Wednesday, 31 January 2018

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Karachi, Wed January 31, 2018

PESHAWAR

IRFAN BAHADUR

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he Collector, Model Customs Collectorate Peshawar, Gull Rahman said the Customs bylaws work better by actions derived from dialogues.

There is a need for more education to understand the seriousness of international trade policies which have faced challenges due to progressive

groundwork mechanism. The collector customs said this while talking to Customs Today on Monday.

He said the digitalization of customs rules will have a very good impact on revenue collections if collectorates are given access to primary data upon departure of vehicles loaded with goods from seaports and dry ports towards their destination.

The digital customs will make this possible to know before the vehicle comes to be checked that what

Vol 2, Issue No. 325

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is loaded in the container and what has to be the origin and destination of these goods.

Meanwhile, the collector customs lauded the customs ofVicials and ofVicers for earning good name for Pakistan Customs through magniVicent functions during current Financial Year here at the Customs House Peshawar.

More than 100 staff members of the Customs House Peshawar were awarded the acknowledgment certificates due to their good duties.

AFU demonstrates comparative downward trend in revenue collection

DG Surriya to revise Valuation Ruling No 853/2016 on March 2

Customs I&I recovers huge quantityof NDP LEDs from Abid Market worth Rs55m

KP to empower Customs, excise, police through new narcotics bill

Faisalabad Customs retrieves Rs13.248m from defaulter companies

AFU showed decline in revenue collection performance first three weeks | See pAge 02 |

DG Valuation has decided to revise the VR No 853/2016 on March 2, 2018 | See pAge 03 |

CustomsI&Iraidedashop LahoreElectronics in Abid Market & recovered huge quantity | See pAge 04 |

KP government has approved a draft of the controversial drugs bill | See pAge 11 |

The Customs Collectorate recovery branch recovered Rs13.248 million | See pAge 16 |

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Court adjourns Ayyan’s hearing on restoration of seized money Wednesday, January 31, 2018

ISLAMABAD: The Customs Appellate Tribunal dated in office hearing arguments on Ayyan Ali’s petition for restoration of confiscated money that has been dismissed twice for non-prosecution after the appellant failed to take part in tribunal’s proceedings despite issuance of multiple notices.

Tribunal’s division bench, comprising of Chairman Justice (r) Manzoor Hussain and Ziauddin Wazir, heard the arguments. The bench questioned the Counsel Latif Khosa that how the bench can order restoration of an appeal dismissed twice for non-prosecution.

Islamabad

AFU demonstrates comparative downward trend in revenue collection

ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

cUStomS BULLetIN RepoRt

tARIQ DeRYA

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he Customs Auction Cell MCC Islamabad received over Rs33million of Customs Duty by auctioning off impounded smuggled goods and vehicles during first half of January FY17-18. According to details explained by official of the Customs Auction Cell Islamabad that, during 1st half of January FY17-18, the Auction Cell held an auction along with the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) here at Islamabad. The MCC Auction Cell fetched Rs32.216million as Customs Duty (CD) while the I&I Islamabad received Rs0.984million by holding the auction of confiscated items and vehicles. The Auction Cell Islamabad earned Rs 109.00million of Customs Duty during 2nd Quarter of Fiscal Year 2017-18 by auctioning off goods confiscated by the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) and Islamabad Customs. The Auction Cell fetched Rs57.344million as Customs Duty (CD) during the month of December Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-18 whereas the Auction Cell did Rs5.478million under the same head during the month of November FY17-18 while it got Rs46.173million through auction of various kinds of items during the month of October FY17-18.

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he Customs AFU Islamabad showed decline in revenue collection performance during Virst three weeks of January FY17-18 against an earmarked proportional revenue target of CD against the same period of corresponding FY16-17. According to details explained by sources of the Air Freight Unit (AFU) Islamabad that, due to lack of sitting arrangements for importers as well as unfriendly atmosphere at the AFU Islamabad, the revenue performance has weakened. To get the point of view on the shortfall during January FY17-18 under the head of CD, the correspondent tried to contact Additional Collector Nisar Ahmed Phulerwan again and again but he did not respond.

It was told that, during Virst three weeks of January FY17-18, the AFU Islamabad earned a smaller amount of Rs80.53million against an allocated proportional revenue target under the head of CD. It was added that the AFU has been assigned a proportional revenue target of Rs195.52million as CD for Virst three weeks of January FY17-18 while it generated Rs114.99million against an earmarked proportional revenue target under the same head. The AFU Islamabad also displayed a downward trend with a less collection during initial three weeks of January

customs Auction cell Islamabad fetches Rs33m as customs duty

FY17-18 against the same period of previous FY16-17. Keeping the comparison in view, the AFU received Rs36.93million less revenue against the same corresponding period of FY16-17. The AFU collected Rs151.92million of CD during the same previous period. The AFU is

Rs160.51million away from its allocated monthly revenue collection target under the head of CD so the AFU needs to earn above said amount of Rs160.51million in the next nine days of the current month to meet the earmarked revenue collection target for month of January FY17-18.

It was informed through sources that AFU’s per day performance is approximately Rs5million per day. Suppose if AFU earns double amount from the said amount per day even then it cannot chase the assigned monthly revenue target under the head of CD, sources said.

customs tribunal reserves verdict of case filed by m/s tcS

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ISLAMABAD

NAeem ULLAH tARIQ www.customsbulletin.com

ustoms Appellate Tribunal Chairman Justice (r) Malik Manzoor Hussain reserved the decision of a case Viled by M/s TCS (Private) Limited. The chairman was heading the tribunal’s division bench comprising the other member, Ziauddin Wazir.

The bench heard almost nine cases. Directorate General Intelli-

gence and Investigation, Islamabad, M/s Smart Zone, M/s TCS Private Limited, Saqib Abbas and Ghazanfar Gul had Viled these cases. After completion of arguments the bench reserved decision of case Viled by M/s TCS Private Limited. Hearing of other cases was adjourned till second week of February.

Earlier the bench had dated in ofVice hearing of cases Viled by Ayyan Ali, Altaf hussain, Muhammad Awais, M/s Universal Gateway, M/s New Ahsan Enterprises, and M/s

Teens Enterprises, till 23rd January.

The tribunal tomorrow would hear M/s Danial Engineering and others, Muhammad Riaz and others, M/s Expert Chemico Trading Co, Fazal Rahim, and Shaista Gul and others had Viled cases which would be heard by by the chairman in single bench. These cases had been Viled against Model Collectorate of Customs, Islamabad. Chairman would also hear cases in division bench. During his visit he had heard around a dozen cases Viled by M/s

Waseem Autos, M/s Nisar Traders, M/s Parts & Parts, M/s Chief Autos, M/s Aman Elahi, M/s Kohinoor Traders, M/s Saleem Silk Centre, M/s Five Star Trading, M/s Pakistan Royal Group and M/s Nayatel Private Limited, M/s Degicell & others, M/s Kohinoor Chemical, Mirza Muhammad Majid, M/s Fazal Razaq, M/s Fazalur Rehman and Gul Rehman & others. They also stated that around a dozen cases were included in pending cases list for hearing. The chairman would hear the

included in upcoming visit to Islamabad for the Virst time, they added.

He had headed tribunal’s proceedings for days at Islamabad where he heard cases besides performing some of important administrative tasks. The chairman had decided a number of cases during his stay at tribunal besides heading administrative matters. He had adjourned hearing on cases involving Model Collectorate of Customs and Directorate General of Investigation and Intelligence, Islamabad.

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ASO starts probe into smuggled diesel worth millions of rupees KARACHI: The Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Anti- Smuggling Organization (ASO) has taken the custody of the smuggled high speed Diesel worth millions of rupees.

According to the details, Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Anti-Smuggling Organization has registered a case against a culprit named Muhammad Haleem who is involved in the smuggling. Source informed Customs Today that the Mouchko police station mobile, during a routine patrolling, intercepted a ten wheeler truck No TKX-370. After its checking, the police team recovered a huge quantity of smuggled Iranian origin high speed diesel worth millions of rupees.

SHc summons Dc customs in Asphalt paver case

Wednesday January 31, 2018

Karachi

Dg Surriya to revise Valuation Ruling No 853/2016 on march 2

KARACHI

cUStomS BULLetIN RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

n appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Mrs Ashraf Jahan on Wednesday ordered a Deputy Collector Customs to appear in person and produce the letter from the collectorate to Ministry of Commerce. The bench was hearing a petition filed by Sachal Construction Company who imported Asphalt Paver machine. Ms Dil Khurram Shaheen advocate appearing for the petitioner company pointed out that on one hand Customs department sought clarification from the Ministry of Commerce while on another hand they said it was banned under Import Policy Order.

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customs tribunal gives last opportunity to customs KARACHI

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special customs appellate tribunal comprising Ghulam Mustafa Memon, Member Judicial and Tanveer Ahmed, Member Technical on deferred hearing of an appeal filed by telecom giant Telenor till Feb 6 affording last chance to the Pakistan Customs. The appellant represented by Franklin Law Associates, assailed the notice of recovery maintaining that a committee formed by the department it self which while hearing a plea by another telecom giant Mobilink held that PCT heading mentioned by Telenor are enforceable and none else. The tribunal asked the departments council to either solve the controversy or it would decide the case and would set aside the Order in Original. The case pertains to levy of custom’s duty and taxes in respect of batteries imported for networking of the appellant/petitioner cellular companies.

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KARACHI

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irectorate General, Customs Valuation, Director General Surriya Ahmed Butt has decided to revise the Valuation Ruling No 853/2016 on March 2, 2018, it is learnt.

Director General Surriya Butt said the department was reviewing suggestions from importers to set new prices of plastic powder. She said some valuations, issued in 2015 and 2016, were being reviewed from the beginning.

Moreover, the valuations will be set in view of rising prices in the international markets. Sources told CT that a petition was Viled by the importers in the Customs Valuation in which change in prices of plastic powder was requested.

Sources told the Valuation Ruling No 853/2016 was issued on May 16, 2016. A meeting was held with the stakeholders on January 16.

Importers were told to furnish the import invoices of the last three months showing factual values as well as websites, names and e-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value could be ascertained.

Meanwhile, Directorate General, Customs Valuation, Director General Surriya Ahmed Butt, has decided to revise the Valuation Ruling No: 765/2015 on February 27, 2017, it is

learnt. Director General Surriya Butt has said the department was reviewing suggestions from importers to set new prices of furnishing fabrics. She said some valuations, issued in 2015, were being reviewed from the beginning. Moreover, the valuations will be set in view of the rising prices in the international markets. Sources told CT that a petition was submitted by the importers to Customs Valuation in which change in prices of furnishing fabrics

Sources told the Valuation Ruling No 853/2016 was issued on may 16, 2016.

A meeting was held with the stakeholders on January 16

court awards jail term to suspect involved insmuggling

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KARACHI

m B RANA

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ustoms Taxation and AntiSmuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has awarded 15 days imprisonment and Vine of Rs 100,000 to suspect namely Abdul Aziz who was booked for attempting to smuggle foreign currency from Pakistan to Dubai.

During the hearing, the suspect appeared before the court along with

counsel and Viled a petition for pleading guilty and left himself on the mercy of the court. After hearing the arguments, the court framed charge against the suspect and awarded him 15 days imprisonment as undergone period and Vine of Rs 100,000. If Vine is not paid than the suspect will undergo further two months in Central Jail Karachi. According to the prosecution, on a credible information, staff of the customs department intercepted a suspect at Jinnah International Airport Karachi while suspect was bound

to leave for customs clearance, during the physical examination of suspect baggage secured foreign currency equivalent to US$ 24006. Investigation ofVicer had informed the court that after recovery of foreign currency, suspect was taken into custody and case was registered against him for violation of under section 2 (s) 156 (2) 157 (2) and 178 of Customs Act, 1969 punishable under clauses 8 & 89 of section 156 (i) ibid read with section 3 (1) of Import and Export Control Act, 1950.

was requested. Sources said the Valuation Ruling No: 765/2015 was issued on October 9, 2015. A meeting was held with the stakeholders on January 16, 2018. Importers were told to furnish the import invoices of the last three months showing factual values as well as websites, names and e-mail addresses of the known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value could be ascertained.

International markets roundup he latest round of strong earnings reports, including from Intel and AbbVie, along with continued weakness in the US dollar lifted each of the major Wall Street indexes to closing records. The three main indexes notched their best four-week run since 2016. Intel’s shares surged as high as $US50.

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FIA arrests two passengers over fake documents Wednesday January 31, 2018

Lahore

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested two passengers at Allama Iqbal International Airport for travelling on fake documents.

According to FIA spokesperson, one passenger Umer Farooq of Sargodha district arrived at the airport by flight No SV734 and presented his passport for immigration. During the process, the temporary resident permit of South Africa pasted on the passport was found to be fake. The accused was sent to the authorities concerned for a legal action. Another accused Amir Nazeer of Sara-e-Alamgir arrived at the airport by flight No SV734.

customs court grants two- customs I&I recovers huge quantity of day remand of accused in NDp LeDs from Abid market worth Rs55m skimmed milk smuggling LAHORE

LAHORE

m ImRAN meHAR

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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has handed over three accused to Customs Investigation and Prosecution team for more interrogation to dig out more accused in the smuggling of a large quantity of skimmed milk.

According to details available to Customs Today the Special Federal Court approved a two-day physical remand of the accused in a case of Rs9million skimmed milk smuggling. Accused named Aneel Ahmad, Muhammad Imran and Abdul Ghaffar were presented before the court for their physical custody that the court granted.

Earlier, an ASO team seized a

e&t operation against unregistered vehicles continues

he Excise and Taxation (E&T) department, during the ongoing operation against defaulting vehicles on fitness certificates and illegal number-plates, checked 814 vehicles in the region at various points. The teams of Excise Department impounded 250 vehicles over non-registration and confiscated their documents in Sargodha and removed 47 illegal number-plates. Similarly, the teams in Khushab checked 245 vehicles, impounded 12 vehicles over nonregistration, confiscated documents of six vehicles and removed 11 illegal number-plates. –CB Report

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huge quantity of non-duty-paid skimmed milk which was being smuggled for manufacturing of icecream. Sources told Customs Today that Collector Faiz Ahmad received a tip-off that some smugglers were trying to smuggle a large quantity of non-duty-paid Iranian origin skimmed milk by a Hino truck.

He immediately constituted a raiding team comprising Deputy Collector Moazzam Raza, Superintendent Nasir Minhas, Inspector Sajjad Bukhari, Abdur Rehman Butt, Gulzar Bhatti and Azam Wattoo.

The abovementioned team set up a picket near Faizpur Interchange.

The ASO team intercepted the Hino truck which was coming from Quetta.

The loader belonged to transporter Haji Nabi Bukhsh. On demand, the driver of the vehicle failed to produce any relevant legal documents regarding the import and transportation of skimmed milk.

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irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation raided a shop M/s Lahore Electronics located in Abid Market and recovered huge quantity of non duty paid LEDs. Sources told Customs Today, that a case is already registered against the owner of the who is identified as Shaikh Tahir. Sources told that Director Customs Intelligence Rubab Sikandar received credible information that huge quantity of non duty paid LEDs are present in a godown of Taj Mahal Street.

She immediately constituted a raiding team of Customs Intelligence who raided the godown and recovered huge quantity of non duty paid LEDs of different models and countries. The market value of seized

FIA recovers unregistered drugs, other stuff in raids

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ederal Investigation Agency (FIA) has conducted raids in different cities and recovered unregistered drugs as well as sex toys, said Assistant Director FIA Jamil Ahmed Khan Mayo.

Addressing a press conference, he said that raids were conducted in Faisalabad, Sargodha and Jaranwala, and three persons were arrested over their involvement in the illegal business of selling unregistered drugs as well as sex toys online.

“We have recovered huge quan-

tity of spurious, unregistered and unwarranted Viagra 1000 and 5000, black cobra sexual medicines and sex toys during these raids,” Jamil Khan said, adding that the accused had been delivering these medicines to their customers at home through courier service and also by online shopping at websites. The FIA ofVicial said the raid party had also seized digital media used for operating the website. He said an FIR has been registered and further investigation was under way. –CB Report

LEDs are Rs55 million. While talking with Customs Today Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation Rubab Sikandar has said that these non duty paid LEDs were brought into the country through Afghan Transit Trade. Most of these LEDs

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NAB to investigate pFowA land scam ational Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal has sought a report from a host of government departments including Economic Affairs, Interior and Foreign Ministries about the organisations and funds they have received. Moreover, it wants to know more about how an organisation in the capital sub-let land for commercial purposes at throwaway prices.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) had in 1996 leased 10 kanals of land to the Pakistan Foreign OfVice Women Association (PFOWA) in Sector H-8 of the capital for charity work.

Fto hears tax refund appeal against Rto-II

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LAHORE

SAJID NAwAZ

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he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has heard a case Viled by one Muhammad Umer against the Regional Tax OfVice (RTO-II) Lahore and adjourned it until the next date of hearing. FTO Advisor Mian Munawar Ghafoor heard the case.

The counsel for the appellant argued that the RTO had failed to release sales tax refund to the appellant since two years. He said the RTO-II has been collecting excessive tax from the company for the last two years. Although the petitioner approached the ofVicials concerned several times for release of refunds yet the RTO ofVicials failed to clear refunds after the passage of a rea-

are 50, 70 and 80 inches. Director Rubab Sikandar directed all anti smuggling squads of Customs I&I to adopt zero tolerance policy towards smuggling. She directed that anyone who found involved in smuggling should be dealt with iron hands.

sonable time. Finally, the appellant decided to approach the FTO seeking intervention in this case. The counsel appealed to the FTO advisor to direct the RTO-II to clear refund claims. From respondent side, the counsel for RTO-II argued that the appellant has not submitted all the record in the ofVice for claiming refunds. If he provides the accurate record, the RTO-II will release re-

The PFOWA is a registered welfare and a charity organisation which is run by spouses of Foreign Service ofVicers. Per their lease agreement, the NGO was supposed to complete construction work on the plot by 2009. In 2014, on directions from the Prime Minister’s OfVice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the CDA relaxed its rules and allowed the charity to establish a commercial school on the plot under a joint venture. Instead of starting charity work under a joint venture, the PFOWA handed over the property to a private school, in contravention of CDA rules. –CB Report

funds after a proper assessment, he maintained. He added that Regional Tax OfVice releases refunds of taxpayers one by one so the appellant should wait for his turn as tax refund is a liability of the RTO. After hearing the arguments from both sides, the FTO Vixed the date for further hearing and directed the parties to appear before him on said date to present arguments in the case.

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odernized technologies adopted by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have sped up the process for the sales tax refunds to the importers and exporters.

Furthermore, these technologies have also reduced the time duration for the completion of this process. Now the refund payment order (RPO) for a verified amount of a claim in such cases is generated in 24 hours without any human intervention.

To further expedite the refund payments, the FBR started paying sales tax refunds by direct electronic transfer through State Bank of Pakistan instead of payment through cheques delivered by courier com-

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

panies. “In last two and half financial years, FBR has processed some 35138 refund cases and disbursed some Rs 71432 million among the claimants” a wellplaced source shared data with Customs Today on Monday.

“In fiscal year 2015-16 total number refund cases processed by the FBR was 29641 and total Rs33455 million were paid. Similarly, in the very next fiscal year, 2016-17, number of refund cases processed by the FBR was 2321 and an amount of Rs 10822 million was paid” the data showed.

total 15-16 0 2 r a cal ye ases “In fis fund c e r r e R was numb he FB t y b ssed 3455 p ro c e al Rs3 t o t d an 29641 e paid n wer millio

It further revealed that in the first half of the current fiscal year, FBR paid Rs27155 million by processing 3176 refund cases.

It showed that substantive amount of refund has been paid during the current financial year indicating disposal of huge refund pendency.

However, the source further guided this scribe about the reasons for delayed refund payment or pendency of claims, saying that claims of refunds which have not been furnished on the prescribed software (RCPS) along with supportive documents within stipulated time.

Similarly, another reason for the delayed payment of refunds as per source is that the claims have been deferred, or withheld due to legal objections raised by the sales tax automated refund repository (STARR).

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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

Fitch revises pakistan’s ratingstonegative

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n its recent announcement, Fitch Ratings has downgraded the outlook on Pakistan’s long-term foreign and local currency issuer default ratings to negative and has affirmed ‘B’ rating on the grounds that the gains that the country had made under three-year extended fund facility programme of the International Monetary Fund had been partial reversed. The loan programme was completed in September 2016 to boost foreign currency reserves and achieve microeconomic stability. However, the government failed on both the accounts.

The foreign exchange reserves have come down to $17 billion and microeconomic stability has lost somewhere in the middle of political polarization. Though Fitch ratings are mere predictions about future events which could not be verified as facts, its calculations are based on official and non-official documentation which it collects from independent auditors, attorneys and other experts to produce issuer default ratings. The findings of Fitch Ratings give the fund managers a chance to outlook into positive and negative aspects of the economy. Unfortunately, the assessments presented by local think-tanks and foreign rating agencies are never taken seriously by policymakers. The government has already floated international bonds to alleviate pressure on finance and economy, but experts look Pakistan as the potential customer of the International Monetary Fund. Soon after assuming the office, the government of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz sought a loan of $6.2 billion under the programme to help prop up shrinking foreign currency reserves. But the step fired back as the government has failed to stop depreciation of the local currency, tax rebates on exports and rationalise import duties of non-essential goods. On another note, the country is passing through political uncertainty, which prevents the government from taking any long term decision. Fitch predicts the overall reserves of the country could fall to $16.8 billion at the end of the current fiscal year from $22.6 billion two years ago. It says the reserves could further fall if rupee remains stable and macroeconomic policies are tightened to restrain imports.

global direct investment T

LAHORE

DR AFtAB AFZAL

www.customstoday.com

he Vigures claimed by the Board of Investment show the country received nearly $1.38 billion foreign direct investment during the Virst six months of the current Viscal year in a situation when the global direct investment fell by 16 percent during the previous Viscal year.

Most of the investment came from China though various European countries, including the United States also invested in Pakistan.

When Vlow of investment steadily went up in several developing countries, including India, Bangladesh and Vietnam, Pakistan received moderate inVlow of

foreign cash during the period.

The developing economies in the region have not only achieved macroeconomic fundamentals, but also accelerated their growth rate by providing tax concessions and bringing paradigm shift in their economic policies. When the global Vlow of direct investment is expected to reach $1.8 trillion this year, the developing economies are ready to further boost their growth rate and business conVidence in the emerging situation. The corporate sector and multi-national companies are always ready for investment if they are provided tax concessions and business friendly environment. Bangladesh is the best example of bringing basic

changes in its economic policies and attracted investment not only from developed economies, but also from the developing countries like Pakistan.

At a time various major economies are facing monotony and high cost of production due to expensive labour, Pakistan can beneVit from the situation if it introduces structural reforms in taxation system and basic changes in its economic policies.

However, some reports suggest the global gross domestic product growth will edge up to 3.1 percent and most developed nations are likely to get lion share of foreign direct investment. The United States will be the largest recipient of the foreign direct in-

vestment as it is expecting $311 billion this year followed by China which will receive $144 billion. If Pakistan wants to become hub of the global investment, it will have to open its land for foreign investors. The global investment interest in Pakistan will ensure not only security of Pakistan, but also prosperity of its people. Apart from introducing tax holidays, there is a need to minimize militant face of Pakistan. All the foreigners, who are staying and overstaying in Pakistan, must be regulated in a proper manner and their movement should be restricted. The legal and illegal immigrants are the biggest threat to the national security and the national economy.

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Customs PCA detects tax evasion committed by M/s Azam Suleman Enterprises KARACHI: The Directorate of Customs Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has uncovered duties and tax evasion of Rs16.58million allegedly committed by M/s Azam Suleman Enterprises, it is learnt.

The official sources told our reporter that M/s Azam Suleman Enterprises imported a consignment of various types of heavy duty generator parts under the PCT Heading 2356.3805 and got it cleared from the Port Qasim Karachi vide GDs on November 11, 2017 by paying customs duty at 8 percent after claiming a benefit of SRO 566/2007 by Appraiser Khawar Ayubi. However subject item is correctly classifiable under the PCT 2605.3486 attracting customs duty at 12 percent and income tax at 14 percent. By mis-declaration, M/s Azam Suleman Enterprises evaded Rs16.58million tax.

Dg Valuation revises customs values of grinding wheel, grinding cutting

Wednesday January 31, 2018

National

tribunal chairman puts off hearing of cases involving mcc, Dg I & I Islamabad

KARACHI

wAQAR AHmeD ANSARI www.customsbulletin.com

he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of abrasive products grinding wheel / grinding cutting disc through Valuation Ruling No 1247/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969. The customs values of abrasive products grinding wheel / grinding cutting disc were determined vide valuation ruling No. 930/2016, dated 20-09-2016 and subsequently were revised vide Order-In-Revision No.251/2016, dated 10-10-2016. An exercise under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969 was undertaken in this Directorate to re-determine the values of abrasive products grinding wheel / grinding cutting disc afresh in order to reflect the prices prevailing in the international market. Meetings with stakeholders was held on

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ISLAMABAD

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NAeem ULLAH tARIQ www.customsbulletin.com

ustoms Appellate Tribunal Chairman Justice (r) Malik Manzoor Hussain dated in ofVice the hearing on a number of cases involving Model Customs Collectorate and Directorate General of Investigation and Intelligence.

The bench dated in office the hearing of cases filed by Altaf Hussain, Muhammad Awais, M/s Universal Gateway, M/s New Ahsan Enterprises and M/s Teens Enterprises. The tribunal would hear M/s Danial Engineering and others. Muhammad Riaz and others, M/s Expert Chemico Trading Co, Fazal Rahim and Shaista Gul and others had filed cases which would be heard by the chairman at single bench. These cases had been filed against Model Collectorate of Customs Islamabad. The chairman would also hear cases at a division bench. During his visit, he had heard around a dozen cases. These cases were filed by M/s Waseem Autos, M/s Nisar Traders, M/s Parts & Parts, M/s Chief Autos, M/s

Aman Elahi, M/s Kohinoor Traders, M/s Saleem Silk Centre, M/s Five Star Trading, M/s Pakistan Royal Group and M/s Nayatel Private Limited, M/s Degicell & others, M/s Kohinoor Chemical, Mirza Muhammad Majid, M/s Fazal Razaq, M/s Fazal-ur-Rehman and Gul Rehman & others. Around a dozen cases were included in

pending cases list for hearing. The chairman would hear the included cases during the upcoming visit to Islamabad for the first time. He had headed tribunal’s proceedings for days at Islamabad where he heard cases besides performing some of important administrative tasks.

The chairman decided a number of cases during his stay at tribunal

besides heading administrative matters. He adjourned hearing on cases involving Model Collectorate of Customs and Directorate General of Investigation and Intelligence Islamabad. The appellants had Viled cases against Directorate General of Investigation and Intelligence Islamabad and Model Collectorate of Customs Islamabad.

market currency rate adjustment to contain external account 05-10-2017, 13-10-2017, 14-112017, 04-12-2017 in the Directorate General of Custom Valuation, Custom House, Karachi and on 26-122017 at the Directorate of Customs Valuation, Customs House, Lahore on the request of Lahore Chamber of .Commerce & Industry, Lahore.

The importers were requested to submit the invoices of imports during last three months showing factual value. Websites, names and e-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value can be ascertained.

Copies of contracts made / LCs opened during the last three months showing the value of item in question.

LAHORE

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m HAYAt

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he Finance Ministry is optimistic that the market-driven adjustment in the currency exchange rate will contain the imbalance in the external account and sustain higher growth trajectory.

Therefore, the impact of exchange rate adjustment will be visible on the economy through more competitive exports with respect to peers leading to export earning, reduction, in imports through expensiveness in dollar terms. However, due to devaluation of the rupee against dollar debt will increase to some extent. Sources at Finance Ministry told Customs Today that the GDP growth during 2016-17 was 5.3% which indicated effectiveness of the Vinancial policies. There-

fore now national economy is well positioned to achieve the real GDP growth target of 6% in 2017-18.

“This positive outlook is supported by a broad based growth in Large Scale Manufacturing (8.4%) during the Virst quarter of the year, encouraging assessment of major crops and positive spill-over of

growth in commodity sector on services sector. InVlation, however, continues to remain low and stable, and stood at 3. 6% during the Virst Vive months of the year against a yearly budgetary target rate of 6%” the sources maintained. Similarly, the sources said that exports had recorded a double-digit growth dur-

ing July-November FY18 and foreign direct investment (FDI) reached a nine-year high; and workers’ remittances posted a modest growth.

Continuation of high growth in imports led to a widening of current account deVicit, and consequently to depiction in the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Persistence of these pressures has led to adjustment in the interbank exchange rate” the sources said, adding that the exchange rate would continue to reVlect the demand and supply conditions; and SBP stands ready to intervene, in case speculative and/or momentary pressures emerge, for smooth functioning of the foreign exchange markets. Moreover, the sources said that exchange rate Vluctuation was a normal activity in the Vinancial markets based on demand and supply of foreign exchange.

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FIA arrests 15 fraudsters Wednesday January 31, 2018

National opium, hashish recovered from car headed to peshawar

FAISALABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) teams claimed to have arrested 15 fraudsters.

According to FIA officials, the accused were identified as Zulfiqar Ali, Muhammad Javaid, Maqbool Ahmad, Basharat Ali, Muhammad Asghar, Ghulam Mustafa, Ejaz Ahmad, Sohail, Rehman Maqbool, Zafar Iqbal, Malik Anwar, Riyasat, Muhammad Aslam, Ubaid Ullah and Javaid Iqbal who had extorted money from people for sending them abroad but they neither sent them abroad nor returned money.

Adjudication-II demonstrates brilliance by taking actions against tax defaulters

KHYBER AGENCY

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hasadar forces foiled an attempt of smuggling of narcotics from tribal region to Peshawar by recovering huge cache of hashish and opium from a Peshawar bound vehicle here at Bagyari checkpoint. Line Officer, Jamrud Tehseenullah Afridi said that the Khasadar during their routine duty, stopped a suspected Suzuki van carrying registration no.

(TU-455) for checking. During the search 88 kg hashish and 18 kg opium were recovered, hidden in different compartments of the vehicle. One smuggler identified as Ikramullah s/o Amanullah was arrested and put behind bars in Jamrud for further investigation, the official told.

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Dg NAB holds khuli katchehry ollowing the instructions of Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Justice ® Javed Iqbal, Director General NAB Balochistan, Irfan Naeem Magsi held “Khuli Katchehry” (open court) in NAB Office . A large number of complainants belonging to different districts of province gathered at the NAB office and submitted applications regarding cases of corruption. On the occasion, the DG NAB issued orders on the complaints for the initiation of actions as per law on numerous complaints.Expressing the commitment to eradication of corruption, DG Nab said that the National Accountability Bureau is determined to take potential steps against corrupt elements enjoying official ranks. –CB Report

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he Customs Adjudication-II showed excellent performance by taking actions against tax defaulters and issuing notices during the month of December.

A source told our reporter that the Customs Adjudication-II served a final notice on a defaulter company named M/s Nagina Textile and Export Karachi and recovered Rs12.58million from M/s Muneezah Plastic accessories.

M/s Nagina Textile and Export Karachi was involved in the tax evasion. The company imported two commercial generators and fabric folding machines on Sep-

tember 24, 2017 and used the wrong Pakistan Custom Tariff

heading. After a careful investigation, the Customs Adjudication-

II issued a final notice to the company and got cleared the outstanding amount of Rs5.65million. Source said that another company M/s Muneezah Plastic accessories got cleared a consignment of imported white, black and multi-color plastic powder on October 9 and evaded tax amount of Rs12.58million.

After the investigation, Customs Adjudication-II served a show cause notice on the company on October 27 but it failed to get clear the outstanding tax amount.

Collector Customs Adjudication-II Tahir Qureshi issued a final notice to the company on November 13, 2017. After receiving the notice, the company deposited Rs12.58million in favor of the Customs Department.

multan customs generates Rs9.48m from auction of confiscated vehicles & goods T

MULTAN

ImRAN ALI

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he Customs Collectorate has conducted auction of conViscated smuggled items after the approval of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and generated Rs.9.48 million through auction of vehicles and other miscellaneous goods. According to details, Multan Customs held public auction of non-customs paid vehicles and various conViscated smuggled goods in Multan Dry Port. The Customs Collectorate Multan has presented eight various lots of conViscated vehicles for public auction including Toyota Vitz, Toyota Fielder, Suzuki Swift, Suzuki Kei, Suzuki Alto and others for the bidding process. Multan Customs sold out all lots of conViscated vehicles in Rs.6.90 million successfully during the auction.

Multan Customs Collectorate has also offered 48 various lots of miscellaneous goods including electronics goods, auto spare parts, tyres and cell phones in the auction. Almost 17 various lots of

miscellaneous goods were sold out in Rs.2.58 million in the auction. There were 31 various lots rejected due to low bid offer from reserve price of Multan Customs.

Customs offered four various

lots of High Speed Diesel (HSD), furnace oil, bunker fuel and POL products during auction and they were not sold out due to absence oil marketing companies in the auction.

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Customs Court accepts charge sheet against owner of non-duty paid vehicle KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi accepted an interim charge sheet against absconding suspects namely Jacob Jahangir son of Jahangir Saleem and Sheeba Jacob, wife of Jacob Jahangir, who were booked in a case of smuggled/ non-duty paid Suzuki Sierrra jeep.

During the hearing, the investigation officer submitted interim charge sheet against the suspects and informed the court that staff of the Anti-Smuggling Organization intercepted the non-duty paid Suzuki Sierrra jeep bearing registration number E-703 1300 CC Model 1996 having tampered chassis worth Rs 1,444,589.

IHc postpones hearing of customs matter involving m/s telenor KARACHI

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slamabad High Court Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar dated in office hearing of a customs matter involving M/s Khyber Logistics Private Limited and M/s Telenor LDI Communication Private Limited on Tuesday. The bench was hearing M/s Khyber Logistics Private Limited’s case filed in 2009 against Customs Appellate Tribunal and Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue. M/s Telenor LDI Communication Private Limited filed its case in 2017. M/s Telenor LDI Communication Private Limited had challenged the act of recovery of said amount by commissioner Inland Revenue of Large Taxpayer’s Unit, Islamabad. M/s Telenor LDI Communication Private Limited was is-

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sued notice in head of income tax. M/s Telenor LDI Communication Private Limited had prayed the court that FBR office had issued a recovery notice to the company which did not hold lawful grounds. The appellant had prayed the court to declare the act as illegal and without any lawful authority and an interim stay may be granted against recovery proceedings. M/s Telenor LDI Communication Private Limited submitted before the court that the impugned order was issued under mala fide intentions and had no legal standing or authority and the court may decide on relief which it deemed appropriate in this regard. It also stated that due legal course was not followed by the department in issuing the order.

ATIR, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), officers of LTU including commissioner Inland Revenue, and others were made respondent in the case.

National

Fto for release of front cabin half-cut HtVs, LtVs, cars issued with lading bills by 15th

Deputy collector moazzam Raza assigns guard duties in customs House LAHORE

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ollectorate of Customs Preventive Deputy Collector Moazzam Raza has assigned additional duties to different staff members with immediate effect. The sepoys and havaldars will perform their duties in Customs House from Land Freight Unit Wagha.

According to a notification Havaldar Mohammad Ashraf Bhatti, Havaldar Mohammad Saleem Dogar, sepoy Ali Haider, sepoy Malik Muhammad Sangraiz will perform their duties in Customs House Nabha Road in shift-I. While Havaldar Shahid Khan, Maqsood Ahmad, Faqeer Ahmad Karim, and Ijaz Ahmad will perform their duties in shift-II. Sepoy Abbas Ali, Mushtaq Ahmad, Maqbool Ahmad Wattoo, Saghir Ahmad will attend their duties in shift-III. Sepoy Sajid Ali Khan, Riasat Ali, will perform their duty at Airport Traffic, Sepoy Mohammad Akram Sepoy Abdul Ghafoor, Syed Zafar Iqbal Shah will perform their duties in Customs House Nabha Road Lahore.

Sepoy Sarmad Amjad, Havaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan and Sepoy Saqib Hassan will perform their in Customs House.

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he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Islamabad asked the Collector MCC Islamabad to release the front cabin half-cut HTVs and LTVs and cars with or without chassis numbers for which Master Bills of lading were issued up to january 15, 2017. A complaint has been Viled under Section 10(1) of the Federal Tax Ombudsmen (FTO) Ordinance 2000 against the Collector Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad for failing to release the consignments of old and used parts despite the deposit of due duties and taxes in the government exchequer after the completion of legal and procedural formalities.

The sources told CT that the complaint was sent to the Secretary Revenue Division and the Collector of Customs MCC Islamabad for comments as required under Section 10(4) of the FTO Ordinance. The Collector concluded that the impounded consignments may be ordered to be released forthwith in the judgment referred to above and as per law. It was also told that the department’s representative of the

Wednesday January 31, 2018

MCC Islamabad admitted that the summary of adjudication proceedings were Vinalized in the SRO and a confusion arose on a representative of the president of old and used auto parts importers association Rawalpindi. The matter was referred to the Federal Board of Revenue on 11-07-2017 for seeking guidance from the FBR is still awaited. Viewpoint of both sides have been examined along with the relevant record of SRO 563 (1)2017

dated 01.07.2017. Amended SRO 499(1)2009 dated 13.06.2009 is applicable from the date of its issuance and not retrospectively furthers the FBR vide amendment dated 08.8.2017. It also modiVied rules 592& 593 of the Customs Rules 2001. The operative part of the amendment is as “front cabin half-cut HTV/LTV/cars with or without chassis numbers for which Master Bills of lading were issued up to July 15, 2017”.

‘Double taxation, wHt promoting undocumented economy’

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ax amnesty scheme should also be announced for the economic growth. Double taxation and withholding tax on banking transaction are the practices which promote undocumented economy.

These were the views of Symposium Chairman and FPCCI former president, Vice-Presidents, Mian Muhammad Adrees, Ghanzanfar Bilour, President FPCCI, S.M Munir, former President FPCCI, Iftikhar Ali Malik, Vice-President SAARC, Ch. Arfan Yousaf, Regional Chairman and Vice-President FPCCI, former Vice-

President FPCCI Akhtar Hameed Chadda at the Punjab Business Symposium” here. The purpose of holding Business Symposium is a get-together and to highlight the business community concern and opinion to the government by providing relevant suggestions for their solution.

The leadership stressed for bringing efforts for trade promotion, industrialization, balancing trade and increasing exports.

Talking about the issues of business community, they said there should be speciVic zones for sugarcane, rice, maize and cotton cultivation. Sugarcane cultivation on cotton belt should be avoided. Government

should understand that economy can only be strengthened by supporting industrialists. It was stated that the government is regularly ignoring business community and bringing non- business friendly policies. The FBR ofVicials are repeatedly harassing tax payers. Our economy is falling; our trade balance is declining due to high tariff and taxes.

We have unfortunately lost our textile sector exports and same situation is being noted in each sector.

Appreciating CPEC initiatives, it was demanded that domestic business community and Chinese investors should be equally treated. The Presidents and Chairmen of all Trade

Chambers and Trade Associations of Pakistan attended this event and provide full support of leadership of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).

They added that double taxation and withholding tax on banking transaction are the practices which promote undocumented economy. Tax amnesty scheme should also be announced for the economic growth.

Tax refunds should be made as soon as possible to improve our exports. Tax return system should be simplified. Help desk of the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) should be established at each Chamber of the district.

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World Customs

Australian firm fined $12,600 for gas imports

CANBERRA: New South Wales-based dealer $12,600 AUD (€8,200) for importing vehicles with air-conditioning units containing an unnamed synthetic refrigerant gas with a global warming potential (GWP) of 1,430. The importer of the vehicles received the fine for not having an appropriate licence to import cars with air conditioners containing f-gases. The Department of the Environment and Energy noted in a press release that the firm “incurred significant warehousing costs and business delays” for not possessing an import licence for this equipment.

Wednesday January 31, 2018

tobacco smuggling ring busted

by Australian border force

plaisance woman jailed over bid to smuggle OTTAWA

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CANBERRA

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ustralian Border Force ofVicers began investigating a large number of passengers arriving from South-East Asian ports based on intelligence gathered from previous operations. Over the course of the probe more than 40 people were identiVied bringing in large amounts of illegal tobacco packed in suitcases. Last Friday ofVicers carried out a raid at a property in Docklands linked to one of the alleged ringleaders of the smuggling ring. OfVicers seized 107,000 cigarettes, $260,000 in cash, a laptop and a number of other luxury items. A 33-year-old-man who was at the property was charged with possessing and conveying tobacco products and with knowing the goods were imported with intent to defraud the revenue. The following

Italy takes fight over taxes to supreme court taly tax authorities are appealing a previous court decision that favored the Italian subsidiary of Israel-based chipmaker Telit Communications PLC, the company announced Friday in a filing. For daily updates, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here. In December 2014, Italian authorities issued three value-added-tax assessments against Telit’s Italian subsidiary. The assessments, which were a result of a regulatory change, were issued for the tax years 2005, 2006 and 2007, and asked for approximately 18 million euros, including interest and penalties.

Telit Italy appealed against the assessments, claiming they were related only to a business unit the company divested in January 2008. Telit’s appeal was accepted by the courts in December 2015, leading Italian authorities to appeal to a higher legal tier. –CB Report

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day a 54-year-old woman and 30year-old woman, who the ABF allege are also part of the syndicate, were arrested attempting to leave Melbourne Airport. It will be alleged they imported two suitcases Villed with 52,000 illicit cigarettes on January 19. We know the illicit tobacco trade is an attractive market for organised criminal syndicates due to the lucrative proVits that can be

made in evaded tax, and that these proVits are often channelled back into organised crime or other criminal activity. No matter how lucrative the illicit tobacco trade is, the Tobacco Strike Team is making signiVicant inroads in tackling the criminal syndicates involved last Vinancial year we detected more than 123 million illicit cigarettes and 64 tonnes of tobacco.”

canada exports four times the number of Japanese-brand cars it imports

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lose to half of the new vehicles built in Canada in 2017 were from Japanese brands like Honda and Toyota, according to a recent press release from an association made up of those companies.

Their total output combined to top one million units for the second consecutive year, reports the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association of Canada (JAMA Canada), or about 46 percent of to-

tal Canadian light vehicle production in 2017.

The vehicles assembled for export in the more than 60 Japanese car and car parts plants across Canada outnumber the Japanesebrand vehicles imported into Canada by four to one, JAMA reports. Within Canada, Japanese-brand new car sales of some 719,807 units – accounted for roughly 35 percent of the market. –CB Report

ndrea Paula WinVield, a Plaisance woman who had been intercepted while trying to smuggle just over Vive pounds of cocaine aboard a Vlight to Canada, was yesterday sentenced to three years in jail after she was found guilty of the crime. WinVield was also Vined $3.8 million for the offence, which was committed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in late 2016. The charge against WinVield, of Lot 12 Prince William Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, had stated that on December 16th, 2016, at the CJIA, she had in her possession 2.548 kilogrammes of cocaine (equivalent to 5.6 pounds), for the purpose of trafVicking.

According to the prosecutor’s case, WinVield was an outgoing passenger at the CJIA. It was noted that a Cus-

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toms OfVicer had asked her for the Canadian address she was visiting and she failed to answer the question. The customs ofVicer became suspicious and proceeded to check her luggage, where the cocaine was found and WinVield was arrested. WinVield was found guilty at the conclusion of her trial by Magistrate Annette Singh, who handed down the sentence and Vine in Georgetown yesterday. Meanwhile, A Vancouver musician could be facing serious jail time in Japan after being accused of trying to smuggle almost 10 kilograms of drugs into the country. Daniel Whitmore, 44, was arrested at Narita International Airport for allegedly smuggling stimulant drugs with a street value of more than $7 million. The drugs were allegedly concealed in a guitar case and tea canisters. Whitmore was the lead singer of Powerclown, an Iron Maiden tribute band that wears clown makeup. He performed under the stage name Dicksee Diànno, a tribute to original Iron Maiden lead singer Paul Di’Anno.

44% of portugal’s power in 2017

ortugal’s energy mix in 2017, reducing the domestic electricity wholesale price by €18.3 ($22.32) per megawatt-hour (MWh), Kallanish Energy reports.

Data released by the Portuguese renewables association APREN last week showed the share of renewables of the country’s electricity generation portfolio resulted in the decline of fossil fuel imports worth €770 millio ($939.06 million), saving consumers roughly €727 million ($886.62 million). Over 22 terawatt hours (TWh) were generated from renewable facilities, with wind taking the lead at 11.9 TWh;

followed by hydro, 7.3 TWh; biomass, 2.8 TWh; and solar, 0.8 TWh. Carbon dioxide emssions were cut by 8.5 million metric tonnes, yet some believe the figure could be much larger. The benefits of renewables have exceeded their costs once more, making them the most cost-effective solution for the national electricity system,” said António Sá da Costa, President of APREN. “However, in 2017, the new power additions were residual, especially in the case of solar, which only grew 3%.” Francisco Ferreira, president of sustainability association ZERO, said. –CB Report

Australia warns Sri Lankans against people smugglers

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COLOMBO

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ustralia warned Sri Lankans to beware of lies spread by people smugglers following media coverage of three recent failed human smuggling attempts.

The Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka said in a statement

that Australian border protection authorities last December intercepted a people-smuggling boat with 29 Sri Lankan nationals on board, and all of the 29 people had been returned to Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan authorities also recently disrupted two planned illegal boat ventures before they departed the island country.

The vessel intercepted last De-

cember was headed for Australia, but several passengers indicated they had left Sri Lanka thinking they were travelling to New Zealand, the High Commission said. Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Bryce Hutchesson said the interception of this boat showed that some people in Sri Lanka still wrongly believed it was possible to travel illegally to

Australia or New Zealand by boat, or that there was some benefit to be gained by attempting the dangerous voyage.

Hutchesson further thanked the Sri Lankan government for its strong cooperation, saying Australian and Sri Lankan authorities were working closely together to track down those responsible for organizing the latest people-smuggling venture.

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GoldenVisa is driving real estate investment in Portugal LISBON: At present, investment in real estate and tourism in Portugal is skyrocketing. The demand for acquiring properties is mirroring the surge in tourists visiting the country. The sunny climate and numerous well-known restaurants and beach experiences, combined with a multitude of monuments and a rich history, are helping to create a vibe of excitement in the country. Portugal is proud to be one of the safest countries in the world and one of the best-rated in terms of the hospitality on offer. The Portuguese, having famously travelled the world in the 15th century and interacted with all types of cultures, are used to living in a cosmopolitan environment. It is this backdrop that makes investment opportunities in Portugal all the more appealing.

kpt shipping movements report ollowing were the Movements of Ships at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) during last 24 hours, ending at 0700 hours. SHIPS SAILED: COSCO Durban Jo Pinari Xing Shou Hai Navios Soleil Al Safa Oxygen Navios Verano SHIPS BERTHED: KMTC Mumbai Container Ship Tamara General Cargo Santa Ursula Coal Kota Kaya Container Ship Bunga Lucerne Tanker EXPECTED SAILING DATE Chemroad Fuji 24/01/18 Kota Kaya 25/01/18 SC Brilliant 25/01/18 KMTC Mumbai 25/01/18 EXPECTED ARRIVAL DATE CARGO UAFL Zanzibar 24/01/18 Cont Hankuk Chemi 25/01/18 D/3000 Chem Cali 25/01/18 Cont Hansa Neuburg 25/01/18 Cont Wan Hai 510 25/01/18 Cont Global Hero 25/01/18 D/697 Steel. Meanwhile, The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) issued the following shipping report for the last 24 hours, ending 0700 hours. ALONG SIDE (Bulk Oil Pier) OP-I Cora D. Crude Oil Alpine 23/01/18 OP-II SC Brilliant D.

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Ports & Shipping

Six ships take berth at port Qasim

Aberdeen oil explorer steps up North Sea activity off Norway etroleum is preparing to ramp up exploration activity in the North Sea but only has plans to drill on the Norwegian side of the border where there are greater incentives on offer. The Aberdeenbased oil and gas firm announced it has been awarded eight new exploration licences covering huge swathes of the Norwegian North Sea in the latest round. Faroe made an ambitious bid for licences off Norway although the fall in the oil price since 2014 had dented many firms’ enthusiasm for exploration. The confident approach reflected Mr Stewart’s belief in the possibility of making big finds in the North Sea. He has noted that the cost of services such as drilling support has fallen sharply amid the deep downturn in the industry triggered by the oil price fall. However, this has not proved to be a big enough spur to convince Mr Stewart that it makes sense to invest in drilling wells in UK waters. –CB Report

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KARACHI

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ix ships APL Charleston, CMA CGM Nerval, Northern Monument, Royal Jade, UMM Addalkh and Fraiha carrying Containers, 14,349 tonnes Steel Coil, 27,500 tonnes Palm Kernel and 143,336 m3 LNG were arranged berthing at Qasim International Container Terminal, Multi Purpose Terminal and Engro Elengy Terminal respectively on Tuesday. Meanwhile, two more ships Santy and BW Hazel scheduled to load\ofVload 31,000 tonnes Rice and 64,461 tonnes Canola seeds also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim during last 24 hours.

Berth occupancy was managed at the port at 47% on Tuesday where a total of eight ships named APL Chariestion, CMA CGM Nerval, Northern Monument, Royal Jade, Umm Addalkh, Bulk Electra, Fraiha and Torm Estrid are currently occupying berths to load/ofVload Containers, Rice, Steel

Wednesday January 31, 2018

Coil, Soya Bean, Chemicals and Diesel oil during last 24 hours. A cargo volume of 165,369 tonnes, comprising 1145,989 tonnes import cargo and 19,380 tonnes export cargo inclusive of containerized cargo carried in 4,749 Containers (TEUs), (3,729 TEUs import and 1,020 TEUs exports) were handled at the port during last 24 hours. Oil tanker Torm Estrid sailed out to sea Wednesday

morning, while two more ships General cargo carrier Royal Jade and Container vessel Northern Monument are expected to sail on same day in the afternoon. Two ships Beke Cenk and Golar Kelvin scheduled to load/ofVload Rice and LNG are due to arrive at Port Qasim on Thursday. Four more ships Hansa America, San Francisca, Prosper and Santy are due to arrive on Friday.

gwadar expo 2018 on January 29-30 Base Alpine 22/01/18 ALONG SIDE (East Wharves) 1 Al Safa D. Jet Oil East Wind 24/01/18 10/11 Seacon 6 D. Gen.Cargo Aars-Sh. 23/01/18 11/12 Santa Ursula D. Coal OC-Services 24/01/18 12/13 Silvia Ambition D. Steel Aars-Sh. 22/01/18 15/16 Fyla D. Cannoal East Wind 19/01/18 ALONG SIDE(P.I.C.T) 6/7 Kota Kaya D. L. Cnt. PDelta 24/01/18 8/9 KMTC Mumbai D. L. Cnt. U.M.A 23/01/18 ALONG SIDE(PDWCP): Berth Vacant… Along Side(West Wharves) 21 Tamara D. Gen.Cargo Ships Shape 23/01/18 ALONG SIDE (K.I.C.T): Berth Vacant…

EXPECTED ARRIVALS: CONTAINER (GEARLESS) Talassa COSCO 26/01/18 Not Sched 600 Cnt. 600 Cnt. COSCO New York COSCO 29/01/18 Not Sched 600 Cnt. 600 Cnt. –CB Report

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hina Overseas Ports Holding Company and Gwadar Port Authority are jointly organizing the Virst ever international exhibition in Gwadar Free Zone on January 29 and 30, 2018.

Gwadar Free Zone (phase-1) will also be inaugurated on the occasion.

The expo will be a mega event in Balochistan’s history which would help the exhibitors and the participants to understand the real potential of Gwadar port.

Over 200 companies from both Pakistan and China in various sectors including Trading, services, automotive, food processing, shipping, logistics and warehousing, light-end assembly and re-cycling, light manufacturing and assembly, value added industries, shipping lines, Vish

and seafood processing, logistics, warehousing and transportation, fruits and vegetable processing, import and export, transshipment and transit, minerals processing, garments and textile, medical consum-

ables, marble, printing and packaging, light vehicles manufacturing, Vinancial institutions, iron and steel, heavy metal scrap recycling, and oil and gas processing will participate in the exhibition. Meanwhile, Chair-

man China Overseas Ports Holding Company, Zhang Baozhong said in a video message that COPHC and GPA are initiating series of events by organizing the Virst International Exhibition ‘GWADAR EXPO 2018’ in Gwadar Free Zone. He said this event will be proved to be a milestone for the mega project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He said under this exhibition more than 3000 exhibitors and over 10,000 visitors applied to participate however due to Vlight and accommodation limits, around 200 exhibitors and 5000 visitors were allowed to participate in the event.

“I hope that all the visitors will take an advantage of this event to understand the development plan of Gawadar. He said this event will boost economic cooperation not only between Pakistan and China but also with Iran, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

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SBP increases key interest rate to 6% in monetary policy KARACHI: Against market expectation, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) raised the key interest rate by 25 basis points to 6%, a clear signal that the pace of inflation was increasing. The central bank had kept the discount rate unchanged at 5.75% since May 2016, the lowest level in four decades. It was in double digits at 10% in the first half of fiscal year 2012-13 before easing inflationary pressure led to a decline in the interest rate. However, rupee depreciation against the US dollar and rising international oil prices, which play a significant role in Pakistan’s import bill, fuelled inflation in the country.

Wednesday January 31, 2018

Business

kp to empower customs, police through new bill PESHAWAR

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he Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved a draft of the controversial drugs bill. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, in a cabinet meeting, asked the concerned departments to empower the provincial police, excise and taxation departments, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and Customs under the draft KP Control of Narcotics Substance Bill 2018.

Khattak had sought a meeting of the KP assembly’s select committee to Vinalise the bill and then pass it from the assembly so that the rele-

Lucky cement profit down 7pc KARACHI

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vant authorities can curb rapid growth of crystal methamphetamines, commonly known as ‘ice’ and other drugs which are covered under the bill. They further said that the committee will have to look at

cut in int’l petroleum products prices cannot pass on to consumers

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ucky Cement Ltd has reported its profit after tax (PAT) of Rs6.55 billion for the half year ended Dec 31, 2017, 7 per cent lower than Rs7.04bn in the corresponding period of the previous year. The company’s gross sales revenue increased by 5.2pc to Rs32.85bn compared to Rs31.24bn recorded in the same period last year.

“The increase in gross sales revenue was mainly attributable to higher federal excise duty and sales tax”, the company said in a statement.

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the legal provisions which allow a provincial assembly to make requests to force or a department which works under the federal government. “We will ask the opinion of the KP law department on the issue

as the cabinet’s decision has raised a technical issue which needs to be cleared,” said an ofVicial who is close to the development but requested not to be named. OfVicial added that the chief minister wants that the bill is passed into law without any further delay to curb the spread of new drugs. The KP excise and taxation department had drafted the KP Control of Narcotics Substance Bill 2018. The bill had subsequently been tabled in the KP assembly.

However, the provincial police department had raised objections over the bill, arguing that it limits powers of the police in controlling narcotics in the province. Moreover, the bill also limits the role of ANF and Customs to areas where the jurisdiction of the federal government extends, such as airports and dry-ports.

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RAWALPINDI

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he domestic petroleum product prices in the country remained Vluctuated upward and downward due to international oil pricing trend during the tenure of the present government and the government failed to provide the relief of reduction of the prices to the consumers and always tried to keep maximum beneVit to itself of the changes of these prices.

According to data available from

the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) on May 1st, 2013 the petrol was being sold at R. 97.59 per litter when the present government took over the charge in this month which has now reduced to Rs. 81.53 per litter according to the petroleum products prices revised by the present government announced on 1st January 2018 after Vluctuating upward and downward for many months. The price of diesel was Rs. 106.06 per litter on 1st, May 2013 while its price was Rs. 89.91 per litter as announced by the government on 1st January 2018. The price

of Kerosene oil was Rs. 94.17 per litter on 1st of May 2013 and it was Rs. 64.32 per litter according to the prices revised on 1st January 2018 by the government.

Following are the details of the prices revised by the present government every month for different petroleum products.

The prices of petroleum products were highest in October 2013 when the price of petrol was reached to Rs. 113.24 per litter and the price of kerosene oil was Rs 108.13 per litter and the price of diesel was Rs 116.95 per litter in that month.

NAB arrests former managing director of ppcBL LAHORE

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AB has arrested former managing director of Punjab Provincial Cooperative Bank Ltd Liaquat Durrani for his alleged involvement in financial mismanagement of funds. According to a NAB spokesman, the Bureau has been investigating financial embezzlement of Rs215 million through illegal investment with weak, unlicensed and defaulter banks during 2009 and onward. He stated that investigations into the graft case revealed that accused Liaquat Durrani was illegally appointed on contract basis as PPCBL managing director. He said the accused reinvested the promotion policies to his favoured individuals and by depositing hefty amount with a private bank, the accused caused a loss worth Rs100 million. Later, by misusing his authority, the former MD got appointed his son on an executive post in Khyber Bank. NAB Lahore has already arrested two other accused Muhammad Boota and Sajid and Tahir Iqbal Butt Wednesday. The accused Liaquat Durrani will be produced before an accountability court for obtaining his physical remand.

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Imports of used cars in country increase 70% KARACHI

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mports of used cars and minivans surged to 65,723 units in 2017, up almost 70 per cent from 38,676 units a year ago, latest data released by the auto industry shows.

The arrival of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) also increased 59pc to 7,758 units. Imports of pickups and vans registered a 9pc rise to 3,154

units. The local industry maintains a record of each imported vehicle, whether new or old, through the Import General Manifest (IGM). Every imported car is logged in the customs’ IGM. Toyota Vitz remained the most popular imported car in 2017.

As many as 8,680 units arrived in 2017, up almost 40pc from a year ago. The volume of Daihatsu Mira swelled 73.1pc to 6,091 units.

Toyota Aqua imports climbed 96pc to 7,123 units from 3,622 units

in 2016. As many as 5,088 units of Suzuki Every were brought into Pakistan in 2017, up 14.6pc year-onyear. Imports of Daihatsu Hijet rose 34.5pc to 3,367 units. The arrival of Suzuki Alto doubled to 4,158 units from 2,013 units a year ago. Suzuki WagonR imports surged 115pc to 3,574 units. Imports of Honda Vezel and Toyota Land Cruiser stood 2,431 units and 3,301 units in 2017, up 57.5pc and 55.7pc, respectively, on an annual basis. The overall vol-

ume of imported used vehicles grew 65pc to 76,635 units in 2017 from 46,500 units a year ago, data showed. Low interest rates, increase in auto Vinancing by banks and lifting of vehicles by investors for cab services like Careem and Uber boosted the imports of used cars as well as sales of locally assembled vehicles. The government imposed regulatory duties on the purchase of foreign used vehicles in October, which largely failed to dent the over-

all annual import Vigures. Sales of locally produced cars rose 20.4pc on a year-on-year basis to 103,432 units in July-December. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, overall imports of cars increased 64pc to $276 million in July-December. Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers’ former chairman Aamir Allawala said the local vending industry lost estimated revenue of Rs23 billion last year.

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Bitcoin venture starts disrupting shipping LONDON: The developer of the new form of payment, Prime Shipping Foundation, announced that on December 1, 2017 it became the first organization to invoice freight in cryptocurrency for about 3000 metric tons of Russian wheat from Rostov-on-Don, Russia to Samsun, Turkey.

Prime Shipping Foundation is an open-source project by Gibraltar-based Quorum Capital and shipping broker Interchart LLC to provide the logistics and freight market with a way to process payments and convert those transactions in and out of cryptocurrencies.

In mid-2018 it will start an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) for its PRIME Token so that shipowners, charterers, freight operators, brokers, agents and bunker suppliers start to use the new platform and cryptocurrency in their transactions.

HccI expresses concerns over deteriorating health & sanitation

Wednesday January 31, 2018

Chambers

Naval chief stresses need to jump start neglected maritime Sector

HYDERABAD

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he Senior Vice President Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Turab Ali Khoja has expressed his grave concern over deteriorating health and sanitation condition in the second largest city of the province. He said that the citizens particularly the business community of second largest industrial and agriculture hub of the province have been deprived of their basic civic rights despite the size-able contribution in the national exchequer. He lamented that the provincial government neglecting the issues being faced by the traders and industrialists of Hyderabad and the non resolution of growing issues has halted the industrial production which also causing unemploy-

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ment. The traders and industrialists have made investment of billion of rupees with establishment of industrial units and markets and also paying huge amount to government in shape of taxes but the government particularly the management of Hyderabad Municipal Corporation have failed to address their genuine demands.

He said HMC is reluctant to dispose of the stagnant water which accumulated the surrounding of cloth Market, Bangle Market and the surrounding bazaars as a result of which all business activities have came to halt and the business community suffering losses of millions of rupees daily. He demanded the Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Minister for Local Government Jam Khan Shoro to take serious notice over such deteriorating infrastructure of Hyderabad and resolve the genuine issues under their supervision so that sight of relief could be provided to the citizens as well as business community of Hyderabad.

ISLAMABAD

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|hief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi has stressed the need to give a jump start to the Maritime Sector of Pakistan by exploring the abundant untapped natural resources available in this particular sector which can only be done by joining hands with the business community.

“GDP growth can be doubled or even tripled by paying attention to and staying focused on the Maritime sector”, he added. Speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI0) on Wednesday, the Naval Chief said Pakistan is blessed with abundant natural resources at its coastal belt but unfortunately, most of these resources remain unexplored and neglected which was the basic reason why he formulated three pillars of his Command Vision soon after assuming charge as Naval Chief, of which one pillar is to jump start the maritime sector.

Chairman Karachi Port Trust Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar, Chair-

man Businessmen Group & Former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli, Vice Chairman BMG and Former President Anjum Nisar, President KCCI Muffasar Atta Malik, Senior Vice President Abdul Basit Abdul Razzak, Vice President Rehan Hanif, Former Presidents Mian Abrar, Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra, Younus Muhammad Bashir & Shamim Ahmed Firpo along with KCCI Managing Committee members were also present on the occasion.

Naval Chief further stated that Maritime Sector was currently being gov-

erned by nine Ministries which has to be reconsidered and the entire maritime sector should be brought under one Ministry in which those individuals should only be appointed who have the expertise, knowledge, experience and they fully understand the intricacies of this sector as not every bureaucrat could fully understand the intricacies of this important sector. He said that although the Ministry of Ports & Shipping has been renamed as Ministry of Maritime Affairs, but this was not enough as lots of real reforms have to be introduced in this Ministry. “It is not

pak to host SAARc-ccI meetings on Feb 6 ISLAMABAD

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akistan will host top level 73rd Executive Committee and 22nd General Assembly meetings of the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) in Islamabad on February 6.

Vice President SAARC Chamber Pakistan chapter Iftikhar Ali Malik in a statement here Friday said SAARC Chamber President Suraj Vadiya will chair the both meetings separately and all vice presidents from member countries including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Maldive, Bhutan and Pakistan along with their delegations will attend the meetings.

About agenda of meetings, he

said SAARC Chamber’s proposed initiatives to be taken during the current year will be discussed and Vinalized with consensus.

He said arrangements in connection with forthcoming 3-day SAARC Business Leaders Conclave scheduled to be held in Kathmandu from March 16, will be reviewed.

Chamber General Secretary Hina Saeed and Deputy Secretary Gen-

eral ZulViqar Ali Butt will brief the participants to hold the conclave in beVitting manners.

He said strategy will also be evolved for formation of SAARC Chamber and China Business Council and after threadbare discussion it will be approved unanimously and all stakeholders will be taken into conVidence prior to its formal approval. He said new applications from SAARC member countries for membership of SAARC Chamber will also be considered for approval.

Iftikhar Ali Malik said it has also been decided by the SAARC Chamber to celebrate its silver jubilee in all member countries to send a message of goodwill, strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and promotion of intra-trade besides fully exploiting all indigenous resources in the region in addition to exchange of mutual visits.

going to be an easy task to implement reforms as the bureaucracy has been resisting them but we will try our best to get the reforms implemented”, he added. Referring to lack of maritime education in Universities across Pakistan, he said that not a single university exists across the country where students could get education on maritime subjects. In this regard, Pakistan Navy is willing to introduce Center of Excellence on Oceans and Maritime Subjects at Bahria University and eventually create a Maritime University along with a Maritime Science & Technology Park.

Law firm looking for establishing JVs in SeZs under cpec hina’s largest law firm Dacheng Dentons on expressed its keen interest for establishing joint ventures with local private sector in special economic zones (SEZs) being set up under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. A delegation law firm led by Yongqian Xu, Senior Partner visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and discussed establishment of joint ventures (JVs) between the Chinese and Pakistani private sectors.

Speaking at the occasion, Yonggian Xu said his firm was one of the largest legal firm in the world with 136 offices in over 55 countries and it was connecting entrepreneurs and investors of China with the counterparts in foreign countries to promote business partnerships. –CB Report

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Quetta Customs seizes 1500kg charas QUETTA: Model Customs Collectorate Quetta has seized 1500 kgs of high quality Chara’s worth Rs75 million.

Sources said that attempt would be made to smuggle contraband.

The staff at Phulaili check post was alerted and a suspicious truck was intercepted. The driver managed to escape. On inspection, charas was found in the concealed compartments of the vehicle. A case has been registered and investigation is under way.

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Faisalabad customs retrieves Rs13.248m from defaulter companies FAISALABAD NAeem SHeIkH

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he Customs Collectorate recovery branch recovered Rs13.248 million in the wake of differential amount from different Faisalabad based companies during Virst four months (July-December) of Fiscal Year 2017 which were issued with notices to pay the outstanding dues.

Customs recovery branch recovered Rs0.020 million in July, Rs0.283 million in August, in September Rs1.747 million, Rs0.043 million in October, Rs11.115 million in November, while Rs0.040 million collected December in wake of differential amount from Faisalabad based companies during the above said period.

Sources told that assistant collector recovery branch Ameer Ahmed started a survey for the recovery of outstanding taxes. He formed a special team under the supervision of Superintendent Rana Mukhtar Ahmed which also included Inspector Muhammad Ramzan Shahid and UDC Abdul Sattar and others. Sources told that companies imported different items from abroad through ex bond GDs in the previous years. The goods were cleared against exemption un-

der SRO-560(1)90 read with CBRs certiVicate for deletion program. Subsequently, the outstanding amount was adjusted against the importer on the ground that speciVication of im-

ported goods did not conVirm with that approved by Federal Board of Revenue FBR). It is necessary to mention here that Customs Collectorate expedited its efforts to recover out-

standing amount from defaulters. The department is taking stern action against the defaulters without any discrimination in the Faisalabad city for the collection of taxes. According to

the department the defaulters were given full opportunity to pay their outstanding taxes but continuous ignorance all the tax notices left no other way than registered case against him.

NAB recovers Rs289 billion from the corrupt in three months ISLAMABAD

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he National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has recovered over Rs 289 billion from the corrupt and deposited in the national exchequer in just three months.

Moreover, NAB’s conviction ratio is 76 percent and NAB is the only organization which is role model organization in SAARC

Countries as Pakistan’s corruption Perception Index (CPI) is decreasing for the last three years due to NAB efforts from 175 to 116. This is just because of the proactive Anti-Corruption Strategy of Awareness, Prevention and Enforcement adopted by NAB and involving youth of Universities, Colleges and Schools to aware them about the ill effects of corruption at an early age. Today, NAB is the only organization who has established 55 thousands Character Building Societies of students throughout the country. Due to this reason, today eradication of cor-

ruption is the voice of the whole nation and NAB under the dynamic leadership of Justice (r) Javed Iqbal, NAB Chairman is working hard to come up to the expectations of the nation.

Both opposition and ruling party had appointed Justice (r) Javed Iqbal NAB Chairman with consensus. The reason was his integrity, honesty and excellent past record of Javed Iqbal. After assuming charge, Justice (r) Justice Iqbal said on very Virst day (October 11, 2017), that his new responsibilities were challenging and working honestly would contribute in en-

hancing goodwill of the institution and winning respect from the people. The NAB chairman said as a judge of Supreme Court that his policy was “justice for all” and now as NAB chairman his slogan would be “accountability for all’.

Javed Iqbal said his priority was elimination of corruption. He vowed strictly pursuing zero tolerance and self accountability policy. He also told NAB ofVicers that he has no afViliation with any political party. NAB would not be used to take revenge from anyone.

He urged NAB ofVicials to complete investigations on merit that too

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without caring about any duress or favor. He said investigations should be completed as per law and inquiries must not remain pended for long. Non completion of inquiries defames the accused besides affecting their reputation as an accused is considered innocent until proven guilty. NAB has been turned into an active and effective institution; he said adding that the whole nation pinned hopes on NAB for elimination of corruption from society.

From very Virst day the NAB Chairman had got brieVing from every department.