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Karachi, Tue January 10, 2017

KARACHI

AFTAB CHANNA

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odel Customs Collectorate Appraisement West Collector Dr Fareed Iqbal Qureshi has asked the Director Intelligence and Investigation to approach Customs Quetta and Peshawar to obtain requisite information about 499 containers, it is learnt.

OfSicial sources told Customs Today that Dr Qureshi recently forwarded a letter to Director Enforcement, Directorate General of

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Intelligence and Investigation Samina Tasleem Zehra informing about the status of the investigation. “It is informed that Asfandyar Khan, Deputy Collector of Customs Appraisement West, was deputed along with staff of the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation, Regional OfSice Karachi to visit the FBR in order to scrutinize cross border certiSicates (CBCs). The ofSicials said that the relevant CBCs (in original and photocopies) pertaining to suo moto case no 16/2010 were forwarded by NAB Headquarters Islamabad to Customs Peshawar and Customs Quetta for conSirmation of their cross border status,” Collector Dr Qureshi said in the letter available with Customs Today.

Customs Preventive made 592 seizure cases worth Rs 325m in six months

ASO collects revenue of Rs.211.369m during 1H of FY2016-17

Chinese CET all set to energise Pakistan

Customs Central Region collects Rs55.62m federal excise duty in Nov

Customs ASO, PSMA seize 1.5 ton narcotics in joint operation

Collector Customs Collectorate Preventive Dr Saifuddin has said that his collectorate | See pAge 02 |

Customs ASO collected revenue of Rs.211.369 million from July to Dec | See pAge 03 |

CEPEC or CET, a subsidiary of State Grid Corp of China announced that all arrangements | See pAge 04 |

Customs Central Region has collected Rs55.62 million as FED in November | See pAge 14 |

Directorate of Customs I& ASO and PSMA have recovered 1.5 ton narcotics | See pAge 16 |

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Rs1,170m collected in Feb-Dec: ASO breaks all previous records Tuesday, January 10, 2017

National

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Customs Anti smuggling-Organization collected revenue Rs1170 million during February 2016 to December 2016 by confiscated foreign origin goods under jurisdiction of Model Customs Collectorate.

According to details told by sources of ASO Islamabad that during said period the performance of ASO Islamabad shows that it collected highest revenue in history of the Customs Collectorate. During the correspondence period the ASO made huge seizers of the history and made heavy crackdown against the smugglers, adding that, all of that become possible under the guidance of Collector Dr. Arslan as for as Deputy Collector Preventive Shahid Jan.

Customs preventive made 592 seizure cases worth rs 325m in six months

ISLAMABAD

KARACHI

TAriQ DerYA

AFTAB CHANNA

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he Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) Islamabad collected revenue Rs.6.17 million by seized offending vehicle as for as smuggled goods during 17th to 23rd December of financial year (FY) 2016-17. According to details told by Shahid Jan Deputy Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad said that during above said period the ASO’s performing was out stinging , adding that during said period the ASO seized 03 different type of offending vehicle in value of Rs.2.2 millions. He said that during 17th to 23rd December FY201617 the ASO seized 4281 kilogram of foreign origin fabric in value of Rs.2.39 million as for as the ASO seized black tea in quantity of 492 kilogram in value of Rs.0.113 million. The Deputy Collector adding that during above said period the ASO seized 06 numbers of tires and tubes in value of Rs.0.059 million as for as the ASO seized 820 kilogram of Auto Spare Parts in value of Rs.0.348 million. The DC Jan said that during said period the ASO seized electronic goods in value of Rs.0.151 million adding that during same period the ASO seized above mention different type of smuggled goods in value of Rs.3.97 million.

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ollector Customs Collectorate Preventive Dr Saifuddin Junejo has said that his collectorate made at least 592 seizure cases from July to December 2016. Talking to Customs Today, Collector Junejo said under the dynamic administrative command of Chief Collector of Customs, Enforcement South Zahid Khokhar, the staff of Preventive Collectorate posted at international arrivals and international departures of Karachi airport performed in a very effective and professional manner during the Sirst half of the current Sinancial year i.e. from July 2016 to December 2016 and effected 592 seizure cases of contraband goods pertaining to gold, jewelry, currency, mobile phones, narcotics and alcohol worth Rs 325 million.

In these seizure cases, the staff apprehended currency worth Rs 84 million, 7.578kg gold, gold jewelry worth Rs 33 million, 2544 mobile phones of assorted brands worth Rs 30 million, narcotics worth Rs 170 million and more than 2,527 bottles of foreign origin alcohol worth Rs 4.4 million, he said. Besides, the Air Freight Unit (AFU) of Customs Preventive Karachi also achieved the revenue collection target amounting to more than Rs 20 billion during the Sirst six months of the current Sinancial year, collector

ASo islamabad gets rs 6.17m by seizing illegal goods

added. Meanwhile, The Collectorate of Customs Preventive has collected Rs 12,670 million under the head of customs duty, sales tax, income tax and the federal excise duty during the month of December 2016. The ofSicial sources told Customs Today that Customs Preventive collected Rs 12,670 million in the whole month of December 2016 that included Rs 3,689.19 million customs duty, Rs 7,633.82 mil-

lion sales tax, Rs 1,248.28 million income tax and Rs 99.49 million the federal excise duty (FED). SigniSicantly, the Customs Preventive collected Rs 471.20 million as customs duty and Rs 1,107.50 million as sales tax on the last working day i.e. December 31, 2016. At all, the Preventive Collectorates has collected Rs 66,746.26 million from July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016 that included Rs 18,406.99

million customs duty, Rs 40,911.90 million sales tax, Rs 6,140.40 million income tax and Rs 1,286.97 million the federal excise duty. Sources said that the newly posted Collector Preventive Dr Saifuddin Junejo lauded the performance of the ofSicials of the collectorate in attaining the revenue targets and hoped that the ofSicials would put up extra efforts to achieve more than the set targets.

‘Degeneration of society can be tackled only by following the prophet (pBuH)’

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FAISALABAD

NAeem SHeikH

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he Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) and Customs Clearing Agents Association organised a magniSicent MehSil-e-Naat at the Faisalabad Dry Port where speakers and Naat Khawan shed light on various features and facets of illustrious life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). According to details, Faisalabad Customs Collector Dr. ZulSiqar

Ali Chaudhary, Additional Collector Muhammad Saeed Asad, Assistant Collector Idrees Qureshi, Deputy Collector (DC) Usman Tariq, Faisalabad Dry Port General Manager (GM) Muhammad Amir and other ofSicers, including Rana Muhammad Iftikhar, Maqbool and President Rana Safdar Ali from the Customs Clearing Agents Association, attended the gathering. Famous Naat Khawan Hakeem Azeem and Qasim Hassan paid poetic tribute to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

On the occasion, Prof Ahmed RaSique Akhtar spoke about the life of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). The main topic of the occasion was “Why Man Is Upset Today?” He emphasised that the Prophet (PBUH) lived a life of simplicity and piety. He gave the message of peace and brotherhood for the entire humanity, which is need of the hour. The degeneration and conSlict prevailing in the society can be tackled only by following the great life of the Prophet (PBUH), he stressed. Addressing a MehSil-e-Naat

at the Model Customs Collectorate (MCC), he said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a reformer par excellence. He taught us to behave respectfully even with our worst opponents in a manner to attract them towards the true teaching of Islam.

Our Islam is a religion of peace and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) practised the teachings of Islam in its true sense and spirit throughout his life, said renowned religious Scholar Ahmed RaSique Akhtar. Later, Additional Deputy Collector (ADC)

Muhammad Saeed Asad and Acting Customs Agents Association President Rana Safdar Ali presented a memento to Prof Ahmed RaSique Akhtar.

He also appreciated the administration of the MCC for regularly holding the Milad every year in the most beSitting manner. Acting President Customs Agents Association Rana Safdar Ali thanked the participants and expressed satisfaction over the massive participation of the customs ofSicers as well as business community in the religious sitting.

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Sialkot dry port handles 728,320-tonne cargo in Nov, Dec SIALKOT: Sialkot dry port handled recorded movement of 728,320-tonne cargo during the months of November and December, 2016 including 407,880-tonne of import oriented consignments and 320,440-tonne of export oriented consignments.

As per the details the dry port handled 678,346-tonne cargo during the corresponding period of 2015. The traders imports leather, raw material for soccer balls, surgical instruments and etc while in the exports included sports goods, leather garments, gloves and other sports and leather industrial related items. Customs official told Customs Today that Sialkot Customs cleared the consignments, which will be sent abroad by sea from Karachi.

Bid to smuggle fertilizers foiled at Torkham border

Tuesday January 10, 2017

National

ASo collects revenue of rs.211.369m during 1H of FY2016-17

KHYBER AGENCY

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he Khasadar force has foiled a bid of smuggling fertilizers from Pakistan to Afghanistan by recovering huge quantity of the same from a truck here at Torkham border. According to the political administration official, the on duty Khasadar personnel stopped an Afghanistan-bound vehicle loaded with tomatoes for routine checking. During the search 400 bags (of 50kg) were recovered. A case was registered and one person identified as Rauf s/o Mohammad Rahim, resident of Bala Manray, Peshawar, was arrested and sent to the Landi Kotal lockup for investigation.

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Customs Valuation issues reference value of shoes KARACHI

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irectorate General of Customs Valuation has issued the reference values for men/women leather shoes. 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 reflect the values of the items as traded in the international market. During the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it has been observed that men/women leather shoes falling under PCT headings 6403.5100, 6403.5900, 6403.9100 & 6403.9900 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 declaration.

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ISLAMABAD

TAriQ DerYA

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ustoms Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) collected revenue of Rs.211.369 million from July to December of Sinancial year 2016-17. ASO seized smuggled goods, non duty paid and offending vehicles during the above said period.

Deputy Collector Shahid Jan told Customs Today that under direction of Collector Dr. Arslan, the ASO operations against smugglers and tax evaders resulted as successful generation of handsome revenue.

The deputy collector said that during the above-mentioned period, the ASO collected revenue of Rs.1.014 million by seizing 366 smuggled tyres and tubes, along with Rs.2.765 million from non-duty paid auto spare parts in quantity of 10402 kilograms and Rs.0.043 million by conSiscating 260 liters of foreign-origin mobil oil and cigarettes.

He further said that the ASO seized foreign-origin fabric worth Rs.39.25 million, 79 non duty paid vehicles of Rs. 108.94 million, 78 offending vehicles, 2433 kilogram foreign origin black tea worth Rs.7.51 million, 65879 kilogram food grains worth Rs.0.703 million and various goods worth Rs.12.530 million during this period.

He added that the ASO conSiscated non-duty paid electronic items worth Rs.32.56 million, 41400 pirated

CD/DVDs worth Rs.0.823 million, 287 smuggled blankets worth Rs.0.234 million, foreign-origin medicines worth Rs.0.403 million and smuggled crockery worth Rs.0.071 million.

Meanwhile, The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized a huge quantity of smuggled goods along with offending vehicle worth Rs 1.65 million from Balkasar Interchange Motorway. According to details Deputy Collector Shahid Jan, shared information that a huge con-

He further said that the ASo seized foreign-origin fabric worth rs.39.25 million, 79 non duty paid vehicles of rs. 108.94 million, 78 offending vehicles, 2433 kilogram foreign origin black tea worth rs.7.51 million, 65879 kilogram food grains worth rs.0.703 million and various goods worth rs.12.530 million

Hyderabad Customs seizes schoolbags

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HYDERABAD

ASLAm ANJum QureSHi

www.customsbulletin.com he Customs Intelligence and Investigation Hyderabad FIU unit has seized 50 bundles of smuggled black pepper valued Rs 3025,000 involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 877,796 on bypass road Hyderabad during a raid.

Meanwhile, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation has seized 50 bundles of schoolbags worth Rs 2.2 million involving duty /taxes

amounting to Rs.1.5 million during a action on Hyderabad National High way. Reportedly Customs Intelligence & Investigation FIU Unit Hyderabad In-charge Superintendent Qasim Ali Alvi along with Customs Intelligence OfSicers Irfan Ghani and other customs staff was checking vehicles on Hyderabad near bypass road. Meanwhile, Customs Intelligence team intercepted a vehicle and started searching it, which led to the recovery of 50 bundles of black pepper. The vehicle was going

to Karachi from Lahore. The driver was asked to show documents, but he failed to prove the genuineness, so the customs ofSicials conSiscated the said item under the customs bylaws. It may be mentioned here that following the instructions of director Karachi Customs Intelligence, the Sield investigation unit is taking stern action against smugglers in the region. Keeping the instructions in view, all measures are being taken to save the national economy from illegal trade.

signment of smuggled goods will be transported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will cross Balkasar Interchange late night. The deputy collector said that after getting the information, the ASO staff formed a squad and made a picket at Balkasar Motorway Interchange which intercepted a Mazda truck coming from Peshawar.

The deputy collector said that the ASO squad asked the driver to show the relevant documents that the goods loaded on the Mazda truck.

195kg hashish seized in malakand he Malakand Levies have recovered 195-kilogram hashish from a vehicle and arrested two alleged drug peddlers. Talking to reporters, Deputy Commissioner Syed Zafar Ali Shah said that acting on information about a drug smuggling bid, the Levies men established a checkpoint on Malakand road and started searching vehicles.

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Prices of dry wood increase after rain, snowfall ISLAMABAD: Immense increase has been witnessed in the prices of dry wood after rain and snowfall in many parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA. Although locals have expressed happiness on the end of long dry spell, but they are now concerned over the high prices of dry wood, reported a privte news channel.

While talking to news channel, people of Parachinar area in Kurram Agency said that wood sellers have cashed in on the situation and they are charging high-priced rates for the wood used for cooking food and other purposes. “I just returned from a wood market empty handed due to exorbitant prices.

Tuesday January 10, 2017

Business

Chinese CeT all set to energise pakistan ISLAMABAD

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hina Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co Ltd or CET, a subsidiary of State Grid Corp of China announced that all arrangements have been completed to energise Pakistan, through 910-km 660 kilovolt Matiari-Lahore DC transmission Line.

Referring to a recent agreement arrived at between CET and its Pakistani counterpart, the company’s sources said they were going to participate in the largest direct-current high-voltage transmission project along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. According to a China Eco-

ANF arrests suspect for supply drugs ISLAMABAD

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nomic Net’s report, this is a mega project to be built on engineering, procurement and construction or EPC basis, also includes two converter stations. EPC contracts are common in the construction industry. The transmission line is being

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worth over $1.76 billion and will take 27 months to construct, according to CET. Construction would begin soon, CET said.

“The project, once completed, will help transmit 4,000 MW of electricity and fuel exports worth about 10 billion yuan ($1.44 billion) annually,” said Zheng Baihua, deputy manager in general of CET. Zheng said the project would mainly use Chinese products, standards, design and construction. “The project is of great importance to sustain Pakistan’s GDP growth. As per market consensus, it is expected to rise at a rate of 5 percent in 2017 and 5.5 percent in 2018, from a forecast rate of 4.7 percent for 2016,” said Joseph Jacobelli, senior analyst of Asian utilities and infrastructure research at Bloomberg Intelligence.

LAHORE

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urther to the launch of the highly anticipated Honor 6X in Las Vegas, USA earlier, Huawei announced the device’s availability in Pakistan market.

Honor 6X is a beautifully-designed and powerful mobile that offers ‘double the experience’. 6X has doubled the specs along with many other pioneering features at an amazing competitive price. The main reason behind Huawei 6X’s excitement is its new features, including its 3340mAh high-density battery which is a step ahead of the industry with an increased battery capacity of 11%. It delivers several days of general usage and 1.5 day of heavy usage with a full charge. With its patent fast charging technology, 6X can run as fast as you require. The possibilities are endless; you can watch up to 11.5 hours of video, listen to 70 hours of music, or embrace your inner geek and game for up to 8 hours – in just one charge. It applies an Octa-core Kirin 655 HiSilicon processor, with 3GB RAM making it a powerful technology beast that allows you to play games, surf the internet, listen to music seamlessly or run multiple apps at the same time.

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Japanese out, Chinese in: 18 years after closure, kCr to start this year

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he Anti-Narcotics Force has arrested a man who was allegedly involved in providing drugs to students of educational institutes in the twin cities. Addressing a press conference, ANF Force Commander in Rawalpindi Hammad Ahmed Dogar said that they had launched a campaign to apprehend drug peddlers supplying drugs to educational institutions on the directions of ANF director general. In this regard, the ANF’s intelligence unit had deployed special surveillance teams as well as informers to monitor activities of the gangs.

constructed as part of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor or CPEC. It starts from a converter station at Matiari near Hyderabad city in Sindh province and ends at Nankana Sahab near Lahore city in Punjab province. The contract is

kick off Your New Year with Huawei – Honor 6X

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KARACHI

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he Japanese are no longer looking after the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR). The service which shutdown in December 1999 has now become part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). After its addition in CPEC this December, the Joint Cooperation Committee has asked the transport department to submit their report within three months after the signing of its agreement.

The KCR was commissioned in 1964 and remained an effective mass transportation system till 1984. Later the operational efSiciency kept deteriorating—resulting in the loss of passengers and eventual closure after 15 years.

KCR has a 43.12 kilometers long track- 23 kilometers will be elevated, and its jurisdiction is spread over 360 acres. When functional, KCR will have 24 stations, each 1.5 km away from the other. Trains will be kicking off their journey from city railway station till Nipa and one complete round will take 66 min-

utes. Each day it will cater to 0.7 million passengers. Successive governments have been striving to revive the dead project. But it needs more money than the city’s yearly budget.

Back in 2009, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) showed its interest in this project which would have cost them almost $2609.32 million but years later their interest was overshadowed due to the hurdles in the project mainly encroachment on the mainline. Talking to Geo News Director General Mass Transit Cell, Muhammed Ather said.

russia’s joining of CpeC to enhance cooperation ISLAMABAD

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ussia’s joining of CPEC will be an opportunity for China, Russia and Pakistan to enhance cooperation, Chinese Tabloid Global Times said in a report.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as a Slagship project of the One Belt and One Road (OBOR) initiative, has drawn a great

deal of investments. Pakistan has already approved a Russian request for using the Gwadar Port, for its exports. What’s more, Russia as China’s strategic partner, a member of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has been advancing the Sino-Russian “the Belt and the Union” (the Silk Road Economic Belt and the EAEU) and a broader Eurasian partnership. Russia’s participation in the CPEC, including the use of the Gwadar Port,

could give a boost to Sino-Russian cooperation and be a demonstration project of OBOR that will enhance future multinational cooperation, the newspaper argued.

Second, Russia and Pakistan are both friendly toward China. Pakistan, the now observer of the SCO, ofSicially submitted its full membership application to the organization.

The SCO has launched its decision process on the admittance of Pakistan and India. As for Russia-Pak-

istan relations and Russia’s role in the CPEC, China is deemed as a stakeholder in the affairs and has certain inSluences. But China will not intervene in Russia-Pakistan relations. In addition, Pakistan follows the balance of power theory and conducts open diplomacy in a bid to maximize its national interests, which is beyond reproach. The Gwadar Port can also be used by countries like Iran and Turkmenistan for trade.

Given the prevailing globalization and regional integration, it is not possible, realistic or necessary, for any country to monopolize one country’s economic affairs.

Third, India has been opposed to the CPEC due to the long-term tension between New Delhi and Islamabad, and its historical border disputes with China. Traditionally, Russia has developed a very good relationship with India, as well as China and Pakistan.

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hief Collector Customs (Central) M Samaira Nazir Siddiqui and OfSicers Pakistan Customs Service (Central R bade a farewell to Chairman FBR Nis hammad Khan at the Custom House L on Saturday. He is going to retire soon Masroor Ahmad, member customs also graced the occasion.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Co Customs (Central) Madam Samaira paid rich tributes to Nisar Muhamma for his valuable services rendered to partment. She also praised the lead and professional excellence display Nisar Muhammad Khan during his ten chairman FBR. She speciSically laud role in achieving the revenue target o than Rs three trillion for the Sirst t the history of the FBR. The member, customs, FBR, speaking

Madam s of the Region) sar MoLahore n. Nasir s, FBR,

ollector a Nazir ad Khan the dedership yed by nure as ded his of more time in

g on the

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occasion, shared his views on the glorious career achievements of Nisar Muhammad Khan. He thanked the chairman for making FBR one of the most vibrant entities in the federal government.

The chairman, FBR, also speaking on the occasion, shared his experiences during his 32 years long career in civil service. He stressed the need for infusing qualities of hard-work, dedication and service in the personalities of young ofSicers so as to serve the country. Collector MCC (Preventive) Lahore ZulSiqar Younas also hosted a ceremony in honour of Nisar Muhammad Khan and also appreciated his dedication, competence and principles that he has earned during his career as a role model for the senior and young ofSicers alike. A large number of retired and serving ofSicers participated in the function. At the end, the chief collector presented shields and gifts to the chairman FBR & member customs. The chairman also signed the Custom House Visitor Book and appreciated the arrangements made by the ofSicers of the Collectorate of

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Customs Preventive Lahore.

am l) mad a r t n isar s (Ce s to N u s to m e C t r u o b i t e ch tr Co l l e c luabl aid ri a p v C hief r s i i z h e n t. ira Na n fo r par tm S ama d k ha e a d m e m o th and muha e re d t rship d e d n a e r e es he l e d by ser vic ised t s p l ay a i r d p e o c ls g his ellen S he a durin al exc n n o a i h s s ad k p r o fe Br amm h u man F m r i r a a s h i c N e as te n u r

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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

A pipeline of peace

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hen four nations signed an initial investment agreement last year to become part of the $10billion TurkmenistanAfghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, it was seen as a major leap towards regional integration. The best part of the deal was that, two arch-rivals, Pakistan and India also side by side for a common cause and it was hoped the nations would go extra mile to boost business, trade and investment. However, years after the project was conceived, the nations are struggling to work out modalities and generate funds to practically launch the project. Pakistan is energy starved country where natural gas resources are fast depleting and the new oil and gas exploration activities are hit by political, financial and technical constraints. Peace in the route of the proposed gas pipeline still could not be restored and Afghanistan is still burning in civil war. Adding insult to injury is the Indian interference in Afghanistan, were it is increasing spy activities to create troubles in Pakistan. India is also threatening water terrorism against Pakistan which shows the country was in no mood to establish peace in the region. The geo-politics of the world is changing at a fast rate and new trends are emerging in the international affairs. The TAPI gas pipeline project is a major effort not only to cater to the energy needs of three countries, but also a best precedent of the regional cooperation.Under the project, both Pakistan and India will hold 5 percent shares each and the remaining 85 percent stake will be held

by Turkmenistan.The TAPI pipeline is being dubbed as the peace pipeline.The increasing cooperation among the countries in the region will bring peace and stability as the three countries, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, will be depending on one another.

However, if India stops the flow of water to Pakistan from occupied Kashmir, the entire project of the gas pipeline will be in jeopardy. Pakistan and China have already established a road link to enhance trade and commercial activities not only between the two countries but also with the rest of the world. It is the great chance for India to become part of the regional cooperation activities to establish lasting peace between the two countries.

Depending on loans A

LAHORE

Dr AFTAB AFZAL

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ccording to newspaper reports, the government is weighing its options to get $12.53 billion loans, especially from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank during the next one and half year. At least $6.63 billion would be sought during the current Siscal year and $5.89 billion during next year, showing an unfortunate fact that the government has deliberately adopted a mismanagement strategy.The exports of the country have been falling since the present government took over three years ago and loans are piling up to maintain the foreign currency

reserves at an acceptable level.

But how long the strategy of loans will go on is a point to ponder but no one wants to think over it. As the exports are falling and trade deSicit are on the rise, the country is facing increasing imbalance in debt servicing and is struggling to maintain the rate of inSlation at certain levels. Apart from taking $2.85 billion from the World Bank, $500 million from the Asian Development Bank and $350 million from other donor agencies, the government expects $1 billion from Safe China Deposit, $500 million from Euro Bonds, and $1.13 billion from the Islamic Development Bank. The government is also planning to take $300 million from the commercial banks during the current Siscal year.

The loans are increasing, but planning is absent.If exports are falling, the foreign direct investment is also drying up, posing a big question mark on the ability of the government to deal with fiscal difficulties. Pakistan with its huge human and natural resources has the potential to become Asian tiger in a few years, but the country needs structural reforms in every field of the economy. The government has so far failed to study any developed economy to adopt it as a model.

The poorest countries of East Asia, including Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia, have placed their economies on the road of progress. Pakistan has miserably failed to tap its potentials. The government will

have to check anomalies within the official machinery and will have to devise prudent economic policies and implement its writ for the cause of the nation. Instead of producing industrial surplus, the government is fully relying on foreign loans and it is the dangerous trend. The nation is unprepared to face the issue of debt servicing in coming years.

The under performance of Pakistan is visible in the list of global competitiveness index published by the World Economic Forum.

In the index, Singapore ranks second, India 39th, Sri Lanka 79th and Pakistan is at the bottom 122nd with lower per capita income. The nation is not destined to be poor and this is the time to act.

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Iran steel exports up 55% TEHRAN: Iran’s major steelmakers exported over 4.12 million tons of crude steel and steel products in the nine months ending December 20, registering a 55% growth compared with last year’s corresponding period, according to the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization.

Domestic manufacturers exported 479,854 tons in the Iranian month of Azar (Nov. 21-Dec. 20) to register a 117% jump year-on-year. Khouzestan Steel Company accounted for the lion’s share of total exports by shipping more than 1.4 million tons of blooms, billets and slabs during the nine-month period, registering a 48% growth YOY. KSC’s slabs were especially in high demand, as shipments soared 2,469% to 534,796 tons. KSC, Iran’s largest semis producer, has continued to improve its position in the Far Eastern slab markets for the past few months.

LCCi greets FpCCi new leadership LAHORE

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he Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry Saturday felicitated the newly elected President Zubair Tufail, Senior Vice President Aamer Ata Bajwa and body members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry. “Not only the winners but all participants deserve greetings for becoming part of a democratic process and also for ensuring a pleasant atmosphere for the elections of FPCCI.” In a statement issued here, the LCCI President Abdul Basit said that sweeping of all important FPCCI seats with a thumping majority clearly reflects the confidence of business community in judicious policies being followed by the group leadership. He said that credit of historic success goes to the top leader-

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ship of the group for working day and night for the betterment and welfare of the business community.

He hoped that FPCCI President-elect Zubair Tufail and other VPs will take up the issues of high tariffs of energy prices, high cost of doing business, widening trade deficit and decline in exports with government for survival of economy. Abdul Basit hoped said that FPCCI leadership as usual will continue to accord top importance to the prompt solution to collective problems and issues being confronted by the business community.

Meanwhile, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar has said that all economic indicators are moving in right direction and situation would get even better in coming months.

Tuesday January 10, 2017

Chambers

Nepal keens to promote trade with pakistan in multiple fields: envoy A

ISLAMABAD

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mbassador of Nepal H. E. Ms. Sewa Lamsal Adhikari has said that his country was keen to promote trade with Pakistan as both countries have good potential to enhance bilateral trade multiple Sields.

She added that trade was now an integral part of sustainable development in the globalized and interdependent world. She said NepalPakistan bilateral trade was not satisfactory despite having multiple consultative mechanisms and robust institutional as well as legal frameworks. She stressed that both countries should make more efforts to promote frequent interactions between their private sectors and organize trade fairs, exhibitions and promotional activities to exploit all untapped areas of mutual cooperation. She was addressing business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

She said many Nepalese products including tea, coffee, pashmina products, woolen carpets, handicrafts, gold & silver jewelry, optical lenses, pulses, paper & paper products and medici-

nal herbs have good prospects in Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani textiles & leather products, machinery & parts, medicines and medical equipment, shoes & sandals, spices, dried fruits etc. have great potential in Nepalese market. She highlighted hydropower, tourism and agriculture as other potential areas of mutual cooperation between the two countries. The envoy said Nepal possessed around 83000 MW potential of hydropower genera-

tion, but was currently generating only around 700 MW hydroelectricity while the domestic demand was more than 1500 MW which was estimated to reach 3600 MW by 2027. She said Pakistani investors should invest in hydropower, agriculture and herbal processing industries in Nepal to take beneSit of its liberalized investment policies. She assured that she would work with commitment to increase the volume of trade, tourism, invest-

govt to announce textile packages to enhance rebate: FCCi

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extile is the mainstay of national economy which is facing steep decline for the last many years. In order to revive this foreign exchange earning sector the government must announce textile package in addition to enhancing rebate from 0.5 to 5 percent with immediate effect, said Engineer Muhammad Saeed Sheikh President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI).

He was addressing a seminar organized by SMEDA on “Production and Operation Management” in FCCI here today. Analyzing the overall economy of Pakistan, he said that our foreign exchange earnings are

restricted to foreign remittances and textile exports. He said that textile is much more important as compared to the remittances. “The textile sector also plays an instrumental role in providing much needed jobs to the unemployed youth in addition to fetching precious foreign exchange”, he added.

He said that unluckily for the last 12 years, this sector has been totally ignored by the governments and now its impacts are visible in the form of declining exports. He said that the foreign exchange earned by textile exports has been dwindled from 18-20 to 14-15 billion dollars.

He also criticized the so called zero rating of textile exports and said that government is still charging 17 percent sales tax on raw material consumed by this sector for the pur-

pose of exports. He further said that sales tax and income tax refunds are still pending for the last many years.

Moreover, in the garb of zero rating 1.5 to 2 percent non-refundable tax has been imposed whereas the income from exports is not equivalent to this tax. He said that earlier the tax paid was refundable though with a delay of many years but now this 2 percent tax is totally un-refundable which has added burden on exporters in addition to enhancing their cost of production and eroding their Sinancial base.

He further told that textile sector is facing multiple challenges in the form of costly electricity and gas.

The Pakistani exporters are getting electricity at 10 to 12 cent per unit while the same electricity is available in India at 4 to 5 cent per.

ment and people-to-people relations between Nepal and Pakistan. Speaking at the occasion, Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that lack of direct connectivity between Pakistan and Nepal was the major hurdle in bilateral trade. He said both countries should focus on establishing direct air links and explore other options for doing direct trade for achieving better results.

FCCi demands extension in date of filing iT returns till Jan 15 aisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) President Engineer Muhammad Saeed Sheikh has demanded extension in the date of filing income tax returns up to January 15, 2017.

In a statement issued here, he said that it was impossible for the tax payers to file their returns for the year 2016 positively on December 31, 2016. “Taxpayers have to collect required details along with relevant documents which cannot be made available on December 31, 2016,” he added. He said that every taxpayer needed some extra time to collect its income tax related documents up to December 31, 2016.He said that in hurriedness there were chances of making wrong entries, hence, the FBR should extend the date for filing income tax returns up to January 15, 2017. —CB Report

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Mianwali ASO seizes non duty paid cloth during road checking Tuesday January 10, 2017

National Sialkot ASo impounds Toyota mark-X worth rs2m SIALKOT

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FAISALABAD: The Customs Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO), Mianwali has seized smuggled items worth Rs 15,50,000 involving customs duty and taxes worth Rs 87,376.

The ASO team also impounded van worth Rs 10,00,000 during a raid action. Sources told Customs Today that Additional Collector Muhammad Saeed Asad received credible information regarding smuggling attempts. He formed an ASO team comprising Superintendent Chaudhary Sardar Muhammad, Muhammad Umar Bhatti and Inspector Azhar Hussain Jafari, driver Riasat Hussain, Sepoys Faiz Ahmad, Sher Ahmad and Muhammad Abdullah.

Additional Collector Beelam issues oNo against m/S Jk Spinning C

FAISALABAD

ujranwala Customs Intelligence and Investigation has impounded a non-duty paid Toyota Mark-X vehicle worth Rs2 million during vehicles checking on Grand Trunk (GT) Road. Under the directions of Deputy Director Ali Zeb Khan the Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Sarwar constituted a team to check the vehicles on the above said road. The Customs Intelligence team fromed check post at GT Road and started the checking of vehicles. During the checking vehicles the team intercepted a Car Toyota Mark-X bearing registration number ACE-166-ICT Model 2013 which was coming from Islamabad and going to Lahore the team asked driver Rasheed about customs clearance documents of the car but he was failed to produce the said documents.

The driver told the team I don’t know about customs-duty paid documents while the owner of the car is a renowned personality and he knows better about booking papers.

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Customs Court grants bail suspect involved in tax evasion Customs Court has granted pre-arrest bail to a suspect allegedly involved in a sales tax evasion case.

Customs Court judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi approved the pre-arrest bail to Taimur Asif Khan s/o Asif Ali Khan who was booked in over Rs 6.11 million sales tax evasion case. During the hearing, counsel for the accused/ applicant filed an application for pre-arrest bail. The counsel argued that the accused/ applicant is innocent and is falsely implicated in this case. The counsel submitted that the suspect is ready to face trail, therefore, the court may grant him bail. After the arguments, the court granted him bail against a surety of Rs 200, 000 and directed him to join investigation and appear before the court. —M Bilal

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ustoms Adjudication Additional Collector Beelamur Ramzan has issued Order-inOriginal (ONO) against M/s JK Spinning & Forwarding Agency and ordered to seize the smuggled goods.

According to details, customs authorities intercepted a vehicle and recovered huge quantity of nonduty paid velvet cloth, ladies fabrics and children shoes and cloth of different brands. These goods were being transported through M/s JK Spinning Forwarding Agency, while the consignment was booked from Lahore to Faisalabad.

The examination team of Faisalabad Customs along with representative of Faisalabad Dry Port Trust (FDPT) during examination ob-

served that the condition as well as packing of goods was quite shabby and not up to the mark. It was suspected that high tariff goods have

been replaced with low tariff goods.

Therefore, the ofSicials seized the items and registered FIR against the accused company.

It is necessary to mention here that after arrival of the said goods neither importer nor his authorized person approached for clearance of their consignment. Later, the case was sent to the adjudication for further legal action. Superintendent Sardar Mohammad, Inspector Abdul Jabbar, Safdar Ali and Masood Saeed Chohan appeared before the authority, while no one appeared to defend the case from respondent’s side nor any written reply was received from the respondent.

Therefore, Customs Adjudication Additional Collector Beelamur Ramzan ordered to seize the goods under clause 14 of Section 156 (1), 157(1) and (2) of the Customs Act. 1969. It is necessary to mention here that Customs Adjudication expedited their efforts to conclude pending cases on priority basis.

ASo seizes gold, currency rs 27.5m 1H of 2016-17 T

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he staff of the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) deployed at Benazir Bhutto International Airport seized smuggled gold and currency worth Rs 27.5 million during the Sirst half of Sinancial year 201617. The ASO arrested four suspects during the period and registered cases against them.

According to details, the ASO took various measures to check and prevent smuggling of currency and gold through Islamabad airport to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, China and Bangkok. Four inspectors and two deputy collectors were deployed at the airport all the time to perform this exclusive task.

Sources told Customs Today that the ASO staff foiled an attempt to smuggle gold besides foiling three money laundering attempts during the Sirst half of FY2016-17.

Sources added that during December 2016 the ASO staff seized gold worth Rs 3.1 million and ar-

rested one accused.

The sources said that the ASO seized currency worth Rs 10.42 million during August of FY201617 and arrested two suspects, adding that during month of July

FY2016-17 the ASO staff seized smuggled currency worth Rs 10.18 million and arrested one accused at the airport. During the month of December FY2016-17, the ASO staff seized foreign cur-

rency worth Rs 3.8 million and arrested one suspect. The ASO staff registered money laundering cases against them and forwarded the same to the Adjudication for further proceeding.

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DG-Internal Audit Dr Owais Agha reviews yearly performance of department KARACHI: Director General of Directorate General of Internal Audit-Customs Dr Owais Agha Jawwad has called a meeting of the officers in order to review the performance of the directorate during the entire year of 2016. The meeting was attended by Director Internal Audit-Customs Imtiaz Ahmed and other senior officers of the Directorate General. During the meeting, the director general was briefed on the performance of the directorate during the year. Briefing the meeting, Director-Internal Audit Imtiaz Ahmed said that the department has constituted and established audit-paras of around Rs 1,800 million. “Audit-paras related to the cleared consignments of steel, plastic, auto-parts, chemicals and pharmaceuticals are included which have been prepared and sent to the respective collectorates for further settlements,” the director said.

Sargodha ASo seizes compressors, non duty paid mazda truck FAISALABAD

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nti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), Sargodha foiled an attempt to smuggle foreign origin compressors along with non duty paid vehicle worth Rs 18, 00,000 involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs 14, 00,000 during an action. According to details, Deputy Collector Muhammad Rizwan Khan received credible information that some items are being smuggled. After receiving the information he immediately formed a team comprising Superintendent Chaudhary

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Sardar Muhammad, Inspector Bashir Ahmed, Anser Saleemi, Mehar Ameer Ali, Sepoys Muhammad Amin, Muhammad Iqbal, Hafiz Naseer Ahmad, Muhammad Shafqat Mehmood, Sardar Hussain and Muhammad Mansha. The above mentioned ASO team intercepted a Mazda truck bearing Registration No. LHO4880 which was coming from Rawalpindi and heading towards Jhang via Sargodha near Bhera Interchange and recovered of foreign origin airman compressors model PDS-390 S. The ASO team asked the driver who was identified as Muhammad Shakeel to produce documents regarding the possession and transportation of these compressors but he failed to provide any relevant documents. After his failure the ASO team seized the compressors under section 168 of the Customs Act 1969 for violation of section 2(S), 16 and 18 of the Customs Act 1969.

ASO authorities after registering a case of smuggling against driver started further investigations.

Tuesday January 10, 2017

National

Customs Appraisement registers 6pc growth from July to November 2016 P

Sialkot excise launches crackdown against token tax defaulters

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ollectorte of Customs Appraisement has collected Rs 23,863 million revenue including all duty and taxes by registering a growth of 6 percent during July to November 2016-17.

As per details , the collectorate, under the supervision of Collector Customs Appraisement Muhammad Sadiq, collected Rs 9,124 million by registering a growth of 6 percent as compared to the last Sinancial year.

It collected Rs 13,280 million as sales tax, registering an increase of 2 percent and Rs 2,850 million withholding tax, showing an increase of 4 percent as compared to the last year’s collections during the period.

The collectorate also collected Rs 45 million federal excise duty from July to November against the collection of Rs 92 million during the same period of the last Sinancial year. Over all, the collectorrate collected Rs 23,863 million during the Sirst Sive months of the Sinancial year 2016-17 and registered a growth of 6 percent during the period under

review. The collectorate collected all the revenue from dry port including Mughalpura Dry Port, Thokar Niaz Baig, Prem Nagar and Railway Station. Sources said that collector of Customs Appraisement Muham-

mad Sadiq has issued strict instructions to all the additional and deputy collectors to put their maximum efforts to collect as much revenue s they can do to achieve the Sinancial year target.

unjab Excise and Taxation Department Director General Akram Ashraf Gondal has directed the Sialkot Customs to launch crackdown against vehicle token tax defaulters and fake number plate of vehicles. District Officer Muhammad Saleem Malik told Customs Today that the officials of the customs department have been formed check points on various important chowks and roads of Sialkot District to impound the token tax defaulters and fake number plate vehicles.

He said that the department has impounded 150 vehicles which were Plying on roads without payment of token tax fee and 3 non-customs paid vehicles rather the department also challaned of 400 vehicles. Saleem added that the department has intimated to Sialkot Customs about non-duty paid vehicles so that it take legal action against these vehicles.

Sources added that the department has removed 415 fancy and fake number plates from various vehicles. He said that the crackdown and general hold up will continue to January 15, 2017 because the department has made a plan to impound all vehicles of token tax fee defaulters and fake number plates.

Hero motors approaches SHC for restoration of ST registration

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/s Hero Motors (Private) Limited approached the Sindh High Court (SHC), seeking restoration of its sale tax registration suspended by the customs authorities due to their alleged involvement in issuance of fake invoices or tax fraud case.

In its constitutional petition, counsel for the petitioner stated that the petitioner is manufacturer of tractors and is paying all liabilities regularly and registered with inhouse assembling/ manufacturing facilities for Hero Russi tractor 500,

50HP, Hero Russi tractor 510, 57HP and Hero tractor 801, 81HP. According to the petitioner, ofSicials of the tax authorities issued show cause notice and suspended the sales tax registration, alleging that the petitioner was involved in issuance of fake invoices or tax fraud.

The counsel stated that no fake sale tax invoice was ever issued by the petitioner, therefore, the act of the respondents is illegal and mala Side. Citing Secretary Revenue Division, the Commissioner Inland Revenue ZoneI, Regional Tax OfSice Hyderabad as respondents, the petitioner pleaded the court to declare the act of the respondents as illegal, mala Side and arbitrary. He also pleaded the court to

set aside the impugned notice and restore its sale tax registration. Meanwhile, The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the tax authorities and deputy attorney general of Pakistan on a constitutional petition Siled by Awaz Television Network (Private) Limited against impugned notice for attachment of its bank accounts for recovery of over Rs 21.9 million. Hearing the petition, a twomember bench headed by Justice Munib Akhtar also directed them to Sile their respective comments on the next date of hearing after which the court adjourned the hearing for January 2, 2016. Earlier in the constitutional petition, counsel for the petitioner stated that the petitioner owns

a television channel to broadcast various programmes, including news alerts. The counsel argued that the tax authorities issued a show cause notice to the petitioner for tax year 2015 for the recovery of over Rs 21.9 million. According to the petitioner, being aggrieved, it Siled an appeal before the authority concerned which is pending, however, the tax authorities also issued a notice for recovery of the said amount through attachment of the company’s bank accounts on December 19, 2016. The counsel said that the authorities have threatened to attach and sale of movable or unmovable property of company and all bank accounts to recover the impugned amount.

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Russia barley exports decreased 37% Tuesday January 10, 2017

World

MOSCOW: The pace of barley exports from Russia is still extremely slow, reports UkrAgroConsult.

According to official information, Russia supplied 261.3 KMT of barley to foreign markets in November 2016, or 37% less than in November 2015 (416.7 KMT). In total, this season’s barley exports from Russia also fell – by 37% to roughly 1694 KMT against 2675 KMT in July-November 2015/16.

Saudi Arabia, the main destination market for Russian barley, purchased 54% of the entire volume exported at the time – 907 KMT, or down 45% year-on-year. Exports to the EU represented 6% of all deliveries in this period against just around 3% last season. Shipments of Russian barley were resumed to the Syrian market, which already absorbed over 21 KMT.

Customs seizes 55pounds marijuana in foosball machine

uk coal plant closures in 2016 resulted sharp drop LONDON

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ustoms ofSicers at the Lewiston Bridge seized 55 pounds of marijuana hidden in a foosball machine last January. The street value was $60,000.

US Customs and Border Protection ofSicers last year seized 55 pounds of marijuana hidden in a foosball table at the Lewiston Bridge crossing, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

That was just one of the many discoveries ofSicers made along the border as customs ofSicers recorded a 35 percent increase in narcotics conSiscations, said Aaron Bowker, public affairs ofSicer for the Buffalo Field OfSice of US Customs and Border Protection. The foosball seizure made it to No. 5 of the Top 20 list of national seizures tweeted by the US Customs and Border Protection of-

Canada to ban Asbestos by 2018 fter the latest push from unions and federal labor advocates, the Canadian government is moving to ban asbestos by 2018. Science Minister Kirsty Duncan announced the longawaited news in late December. The ban will apply to the manufacture of any products containing asbestos, as well as imports made with the deadly mineral. It could be extended to products already manufactured. New Democrat Party Critic for Labour Sheri Benson introduced Bill C321 in November to help speed the process. Despite a steep decline in global demand and Canada’s last asbestos mines closing in 2012, the Canadian government continued to drag its feet on meeting international anti-asbestos standards. “I was proud to introduce Bill C-321 in the House of Commons to build consensus amongst my colleagues that we need a ban in Canada. —CB Report

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Sice in its year-end roundup.

The national list also included 3 pounds of meth packed in tortillas in Tucson, Ariz., and a roasted pig discovered in the luggage of a Peruvian traveler at Atlanta’s HartsSield-Jackson International Airport.

Topping the national list of narcotics conSiscations was 1.6 pounds of liquid meth found inside capillary tubing sewn into a colorful as-

sortment of dream catchers in Columbus, Ohio.

Bowker credited a new wave of customs ofSicers for the increase in local narcotics conSiscations.

“New ofSicers have Sine-tuned their skills and are Sinding more illegal narcotics that are not getting into the country,” said Bowker. “It’s not necessarily the large amounts; it’s the number of seizures.”

Bureau of Customs plan to build world-class port facilities in manila

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he Bureau of Customs is planning to build world-class port facilities in Manila to be at par with other countries in the Asia-PaciSic region in terms of trade facilitation, Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said. “Right now, we are working with some engineers and developers to come up with a conceptual framework or concept on how to build world-class port facilities, both at the Port of Manila and Manila International Container Port,” Faeldon said. “This is around 300

hectares. This is huge. These facilities will include everything that we need.”

Faeldon said the country’s ports must have its own rendering facilities so that destroying such products as meat need not take more than a year. He said the country has to take advantage of its geographical position which is better than Singapore’s since the Philippines is situated between the South China Sea and the PaciSic Ocean, enabling it to cater to the Asian region as well as the PaciSic, including Australia.—CB Report

everal UK coal plant closures in 2016 resulted in a sharp drop in total coal-Sired power generation, which even brieSly fell to zero in May for the Sirst time in 100 years, but was offset by a steep increase in gas-Sired power production.

Coal-Sired power stations generated just 28 TWh of electricity in 2016, more than 62% lower than 74.45 TWh recorded in 2015, according to S&P Global Platts Powervision data.

The 2016 total was at lowest for at least six years, down almost 80% from 137.20 TWh of power produced in 2012. Around 5 GW of coal capacity was taken off the wholesale market at the end of the Sirst quarter due to shrinking proSit margins and higher carbon costs.

Reduced capacity coupled with unplanned outages at multiple

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China’s alcohol imports grew in 2016 he growth recorded in imported spirits was largely a result of its strong performance in November last year. China imported 6.19 million litres of spirits worth US$110 million that month, representing a 41.8% increase in volume and a 77.9% increase in value compared with November 2015. Brandy, in particular, saw robust growth in both volume and value terms, and was credited for mainly driving spirits sector’s growth, according to the trade association. In total, China imported 51.82 million litres of spirits worth about US$756.53m from January to November 2016, a 0.42% increase in

Saudi gDp growth outpaces forecasts

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audi Arabia’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 1.4 per cent year-on-year in 2016, higher than the IMF forecast of 1.2 per cent, said a report quoting the kingdom’s budget document. GDP growth is expected to accelerate in 2017 to 2 per

cent (IMF estimates) supported by expansionary Siscal policy and rising oil prices, said Al Rajhi Capital’s montly economic report. Oil prices rallied after Opec and non-Opec members showed signs on delivering on their agreement to curb oil production levels, giving more Siscal room for government to achieve its NTP 2020 and Vision 2030 goals. The liquidity situation continues to improve, as indi-

plants meant UK coal-Sired power output plummeted to zero in the early hours of May 10 for the Sirst time since the Victorian era. CoalSired output also hit a record monthly low of 0.51 TWh in August.

On the other hand, despite an overall decline in power demand in 2016, lower coal-Sired power output, reduced interconnector imports and wind generation ramped up the use of gas-Sired power plants.

Power generated from CCGT plants in the UK reached 127.25 TWh, up from 84.34 TWh in 2015, and a touch above the 126.96 TWh generated in 2011, Powervision data showed. It was also the highest in at least six years. Total power demand fell to 283.8 TWh in 2016, down from 286.7 TWh in 2015. The UK saw a slight uptick in nuclear power supplies, which rose to 66.73 TWh in 2016, up from 65.67 TWh in 2015, data showed. On the renewables side, wind power output fell to 21.2 TWh in 2016, from 23.37 TWh in 2015.

cated by rising money supply (M3) and slipping Saibor. PMI data showed improvement in November on the back of higher output, new orders and purchasing activity. However, POS transactions and ATM withdrawals declined in November, which could be due to the recent changes in public sector allowances, it said. The oil sector grew by 3.37pc y-o-y in 2016 (+5.27pc y-o-y in 2015), supported

volume and 1.21% jump in value compared with the same period in 2015. The country’s wine imports were similarly robust. Total imports amounted to 567.5m litres worth about US$2.12 billion, with bottled wine imports leading the pack, followed by bulk wines and sparkling wines. The country imported US$1.97bn worth of bottled wines, a year-on-year increase of 18.3%. Its bulk wine imports grew by 13.13% in value to US$96.4m, while its sparkling wine imports dropped by 9.47% in value year-on-year to US$51.24m in the Sirst 11 months of last year. —CB Report

by 3.23pc increase in oil production year-to-date. Non-oil sector growth slowed down to 0.23pc y-o-y in 2016 (+3.2% y-o-y in 2015), as the government rationalised expenditure. The manufacturing sector, which accounts for ~ 12 per cent of the GDP, grew by 3.27pc y-o-y in 2016, down from 6.59pc in 2015, due to a contraction in activity in sectors other than petroleum reSining.

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Deputy Collector Asma issues show-cause notices to owners of NDP goods FAISALABAD: The Customs Adjudication Deputy Collector, Asma Hameed, has issued show-cause notices to owners of non-duty paid LEDs, TVs, remotes, receivers and shoes brought into country through unauthorised route.

Sources told Customs Today that the Faisalabad Anti-Smuggling Organisation intercepted a vehicle near Shahkot, Faisalabad, and recovered the smuggled LEDs,TVs, remotes, receivers and also a large quantity of branded shoes. The team asked the owners/drivers of the vehicle, identified as Mohammad Zafar, Mohammad Jawad and third person named Mohammad Imran, to show documents regarding the legal import of the said goods, but they failed to do so.

pCA unearths rs 2511057 tax evasion by exin Chemicals multan

Tuesday January 10, 2017

National

Deputy Collector Asma declares seizure of Toyota Vitz legal

Dg Valuation issues reference values for alcohol pads (Swab) MULTAN

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irectorate of Post Clarence Audit (PCA) has detected Rs 2511057 by M/s Exin Chemicals Industrial Estate, Sher Shah Town, Multan tax evasion by Tara Crop Science Pvt Ltd Canal Bank, Johar Town, Lahore on account of inadmissible exemption of SRO 567 (I) 2006 and SRO 1007 (1)/ 2005. The Directorate of Post Clearance Audit Lahore observed that certain importers having their principal activity of manufacturer of pesticide and other agrochemicals are involved in the evasion of duties and tax during customs clearance of zinc sulphate 33 percent which are classified under PCT heading 2833, 2940 by availing irregular exemption of customs duty under S No 4 of SRO567 (1)/2006 and exemption of sales tax s.no. 5 of table-II of SRO 1007 (I) 2005. The PCA observed that the said SROs were meant for poultry ingredients only.

irectorate General of Customs Valuation has issued the reference values for alcohol pads (Swab). This 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 reflect values of the items as traded in the international market. During the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it has been observed that alcohol pads (Swab). Falling under PCT headings 3005.9090 are being assessed at different values and certain transactions are on very low side. This 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 findings of the market surveys. This office, therefore, has found that the customs values of Alcohol Pads (Swab) are of China origin US$ 0.75/kilograms. These values are, however, for reference/guidance only and final assessment may please be made after considering other factors which have bearing on the customs value.The clearance Collectorates may like to consider the values given above before finalizing the assessment of the subject items.

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peshawar Customs seizes smuggled goods worth rs 31m ustoms Intelligence seized a huge quantity of smuggled goods worth millions of rupees and arrested a smuggler from the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Peshawar Customs Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation with the help of local police seized the container along with the long body container carrying smuggled goods, a Customs Intelligence press release said here on Friday. The smuggled goods recovered from the container included 36,184 yards cloth, 990 CNC clutch plates for HTV (heavy traffic vehicles), 36 air conditioners (outdoor) and 36 air conditioners (indoor). The Customs officials also recovered firecrackers in small quantity, which were handed over to the police for registration of a separate case. —CB Report

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ustom Adjudication Deputy Collector Asma Hameed has issued ONO in favor of Customs Intelligence and Investigation.

Earlier customs team intercepted a Toyota Vitz motor car of white colour bearing registration no. AKY939 Karachi near MM Alam, Mainwali . Customs team asked the driver of Toyota Vitz who was identiSied as Mohammad Jameel son of Ghulam Hussain who is resident of Jamia Islamia Madrasa Gali to show documents regarding possession of above said vehicle but he failed to

show any relevant documents.

Therefore on the basis of aforesaid facts ,Mohammad Jamerl son of the Ghulam Hussain called upon to show cause as to why the seized vehicle should not be conSiscated for violation of section 2(S) read with SRO – 566 (1) , section 16&18 of the Customs Act. 1969, section 3 of sales tax act and as to why penal action be not taken against him under the law.

Intelligence OfSicer Main Muhammad Umer Bhatti was appeared from the petitioner side and no one was appeared from the respondent side. The case decided on the basis of the facts and material available. Meanwhile, Deputy Collector Asma Hameed views all the stated facts/documents of the case. After it is proved that the seized Toyora Vitz motor car are smuggled

one . The respondents have nothing to defend against the allegation framed in the show cause notice. Therefore order for outright conSiscation of the seized Toyota vitz motor car bearing registration no. AKY-939 – Karachi, chassis number frame is found cut and welded means original chassis number has been cut away and a bogus chassis number has been welded in the chassis frame . The FSL has clariSied that chassis number is not original so that smuggled vehicle used for transportation issued ONO in favor of customs. Meanwhile, Sources told Customs Today that Faisalabad Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) intercepted a vehicle near Guttwala Toll Plaza and recovers smuggled large amount of LEDs and foreign origin almonds.

Sialkot Customs holds programme for exporters

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he Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Sialkot arranged a training programme at the MCC Sialkot to educate the exporters and customs clearing agents about Export Oriented Unit (EOU) and WeBOC (Web Based On Customs) System. Deputy Director Reforms and Automation Rana Ali Waheed, Manager PRAL Arshad Hussain, Additional Collector Faiz

Ali, Deputy Collectors Waheed Anwar Abro and Muhammad Hanif, Assistant Collectors Choudhary Fahad Bashir and Ali Mohtashim Minhas and Superintendents while Customs Clearing Agents and Exporters participated in the training programme.

Additional Collector MCC Sialkot Fiaz Ali has said the establishment of WeBOC (Web Based One Customs) system at the Sialkot Dry Port Trust (SDPT) is helping a lot in early clearance of the rebate claims. He said the WeBOC is an advanced system purely meant to facilitate the

business community and helping the Sialkot exporters and importers to submit their complete business data online. Deputy Collector Waheed Anwar Abro said the WeBOC system is the need of all exporters and importers as it is a new technology to boost export and import whereas all the exporters will get more beneSits by using the WeBOC System. Assistant Collector Fahad Bashir Choudhary said the WeBoc system is facilitating exporters and importers, but the WeBOC system is the best to improve export while it

can increase export. Assistant Collector Ali Mohtashim Minhas said the Licensees of EOU are getting beneSits by the WeBOC System as this system is much better to early clearance of rebate and export and import consignments whereas all the exporters should adopt this system. He said any export and import will not clear unless exporters and importers will use the WeBOC System. Deputy Director Reforms And Automation Rana Ali Waheed said the WeBoc system is the best technology to boost export rather this syste.

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FIA arrests passenger arrived on fake passport from Malaysia Tuesday January 10, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested suspect who was traveling on fake passport from Malaysia to Lahore.

According to FIA spokesperson, Faisal Mehmood (fake name) son of Khalid Mehmood, a resident of Sialkot, whose real name was Abdul Ghaffar son of Muhammad Bashir, a resident of Gujranwala, arrived

by Flight No.OD-131 from Malaysia.

All the passengers of the flight were cleared while the said passenger was waiting for someone for quite some time. After observing his suspicious activities he was asked that why he was standing there for a considerable time.

Connectivity Bus for pakChina trade data sharing to be launched soon LAHORE

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“Connectivity Bus” has been developed and would be launched soon to exchange trade data between Pakistan and China. This system would play a vital role in controlling the issue of under invoicing. Chief Collector Customs Karachi Zahid Khokhar told this while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The LCCI president, former president, former senior vice president, former vice presidents and executive committee members also spoke on the occasion.

Chief Collector said that “Connectivity Bus” is a modern technology system and it would drastically reduce under invoicing in trade with

Aqil Hassan Chohan appointed new judge of customs Court Lahore he Government of Pakistan, justice and law division has issued a notification of appointment to new judge in Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court. According to notification Aqil Hassan Chohan has appointed as a new Customs Judge in Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti -Smuggling Lahore. Aqil hassan chohan will take charge soon as Special Judge in current week. He was serving as session judge and now is appointed as customs judge on deputation until further orders. It is essential to mention here, that previous judge in Customs Court was transferred as session judge Sahiwal during last month.

Meanwhile, The Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling heard 11 important cases on Friday and adjourned the cases until the next hearing.—M Imran Mehar

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China. He said that another system is also being developed for checking of trading goods. It would reduce human involvement and ensure transparency. He further said that WeBOC is an international level program and far better than the contrary software. He said this system was developed by the local experts and entire world is acknowledging its efSiciency. Regarding Electronic I-Form, he said that data has been compiled and brought into the system. The work is well on the way to make this system friendly. He said that smuggling has been reduced due to efSicient work of the law enforcement agencies. Stringent measures have also been taken to control illegal trade from PakAfghan border. The LCCI President Abdul Basit said that the current economic status of Pakistan is satisfactory and business community is striving hard to improve it.

Customs Central region collects rs55.62m FeD in Nov

LAHORE

m HAYAT

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ustoms Central Region has collected Rs55.62 million as federal excise duty (FED) in November during current Sinancial

year 2016-17 posting a growth of 40 percent as compared to the same period last Sinancial year 2015-16.

As per details the Customs Appraisement Lahore collected Rs 11 million during the month of November of Sinancial year 2016-17.

Similarly, Customs Preventive Lahore collected Rs 17 million as total federal excise duty (FED) during the

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period under review.

The Collectorate of Multan collected Rs26 million federal excise duty (FED) during the same period under review. The Collectorate of Customs Faisalabad has collected Rs0.8 million as federal excise duty (FED) while Rs3.76 million were collected during the same period of last Sinancial year 2015-16. Overall the Central Region collected total federal excise duty (FED) from all the four collectrates collected Rs 55 million revenue during November of Sinancial year 2016-17. The Central Region has been assigned Rs 39 million federal excise duty collection target against the target of Rs 39 million assigned during the same period last Sinancial year. Sources said that the collectors of all the four collectorates has been told to do more efforts to meet current Sinancial year’s targets while the Customs Central Region Chief Collector Samaira Nazir has also been monitoring all the revenue collection from all stations.

Notice to m/s Five Star industries for Customs Appellate Tribunal adjourns 11 cases he division bench-II of the Cus- Faisalabad, Rehmat Ullah versus Di‘evading duty and taxes’ toms Appellate Tribunal com- rectorate of Intelligence and Investiga-

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ollectorate of Customs Adjudication has issued show cause notice to M/s Five Star Industries for allegedly evading duty and taxes on three consignments of Poly Gel Batteries of MPG Series 200AH/lSO along with Inverters of 600 W-1000 watts. it has been reported by the Assistant Director Directorate of Intelligence Investigation FER Lahore hereinafter credible information was received that M/s Five Star Industries a commercial importer of Gujranwala had imported M/s Five consignments of Poly

Gel Batteries of MPG Series 200AH/lSO AH along with Inverters of 600 W-1000 Watts Out of five consignments two consignments of Batteries and Inverters were taxed on statutory rate of duty and taxes and in remaining three consignments the importer succeeded to get the illegal customs clearance by seeking exemptions of duty and taxes. Reportedly the imported batteries are for multiple uses i.e in telecommunications Uninterruptible Power Supply UPS Switch gear/utility etc.—M Hayat

prising Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Technical Member Imran Tariq heard 11 cases on Tuesday and adjourned all of them until the next hearing. The tribunal started regular hearing of the cases after winter holidays of one week. The members and staff of the tribunal have enjoyed winter holidays from December 25, 2016 to January 2, 2017. The tribunal heard 11 cases, including Pak Port International versus Customs Lahore, Tasleem Brothers versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Multan, Rehman Quilts versus Customs

tion Multan, Muhammad Aamir versus Customs Lahore. Customs Appellate Tribunal heard cases, including Jan Muhammad versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Multan, Saeed Nawaz versus Customs Multan, Nadeem Mahmood versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Gujarat. Furthermore, the tribunal heard the cases of Khalid Mahmood versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Lahore, Customs Lahore versus Omer Lal, Muhammad Omer versus directorate of Intelligence Multan.—Muhammad Nawaz

LHC suspends FBr sales tax registration order

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LAHORE

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he Lahore High Court (LHC) has suspended the order of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in case of suspension of sales tax registration of the Ravi Advertising Company. According to details, Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza heard

the case Siled by the Ravi Advertising Company in which the appellant had challenged the order of the Federal Board of Revenue in which the FBR had suspended the sales tax registration. During the proceedings, counsel of appellant Muhammad Mohsin Virk appeared on behalf of the Ravi Advertising Company and argued that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had suspended sales tax

registration of the company illegally.

He further added that in case of suspension, the FBR has violated the sales tax registration rules adding sales tax rules bound the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to implement all the relevant rules and regulations within 90 days of suspension, but the Federal Board of Revenue is not following the sales tax registration rules and also not giving a chance

to the company for arguments. He appeals for the suspension of order of the FBR regarding sales tax registration of the Ravi Advertising Company. On the other side, departmental representative appeared before the court and argued that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) follows all the rules regarding the case of the Ravi Advertising Company and nothing is illegal in the case.

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Port of Montreal presents gold-headed cane to first ship of the year WASHINGTON: The ship left the Port of Antwerp in Belgium on Dec. 19 and arrived at the downstream limits of Montreal’s port in Sorel at 3:16 a.m. Sunday. Ship captain Daniel Ju will be rewarded with the 178th gold-headed cane at a ceremony Wednesday.

The cane is awarded each year to the captain of the first ocean-going vessel to reach Montreal without a stopover. Sophie Roux, the Port of Montreal’s vice-president of public affairs, said recent meteorological conditions made the last stretch of the journey difficult, with waves reaching heights of 20 feet in the last few days. The tanker was carrying phosphoric acid on its transatlantic journey. Phosphoric acid can be used to make fertilizers, food products and cosmetics, Roux explained.

Two ships carrying 37,000-tonne coal allotted berths at port Qasim wo ships CV Newark and MV Amoy Action carrying containers and 37,000 tonnes coal were allotted berths at Qasim International Container Terminal and Multi Purpose Terminal Berth No.1 respectively. Meanwhile four more ships Al-Bahia, MSC Silvana, ElKadel and Bochem Chennani with containers, diesel oil and palm oil also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim during last 24 hours.

Sixty percent berth occupancy was managed at the port on Sunday where a total of nine ships namely Newark, Safmarine Nyassa, Mariman, Amoy Action, Georgia-T, Bunga Azalea, Igic Anka, Maria-III

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and Alpine Magic are currently occupying berths to load/offload containers, rice, coal, canola seeds, LPG, palm oil and diesel oil respectively during last 24 hours. A cargo volume of 110,975 tonnes, comprising 74,954 tonnes import cargo and 36,021 tonnes export cargo inclusive of containerized cargo carried in 3,200 containers TEUs 1,600 imports TUEs & 1,600 exports) was handled at the port during last 24 hours. Two ships, oil tamker ‘Alpine Magic’ and bulk cargo carrier ‘Georgia-T’ sailed out to sea on Monday morning, while three more ships Safmarine Nyassa, Newark, Bunga and Azalea are expected to sail on same day afternoon. Four ships C.V Al-Bahia, c.V MSC Silvana, M.V Glory Navigator and M.T Brizo carrying containers, 63,770 tonnes canola seeds and 64,950 tonnes furnace oil are expected to take berths at Container Terminal, Grain & Fertilizer Terminal and FOTCO Oil Terminal respectively Monday.—CB Report

Ports & Shipping

Tuesday January 10, 2017

Transshipments at the port of gdansk exceed last year’s record

Shipping ministry wants kolkata port Trust to take to roads, literally

WASHINGTON

he shipping ministry wants Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT), one of the country’s 12 major ports, to venture into road construction, though this won’t have any impact on the port’s maritime business or cargo handling. The ministry has asked the port to undertake repairs and maintenance of 35-km road covering six stretches since the port is owner of the land. A KoPT official said these are the busiest stretches of Kolkata and more than port-bound vehicles, passenger and private vehicles ply on these roads.

While the port had suggested a costsharing model on the construction on maintenance of roads, the onus for repairs and maintenance is coming solely on the Kolkata Port. KoPT deputy chairman S Balaji Arunkumar said the ministry has actually proposed to reconstruct the roads and hand them over to the state for maintenance. But the issue of maintenance is stuck in a Kolkata municipal development area tax dispute. —CB Report

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ith 2016 not yet over, the volume of transshipments was already higher than in the previous record year, being currently estimated at more than 36.3 million tonnes. This is a result which, until recently, would have been out of reach for any Polish port, but today it has become reality. It puts Gdansk in sixth place among Baltic Sea ports, its highest position so far. This is what is shown by recently published data on the Baltic ports, with a summary of the Sirst 11 months of this year.

In spite of the rather difficult market conditions and the increasingly strong competition, this has turned out to be yet another year – now the sixth in a row – of continuous growth in commodity turnover at the Port of Gdansk.

Apart from the new record and the move up in the ranking of the largest Baltic ports, it also brought a record tonnage of general cargo,

which will have the highest percentage share in Gdansk’s commodity turnover for the first time since time immemorial. For many years the dominant role has been played by liquid fuels, of which the port will handle a slightly reduced quantity this year – about 13 million tonnes. 2016 will doubtless also be remembered as yet another period of growth in container turnover. As of now, 1.27 million TEUs have been handled at Gdansk,

16% more than in 2015 and 5% more than in the record year of 2014. But we already know that this increase will be even greater when we sum up the full 12 months of the current year. The passing year has also been particularly good when it comes to coal transshipments. We currently need just under 100,000 tonnes more to exceed a volume of 5 million. In practice, this will mean the highest tonnage of coal at Gdansk in a decade.

port of Corpus Christi sizes up infrastructure T

WASHINGTON

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t’ll be weeks before Port of Corpus Christi officials know exactly how many ships sailed through their waters in 2016. One thing they’ve already learned: They’ll need more space for customers in 2017. The local success of international businesses, such as Austrian iron manufacturer Voestalpine Texas and Italian plastics giant M&G Resins USA, has made the Coastal Bend a magnet for industrial growth, said Jarl Pedersen, the port’s chief commercial officer. It also has renewed efforts to deepen and widen the Corpus Christi Ship Channel for safety reasons. The long-discussed project will be key to ensuring the port is ready to handle new growth, Pedersen said. “It’s going to be our top priority in 2017,” he

said. A record 103.5 million tons of cargo, most of it petroleum, sailed through the port on more than 7,500 vessels in 2015. Port financial records show 85.9 million tons made their way through the port between January and November, down from 95 million during the same period a year earlier. Port officials have twice gotten approval from Congress to widen the ship channel from Port Aransas to the Harbor Bridge, and to deepen it from 45 feet to 52 feet. However, they’ve not been awarded the estimated $350 million needed for the improvements.

Port officials lauded the passage earlier this month of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act in Congress. It calls for cost sharing for all channel projects over 50 feet deep. Other infrastructure changes are planned at the port: New oil docks under

construction along the ship channel will directly benefit two port tenants — M&G Resins USA and NuStar Energy. Oil Dock 14 is being built for $24.8 million on land where M&G is constructing a 412acre PET plant for plastics. NuStar Energy recently announced plans to expand its storage capacity near Oil Dock 15 to more than 3.6 million barrels. Port officials are nearly finished adding more storage capacity to its 43-mile rail network. The first phase, an $18 million project, created eight unit train sidings and provided rail storage for nearly 1,300 rail cars.

Phase II called for more rail car spots and storage for $28 million, and will wrap up in the first quarter of 2017.

Outbound petroleum volumes for ports like Corpus Christi’s are likely to increase as the energy sector begins to recover, said Ray Per-

ryman, CEO of The Perryman Group, an economic research and analysis firm in Waco. “Ports should be evaluating their capabilities in light of changing patterns in global shipping, as well as development of export products,” Perryman said. “Improvements at the Port of Corpus Christi will certainly help position it to better meet future needs.” A survey by the American Association of Port Authorities found that ports and their private-sector partners anticipate spending $155 billion in capital projects through 2020 for port-related freight and passenger infrastructure. Of that, nearly $128 billion is expected to be spent in the Gulf. “Bigger ships are able to move around the world more seamlessly now, especially with these infrastructure improvements in place,” said Aaron Ellis, public affairs director for the association.

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Islamabad Customs car cell seizes non-duty paid Toyota Corolla ISLAMABAD: The car cell of the Model Customs Collectorate has impounded a non-duty paid Toyota Corolla car from Motorway. The value of the car is Rs 1.5 million.

According to details, Deputy Collector Shahid Jan told Customs Today that in pursuance of the information shared by sources, the car cell made a picket on Motorway and intercepted the non-duty paid car bearing registration No LEC 4526. The car cell staff asked the driver to provide original documents of the car, but he failed to do so.

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Customs ASo, pSmA seize 1.5 ton narcotics in joint operation KARACHI muBeeN HuSSAiN

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irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) AntiSmuggling Organization (ASO) and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PSMA) have recovered 1.5 ton narcotics worth Rs 1.2 billion and arrested ten smugglers during a joint operation.

According to details, the Pakistan Customs Intelligence and Investigations received information that a huge quantity of drugs was being smuggled through international sea route on which the ofSicers contacted the PSMA. Based on information, the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency deployed its ships on different locations of the international sea route. On the night of January 2, the ofSicers of the Customs and PSMA forced a boat to stop after a three hours chase. The ofSicials recovered 1.5 ton narcotics from the hidden compartments of the boat. The international market value of the narcotics is said to be Rs 1.2 billion.

The source said that the consignment was designated for US and Europe markets though East Africa

where crystal drugs are in huge demand. During the raid, ten smugglers were also apprehended and an FIR has been lodged against them.

The source said that the smugglers are being grilled and an international network of the narcotics smugglers will be unearthed very

soon. In last three months, it was the third major successful narcotics seizure. The Pakistan Customs Intelligence and Investigations ASO,

along with Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, has successfully carried out fourth operation during the last three months, added the sources.

SHC seeks reply from tax authorities for issuing recovery notice KARACHI

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to tax authorities and deputy attorney general of Pakistan on a constitutional petition Siled by Abdul Sattar against impugned notice for recovery of alleged short paid amount of Rs 4.66 million in 2015.

While the hearing of petition, a

two-member bench headed by Justice Munib Akhtar also directed them to Sile their respective comments on the next date of hearing. The court adjourned the hearing for January 2, 2016. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is manufacture of mild steel products and is registered with the inland revenue (customs tax) department and paying all liabilities regularly. According to the petitioner, declared income of business of Rs. 16.59 million and paid income tax to the tune of Rs 5 million in the tax year 2015. However, the tax authorities issued show cause notice to the petitioner dated

on October 10, 2016 under section 122 (9) of The Income Tax Ordinance for recovery of an adjudged short paid amount of Rs 4.66 million. The counsel argued that it paid all duty and taxes in accordance with law and impugned show-cause notice was illegal. Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue Large Taxpayer Unit-II, the Commissioner Inland Revenue Large Taxpayer UnitII, Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue Large Taxpayer Unit-II and others as respondents, the petitioner pleaded the court to declare that act of the tax authorities as illegal, mala

Side and arbitrary and court may also restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner.

Meanwhile, The Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought comments from tax authorities on a constitutional petition Siled by M/s New Light House (Private) Limited, seeking unblocking of its national tax number and user ID. The deputy collector (recovery) appraisement-east had blocked the tax number on May 8, 2016. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhter, was hearing the petition. During the hearing, counsel for the Customs Department sought time to submit

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

comments, therefore, the court adjourned the hearing for January, 2, 2017. Earlier, the petitioner’s counsel stated that the petitioner imported and cleared consignments of welding electrodes at the declared value in terms of section 79 and 80 of the Customs Act, 1969.

According to the petitioner, in August 2011, a show cause notice was issued on the basis of audit report of PCA for recovery of Rs 7.31 million and on alleged charges of mis-declaration on the ground the goods declaration were not cleared on the basis of valuation ruling issued on July 10, 2008 and July 15, 2009.