nearby resulted in a further seizure of a small amount of suspected methamphetamine, suspected cannabis and a set of drug-packaging paraphernalia.

Another man found in the premises was also arrested.—CB Report

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resulted in the discovery of 995 packages allegedly containing 1,806 pounds of marijuana hidden within the shipment. The marijuana carries an estimated street value of $361,378. CBP ofOicers seized the narcotics. The case was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.

Meanwhile, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ofOicers stopped an illegal exportation of currency when ofOicers searched a cargo container intended to be shipped to the Dominican Republic on board the Caribbean Fantasy Ferry this past week.(File Photo) CBP uses scanning technology to inspect containers Utilizing high-tech equipment, CBP ofOicers examining outbound containers being loaded to the Caribbean Ferry selected some for further inspection.

During the additional inspection, ofOicers discovered $518,980 USD, intended to be smuggled out of the United States.

Philippines Customs seizes smuggled rice worth P118m

MANILA

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he Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized over a hundred containers of illegally imported

£3m tax fraud: Uk Customs seizes 55,000 litres of fuel

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bout 12,000 gallons (55,000 litres) of fuel has been seized and eight men arrested as part of an investigation into a suspected £3m tax fraud.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and police raided properties in Merseyside, Manchester and Northern Ireland.

Storage tanks, computers, money and a lorry and trailer were seized. Three men from Merseyside, one from Manchester, two from County Armagh, one from

County Down and one from County Antrim were arrested. The men taken into custody are aged between 34 and 72.

A HMRC spokeswoman said the raids in Knowsley, Liverpool, Manchester and St Helens were at a business and four “domestic addresses”, while those in Northern Ireland were at residential properties. She said that the fuel seized was “heavy hydrocarbon oil capable of running a derv (diesel) engine”. —CB Report

rice from Thailand the biggest catch, so far this year. Inside the containers were sacks of Thai white rice amounting to P118-million, and are consigned to the Calumpit Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Mindoro. The BOC said the shipments did not have import permits from the National Food Authority (NFA). The containers arrived

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at the Manila International Container Port in three batches between November 24 to December 12 in 2015.

While multi-purpose cooperatives are allowed to import rice, NFA Administrator Renan Dalisay said the Calumpit Multi-Purpose Cooperative did not follow proper procedures. The same cooperative also brought in double the maximum allowed volume.Dalisay said the country doesn’t need to import rice right now as there’s enough to cover the Oirst quarter. Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina said the bureau has issued a warrant of seizure and detention on the seized shipments and that the rice will be auctioned off. Meanwhile, Police arrested three persons and seized P20,000-worth of suspected shabu in separate anti-drug operations in Lapu-Lapu City last Saturday. Joel Dela Serna, 43, and Jade Balungcas, 26, were arrested a few meters from the Lapu-Lapu City Hall in barangay Pajo where they allegedly sold shabu to a poseur-buyer past 5 p.m. Saturday.

US creates 151,000 jobs in Jan bout 151,000 jobs were created in the United States in January, a deceleration from recent months as Oirms shed education, transport and temporary workers, but hired others in manufacturing, retail and food services.

The unemployment rate fell to 4.9 percent, its lowest level since early 2008. A report published yesterday by the Labor Department showed that employers are still hiring steadily, but at a slower pace.

The January figures follow seasonally adjusted job growth of 262,000 in December and 280,000 in November. The broader hiring slow-

down reflects an increasingly muddled picture for the US economy.

Global financial pressures and a volatile stock market have curtailed growth, but January’s jobs report appears to have further clouded the economic outlook as it showed that consumers are faring better despite steep declines in several industries.

Consumers appear to be resilient, even as sectors of the economy seemingly insulated from the slowdown in China, downturn in Brazil and fragility in Europe slipped. The number of people working or searching for jobs rose last month.—CB Report

State police seize nearly 80kg heroin in 2015

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PENNSYLVANIA

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ennsylvania State Police battling the heroin epidemic seized nearly 80 kilograms of heroin in 2015. That’s down from more than 100 kilograms seized in 2014, but up from 31.5 kilograms seized in 2013.

State police also seized more than 260 kilograms of cocaine, more than two tons of processed marijuana and nearly 7,800 marijuana plants in 2015. Police seized a similar amount of marijuana in 2014.

Overall, the state police said they seized $118 million worth of drugs in 2015, up from $107 million in 2014. State Police Commissioner Tyree Blocker was appointed by

Gov. Tom Wolf in December, in part, because of his extensive work on drug investigations.

“Our troopers have made great strides in enforcing Pennsylvania drug laws and will aggressively prosecute individuals involved in illegal drug activity within the Commonwealth,” Blocker said in a press release. “These seizures conOirm our obligation to the citizens of Penn-

sylvania by defeating these illegal criminal enterprises that have a devastating impact on the quality of life in our neighborhoods.”

Heroin remained the most deadly drug in Allegheny County last year with 176 overdose deaths. PublicSource has covered the heroin epidemic extensively over the past two years and held a panel discussion on the crisis last year.

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Iran oil sales top 300,000 barrels TEHRAN: Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh says Iran’s crude oil sales to Europe after the lifting of international sanctions on Tehran have already reached above 300,000 barrels, according to the ministry’s news agency. Iran’s oil exports, which had peaked at more than three million barrels per day (bpd) in 2011, fell to a little more than one million bpd after tougher sanctions were imposed in 2012 because of its nuclear program. After the rubberstamping of the nuclear deal with world powers last year, however, Tehran has ordered a 500,000 bpd increase in oil output. “Based on the contract signed between the National Iranian Oil Co and France’s Total, it was agreed that Total will buy 160,000 bpd of crude oil from Iran to be delivered in Europe.

Indonesia to host 30th IaPh world Ports Conference 2017 ndonesia will host the 30th World Ports Conference of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) in 2017, the spokesperson of the state port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) III Edi Prayitno noted here on Friday.

“In 2017, Pelindo I, II, III, and IV will be active IAPH members to host and hold the biannual conference that will take place at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center on May 7-12, 2017,” Edi stated.

The conference would serve as a platform to share experiences and common interests on certain issues faced by port officials globally. Currently, Pelindo I, II, and III are holding a preparation meeting in Bali, which is being attended by more than 1.5 thousand members and delegations from around the world.

“Pelindo, a state-owned enterprise in-

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Tuesday February 9, 2016

shipments Jakarta caps foreign stake USincrease 12.4% in Nov in air, sea ports at 49% T

JAKARTA

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volved in the management of Indonesian ports, must actively play an important role in local and global port activities, one of which is by participating in the IAPH,” he pointed out. The conference is considered as one of the measures to deepen business relations with other port officials in the world in addition to improving and updating their knowledge. “This conference is expected to be a potential forum for Indonesian seaport businesspersons to mutually promote ideas and products along with serving as a means of promotion and learning about port management in the country,” affirmed Edi. The IAPH, established in 1955, represents more than 200 ports in 90 countries, with total cargo being serviced reaching 60 percent of the global trade by sea, as well as nearly 80 percent of the flow of containers around the world.—CB Report

Ports & Shipping

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ndonesia is open to more foreign investors in its transport services sector but it will limit foreign ownership of its air and sea ports to just under 50 per cent, said Transportation Minister Ignatius Jonan.

“This is a sovereignty issue because the port would not only control the land, it will also be in charge of the airspace above it,” the minister

told Jakarta Globe news on Monday.

“We cannot just give that away to foreigners.” For similar reasons, foreign ownership of Indonesia’s sea ports will also be limited to 49 per cent, he said. This latest development comes as the Indonesian government is in midst of revising what it refers to as its “negative investment list”, which sets limits on foreign players in various industry sectors of South-east Asia’s largest economy. The Oirst phase of the revision is set to be announced in the coming days, said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution. If the liberalisation of the transport and lo-

gistics sectors is pushed through, it will allow foreigners to invest in and own Oirms providing, among other things, port management services, cargo handling as well as air trafOic control. In some of these businesses, foreign investors can own a stake of up to 67 per cent, but foreign ownership of air and sea ports will be capped at 49 per cent.Restrictions on foreign ownership and regulatory and transparency issues have stiOled the growth of Indonesia’s transport and logistics sectors for decades, though the latter accounts for more than a quarter of the country’s economic growth.

otal shipments of Portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico in November 2015 were about 7.3Mt, up by 12.4 per cent from the level in November 2014, according to the latest data from the US Geological Survey.

Shipments for the year through November totalled 84.9Mt, up by 3.4 per cent from the same period in 2014. The leading producing states for Portland and blended cement in November were Texas, California, Missouri, Florida and Pennsylvania, in descending order and these states accounted for 41 per cent of the total shipments for the month.

The leading cement-consuming states (Texas, California, Florida, Ohio and Illinois, in descending order) received about 39 per cent of the November shipments. Clinker production totalled 6.8Mt in November, down slightly from the output in November 2014. Production for the year through November was 69.6Mt, up slightly from the same period in 2014. The leading clinker-producing states in November were Texas, California, Missouri, Florida and Pennsylvania, and these accounted for almost 47 per cent of the national total for the month. November 2015 imports of cement and clinker of about 1Mt were 31 per cent higher than those in November 2014. Imports for the year through November totalled 10.5Mt, up by nearly 34 per cent from the same period of 2014.—CB Report

Iran container ships set for EU sailings after 5 years

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TEHRAN

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ran’s biggest shipping line hopes to start calling again at European ports, with plans for a bi-weekly service connecting India, Iran and Europe as early as next month, according to people familiar with the matter. The service would be the Oirst time in Oive years that ships from the company, Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, would tie up at European ports. The plan comes

just two weeks after the lifting of broad economic sanctions against Iran, part of an international deal to curtail Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Since sanctions have lifted, Iranian ofOicials have announced a host of deals with European companies, including an agreement earlier this week to buy Airbus Group SE jetliners. Also this week, Total SA agreed to start buying Iranian crude again.

Iran borders the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to the south and the Caspian Sea to the north. It has long been a power in the global shipping

industry. The country’s tanker-ship operator boasts the world’s largest tanker Oleet by capacity. IRISL is a much smaller player in the global container-shipping industry. IRISL or one of its subsidiaries plans to start a regular service shipping 6,000 containers along a route that would include stops at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas on the Persian Gulf, Nhava Sheva in India, Istanbul, and European ports, including Felixstowe, U.K, Genoa, Italy, and Le Havre, France, according to one person familiar with the plans. More ports could be added

later. Executives hope the sailings will be the Oirst step in an ambitious plan by the Iranian company to win a slice of the global container-shipping market. The company is also contemplating purchases of giant Triple E container vessels, the largest class of container ships in the world. IRISL’s re-entry into global container shipping comes at a rough time for the industry. Freight rates have been stuck below break-even levels for more than a year amid overcapacity estimated by analysts at more than 30%, or 442,000 containers this year.

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Quetta Customs recovers smuggled Iranian diesel, tyres KARACHI: Directorate General Customs Intelligence and Investigation recovered a huge quantity of smuggled Iranian diesel and tyres during a crackdown. Sources told Customs Today that Director-General Customs Intelligence and Investigation Imtiaz Ahmad Khan received secret information regarding some smuggling attempts. He directed the concerned authorities to enhance checking process of vehicles.

A customs team interecepted a truck and recovered huge quantity of tyres of jeeps and trucks.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

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Multan Customs Intelligence impounds trucks for carrying illegal items MULTAN SaJID BaShIR

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he Multan Customs Intelligence and Investigation has impounded two trucks being used for the transportation of illegal items, including a concrete mixture plant.

A team of Customs Intelligence during road checking intercepted two Mazda loader trucks near Qadirpur Ran, a town, nearly 24 kilometres away from Multan city, and checked the loaded items.

The officials recovered a concrete mixture plant, which could not be imported under the import policy. Therefore, the customs officials impounded the trucks and brought them to the Customs office near Rajanpur for further investigation.

“The import of concrete mixture plant is illegal and against the law, as import policy does not allow the import of such articles and the trucks will remain in the custody of Customs Intelligence until the verification of import documents,” an official said. The value of two impounded trucks is estimated at Rs 7 million.

Sialkot Customs launches drive against illegal cigarettes SIALKOT

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he Customs Intelligence and Investigation has launched a campaign against selling of foreign cigarettes, which are brought into the country without the payment of duty/taxes causing loss to the national exchequer.

Reportedly, a team of Customs Intelligence raided shops of

cigarettes’ sellers in order to capture the non-duty paid cigarettes of different brands, including Pine, More, Dunhill etc.

The officials also warned the traders of action if anyone found involved in selling of notified items. Talking to Customs Today, an official of Customs Intelligence, Rashid told that the government has imposed ban on selling of the said imported cigarettes; therefore, a crackdown has been launched.

He further said that the department will not accept any pressure for releasing of guilty

shopkeeper rather department will complete process against the said shopkeeper according to customs law.

Meanwhile, As many as 1,500 different kinds of vehicles owned by the different government departments, including big national and multinational companies and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), are token tax defaulters in Gujranwala Division.

According to the senior officials of the Excise and Taxation Department, the owners of 423 Yellow Cab vehicles have not

yet paid their taxes, while another 700 vehicles have also not paid their taxes for the last five years.

According to the senior officials of the Excise and Taxation Department, the owners of 423 Yellow Cab vehicles have not yet paid their taxes, while another 700 vehicles have also not paid their taxes for the last five years.

As many as 35 vehicles of the police department, two vehicles of the PTCL and 15 vehicles of the Gepco were also defaulters of motor registration

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and token fees since long and despite issuance of the recovery notices, the departments are reluctant to clear the pending arrears worth millions of rupees.Now, the Excise Department has issued the final recovery notices to the owners of the vehicles asking them to clear their dues within two weeks. After this, the Excise Department would issue the lists of these chronic defaulters to the federal and provincial governments, seeking their help in recovering their outstanding arrears.