Wednesday, 3 January 2018

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Karachi, Wed January 3, 2018

MULTAN

IMRAN ALI

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ollector Saud Imran Ahmad has directed all anti-smuggling squad to focus their anti-smuggling operations in the jurisdiction to stop smuggling of non-customs paid vehicles and miscellaneous goods.

The Model of Customs Collectorate held special meeting of Anti-Smuggling Or-

ganization staff which was led by Collector Saud Imran Ahmad here on Monday. Collector Saud Imran Ahmad has directed whole Anti-Smuggling Organization staff to bring their complete attention against smuggling operations.

Saud Imran directed the entire field staff of the Anti-Smuggling Organization to perform their duties and assigned task carefully in order to curb smuggling from the jurisdiction. He stressed antismuggling squad that effective information and s t a f f

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commitment required for taking action against smugglers in the region to restraint smuggling in the areas.

It is important to mention here that antismuggling squad of Multan Customs was moving relaxed after rumours of Collector Saud Imran Ahmad transfer from Collectorate. Collector found that AntiSmuggling Organization performance was not up to the mark during last few days of December and anti-smuggling squad detected less smuggling cases in last few days. He advised whole ASO staff to remain vigilant during their assigned tasks throughout the jurisdiction against smugglers and he will not tolerate any sort of negligence from staff if found.

AFU Islamabad posts 108.62 percent increase against allocated target

DG Valuation Surriya to revise VR No 754/2015 on January 26

Customs Preventive seizes NDP mobile phones from airport

Political uncertainty to reverse economic growth: PIAF

All Quetta Stations show fantastic potential by collecting Rs1353m taxes

AFU achieved 108.62% average of growth against an assigned proportional | See pAge 02 |

DG Valuationhas decided to revise the Valuation Ruling No: 754/2015 on Jan 26 | See pAge 03 |

Customs Preventive has seized NDP mobile phones worth Rs 6 million | See pAge 04 |

PIAF has said that politics of agitation and sit-ins would push the national economy | See pAge 14 |

All the customs stations, working under the jurisdiction of MCC Quetta | See pAge 16 |

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FBR collecting data of non-taxpayer govt employess Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has started collecting data of all government officials having taxable income to issue notices for non-filing of income tax returns.

In this regard the FBR has asked all secretaries/additional secretaries incharge/heads of attached departments/ autonomous and semir-autonomous bodies to provide list off all officers in BS-17 and above, along with their CNICs so that their status of filing of returns could be confirmed.

Afu Islamabad posts 108.62 percent increase against allocated target

ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

cuStoMS BuLLetIN RepoRt

tARIQ DeRYA

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he Islamabad High Court (IHC) has relisted cases for hearing involving the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation, and Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue. A division bench of the IHC comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan relisted the cases to be heard in coming days. DG Intelligence and Investigation had filed a case against Malik Muhammad Ajmal Khan.

M/s Comfort Sales Corporation had filed a case against ATIR and the Customs Department. M/s Comfort Sales Corporation had challenged the act of recovery of the said amount by commissioner Inland Revenue of the Large Taxpayer’s Unit, Islamabad. ATIR was also made respondent in the case as the tribunal had sustained departmental decision regarding issuance of show cause notice and demand of recovery of outstanding tax amount in head of federal excise duty (FED). M/s Comfort Sales Corporation 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.

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he Customs Air Freight Unit Islamabad achieved 108.62% average of growth against an assigned proportional target of Customs Duty for three weeks of December Fiscal Year 2017-18. According to details explained by Nisar Ahmed Phullerwan, Additional Collector, Air Freight Unit (AFU) Islamabad while talking with Customs Today that, during Uirst three weeks of December FY17-18, the AFU received surplus revenue. The AFU was assigned a proportional revenue collection target of Rs169million while it generated Rs271million as Customs Duty (CD). He told the correspondent that the AFU received extra revenue of Rs102million as CD against an allocated revenue collection target for above said period.

Additional Collector notiUied the correspondent that the AFU earned Rs143 million of CD during the same period of corresponding 1st of December to 21st of December FY1617. The AFU was earmarked a revenue target for the month of December FY17-18 amounting to Rs250million of CD. Nisar informed CT that AFU Islamabad collected Rs34.08million of extra revenue against an assigned revenue collection target for the month of November Fiscal Year

Ihc relists cases filed against Dg I&I, AtIR

2017-18. The AFU was allocated a higher target for Financial Year 2017-18 against the previous FY1617. During the month of November

FY17-18, the AFU earned a surplus revenue against an earmarked revenue collection target of CD. During above said period, the AFU got extra

revenue of Rs255.06million as CD while it was allocated Rs228.61million of target under the head of CD for November FY17-18.

fBR to brief Senate body on wht anomaly, Benami Act

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ISLAMABAD

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would brief the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Narcotics Control. on the anomaly of withholding tax deducted on bonus share issue in respect of mutual funds. The committee, which is scheduled to meet under the chairmanship of Sena-

tor Saleem Mandviwalla would also discuss with the FBR the rules made under Benami Act 2017.

According to Senate notification, the board is also scheduled to present its progress report on the audit of withholding taxes collected by Telecom sector.

In addition, the committee would discuss with Ministry of Finance the separation of cadres of Accounts and Audit in line with the summary approved by the Prime Minister, while the ministry

would present its progress report on the appointment of Independent Officer for audit of Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) as required under clause 7 of Finance Act 2015.

The ministry would also submit its progress report on the recommendations made by the committee regarding presentation of the draft bill in respect of the Federal Consolidation Fund (FCF) and Public Account as required under article 79 of the constitution.

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FBR not to freeze bank accounts of companies working under CPEC KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has stopped its officials from freezing bank accounts for non-compliance of companies engaged in projects related to ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

According to an official, the board has instructed all the tax departments not to invoke provisions related to bank attachment in the cases of those companies making transactions under CPEC projects. There are serious problems in the monitoring of the withholding tax, as most of the projects have been exempted the by the government.

court approves remand of suspects involved in hSD oil smuggling

Wednesday January 3, 2018

Karachi

Dg Valuation Surriya to revise VR No 754/2015 on January 26

KARACHI

M B RANA

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he Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi sent suspects namely Mehboob Ali son of Ali Akbar and Nabi Bakhsh son of Ghose Bakhsh to customs department on physical remand. The accused were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle nonduty paid 59635 liters Iranian HSD Oil. During the hearing, investigation officer produced the above mentioned suspects before the court and informed the court that on credible information a team of Anti-Smuggling Organisation intercepted a Hino truck bearing registration number TLY-348 near Moachko check post and recovered 59635 liters Iranian HSD Oil.

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customs export karachi retrieves evaded duties KARACHI

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he Customs Export has recovered an evaded amount of taxes and duties of Rs5.93million from defaulter companies which were issued with notices to pay the outstanding dues. Sources told Customs Today that, during the scrutiny of the import data, it was revealed that M/s Zia-ur-Rehman and Sons availed undue benefits and concessions by importing different consignments and misusing the SRO 566 through Examiner Murtaza Khan.

Sources told CT that the company was allegedly involved in tax evasion of Rs3.55million. After detecting the tax evasion, the Customs Export issued to it a final notice on Nov 24, 2017 to deposit the evaded amount within 14 days.

After receiving the notice, the management of M/s Zia-ur-Rehman and Sons deposited the evaded amount in the official account of the Customs Export.

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KARACHI

wAQAR AhMeD ANSARI www.customsbulletin.com

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irectorate General, Customs Valuation, Director General Surriya Ahmed Butt, has decided to revise the Valuation Ruling No: 754/2015 on January 26, 2018, it is learnt.

According to the details, Director General Surriya Butt has said that the department was reviewing suggestions from importers to set new prices of ginger and garlic. She said that some valuations, which were issued in 2015, were being reviewed from the beginning.

Moreover, the valuations will be set in view of rising prices in the international markets. Sources said that a petition was submitted by the importers to Customs Valuation in which change in prices of ginger and garlic was requested. Sources said the Valuation Ruling No: 754/2015 was issued on 31st August 2015. A meeting was held with the stakeholders on 22nd December 2017.

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, The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of Printing Inks and Digital Printing Inkjet Inks through Valua-

tion Ruling No 1237/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969. Earlier the customs values of the Digital Printing Inkjet Inks And Printing Inks were determined vide Valuation Ruling No. 403/2011 dated 29-11-2011 and Valuation Ruling No. 854/2016 dated 17-05-2016 read with Order-inRevision No. 232/2016 dated 16-082016. It has been brought to the notice of this Directorate General of Customs Valuation that the Valuation Ruling No. 854/2016 dated 17.05.2016 read with

Sources said that a petition was submitted by the importers to customs Valuation in which change in prices of ginger and garlic was requested. Sources said the Valuation Ruling No: 754/2015 was issued on 31st August 2015

Adjudication-II recovers Rs2m from Madiha & Sons

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KARACHI

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ustoms Adjudication-II Tahir Qureshi showed outstanding performance by taking actions against tax defaulters and issuing notices during the December.

Source told Customs Today that the Customs Adjudication-II served a Uinal notice on a defaulter company named M/s J K Enterprises and recovered Rs 2 million from M/s

Madiha and Sons Karachi. M/s J. K. Enterprises was involved in tax evasion. The company imported different types of Aluminum and steel scrape on October 28, 2017 and used the wrong PCT heading. After a careful investigation, the Customs Adjudication-II issued a Uinal notice to the company and cleared the outstanding amount of Rs 6.20 million.

Source said that another company M/s Madiha and Sons Karachi got cleared a consignment of heavy duty home and

commercial generator on September 27 and evaded tax amount of Rs 2 million. After the investigation, Customs Adjudication-II served a show cause notice on the company on October 23, but it failed to clear the outstanding tax amount. Collector Customs Adjudication-II issued a final notice to the company on December 6, 2017. After receiving the notice, the company deposited Rs 2 million in favor of the Customs department.

Order-in-Revision No.232/2016 dated 16.08.2016 for printing ink is being applied on the clearance of Digital Printing Inkjet Inks whereas there is a speciUic Valuation Ruling bearing No. 403/2011 dated 29.11.2011 for Digital Printing Inkjet Inks. Moreover, the Valuation Ruling of Digital Printing Inkjet Inks is very old and needs to be revised in accordance with the trend of values in the international markets, besides printing inks values in the international market have also appreciated.

fIA arrests human traffickers in Narowal he Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) teams arrested four human traffickers here from Narowal and Gujranwala.

Deputy Director Mufakhir Adeel stated that the accused Tauseef, Amir, Imran and Nadeem were involved in sending people abroad illegally. FIA have started further investigations.

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Customs Tribunal sets aside ONO in impugned Hino truck case Wednesday January 3, 2018

Lahore

LAHORE: The Customs Appellate Tribunal has set aside an Order-in-Original passed by the adjudication authority, and ordered authority to pass a fresh speaking order in case of the impugned Hino truck.

Muhammad Shabbir Gujjar heard the arguments from both sides and passed the final order that an apportunity of hearing be provided to the appellant to present his viewpoint before the lower forum so the impugned order is set aside and case is remanded back to the adjudication authority to pass the order afresh after the hearing of the appellant as respondent as well.

customs seizes Rs 31m currency at Lahore Airport from Jan-Dec 2017 LAHORE

M IMRAN MehAR

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he Customs teams conUiscated currency of different countries amounting to Rs 31 million from passengers at Allama Iqbal International Airport during different operations from January 2017 to December 2017.

Sources told customs Today that the customs teams conducted operations in different Ulights bounded for different countries during the period. A number of currency smuggling attempts were foiled by the customs at departure lounge of the airport during.

Flights were going to Dubai from Lahore, Lahore to Turkey, Lahore to Jeddah, Lahore to Bangkok, Lahore to Muscat and Lahore to different

customs tribunal to remain closed till 3rd Jan 2018 ustoms Appellate Tribunal will remain close till 3rd January 2018 and all the cases are adjourned till 3rd January for further hearing. According to the details, Customs Appellate Tribunal has adjourned all fixed cases into the next date of hearings as the tribunal will remain close till 3rd January 2018 due to winter vacations. As per schedule of the Supreme Court (SC) and Lahore High Court (LHC) Customs Appellate Tribunal (CAT) will remain closed till 3rd January and will start hearing as per schedule. Source told Customs Today that all case put off into next dates because tribunal will not hear any case during the winter vacations. Both benches I & II will set as per the schedule. Tribunal also informed the complainants and respondents that during the winter holiday court remain close and no case will be heard during the above mentioned. –CB Report

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cities of China. The Customs teams took actions in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Ulights, Turkish Airways Ulight, Thai Airways, Gulf Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines.

During actions, the customs authorities recovered Rs 31 million.

While Customs allowed some of passengers to go after conUiscation of currency from their possession while a number of cases were also registered against the accused persons. The security ofUicers had launched an investigation into the matter. Pakistan Customs conUiscated $266746, 28189 Japanese Yuan and 13183 UK pounds. Customs has also recovered Euros, dirhams and many other currencies from passengers at Allama Iqbal International Airport from January to December. Customs has started strict checking of the luggage of the passengers specially coming from European countries.

customs preventive seizes NDp mobile phones from airport

LAHORE

M hAYAt

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team of Collectorate of Customs Preventive has seized non-duty paid mo-

court asks for completion of accused smuggler’s investigation challan

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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has asked the investigation team of the customs I&P to complete the investigation challan of the accused arrested in smuggling of cigarettes, cloths, mobile-phones and some other items as well. An accused Muhammad Hassan was apprehended by the customs intelligence authorities from Lahore. Customs intelligence authorities conducted an operation on intelligence based information at Band Road Lahore and

held the accused. The customs intelligence recovered smuggling and non-customs-paid clothes, mobilephones, cigarettes, gutka and Uireworks from the accused. The customs intelligence also recovered cloth from his possession. The worth of the recovered items is more than Rs3.6million in the local market. The customs investigation team had presented him before the customs court for getting his physical remand to investigate more on the issue that was approved by the court. –CB Report

bile phones worth Rs 6 million from two suspects at Allama Iqbal International Airport.

Sources told Customs Today that the team, comprising Inspector Mumtaz Ajmal Mian, Superintendent Abdul Shakoor, Deputy Superintendent Jamshed Ahmed Khan, Masood Tarar, during check-

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ing of Airblue flight no PA-411, recovered various non-duty paid goods and mobile phones from two passengers. The flight had arrived from Dubai at about 1.15am.

Sources said that the team intercepted a passenger, Abdul Rehman, and recovered 210 mobile phones of different brands from him. The market value of the seized mobile is Rs 4 million.

Sources said that another passenger of the same flight who was identified as Azeem Abbas was also intercepted by customs team.

Abbas was using Green Channel facility when Inspector Jamshed Ahmed Khan asked him to show his suitcase. During the checking, the customs team recovered 110 mobile phones which were tactfully hidden in the suitcase. The team asked both passengers to show legal documents regarding possession of the mobile phones but both passengers failed to show any relevant legal documents.

customs tribunal dismisses appeal ustoms Appellate Tribunal has dismissed the appeal Uiled by the Raaz Muhammad a resident of Quetta against the Collector of Customs (Adjudication), Customs Multan and others. Omer Arshed Hakeem, Member Judicial bench-II heard the case in details and decided with remarks that tribunal has no reason to interfere with the Uindings of learned collector of Customs Adjudication who has passed the reasoned order stating the law and citing relevant evidence to arrive at the impugned conclusions, Resultantly this same customs appeal fails and is thus dis-

missed with no orders. According to the brief history of the case, the staff of Customs Intelligence and Investigations FBR intercepted a truck loaded with origin tyres and alloy rims. On demand, the driver failed to produce any bilty or documentary proof in respect of the recovered goods. The recovered goods are liable to outright conUiscation along with truck therefore goods were seized under section 168 of Customs Act 1969. After the show cause notice, adjudication authority heard the case in details and passed Order-in-Original against the owner of vehicle. –CB Report

fto directs to conclude arguments on plea filed by fatima Vegetable

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LAHORE

SAJID NAwAZ

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he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has directed counsels to conclude their arguments on next date of hearing. The case was Uiled by M/s Fatima Vegetable Oil Mills Private Limited against the Large Taxpayer Unit (LTU). The

same appeal was heard last month and was put off for the next date.

According to the details, FTO Advisor Haji Ahmed heard the case in which the counsel said that the delay in issuance of refunds put burden on the taxpayers, adding that the LTU should make audit of the cases and release the extra amount collected by it from the taxpayer. He also said in the arguments that ap-

pellant should submit all relevant record to the LTU. He added that the LTU collected excessive tax from the company during the last three years. The petitioner approached the department many times but it failed to pay the refunds after the passage of a reasonable time. At the end, the appellant decided to approach the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) seeking

interference in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the LTU to clear the refund claims. After hearing the arguments from both sides, FTO adjourned hearing of the case until next date for further hearing and directed the parties to appear on said date to conclude arguments in the case. The same case will be heard on the next reserved date.

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will launch a pilot project in Islamabad to introduce Real-Time Invoice Monitoring System (RIMS) in hotels and restaurants, having sale turnover of Rs 5 million and above in the Uirst week of January 2018 to monitor sale and collect sales tax, sources said. The restaurants covered by RIMS would be exempted from audit of sales tax, they added.

On success of the project, the coverage of RIMS would be extended to all hotels and restaurants in the federal capital. However, hotels and restaurants with a sales

turnover of less than Rs 5 million not be covered by RIMS. This was disclosed by Mustafa Sajj san, Chief Commissioner, Regional Ta Islamabad while addressing busine munity at Islamabad Chamber of Co and Industry. Ms. Ayesha Farooq C sioner RTO, Zaheer Qureshi Chief S and Engr. Iftikhhar Ali SPM (Punja from PRAL also accompanied him.

At the occasion, a detailed present web-based RIMS was given to the b community. Mustafa Sajjad Hassan s the purpose of web-based RIMS w duce the interface between FBR a payers and said that gradually other of the economy would also be cov such IT based systems to monitor s

n would

jjad Hasax OfUice, ess comommerce CommisSales Tax ab & KP)

tation on business said that was to reand taxr sectors vered by sales and

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collect sales tax. He said business community should not be afraid of RIMS as it would facilitate them and reduce their interaction with FBR ofUicials. He was hopeful that the improvement in sales tax collection would lead to further reduction in its rates.

He said FBR technical team was ready to provide training to the technical staff of restaurants for operation of RIMS. He assured that no sales tax audit would be done of the restaurants covered by RIMS. He further assured that on launch of RIMS, any bugs faced by the business community, would be removed by the FBR technical team. Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh Amir Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that the launch of RIMS should be started from non-tax-

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

payers and its coverage should be gradually extended to other restaurants in a period of 3-4 months. He said all new IT based system should be introduced in consultation with business community to reduce the element of harassment and implementation of such system should be across the board without any discrimination. He stressed that before launch of RIMS, RTO should provide training to the technical staff of restaurants so that they may not face any problems in its implementation.

It was agreed Naeem Siddiqui, Chairman, Mian Muhammad Ramzan Member ICCI Tax Sub-Committee and some representatives of Restaurants Association would work with RTO for gradual implementation of RIMS on local restaurants.

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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

fall of bitcoin’s price

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itcoin, which climbed from less than one dollar in 2009 to as high as $20,000 in 2017, has plunged below $13,000 just in five days.

According to financial experts, Bitcoin is a new international currency which works without a central bank or single administrator. The system works peer-topeer in which transactions take place directly between users without any intermediary. Transactions are verified by a network of nodes and are recorded in a ledger known as blockchain. The origin of Bitcoin is shrouded in mystery as the currency was invented by unidentified group of people under the name Satoshi Nakamoto and was released as open-source software in 2009. The digital currency was going up at a fast speed to experience a twentyfold increase since the start of the current year, climbing up to $20,000. Many countries, including Pakistan, have yet to make laws to regulate or operate the digital currency within their geographical boundaries. As the shabby currency had been disproportionally taking over the attention of the world financial managers, the last week was the worst week of its performance. The bubble has just burst.

Bitcoin has been falling with increased losses for new entrants in the digital currency market since less than a week. The future is unpredictable as it is appearing as big threat to world’s strongest currencies – dollar – as well as British pound and euro.

According to an expert of the world currencies, a manic upward swing could be followed by a downturn with the change of sentiment. When value of a script goes out of proportion, the traders start waiting for a correction. Some believe the traders will say goodbye to cryptocurrency this year. The profit taking move by the traders is looming large at the world stock exchanges. According to Coinbase, a USbased company which provides digital wallets for storing bitcoin, it will investigate the sharp rise and fall of the currency in short span of time. Some European bankers have started calling it a deadly gamble and warn about the risks of at volatile and unregulated market.

When a script starts falling, everyone is ready to offload the burden and this is happening to the digital currency. The fall of bitcoin value is a lesson for the actual and potential Pakistani traders that all that glitters is not gold.

grim outlook of economy A

LAHORE

DR AftAB AfZAL

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ccording to economists, Pakistan needs a paradigm shift in its economic policies. It is time for the policymakers sitting in the government offices to wake up from deep slumber and act now. As the country’s exports could not pick up to the desired level and regulatory duty failed to curb imports, the only option left for the government is to facilitate industrial sector and create industrial surplus to boost exports. But this can be only possible when the officials concerned, who are drawing hefty salaries and perks, take

interest in the official work and give new shape to the economy.

The regulatory duty was imposed on luxury items, including cars, processed foods, cosmetics and hundreds of other non-essential items, but it did not simply work. The people who have purchasing power can go to any length to buy goods of their choices. Therefore, the curbs on imports would not narrow the growing gap between imports and exports. In the new economic policy, incessant and low tariff electricity supply should be ensured to the export-oriented industry. However, the government opted for taking loans from international donor agen-

cies to arrest the falling foreign exchange reserves and imposed regulatory duty on luxury goods to reduce trade deficit.

The tax system also needs to be overhauled as increasing the tax rates should not be the only option to cover the losses. Pakistan is one of the heaviest taxed countries in the world though only around a million are the registered taxpayers in a country of over 200 million people. Despite consuming a lot of time, money and resources, the country’s tax to GDP ratio is the lowest in the region. Lack of facilities and tough laws discourage not only local entrepreneurs, but also foreign investors. The policymakers

should devise such policies to stop arm-twisting of the local investors. Otherwise, it will be impossible to stop capital flight and money laundering. According to experts, revocation of the legal clauses incorporated in the protection of economic reforms Act of June, 1992, is the need of the hour as in some cases the law facilitates money laundering and capital Ulight. Despite tall claims by the government authorities, the cost of doing business in Pakistan could not be lowered. The investors, whether local or foreigners, only take interest when they are given guarantees that their gains will be high and capital will be safe in the country.

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FC College’s British teacher held, set free after seizing 13,000 pounds LAHORE: A Customs Vigilance team detained a foreigner at the Allama Iqbal International Airport who was set to travel to London with an unusual amount of British Pounds.

The detainee, a British national in his late 50’s, possessed 13,000 British Pounds. He was about to travel to London by Pakistan International Airline’s flight 757.

The man was taken into custody for questioning during which he introduced himself as a teacher at Forman Christian College Lahore. He was identified as Regan Alexander, the officials of Pakistan Customs told Customs Today. After a proper verification, he was allowed to travel to London. The customs has confiscated the recovered currency and asked the accused to come for investigation after spending vacation in London.

customs karachi seizes various kinds of auto parts & accessories

Wednesday January 3, 2018

National

Shc seeks comments on plea filed against fixation of extra duty

ISLAMABAD

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he Customs Collectorate has impounded different types of vehicles’ chesses, water body, side-mirrors, radiators and shinning colors worth more than Rs8.50million. Sources told Customs Today that, on the directives of Deputy Collector Gwadar Junaid Mehmood, an operation against smuggled items and non-duty-paid luxury vehicles is going on in full swing and several raids have been conducted during previous month of November and operation against smuggled items is still going on during the month of December. Sources told CT that on Saturday morning deputy collector Gwadar constituted a team of Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) under the supervision of Customs Preventive Inspector Junaid-ur-Rehman and others.

The team, during a search operation on Gwadar Highway, intercepted a truck

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KARACHI

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M B RANA

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed customs ofUicials to Uile their respective para wise comments on a constitutional petition Uiled by M/s Master Pipe Industries against Uixation of extra duty on hot rolled coils, cold rolled and galvanized coil of secondary quality imported from European countries and Taiwan. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omer Sial, was hearing the petition.

Earlier, counsel for the petitioner appeared before the court and submitted that petitioner is an importer and fulfills all his the responsibilities according to the law.

The counsel said that he regularly imports hot rolled coils, cold rolled and galvanized coil of secondary quality mostly from European countries and Taiwan. He argued that his client imported the above mentioned goods and filed a Goods Declaration, however, he is seriously aggrieved from the act of respondents who imposed extra duty

on the same without lawful authorities and adopting legal manners. After the hearing, the court had issued notices to the customs officials and deputy attorney general by directing them to file comments on the next date of hearing.

Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Chief Collector of Customs Collectorate South, Collector of Customs Collectorate West, Collector of Customs Collectorate Port Muhammad Bin Qasim and Director General Valuation of Customs

Valuation as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary, he also pleaded the court to restrain them from taking any coercive action till final order in this petition.

10,000 potential taxpayers to be served notices in Jan bearing registration No: QS-2884 which was going out of the city. During the raids, the customs team impounded three vehicles chesses, 50 pieces of water body, 50 pieces of side-mirror and 50 radiators. The customs team arrested three smugglers involved in smuggling and registered an FIR against the accused and started investigations. It is necessary to mention here that the Customs Collectorate has impounded different types of fabrics including Indian silk, Iranian bed-sheets and velvet fabrics worth more than Rs6.20million. Different kinds of Iranian juices and Iranian non-duty-paid carpets worth more than Rs6.50million and different types of computer accessories worth more than Rs4.26 million.

ISLAMABAD

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inister of State for Finance, Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan said the government was devising a strategy to go after the tax-evaders and initially 10,000 people have been identiUied on the basis of data, saying they would be brought under tax net from next month. These potential taxpayers have been identiUied in different Uields including education, property and other services sectors, Rana Afzal said in his Uirst-ever interaction with a group of media persons after assuming the charges of State Minister for Finance.

He said that on the basis of data obtained by the government, Uirst batch of 10,000 potential taxpayers would be served notices in the be-

ginning of next month (January).

The minister said that in order to broaden tax net, an amnesty scheme was also under consideration to facilitate Pakistanis bring back their money from abroad.

However, he was of the view that this scheme would be executed after thorough consideration.

The minister said that the recently imposed Regulatory Duty (RD) on various importing items by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would begin showing its positive effects on revenue collection soon.

He said that the number of tax return Uilers has also increased from 0.914 million last year to 1.14 million during the current year (201718), which is a positive sign.

Talking about the performance of economy, the minister said that the country was well in position to achieve 5.8 percent GDP growth eas-

ily and expressed the hope that the target of 6 percent was also achievable. The minister was of the view that the budget deUicit would be contained at 5 percent although the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had predicted its upward growth. He said of the view that there was some lack in Uiscal performance during the initial months, however expected that the things would be go better now. To a question on external side, the minister said the country had to pay back $6 billion before June 30 and the government was working on many strategies to meet its expenses, which include borrowings and reducing expenditures. He categorically stated that the government had no plan to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package, adding that the government had a plan which would be executed to meet the expenses. He

however was of the view that there were many sectors of economy which had been performing well, citing the example of remittances and impressive growth in Large Sector Manufacturing sector.

The minister was of the view that the budget for the upcoming Uinancial year 2018-19 should be presented by the incumbent government as it would be in better position to manage it, however opined that if there was any legal obligations that should be addressed Uirst. He said that it would be very difUicult for the interim government to present the national budget for the upcoming Uiscal year as it would have very little time to prepare for the presentation. To a question about imports, the minister said that although there had been increase in import bill, but these were industryoriented imports.

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Income tax rate reduced on profit from Shuhada Family Welfare Account Wednesday January 3, 2018

National Dr. Miftah Ismail visits fBR, reviews revenue collection measures

ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has granted reduced rate of income tax on profit derived against investments made in Shuhada Family Welfae Account.

The FBR issued SRO 1280(I)/2017 on Tuesday to make amendment in Second Schedule of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 in pursuance to decision taken by the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet in its meeting held on November 01, 2017.

Deputy collector Rizwan reshuffles seven employees

ISLAMABAD

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KARACHI

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r. Miftah Ismail assumed his responsibilities as Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance, Economic Affairs and Revenue here on Wednesday. He visited the Finance Division and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and discussed revenue-related issues with senior officials. Talking to the FBR officials, Dr. Miftah said tax revenues need to be increased and all efforts should be made in this regard. He said the current team of the FBR comprises of tax experts, hoping that this team could achieved the set targets of the current financial year( 2017-18) . He said he had a firm resolve for further strengthening of the economy and advancing the objective of sustainable and inclusive growth as envisioned by the PML-N leadership. He said that efforts would be particularly focused on enhancing exports and increasing economic growth.

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customs lodges 12 smuggling cases of gold, currencies he Model Customs Collectorate Peshawar registered 12 cases of smuggling of foreign origin currencies and gold during Fiscal Year 2017-18.

According to details given by Rehman Gul Marwat, Collector Model Customs (MCC) Peshawar, that above said performance showed that the Anti-Smuggling Organization is working efficiently.

The customs staff of the MCC Peshawar seized six cases of currencies’ smuggling during Financial Year FY)2017-18. He notified CT that, during said period, the customs staff impounded five cases of smuggling of foreign origin currencies at Torkham Customs Station while one case of foreign currencies’ smuggling was lodged at the Air Freight Unit Peshawar. –CB Report

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he Customs Collectorate Deputy Collector Headquarters Muhammad Rizwan has reshufUled seven customs employees including three superintendents, one appraiser, three inspectors with immediate effect.

Sources told Customs Today, that Deputy Collector Muhammad Rizwan issues notiUication no: IIAs(Admn)06/2010(Pt) and transferred Superintendent Dilawar Hussain from State Warehouse SWH Import Examination to Airport in addition to his present duties while Superintendent Masood Afzal Lodhi was transferred to Rebate, WeBoc, Exports branch from General Post OfUice (GPO).

Superintendent Javed Mahmood has

been transferred from Export to State Warehouse and Appraiser HaUiza Arslan Shagufta has been transferred from WeBOC to Audit cell Inspector

Mahmood Dogar has been reshufUled from import examination to audit cell customs branch. Similarly, Inspector Naeem Afzal and Umair Ranjha have

been reshufUled from Rebate, Refund, Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) Sargodha to Airport shift D duties with immediate effects.

custom preventive foils bid to smuggle gold, mobile phones worth millions of rupees C

KARACHI

MuBeeN huSSAIN

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ollectorate of Customs Preventive has foiled a bid to smuggle gold and cellular phones worth millions of rupees at the arrival section of the Jinnah International Airport (JIAP).

Sources told Customs Today that Collector Preventive Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad received information regarding the smuggling of gold and cellular phones worth millions of rupees through a passenger coming from Dubai.

A team was constituted and was instructed to enhance the surveillance as well as to carry out strict checking at both arrival and the departure lounges of the airport. On suspicion, the team of Customs Preventive intercepted a woman passenger who reached Karachi through Ulight No FZ329 from Dubai.

The customs ofUicer asked the passenger for their travel documents as well as to get the luggage checked.

During the search of the passenger’s luggage, the Customs Preventive

team found 377 gram gold attached with her body worth nearly two million rupees as well as 10 expensive cellular phones concealed in the travel bag. The ofUicers of the Cus-

toms Preventive has taken the smuggled goods into custody and Uiled a case against the woman, identiUied as Uzma Mehwish. Further investigations are underway.

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FBR orders special early audit of LB institutions in Gujranwala’s districts SIALKOT: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued the orders of special early audit of all the local bodies institutions and the registration branches in Gujranwala Division’s all the five districts including Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahaud Din, Hafizabad and Gujranwala with immediate effect. According to the senior FBR officials, the special teams of the FBR would start the special audit of the Municipal Corporations of Sialkot, Gujrat and Gujranwala, six district councils, 26 Municipal Committees and 18 registration branches in Gujranwala Division soon. The officials added that the FBR teams would take all the official records of all the development schemes, services and supplies to conduct audit there besides checking the deduction of the taxes as per their rules and regulations.

Six offending & two NDp vehicles impounded by customs peshawar PESHAWAR

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he Customs House Peshawar generated Rs32.5million of revenue by taking into possession six offending and two Non-Duty-Paid (NDP) vehicles and a large quantity of NDP goods.

These vehicles were impounded by Anti-Smuggling Unit of the Model Customs Collectorate Peshawar in the current month of December during this Financial Year 2017-18. The anti-smuggling drive initiated by Collector Customs Gull Rahman at the Customs House Peshawar earned millions of rupees by seizures of NDP items. The AntiSmuggling Unit of Peshawar Customs has confiscated 600 smart phones along with a vehicle impounded under

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the Customs Act. The Anti-Smuggling Unit also impounded 20,116 yards of foreign origin cloth and 919 kg of black tea from another vehicle taken into possession by the customs staff of the Anti-Smuggling Unit. The Anti-smuggling Unit also impounded foreign origin medical, tablets and foreign origin blood pressure kits during FY2017-18.

Collector Customs Gull Rahman lauded the performance done by the AntiSmuggling Units and remarked it has been an excellent exercise of powers by the Customs officials which has added millions of revenue to the national exchequer during current month. The Collector Customs informed Customs Today that the anti-smuggling drive was launched in order to discourage the smuggling of NDP goods against which serious complaints were received by the Customs House Peshawar.

National

pcA detects tax evasion of Rs4.77 million by M/s Shahmil Bachkana garments

customs tribunal modifies impugned order in imported pipe case ISLAMABAD

SAJID NAwAZ

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he Customs Appellate Tribunal has modified an order in a foreign origin pipe case filed by one Muhammad Kamran Manzoor against the Director, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation– FBR Lahore. Omer Arshed Hakeem, Member Judicial Bench-II, heard the parties and announced the order with remarks that the impugned order is modified to the extent that redemption fine imposed by the adjudication office on the impugned confiscated non-notified goods is scaled down to five percent. After obtaining a search warrant, staff of the Intelligence and Investigation-FBR Lahore raided the godown in the presence of owner and found foreign origin pipes for compressors, measurement tapes, flap discs for polish and filing, cup wire brushes and fillings and welding holders.

On demand, driver produced the documents regarding the lawful import of goods impounded under Section 2 (kk) of the Customs Act-1969. After a show cause notice, adjudication proceeding was concluded by the authority and Order-in-Original was passed that goods were redeemed to the lawful owner against the payment of redemption fine equal to 35 percent of the customs value of goods.

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KARACHI

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he Directorate of Customs Post Clearance Audit has showing outstanding performance during the Uirst 22 days of December and previous month of November and detected more than 16 cases of current month. Source told Customs Today that Directorate of Customs Post Clearance Audit has detected duties and tax evasion of Rs 4.77 million allegedly by M/s Shahmil Bachkana Garments, Karachi, it is learnt here.

Sources told that M/s Shahmil Bachkana Garments, Karachi imported a consignment of different type of paint piece jeans from Germany and got it cleared from the PICT vide GDs on October 6, 2017 by paying customs duty at 6 percent after claiming the beneUits of the SRO 562/2007.

However, the subject items are correctly classiUiable under the PCT 8906.4609 attracting customs duty at 10 percent and income tax at 8 percent, thus, by way of mis-declaration of classiUication, the company evaded/short-paid Rs 4.77 million.

The consignment was cleared

Wednesday January 3, 2018

through Examiner Ovaise Mengal and Appraiser Qayyum Abdul Ghaffar. Sources told that the importer violated the provisions of Section 62 (8) of the Customs Act-1969, Section 12 read with Section 59 of the Sales Tax Act-1990 and Section 182 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 punishable under clauses (239) and 172 of Section 662(7) of the Cus-

toms Act-1969, Section 80 of the Sales Tax Act-1990 and Section 90 & 138 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and Section 9-A of the Sales Tax Act1990 read with chapter X of the Sales Tax Special Procedure Rules 2007 (special procedures for payment of sales tax by the importers) and under relevant provisions of Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

weekly inflation witnesses nominal increase of 0.04pc

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ISLAMABAD

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he Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) based weekly inUlation for the week ended on December 28 for the combined income groups witnessed nominal increase of 0.04 percent as compared to the previous week.

The SPI for the week under review in the above mentioned group was recorded at 226.09 points against 226.00 points last week, according to the latest data released

by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). As compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI

for the combined group in the week under review witnessed increase of 3.66 per cent. The weekly SPI has been computed with base 2007, 2008=100, covering 17 urban centers and 53 essential items for all income groups.

Meanwhile, the SPI for the lowest income group up to Rs 8,000 witnessed nominal decrease of 0.08 percent as it went down from 215.67 points in the previous week to 215.49 points in the week under review. As compared to the last week, the SPI for the income groups from Rs 8001 to 12,000 witnessed decrease of 0.02 percent while the SPI for income groups from, Rs

12,001 to 18,000, remained unchanged and for income groups from Rs 18,001 to 35,000 and above Rs35,000, it witnessed nominal increase of 0.05 percent and 0.08 percent. During the week under review, average prices of 7 items registered decrease, while 15 items increased with the remaining 31 items’ prices unchanged. The items, which registered decrease in their prices during the week under review included tomatoes, eggs, potatoes, onions, LPG cylinder, mash pulse and gur.

The items, which registered increase in their prices included chicken, gram pulse, masoor pulse, moong pulse, garlic, bananas,

sugar, beef, rice (basmati broken), rice (irri-6), wheat flour, milk (powdered) vegetable ghee, wheat, red chilly. The items with no change in their average prices during the week under review included bread (plain), mutton, milk (fresh), curd, mustard oil, cooking oil, vegetable ghee, salt (powder), tea (packet), cooked beef, cooked daal, tea (prepared), cigarettes, long cloth, shirting, lawn, georgette, gents sandal, gents chappal, ladies sandal, electricity chares, gas charges, kerosene oil, firewood, electric bulb, washing soap, match box, petrol, diesel, telephone local call and bath soap.

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Russia threatening Brazil with a ban on soybean imports

World Customs

BRASILA: The Federal service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (RosSelkhozNadzor) is worried that an increasing number of soybean cargoes arriving from Brazil contain pests which are considered quarantine organisms in Russia and the Eurasian Economic Space.

Quarantine pests have been revealed 20 times over the last one and a half months and 127 times since the beginning of 2017 against 91 times in 2016. So, the situation is much worse this year.

Wednesday January 3, 2018

china ban on ivory sales aims Japan is the largest importer of korean drugs to curb elephant poaching TOKYO

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SHANGHAI

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ban on ivory sales in China, the world’s largest importer and end user of elephant tusks, takes effect on Sunday with wildlife activists calling it a vital step to reducing the slaughter of the endangered animals.

China has made a big push to eradicate ivory sales and demand has fallen since early 2014 because of a crackdown on corruption and slower economic growth.

Public awareness campaigns featuring celebrities have helped boost awareness of the bloody cost of ivory. Wildlife groups estimate 30,000 elephants are killed by poachers in Africa every year.

“It is the greatest single step toward reducing elephant poaching,” said Peter Knights, chief executive of the group WildAid.

Saudi Arabia bans guava imports from egypt audi authorities have temporarily banned the import of the fresh guava fruit from Egypt after it was reported to have been contaminated with high rates of pesticide residues, the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture announced today. The ministry’s Undersecretary for livestock affairs, Hamad Al-Batshan, said in a press statement today that the ban came after an examination on a sample of the Egyptian imported Guava was conducted. The test, Al-Batshan explained, have proved that the amount of pesticide residues in the Egyptian fruit was higher than the permitted international standards. The Saudi official pointed out that the examination was carried out jointly by the ministry and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) in a move to support the implementation. –CB Report

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China has allowed the sale of preconvention ivory, which refers to products such as carvings and crafts acquired before the 1975 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as long as it is ac-

companied by certiUicates.

The trade in pre-convention ivory has been legally thriving in China and Hong Kong since 1975, and environmental activists have long asserted that it has spurred demand for all ivory.

Russia to search vehicle speeds through barrier at customs checkpoint

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ussian ofUicials are said to be still searching for two men who drove through a checkpoint at the Finnish-Russian border in the early hours morning. One of the men is said to be a Finnish citizen. The incident occurred at the Vaalimaa-Torfyanovka border crossing between Finland and Russia in the southeast at about 2.00am.

The men apparently crossed from the Finnish to the Russian side of the

border without incident. However, after going through passport control on the Russian side, instead of stopping at the customs checkpoint as instructed, the driver of the minibus sped through the barrier and out of the border station. According to Russian investigators, the driver appeared to be holding an object that looked like a pistol as he threatened a customs ofUicial who had boarded the vehicle. –CB Report

ccording to the 2017 pharmaceutical industry data and statistics information released by the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers’ Association, Korea exported $3.12 billion (3.39 trillion won) worth pharmaceutical ingredients and Uinished drugs last year, and imported $5.84 billion (6.36 trillion won) worth.

Korea’s leading news portal, the Korean Biomedical Review, detailed in its report that South Korean pharmaceutical companies’ largest export destination of raw materials and Uinished products are Japan, while their biggest import source is the United Kingdom.

Japan was the largest importer of Korean products. Local drugmakers exported $304.6 million worth of drug materials and $158.1

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Brussels to launch tax probe into Ikea s set to launch an investigation into Ikea on Monday, as the EU widens the net in its four year crackdown on aggressive corporate tax avoidance.

Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s competition commissioner, will announce an ofUicial probe into the Ulat pack furniture retailer’s Dutch tax arrangements, which have allegedly helped Ikea avoid nearly €1bn in EU taxes from 2009 to 2014, according to a report published in February 2016 by the Greens in the European Parliament. The dwedish retailer created two separate corporate groups within a web of companies in the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein, through which the

Iran non oil exports to china up 27%

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TEHRAN

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ran non oil exports to China saw a 27.1% rise in value and a 27.7% increase in weight in the 11 months of 2017 compared with the same period of last year, Iran’s commercial attaché to China said.

Seyyed Reza Seyyed Aqazadeh

added that trade balance between the two countries during the period stood at $400 million in favor of Iran. Seyyed Aqazadeh did not mention the value and volume of bilateral trade. However, the latest data published by ISNA show Iran exported $13.88 billion worth of commodities to China during the nine months to Sept. 30. A total of $27 billion worth of goods

million worth of finished drugs to Japan, to a total of $462.8 million.

Following Japan’s lead was Croatia that imported $397.8 million in finished drugs, and Ireland with $228.8 million drug materials.

Many global pharmaceutical giants place their headquarters and factories in Ireland where tax rates are lower than the U.S. The news report further stated that Korea’s top 10 export destinations included China with $208 million in exports ($95.9 million in ingredients, $112 million in finished goods), Vietnam with $182 million, Hungary with $135 million, the U.S. with $116.2 million, Brazil with $113.2 million, Germany with $80.9 million, and India with $77.8 million. While Korea exported drugs to both advanced and developing countries, the nation imported drugs mostly from industrial nations. In particular, Korea imported pharmaceutical ingredients and finished drugs the most from the U.K, highlighted the agency in its report.

were exchanged between the two countries during the period. With $8.74 billion, oil comprised the lion’s share of Iran’s exports to China, which imports 633,000 barrels of crude from Iran daily and is Iran’s biggest oil customer. Mineral products constitute a major part of Iran’s non-oil exports to China. Latest statistics released by Iranian Mines and Mining Indus-

group moved money and proUits to take advantage of special tax schemes, the report said. EU competition ofUicials would need to conduct an investigation to determine if the Dutch deal broke the bloc’s rules before they could estiate any tax savings from the structure. Since 2013, the European Commission has looked at more than a thousand tax deals between member states and multinational companies. In the Uive investigations concluded to date, ofUicials have ordered four member states to recover billions of euros in total from nearly 40 companies including Apple, Starbucks, Fiat and Amazon. –CB Report

tries Development Renovation Organization show Iranian miners exported 12.44 million tons of mineral products worth $1.08 billion to China during the first seven months of the current fiscal year (March 21-Oct. 22). Iron ore was the main exported commodity in the seven-month period, standing at 10.47 million tons valued at $584.25 million.

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Belgium to continue tax measures for maritime transport to 2022 BRUSSELS: Belgium has received approval from the European Commission (EC) to prolong its existing tax measures for maritime transport until the end of 2022. The approval was granted under EU state aid rules, which encourage shipping companies to register vessels in Europe to ensure higher social, environmental, and safety standards. Belgium expects to include a number of changes to prevent discrimination between both individual shipping companies and different European Economic Areas (EEA). According to the amended scheme, a company will be taxed based on its ship tonnage or the size of its shipping fleet, rather than its profits.

kpt shipping movements report ARACHI: Following were the Movements of Ships at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) during last 48 hours, ending at 0700 hours. SHIPS SAILED: CMA CGM Figaro Zi Jing Song M.T.Lahore Prosper Corona Matsusaka Libra MSC Krittika Pure Vision Northern Priority Hansa Offenburg Sydney Trader Express Black Sea AC-D Luebeck Unique Developer SHIPS BERTHED: Matsusaka General Cargo MSC Krittika Container ship Wan Hai 503 Container ship M.T.Karachi Tanker Luebeck Container ship AC-D Tanker Sydney Trader Container ship Express Black Sea Container ship Hansa Offenburg Container ship Johanna Oldendorff Coal Pan IVY General Cargo Oocl Shanghai Container ship N Mars Tanker EXPECTED SAILING DATE Great Link 26/12/17 M.T.Karachi 26/12/17 Pacific Voyager 27/12/17 EXPECTED ARRIVAL DATE CARGO Besiktas Zealand 26/12/17

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Ports & Shipping

china issues first batch of crude oil import quotas for 2018 BEIJING

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hina has issued crude oil import quotas totalling 121.32 million tonnes for 44 companies in its Uirst batch of allowances for 2018, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter and documents reviewed by Stateowned ChemChina has the largest quota at 16.67 million tonnes, followed by North Huajin Chemical Industries Group with 7.47 million tonnes, the documents showed.

China’s imports are expected to hit another record in 2018 as new reUining capacity is brought online and Beijing allows more independent reUiners to import crude, with their robust demand growth helping to support global oil prices. The total allocated volume of the Uirst batch of quotas equates to 2.43 million barrels per day. The commerce ministry in November said it had raised the 2018 crude oil import quota for “non-state trade” to 142.42 million

tonnes. The ministry said in November the quotas would be issued in batches, with the Uirst lot based on companies’ actual purchases during the January to October period this year. China’s commerce ministry could not be reached for comment on the Uirst batch of 2018 quotas.

China has surpassed the United States this year to become the world’s biggest importer of crude oil. Independent reUiners imported

about 64 million tonnes of crude in the Uirst 11 months this year, estimates by the research team showed. State oil companies and their reUining and trading subsidiaries will have a quarter of the crude import quotas for 2018, the documents showed. The quotas do not apply to China’s Uive stateowned major oil companies such as PetroChina and Sinopec, which are allowed to import crude freely.

Wednesday January 3, 2018

turkish exports up 10% in 11 months of 2017 urkey’s exports in the first eleven months of 2017 amounted to over $143.2 billion a 10.4 percent rise compared with the same period in 2016, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) announced The country’s foreign trade volume reached $353.9 billion between January and November this year, marking a 15 percent annual increase, according to provisional data produced by TurkStat and the Ministry of Customs and Trade. Turkish imports climbed 16.9 percent to $210.7 billion, amounting to a foreign trade deficit of $67.5 billion over the same period. TurkStat said Germany was Turkey’s top export market, at $13.8 billion, or a 9.7 percent share of total exports, while $67.4 billion worth of Turkish exports were delivered to EU28 countries from January to November this year. In the same period, Turkey imported the most from China ($21.2 billion), Germany ($19.1 billion) and Russia ($17.6 billion). -Manufacturing dominates exports The manufacturing industry accounted for the biggest share of total exports, at almost 94 percent, followed by agriculture and forestry (3.2 percent), and mining and quarrying (2.2 percent). –CB Report

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Belgian ports batten down the hatches D/1900.Base Oil Nan Lin Wan 26/12/17 D/60000.Mogas Houston Express 26/12/17 Cont Northern Dependant 26/12/17 Cont Hyundai Splendor 26/12/17 Cont Alam Mulia 27/12/17 D/58136. Coal Oriental Rose 27/12/17 L/5000 Ethanol CT Frontier 27/12/17 D/1000. Chem Ever Diamond 27/12/17 Cont KMTC Dubai 27/12/17 Cont Meanwhile, Following were the Movements of Ships at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) during last 48 hours, ending at 0700 hours. SHIPS SAILED: CMA CGM Figaro Zi Jing Song M.T.Lahore Prosper Corona Matsusaka Libra MSC Krittika Pure Vision Northern Priority Hansa Offenburg Sydney Trader Express Black Sea AC-D Luebeck Unique Developer. –CB Report

BRUSSELS

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ridlock at the border, vast motorway car parks and jobs lost: British ports have been vocal about the risks of a hard Brexit. In case Conservative MPs missed the message, the Port of Dover advertised at the party conference, warning that an extra two minutes on lorry inspections could lead to queues of 17 miles at Dover and similar “chaos in Calais and Dunkerque”.

Across the North Sea, continental ports are worried about the great unknowns of Brexit. One of the most exposed is the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, which does 45% of its trade with the UK. “We are vulnerable if something happens to the trade from the UK to the continent,” said port chief executive Joachim Coens.

“So what I mainly hope is that we could continue having a good trade relationship with the UK… as we have been doing for centuries.”

The port’s UK trafUic dropped 1% in the month following the Brexit referendum, a sudden slip after months of steady growth. More than one year on, it has rallied but not quite returned to the June 2016 peak. Zeebrugge, (literally “Bruges on Sea”), describes itself as a bridgehead for the British economy. Every week 64 container ships and ferries leave Zeebrugge bound for Tilbury, Tyne, Sheerness, Southampton and other UK ports, laden with goods for British shops and warehouses. A daily ferry still crosses from Zeebrugge to Hull, with 800,000 passengers disembarking at the Belgian port each year (including those arriving on North Sea cruises).

This sprawling port complex on Belgium’s coast is a hidden link in

Britain’s everything-on-demand economy. More than 1 million cars go to and from the UK through Zeebrugge. If a British supermarket in Glasgow orders a pallet of washingup liquid from Zeebrugge’s distribution hub before lunchtime, it will be at the shop door the next day.

Every bottle of Evian and Volvic water on British shop shelves travels from France, via Zeebrugge. Tens of millions of litres of Tropicana orange juice are bottled for British breakfast tables at the port, after the juice has been shipped in from Brazil. In the worst-case scenario – of no deal – the port would be hit by the resumption of WTO tariffs – 10% on cars to 25-30% on orange juice. This kind of “Uighting divorce” would be “bad news for the port, but mainly for our producers and exporters”, says Coens. Around 5,000 jobs at the port are linked to trade with the UK.

The sharp devaluation of sterling is already rippling through to British consumers: consumer goods companies based at the port are selling slightly smaller products for the same money – known as “shrinkUlation” – including orange juice and chocolate bars. For the industry, the outlook can appear as murky as an overcast day on the North Sea. “Nobody knows what Brexit will be, what will come after it,” says Isabelle Ryckbost, the secretary general of the European Sea Ports Organisation. “What we know it that you will have to reorganise your port to do the border checks. It is not very clear how important these additional checks will be. Will there be an agreement between a UK port and an EU port to facilitate these checks? Then you have phytosanitary checks (on plants and plant products) – will the legislation be different.

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Punjab govt providing 60% subsidy on drip irrigation system ISLAMABAD: Punjab government has started developments projects worth Rs 2.25 billion to promote modern irrigation system and technology suitable for country’s weather conditions.

A spokesman of Punjab Agriculture Department Najaf Abbas told Radio Pakistan that sixty percent subsidy will be given to the farmers on the installation of Drip Irrigation System. He said Water Management Wing has been given a target of shifting 20,000 acres of land to Drip Irrigation System.

Wednesday January 3, 2018

Business

‘political uncertainty to reverse economic growth’ ISLAMABAD

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akistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has said that politics of agitation and sit-ins would push the national economy to the wall; therefore, all political parties should show maturity and try to resolve issues through talks as stability was a must for economic development.

PIAF Chairman Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sufi and Vice President Shahzab Akram told APP here that national economy lost about Rs 400 billion due to different protests and

IRSA releases 20,200 cusecs water KARACHI

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long marches in previous years.

Businessmen were committed to the constitution and democracy; they would not support any undemocratic action against the gov-

115,354 vehicles, 98,220 motorcycles registered in Rawalpindi during 2017

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he Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Monday released 20,200 cusecs water from various rim stations with inflow of 30,500 cusecs.

According to the data released by IRSA, water level in the Indus River at Tarbela Dam was 1442.04 feet, which was 62.04 feet higher than its dead level of 1,380 feet. Water inflow in the dam was recorded as 14,600 cusecs and outflow as 5,000 cusecs. The water level in the Jhelum River at Mangla Dam was 1104.40 feet.

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ernmen. PIAF Chairman Irfan Sheikh said that Pakistan is in dire need of stability in policymaking and strong institutions and to achieve the very objective, both

politicians and business leaders would have to join heads for finding out a common economic agenda. The incumbent government, he said, had put the economy of the country on the right track; however, political uncertainty would reverse the economic growth achieved so far. “Let the Pakistan’s economy move toward improvement and speedy completion of public welfare projects,” he added. The PIAF office-bearers stressed the need that all political forces should, without any further delay, initiate consultations with the economic leadership, including the PIAF, to chalk out an elaborate plan of action, aimed at reducing dependence on external assistance and achieving the long-cherished economic goals.

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RAWALPINDI

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xcise and Taxation Rawalpindi registered total 115,354 vehicles including 98,220 motorcycles and 5946 cars, 6172 commercial vehicles, 4608 rickshaws, 342 government and 66 semi government vehicles during 2017.

Talking to APP Director Excise and Taxation Rawalpindi Division, Tanveer Abbas Gondal informed that over Rs220 million revenue was generated through vehicles regis-

tration during 2017.

The Director said that RIK-17, RIL-17, RIM-17, RIN-17, RIO-17, RIP-17, RIQ-17, RIV-17 and RIW-17 series number was given to motorcycles while RI-17, RIA-17, RIB-17, RIC-17, RIC-17, RIE-17 and RIF-17 series number were for motorcars.

Similarly, RIS-17 series numbers were allotted to commercial vehicles, RIU-17 were for rickshaws, RIG17 allotted to government vehicles and RIJ-17 series numbers were given to semi-government vehicles.

Motorcycles registration contributed over Rs 71 million to provincial ex-

chequer and over Rs 76 million revenue was collected through registration of motorcars during the year.

Commercial vehicles’ registration generated over Rs 58 million revenue in Rawalpindi district.

Body formed to resolve taxation issue in gB GILGIT

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he government has constituted a working group to examine the recommendations of a parliamentary committee of the region’s Legislative Assembly to help address the taxation issue in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Barjees Tahir constituted a seven-member working group of GB Council headed by MNA Malik Ibrar Ahmed. The body has also been tasked with preparing further recommendations for discussion in the upcoming session of the GilgitBaltistan Council in order to resolve the taxation issue that has triggered widespread protests in GilgitBaltistan. According a notification issued by the GB Council in Islamabad, the working group includes local members of GB Council Saeed Afzal and Ashraf Sada joint secretary GilgitBaltistan secretariat Dr Aftab Akbar Durani, Commissioner IRGB Qaiser Iqbal and a representative of FBR. It is to mention here that after widespread protests in the region, a parliamentary committee of GB Legislative Assembly was formed on Wednesday, which held talks with the representatives of Anjuman-i-Tajran and Awami Action Committee, and prepared recommendations to the federal government to resolve the matter of taxes.

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St imposed on supply of kerosene oil, enhanced on petrol ISLAMABAD

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he prices of per liter kerosene oil has been increased by 11.7 percent to Rs64.32 per liter with imposition of sales tax at Rs3.64/liter, according to notiUication issued by Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for the month of January 2018.

The rate of kerosene oil has been

increased from Rs57.58/liter, which is maximum ex-depot sales price, which was applicable during December 2017. It is pertinent to mention here that the general sales tax was nil in the maximum sale price.

The government for the past several months exempted the supply of kerosene oil from levy of sales tax.

Similarly, the price of petrol has been increased to Rs79.03/liter for the month of January 2018. The price of petrol has been increased

by 5.41 percent from the price of Rs74.97/liter applicable during month of December 2017. With the increase of prices, the impact of sales tax increased to Rs11.48 per liter from previous impact of Rs10.89/liter. The sales tax rate has been automatically increased with the hike of petrol price as FBR Uixed the sales tax rate at 17 percent.

In order to apply new sales tax rates, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has also issued SRO

1331(I)/2017. Meanwhile, Food group exports into the country increased by 13.05 percent during the Uirst Uive months of current Uiscal year (July-November) as compared to the same period of last year, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). According to the data provided by PBS, Food group worth $1,491,592 were exported during the Uirst Uive months of current year as compared to $1,319,381 of last year.

Rice worth $644,370 were exported during the Uirst Uive months of current

year as compared to $557,336 of last year. Rice exports into the country increased by 15.62 per cent during the Uirst Uive months of current Uiscal year as compared to the same period of last year. Basmati worth $147,310 were exported during the Uirst Uive months as compared to $143,294 of last year. Basmati exports into the country increase by 2.80 per cent during the Uirst Uive months of current Uiscal year as compared to the same period of last year.

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Iran oil exports near 1b barrels in 2017 TEHRAN: Iran export of crude oil and gas condensate amounted to nearly 1 billion barrels in 2017 in a year that OPEC and other producers stepped up efforts to keep a lid on supplies and drain bloated inventories.

The country shipped around 777 million barrels of crude oil and 180 million barrels of condensate last year, averaging 2.62 million barrels a day, Oil Ministry’s news portal Shana reported on Monday.

That breaks down to 2.1 million bpd of crude and 490,000 bpd of condensate. Condensate is an ultra light grade of oil extracted from South Pars, the world’s largest gas field shared between Iran and Qatar in the Persian Gulf. Iran ships out nearly its entire condensate output. The bulk of shipments (62%) were sent to customers in Asia while Europe accounted for 38% of exports. The largest intake came from China, the world’s top oil buyer and energy consumer, followed by India, South Korea and Japan.

pakistan & Russia equally important for each other: says LccI chief

Wednesday January 3, 2018

Chambers

oman envoy for further enhancing pak-oman bilateral trade

LAHORE

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akistan and Russia are equally important for each other therefore both countries should strengthen cooperation in all economic sectors for mutual interests. This was stated by the LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid while talking to the Trade Representative, Embassy of Russian Federation in Pakistan Yury Kozlov here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The LCCI Senior Vice President Khawaja Khawar Rashid, Vice President Zeshan Khalil, Moazam Rasheed and Hasnain Raza Mirza also spoke on the occasion. The LCCI President spoke highly about the trade and opportunities and economic potential of Pakistan

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and importance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He said that Russian expertise in energy and engineering sector can help Pakistan grow these sectors with impressive pace. He said that Russia helped Pakistan for establishing Pakistan Steel Mills which played crucial role in development of the country. Malik Tahir Javaid said that Pakistan and Russia have been regular trading partners but the volume of two-way trade hardly reflects the actual potential of trade. He said that the balance of trade favours Russia and among the top importing and exporting destinations of Pakistan around the globe, Russia comes at 33rd and 28th places. Referring to recent trade figures, the LCCI President said that it is good to see that the volume of bilateral trade has improved after some years. In 2015, it was around dollar 331 million which went up to dollar 403 million in 2016.

ISLAMABAD

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E Al Sheikh Mohammed Omar Ahmed Al Marhoon Ambassador of Oman to Pakistan visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and said this his country was keen to further enhance bilateral trade with Pakistan as both countries have great scope to do trade with each other in many items. He said Oman was a gateway for Pakistan to enter Gulf Region, Africa and Far East while Pakistan was a gateway for Oman to get better access to Asia. He stressed that private sectors of both countries should step up efforts to exploit this huge unrealized potential for mutual beneUit. He said that Sultanate of Oman has planned a big railway project which is one of the strategic projects and its implementation will contribute not only to the better development of Oman, it will also link Oman with Gulf Cooperation Council countries. He said with enhanced cooperation with Oman, Pakistan could achieve many beneUits for its

economy by getting easy access to GCC countries. He said CPEC has attracted the world’s attention towards Pakistan and Pakistani private sector should fully gear up to reap full beneUits from this mega development project. He said a company of Oman was going to sign MoU with Pakistan in oil & gas sector and hoped that it will open new opportunities for business collaboration between the two countries.

He advised ICCI to enhance cooperation with the diplomats of Arab

countries for exploring new areas of cooperation with this region.

Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh Amir Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that Pakistan and Oman were very near to each other through Gwadar, but bilateral trade was not up to the desired level. He stressed that both countries should give more focus to promoting trade and economic relations that would bring highly beneUicial results for both nations. He said Pakistan could provide

SccI calls for provision of interest-free loans SIALKOT

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resident Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Zahid Latif Malik has urged the government to provide interest-free loans to exporters on the basis of exports of Uive years for import of new technology.

He said interest-free loans were also crucial to improve overall technological infrastructure of the industry and encourage manufacturers to import latest machinery.

He suggested that the government should take drastic steps for streamlining existing markets and identiUication of new potential markets for ‘Made-in-Pakistan’ products. Pakistan should focus on exploring new markets like Far-East, Central Asian Republics, Latin

America and most importantly Russia, he added. The government should give special incentives to encourage export of high-priority sectors like textile and clothing, surgical and dental instruments, leather products, sports goods, footwear, gems and jewellery and furniture.

Meanwhile, President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Zahid Latif Malik has stressed the need of setting up “Support industry” to facilitate industrial sector of the country. Talking to media here on Sunday he said that export sector of the country heavily relies on import of raw materials especially from China for further value addition and re-exports adding that this practice adds to the cost of doing business and was major contributor towards increasing import bill of the counrty.

He said that in order to cope with future challenges of industrial sector

government should encourage the businessmen and investors to invest in support industry which would ultimately lead to import substitution of especially raw material utilized by local industry. He said that local and foreign investors should be encouraged to invest in support industry like accessories of textile and clothing, printing and packaging,etching and polishing chemicals used in surgical instruments industry and others. The SCCI president also stressed the need of carrying out a detailed study by taking all chambers and associations on board for identifying the list of major supporting products which were imported from various countries. The SCCI president advised the government to provide interest free loan 10 per cent of total export for import of new technology to business community to upgrade its industrial units.

many products to Oman including food products, fruits & vegetables, pharmaceuticals, textiles and others.

He urged that Pakistan and Oman should encourage frequent exchange of trade delegations to explore all potential areas of mutual cooperation.

He said many Special Economic Zones (SEZs) would be set up in Pakistan under CPEC with attractive incentives to foreign investors and emphasized that this was the right time for Oman’s investors to explore Pakistan for joint ventures and investment.

India’s opposition cannot affect cpec: IcSt slamabad Chamber of Small Traders (ICST) on Sunday said that India’s increased conspiracies and opposition to Pakistan would not affect the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. India has been cause of regional destabilization and was behind frequent tensions in Pak-Afghan relations which have badly damaged the bilateral trade hitting millions of people, Patron Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Shahid Rasheed Butt said. India’s negative attitude has not only destabilised the strategic stability but it has also kept billions below the poverty line in the region, he added. He was of the view that India should not link politics with economics and this policy has been resulting in deprivation of billions of people living in the SAARC region. –CB Report

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Custom foils bid of narcotic smuggling in Pasni QUETTA: Pakistan Custom personnel foiled a bid of narcotics smuggling and seized a large number of foreign liquid bottles in Kalmat near Pasni area of Gwadar.

According to Custom official, following on a tip off, Pakistan Custom personnel led by Collector Feroz Alam Junaiju and Additional Collector Faisal Khan conducted raid at a place and seized foreign liquid bottles which were smuggled from Dubai by unknown smugglers.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

All Quetta Stations show fantastic potential by collecting Rs1353m as all duties & taxes QUETTA wAQAR AhMeD ANSARI www.customsbulletin.com

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ll the customs stations, working under the jurisdiction of Model Customs Collectorate Quetta, earned Rs1353million of all duties and taxes during 20 days of December Financial Year 2017-18.

According to details given by Ashraf Ali, Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Quetta, while talking with Customs Today that, during above said period, all the stations, comprising “Customs House Taftan, NLC Dry Port, Railway Dry Port, Customs House Chaman, Customs House Dalbandin, Auction Cell and Customs Intelligence, showed excellent performance.

During first 20 days of December Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-18, Customs House Taftan generated Rs533million under all the heads.

Taftan received Rs170million as Customs Duty (CD) while it did Rs256million of Sales Tax (ST), Rs92million was earned under the head of With Holding Tax and it received Rs12million as Federal Excise Duty. The NLC Dry Port Quetta collected Rs598million under all the heads while the

Railway Dry Port did Rs6.51million under the same heads whereas the Customs House

Chaman got Rs183million under the same heads. And Auction Cell generated Rs22million under all

the heads. The collector added that the Customs Intelligence and Investigation received Rs9.75mil-

lion of all the duties and taxes during initial 20 days of December FY17-18.

More than 4100 drug addicts provided free treatment at MAtRcs RAWALPINDI

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nti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has provided free drug treatment to more than 4100 drug addicts at its Drug Treatment Centers during last four years. The drug treatment facilities, in addition to existing 145 bedded at Islamabad, Quetta and Karachi, the ANF was in process of expanding this facility

to 178 more beds at Karachi, Sukkur and Peshawar including establishment of 48 bedded Female and Juvenile Drug Treatment Ward within existing Model Addiction Treatment & Rehabilitation Center (MATRC) at Karachi. Giving details, official sources on Monday said around 700 drug addicts provided treatment during first nine months of year 2017.

The MATRCs have provided treatment to 3,408 drug addicts during three years (2014-16).

During the period, the amount incurred upon bringing back drug

addicts back to life was around Rs. 41 million. There are three Model Addiction Treatment & Rehabilitation Centres running under supervision of Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) – one each at Islamabad, Quetta and Karachi.

Regarding expenditures of two Centres, the sources said during year 2014-15, the government provided Rs. 12.7 million to Islamabad MATRC while Rs. 9.5 million were provided to Quetta Centre.

Similarly, the sources said during year 2015-16, the expenditures incurred in MATRC Islamabad were Rs. 11.4 million and Rs. 5.8

million in Quetta Centre. Islamabad MATRC also spent Rs. 0.7 million in six months (July to December 2016). Regarding Centre-wise details of patients treated, the sources said three MATRCs provided treatment to 1285 addicts in 2014 including 384 in Islamabad Centre, 380 in MATRC Quetta and 521 in MATRC Karachi. In 2015, three MATRCs provided treatment to 1210 addicts including 398 in Islamabad Centre, 261 in MATRC Quetta and 551 in MATRC Karachi. In 2016, three MATRCs provided treatment to 913 addicts including 319 in Islamabad Centre, 6 in MATRC

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

Quetta and 588 in MATRC Karachi.

The sources said Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control was also constructing a 100-bedded drug treatment hospital in Peshawar for treatment and detoxiUication of drug users in the province. The sources said the treatment centers provide free treatment, boarding and lodging facilities to drug addicts. In Islamabad a 45-bedded Model Addiction Treatment & Rehabilitation Centre was established at Thanda Pani, Lehtrar Road which has now been shifted at Model Town, Industrial Area, Islamabad.