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Karachi, Tue July 25, 2017
SIALKOT
ZAFAR MALIK
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he Collectorate of Customs anti smuggling squad foiled a major attempt of supply of the Indian and Iranian commodities to the local markets in this region and seized three trucks packed with the Indian and Iranian cloths, tea, electronics and other valuables, during a special checking at various spots on
main GT Road here. According to the senior ofSicials of the customs department, on the special directives of the Collector Customs Sialkot Ahmed Raza Khan, the anti smuggling squad set up the special pickets at different points on main GT Road and impounded three trucks loaded with commodities smuggle from India and Iran, as the accused were trying supply these smuggled items in local markets in Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat,
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Mandi Bahaud Din , HaSizabad and Gujranwala districts, when they were arrested three accused Muhammad ShaSiq , Muhammad Umer and Dilawar by the anti smuggling squad there. The accused truck drivers belonged to the different areas of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The worth of the seized Indian and Iranian items was stated to be Rs6 million. Further investigations were underway in this regard.
‘Probe into gift arrangements by 2785 people via money laundering underway’
Port Qasim Customs detects Rs16.701m misdeclaration scam
Customs ASO seizes 85 non-duty paid smart phones from Shera Kot
CM directs to frame rules of business for Police Act
Gwadar Customs recovers computer accessories worth Rs2.4 million
The Chairman FBRTariq Mahmood said that FBR was carrying out an investigation | See pAge 02 |
PQ Customs Collectorate has detected misdeclaration scam worth Rs16.701m | See pAge 03 |
ASO has seized 85 NDP smart phones and other goods worth millions of rupees | See pAge 04 |
CM KP Khattak directed to immediately frame rules of business for smooth | See pAge 14 |
Gwadarcustomshasseizedahugequantity of portable hard disks and 2 GB ram | See pAge 16 |
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FST issues notices to parties on petitions filed by FBR employees Tuesday, July 25, 2017
ISLAMABAD: FST division bench comprising Members, Muhammad Arshad Bhatti and Muhammad Javed Iqbal Kasi issued notices in cases filed by employees of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The bench issued notices in cases submitted by Amjad Farooq, Naveed Ali Khan, Shahzad Muhammad Aamir, Gohar Ali, Asim Muhammad, Mehboob Ali, Waqar Ahmed, Sayyar Ahmed, Khan Hameed, Adam Khan, Noor Hussain, Muhammad Mukhtiar and Fazal Hussain had filed complaints about promotion before the tribunal.
Islamabad
‘probe into gift arrangements by 2785 people via money laundering underway’
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
cuStoMS BuLLetIn RepoRt
M FAIZAn
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he International Mail Office (IMO) Islamabad seized 465 grams of marijuana and 25 grams of cocaine at the Import Examination at the Air Freight Unit Islamabad. It was an eye-opener. Chief International Customs Asad Rizvi has taken up the above said seized narcotics matter with the UK government. The said seized narcotics were imported from the United Kingdom. This was stated by Assistant Collector Ali Asad while talking with Customs Today. The parcel No: AWB 150471324 was booked by Asim Khan, a resident of 17, Shepherds Wood Drive NG8 3NANottingham UK for Raja Assam B34, Major Farooq Road, Shamali Muhallah Jhelum Punjab. Assistant Collector told CT that during a routine checking, the parcel was found suspicious. The parcel was containing sealed supplement jar and T-shirts. A detailed examination of the parcel led to the recovery of 465 grams of marijuana and 25 grams of cocaine. The said narcotics were tactfully concealed inside the jar of the supplement. The total value of the drugs is Rs5.25million in the international market.
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he Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Tariq Mahmood Pasha, said that FBR was carrying out an investigation into the transfer of gifts abroad, in this connection, use of legal channel for transfer as well as earning of money through legal means are being looked into. While brieSing the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue here, Tariq Mahmood Pasha assured the house that Sindings of the investigations would be shared with the house as per recommendations of the committee. He further briefed the committee that the investigations were being carried out in accordance with the rules and regulations of the prevailing two laws namely Anti-Money Laundering Act and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT). According to him, these laws provided sufSicient provisions for conducting and concluding the investigations in an adequate manner. Pasha told the committee that the case of gift arrangements involved some 2785 individuals through money laundering; however, it has yet to be ascertained whether the involved individuals have committed violations of the said acts or not. He said that the case was under initial scrutiny and FBR would brief
Islamabad IMo confiscates marijuana & cocaine valued Rs05.25m
regarding the outcomes in future meeting. “The FBR has corrected the report regarding amnesty scheme for motor vehicles and it was proposed to put up the report in the house” he maintained to a question moved by a member of the committee. The chairman committee Saleem Mandviwala stressed that FBR must not try cases of taxpayers under the above men-
tioned act. Earlier, the committee initially considered the Private Member Bill presented by Senator Muhammad Azam Khan Swati regarding amendment in the Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) Ordinance, 2001. As per the Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan one such Bill had been incorporated in 2016 which had contained a similar amendment.
Hence, Senator Azam Khan Swati decided to withdraw his bill. The committee took up the second item on agenda of discussing the Private Member Bill introduced by Saleem Manviwalla regarding the amendment in Protection of Economic Reforms Act, 1992. The chairman decided to send recommendations to the Finance division regarding it.
customs tribunal chairman postpones visit to headquarters
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ISLAMABAD
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ustoms Appellate Tribunal Chairman Justice (r) Malik Manzoor Hussain has postponed his visit to the tribunal’s headquarters in Islamabad until August owing to engagements in regional ofSices. The chairman usually visits the tribunal headquarters not later than 20 days. However, due to en-
hanced occupations at other stations, now he would visit the tribunal headquarters in coming month, said tribunal’s staffers. The chairman had last month completed visit to office in Islamabad. He had headed tribunal’s proceedings for three 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 adminis-
trative matters. He had adjourned hearing on cases involving Collectorate of Customs and Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigations, Islamabad. These cases were Siled 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. The appellants had Siled cases against Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigations, Islamabad and Collectorate of Customs, Islamabad. Meanwhile, The Customs Appellate Tribunal reserved a decision on a customs matter Siled by M/s Chief Autos after conclusive arguments from both sides During second week of July. While hearing the customs matters, the bench also di-
rected the counsels to submit supporting documents in a case submitted by M/s Fazal Razzaq. The tribunal was hearing cases involving Collectorate of Customs and Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigations, Islamabad. The appellants had Siled cases against Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigations, Islamabad and Collectorate of Customs, Islamabad. M/s Chief Autos had Siled cases against Collectorate of Customs, Islamabad.
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E&T dept recovers Rs2b from chronic defaulters SIALKOT: As many as 100 special recovery teams of the Excise and Taxation (E&T) department have recovered Rs 2 billion from chronic defaulters during the ongoing vigorous recovery campaign. Recoveries were made in the shape of property, entertainment, motor registration, professional, luxury taxes and excise duties, in Gujranwala division’s all six districts, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahaud Din, Hafizabad and Gujranwala. E&T department officials said that arrest warrants of 3,000 defaulters had also been issued. These defaulters owe the department Rs 100 million, added the officials.
customs exports serves show-cause notices on two factories
Tuesday July 25, 2017
Karachi
port Qasim customs detects Rs16.701m misdeclaration scam
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he Customs Exports has issued the show-cause notices to two factories in order to collect the evaded tax amounts. The customs authorities served notices on M/s Rehman Garments Karachi and Tufail Towels and Export Mitthi. M/s Rehman Garments used wrong PCT heading to get its silk fabric consignment cleared in May and caused the national exchequer a loss of Rs14.2million. While checking the data of May, the Customs Exports found the company using the wrong PCT heading. After detecting the tax evasion, the customs authorities issued the showcause notice No: 169/2017 to recover the evaded tax amount.
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40,000-litre diesel seized, handed over to customs KARACHI
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he police Saturday foiled a bid of smuggling diesel to Mochko area of the city and handed the accused smugglers and tanker to the Customs authorities for further interrogation. SP Kemari Division Arif Aziz told the media that Mochko police acting on an information about the smuggling of huge quantity of diesel started checking the vehicles coming from National Highway. During the snap checking, 40,000 litres of Iranian diesel was seized from a 22 wheeler tanker registration No TLF-273 which was concealed into the specially designed hidden cavities of the tanker. The tanker driver Muhammad Ali son of Ibrahim and conductor Ikram son of Qadir Bux were arrested. The accused and tanker have been handed over to the Customs authorities for further interrogation.
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M B RAnA
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ort Qasim Customs Collectorate has detected misdeclaration scam worth Rs16.701 million by M/s Chaudhry Steel Re-rolling Mills Pvt Ltd. The mills imported a consignment and sought clearance declaring the goods to be iron and steel remeltable and re-rollable scrap worth Rs 4.134 million. On the information of Collector Saeed Akram, the consignment was intercepted by R&D section. Additional Collector Yasin Murtaza and Deputy Collector Ehsanullah supervised the examination of the consignment conducted by PA Shahid Rizvi and AO Insaram Rabbani. It was found the importer attempted to clear various iron and steel items in the garb of iron and steel scrap. The goods were found to be spotting beams, over size bars and pipes, L-Section, nuts, bolts, plates, slabs, washers and wire along with scrap worth Rs 20.836 million. Meanwhile, The Customs Collectorate Port Qasim collected Rs 22.35 billion under the head of duty and taxes during first 18 days of July 2017. Sources told Customs Today that the collectorate collected Rs 7.90 billion customs duty, Rs 12.9 billion sales tax, Rs 2 billion income tax and Rs 190 million federal excise duty during the pe-
riod. Sources said that as compared with first 15 days of June, the Customs Collectorate Port Qasim collected Rs 18.23 billion in duty and taxes. Sources said that the collectorate collected Rs 5.25 billion under the head of customs duty, Rs 10.67 billion sales tax, Rs 2.14 billion income tax and Rs 170 million federal excise duty during the period. The Customs Collectorate Port Qasim collected Rs44.12 billion duty during the
It was found the importer attempted to clear various iron and steel items in the garb of iron and steel scrap. the goods were found to be spotting beams, over size bars and pipes, L-Section, nuts, bolts, plates, slabs, washers and wire along with scrap worth Rs 20.836 million
Shc directs customs to release consignment
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KARACHI
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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the tax authorities to release a consignment of “zinc coated coils of alloy steel sheets” in accordance with law on a constitutional petition filed by Asad Ali, proprietor of M/s Bismillah Industry. The petitioner had sought release of his consignment seized
by the customs officials. A twomember bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar was hearing the petition. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner moved a contempt application against officials of the customs department for disobeying the judgment issued on January 30, 2017 passed by the Customs Appellate Tribunal Karachi which directed the customs officials to release the subject goods in accordance with
law. However, high officials are not following the said order. Citing Secretary Revenue Division, Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisement West, Muhammad Shahzad, Deputy Collector of Customs (Group-IV) Customs Collectorate Appraisement West as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may direct customs department to release his consignment according order of the customs appellate tribunal.
month of June and Rs 398 million under the head of federal excise duty (FED). The Collectorate has collected Rs14.4 billion under the head of customs duty (CD). Sources told that the Collectorate was assigned a revenue collection target of Rs43.62 billion while the Customs Port Qasim collected Rs 24.29 billion under the head of sales tax, Rs 5.69 billion as income tax and Rs 398 million under the head of federal excise duty (FED).
Ship carrying new StS cranes docks at gwadar ustoms Deputy Collector has said that Gwadar port’s terminal is slated to become largely a container terminal after a ship carrying new STS cranes recently docked at the harbour. The Deputy collector confirmed that the ship, Zhenghua 28, recently brought the cargo.
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Court sends accused to jail on extension of judicial remand for 14 days Tuesday July 25, 2017
Lahore
LAHORE: The Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has sent two accused to jail on the extension of judicial remand for 14 days. According to details available to Customs Today, accused Rehmat Ali and Nasir Khan were apprehended by the customs intelligence. After the arrest of the accused, Pakistan Customs Intelligence started investigation against them and got their physical remand as well. The Customs Intelligence had also recovered a huge quantity of foreign made smuggled cloths and related goods from their possession. The Customs Intelligence told the court that the accused were involved in smuggling of cloths from Afghanistan into Lahore and Faisalabad through different routes. They had caused the national kitty the loss of taxes and duties.
Fto hears M/s Qureshi packages against cRto & adjourns it till next date LAHORE
SAJID nAwAZ
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he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has heard an appeal Siled by M/s Qureshi Packages (Private) Limited against the Corporate Regional Tax OfSice (CRTO) Lahore and postponed the hearing until the next date. According to details, FTO Consultant Tariq Yousaf heard the case No: FTO-LHR/0001128/15/ 262 LHR/CUT (19)/1128/2015 Siled by Usman Mazher, M/s Qureshi Packages (Private) Limited, in which counsel for the appellant argued that the Corporate Regional Tax OfSice (CRTO) had failed to release the tax refund claimed by the company since two years. He said the RTO had been col-
customs Appellate tribunal adjourns hearing of 12 cases he Customs Appellate Tribunal’s Division Bench-II (single and double), comprising Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Member Technical Imran Tariq, heard 12 cases and adjourned all of them until the next hearing. According to the details, A single bench of the tribunal comprising Imran Tariq heard 2 cases including Muhammad Hussain versus customs Faisalabad and Ashiq Ali versus customs Faisalabad. On Tuesday, the tribunal division bench-II heard 10 cases of Abid Butt versus customs Lahore, Raaz Muhammad versus Directorate Multan Unit DG Khan, customs Lahore versus Mazda Trade Centre and Rana Shokat Ali versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Lahore. Furthermore, the tribunal heard Rehmatullah versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Lahore, Muhammad Ashraf versus customs Faisalabad. –CB Report
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lecting excessive tax from M/s Qureshi Packages Private Limited for the last two years. He approached the commissioner concerned many times for the release of refund but the CRTO ofSicials did not pay it after the passage of a reasonable time. At the end, the company decided to approach the FTO seeking intervention in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the CRTO to clear the refund claims. The counsel further said the CRTO should refund the excess collection in the wake of taxes by the end of financial year but the situation is quite otherwise. Delay in release of refund put the burden on the taxpayer, he said, adding that the CRTO Lahore should make audit of the case and release the extra amount collected by it from the taxpayer.
ASo seizes 85 nDp smart phones from Shera Kot LAHORE
M hAYAt
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ollectorate Of Customs Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized 85 non-duty paid smart phones and other goods worth millions of rupees. Sources told Customs Today that the ASO, in pursuance of information of Collector Customs Preventive ZulSiqar Ali Chaudhary, raided a godown and residence of one Dilroze Khan near Shera Kot and recovered a huge quantity of foreign origin cigarettes, gutka, sheesha Slavours, tobacco Guru 300, cigars etc worth millions of rupees. Sources said that the ASO team comprising Superintendent Nasir Minhas, Deputy Superintendent Agha Qadeer, Deputy Superintendent Mazhar Butter, Nasir Saeed, Sajjad Bukhari and Inspectors Man-
customs court approves physical remand of mobile-phones smugglers
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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has approved a three-day physical remand of the two persons accused of smuggling mobiles. According to details, accused Abdul Waheed and Agha Wali were arrested by the customs intelligence authorities from The Mall of Lahore. The Customs Intelligence and Investigation team presented them before the customs court for getting their physical remand to investigate more on the issue.
Both accused Agha Wali and Abdul Waheed were supplying these mobile phones to some traders of Hall Road Lahore which is the largest mobile phones market of Punjab. The customs intelligence team intercepted them on The Mall and recovered a huge quantity of mobile phones of different brands. Sources said that the customs intelligence has recovered 324 mobile phones. The worth of the recovered mobile phones is more than Rs06million in local market. –CB Report
soor Elahi, Gulzar Bhatti, Mughal-eAzam, Asif Nawaz, Tariq Baig, Ijaz Butt, Javaid Iqbal Butt, Abdul Qayyum Butter, and Abdul Ghaffar took part in the operation. Earlier, the Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization Lahore Preventive impounded 3 Mazda trucks loaded with cigarettes, gutka, sheesha Slavours, tobbaco guru 300 and
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cigars worth millions of rupees. The operation was conducted after a day long vigilance of the godowns and Sinally the ASO team on the directions of additional collector Nayyar ShaSique led by deputy collector of customs ASO Moazam Raza successfully raided the godown and conSiscated the illegally imported items.
customs confiscates nDp goods worth Rs7m irectorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation antismuggling team has conSiscated millions of rupees smuggled items. The sources told Customs Today that on information the Customs authorities raided a courier service company located at the Railways Station and seized non customs paid ladies and gens watches, data cables, artiSicial jewelry, mobile phones, batteries, calculators, digital telephones. The sources said that the conSiscated items were valued at Rs 7 millions. The customs authorities after re-
ceving information formed a team led by Deputy Director Ali Zeb Khan along with other ofSicials of the director rate. The sources said that the Customs authorities conSiscating the NCP items have registered a case against the accused parties. The customs authorities have started further investigations into the case. Sources said that the customs intelligence has intensiSied anti-smuggling operation to curtail smuggling activities under the limits of the directorate. The operations have been intensiSied on the directions of the director of Customs I&I Lahore. –CB Report
customs tribunal directs to release car to lawful owner
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ustoms Appellate Tribunal has rejected the appeal Siled by the Collector of Customs Collectorate, Multan against Abdul Rauf a resident of Lodhran. Imran Tariq, Member Technical Bench-II heard the case in details and
passed the judgment with remarks that the evidences provided by the respondents is quite overwhelming therefore appeals is rejected and order to release vehicle immediately without putting the respondent in any more agony. According to the details, on the information customs department was seized Toyota Corolla car which was smuggled and after the complete veriSication from the Excise
and Taxation Department the car was intercepted. On demand, the driver/owner of vehicle failed to produce any document regarding lawful import of vehicle. The vehicle was taken into custody by the customs staff after completing legal formalities under section 171 of customs Act 1969. After the show cause notice adjudication authority heard the case in details and passed the order-in-
original on the that vehicle brought into the country through unauthorized rout and without payment of duties and taxes and appellant should pay their liabilities established by the customs department. Being aggrieved from the ONO, appellant Siled the case before learned deputy collector of Customs (Appeals) who set aside the impugned order and orders to release vehicle to its lawful owner.
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KARACHI AFtAB chAnA
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he Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Karachi has detected tax and duty evasion of Rs 1,370,312 allegedly by M/s Kinjhar International on import of LED panel lights, LED Slood lights etc. According to sources, during scrutiny of the import data, it was found that M/s Kinjhar International, Karachi, imported consignment of “LED panel lights, LED flood lights and LED tube fittings” under PCT heading 9405.1090 and cleared the same from Customs Appraisement West Custom House by claiming the benefits of Fifth Schedule (Customs Duty) Part I-24, Sixth Schedule (Sales Tax)-15.2-25/06/20 and Income Tax @ 0% CL77 PT-IV 2nd Schedule ITO-10. The exemptions are only available to SMD, LEDs with or without ballast with Sittings and Sixtures for promotion of the renewable energy technologies as per notiSication mentioned above. Whereas, clause 77 part-IV Second Schedule of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 is more restrictive and allows exemp-
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Tuesday, July 25, 2017
tion to items with dedicated use of renewable source of energy which includes sources like solar and wind power. The examination staff in their examination report has not confirmed that the imported LED Lights are for solar or wind energy use. It appears from the examination report that the imported items are for general use as these are operative / works under alternating current (AC) of voltage ranges 86 -265 volts which is the normal thermal / hydel power sources normally produced and used in Pakistan National Grid. The images scanned by the examination staff and examination report shows goods are operative at voltage as 86 – 265 volts. It is an undeniable proof that the imported goods are not meant for to work / operate with the renewable energy sources like solar energy or wind energy. Further it transpires that the imported goods operate on alternating current (AC) voltage rather than on direct current (DC) which is used / and operate in the renewable energy technologies. Therefore, the concessions under the claimed notifications are not available to the subject imports. Therefore importer M/s Kinjhar Inter-
national, Karachi were required to pay evaded levy of Rs. 1,370,312. Accordingly, an audit observation was issued to M/s Kinjhar International, Karachi, for explaining and clarifying as to on what basis concessions were availed by them as the items imported by them are not covered by descriptions, definition and due to technical reasons as mentioned above that the goods are not usable for the promotion of the renewable energy technologies under the claimed notifications. The importers however failed to come up with any tangible evidence and explanation and they were also unable to refute the charges leveled by the Department. In view of the aforesaid M/s Kinjhar International Karachi, are held to have intentionally & willfully caused loss to the Government exchequer amounting to Rs1,370,312/- by misuse / claim of inadmissible Fifth Schedule (customs duty) Part I-24, Sixth Schedule (sales tax)-15.2-25/06/20 and Income Tax @ 0% CL77 PT-IV 2nd Schedule ITO-10, which was evidently not admissible to them at the time of import. The contravention report is forwarded for initiation of adjudication proceedings in the case.
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eDItoRIAL
Strategic trade policy Framework
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he government introduced Strategic Trade Policy Framework last year to encourage diversification of products, increase regional trade and expand exports to $35 billion by 2018. However, the framework failed to meet its objectives in utter disappointment of the business community and the nation. Experts believe the cumbersome procedure and official rigmarole are the basic ingredients of its failure coupled with illstructured mechanism to avail the scheme. Most of the funds, earmarked under the scheme, have been lapsed and the Ministry of Commerce has now started working on a new policy to unveil it in six months. Meanwhile, the exports are continuously been falling and 25 percent of its volume have been washed away in four years of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government. The government ministers are not tired of claiming that they want to enhance business and trade to change the lot of this nation. However, the government thrust is still on its political relations with other countries rather than economic relations. Pakistan apparently has cordial relations with Saudi Arabia and other gulf countries, but the government could not negotiate business deals with any of the states. Saudi Arabia is the biggest country in the world having billions of dollars religious tourism industry, but Pakistan’s share in the business is negligible as compared to the European countries. Even China has expanded its volume of business despite it has minimal diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia. It appears the Pakistani policymakers live in isolation and will never understand the dynamics of the economy and business. The western nations are taking their share of business in Gulf States but the thrust of Pakistani government always remained on the export of unskilled labour force. The Commerce Ministry is now in process of consultation with export associations and other stakeholders to bring a fresh version of the policy framework before the budget 201718. But the mandate of the present government will be at the brink of closure and the new government will bring new set of policies. Pakistan has trade missions all over the world with qualified commercial attachÊs drawing heavy perks and salaries.
economy after political chaos A
LAHORE
DR AFtAB AFZAL
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report issued by the joint investigation team has shacked the political atmosphere of the country by pointing Singer at Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s business interests at home and abroad.The emerging situation has not only damaged the personal reputation of Mr Sharif, but also severely affected the performance of the overall economy. The Pakistan Stock Exchange has shed over 17 percent of its leverage during the last two months and corruption charges have thrown the career of Mr Shairf in vague. The case is now in the Supreme Court and a
sword of Damocles is hanging not only over the political system but also on the economy. Economists fear if the current pace of political chaos continues, it will push down the economy ahead of the national elections in 2018. The lack of attention of the government on Sinancial affairs has left the national currency in the danger zone. Some big players had devaluated Pakistani rupee last week, but Finance Minister Ishaq Dar came to its rescue and put the value back on track. However, it is feared that rupee will again be forced to either fall much further, or the government will have the only option to request another loan programme from any international donor agency.
The ofSicial data reveals a sharp increase in trade deSicits over the last three years due to rising import bill and declining exports, depriving the central bank of its foreign exchange reserves by 15 percent. Reports suggest the economy of Pakistan is likely to slow down during the next Siscal year. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government is trying to keep the situation under control and avoid any shock to the economy until the general elections. However, in the middle of political implications, it will be difSicult for the government to concentrate on the pressing issues and save the economy from decline. The current political and economic situation is cre-
ating challenges for the next government which will take over the rein of the country after general elections in summer next year. Experts believe the political leadership across the board should prepare themselves for the elections instead of pulling legs of the prime minister in the name of corruption. The country is already facing various social, economic and regional challenges. The hostile governments of India and Afghanistan are hurling threats on Pakistan, and in this situation, there is a need to keep unity among all the elements in the political spectrum. The scandalous news about the prime minister are scaringthe investors away from the country.
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FBR alerts taxpayers to fake, harmful emails ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has alerted the taxpayers to fake, harmful emails-cumnotices being sent to them regarding anomalies in their tax returns. A statement by FBR has denied any association with these emails being sent from a fake email address donot-reply@fbrgovpk.com which has no connection with FBR’s email domain. These fake emails inform the targeted taxpayers the tax returns filed by them do not match their sources of income and further advise them to contact the Commissioner Inland Revenue at the earliest. These emails also reportedly carry attachments infected by harmful viruses and malware. This nefarious activity apparently by some hackers is a type of spamming used to send viruses and malwares to the general public and taxpayers.
ptcL earns Rs58.5 billion in revenue in first half of 2017
Tuesday July 25, 2017
National
Shc bars tax dept from taking action against M/s KAL Aviation (FZe)
ISLAMABAD
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akistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has released the financial report for the first half of 2017 and it seems promising as a sequential growth of 3% was recorded in PTCL’s revenue in Q2 17 over Q1 17. Revenue from PTCL’s flagship Broadband service increased over the same period last year. Moreover, the company’s international revenue also increased and did well in wholesale service as well. The operating expenses were reduced by 2% in a like to like manner. PTCL’s profit after tax during the period, excluding the impact of one-off items, reduced by 7% over same period last
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year mainly due to a decrease in voice and EVO revenue and lower non-operating income. According to the company, it earned around Rs. 58.5 billion revenue during the first half of 2017. Excluding the one-off expenditures, the operating expenses were increased by 1% over the same period last year. The company’s profit after tax increased by 27% over corresponding period of last year mainly due to the successful settlement of certain legal issues during the period. The company has been serving the nation for the past 70 years and is hopeful to serve even further. PTCL continued with the ambitious transformation of its network and in this regard, several more exchanges have been fully transformed with the latest technologies enabling provision of high-end data services up to 100 Mbps speed. Recently the company has launched its Charji wireless services in Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
KARACHI
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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has restrained the tax department from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till next date of hearing on a constitutional petition filed by M/s KAL Aviation (FZE), seeking tax exemptions in view of a treaty between Pakistan and UAE. During the hearing of the petition, a two-member bench headed by Justice Munib Akhtar also issued notices to the tax department and the deputy attorney general, directing them to file their respective para wise comments on the next date of hearing. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that he is a non-resident entity earning income by way of leasing aircraft to resident entities in Pakistan. However, tax authorities have issued notices to the petitioner for recovery of disputed amount for tax year 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015 without considering facts. He further submitted that in-
come of the petitioner earned by way of aircraft lease charges are exempt in view of article 8 of the tax treaty executed between Pakistan and UAE, for avoidance of double taxation.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Commissioner Inland Revenue, Appeals-III, Audit Range-B, Zone-IV, Corporate Regional Tax Office, Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue, Ap-
peals-III, Audit Range-B, Zone-IV, Corporate Regional Tax Office as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may restrain them from taking any coercive measures till final order of this petition.
pcA serves contravention reports upon M/s BM technologies KARACHI
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he Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has issued three contravention reports against importer M/s BM Technologies for evasion of duty/taxes to the tune of around Rs1 million on import of Sulphur Bentonite. According to sources, M/s BM Technologies imported consignments of ‘sulphur bentonite’ under PCT Heading 3105.9000 and cleared the same with active connivance of their clearing agent M/s Rabia Shipping Agency through Customs Appraisement (East) paying CD @0%. The subject goods, however, are correctly classiSiable under PCT heading 3824.9099 where customs duty is leviable at the rate of 10%. The mis-declaration of classi-
Sication is also conSirmed by the public notice no. 16/2015 (EAST) dated 03.10.2015, wherein, the dispute of granular straight Sulphur fertilizer comprising of Sulphur and Bentonite mixture has been resolved by classifying the subject de-
scription under PCT heading 3824.9099. Thus, M/s BM Technologies by way of mis-declaration of PCT deprived the national exchequer of its legitimate revenue of duty and taxes to the tune of Rs725,061, Rs 92,177 and Rs87,866.
Therefore, the importer, has violated the provisions of Section 32 (1) (2) & (3A) of the Customs Act, 1969, Section 3, 6 & 7 read with Section 34 of the Sales Tax Act 1990 and Section 148 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 punishable under clauses (1), and 14 of Section 156(1) of the Customs Act 1969, Section 33(5) of the sales tax Act, 1990 and Section 148 & 182 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and section 7A of the Sales Tax Act 1990 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. Accordingly, three separate audit observations were issued to the said importer. The importer, however, failed to come up with any tangible evidence and explanation and was also unable to refute the charges leveled by the department.
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Asim Khattak takes charge as Secretary-IR Tuesday July 25, 2017
National performance allowance of customs Secretary Azood restored
ISLAMABAD: Muhammad Asim Khattak, a BS-19 officer of Inland Revenue Service, Monday assumed the charge of the post of Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad. The officer assumed charge in pursuance of Establishment Department Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar Notification No. SO(E-I)/E&AD/11/2017 dated 06.07.2017.
Four Inland Revenue officers of BS 20-21 assume charge of new posts
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erformance allowance in respect of Azood-ul-Mehdi, a Pakistan Customs Service officer BS-19 officer, has been restored. The performance allowance (equivalent to 100 per cent of basic pay) of the officer, presently posted as Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad has been restored with effect from June 30, 2017. Meanwhile, Muhammad Nauman Tashfeen, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-16, has assumed the charge as Deputy Director, Directorate of Training & Research (Customs), Islamabad. The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No. 1003-C-II/2017 dated 27.03.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Deputy Director, Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit, Islamabad with effect from June 5.
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customs Inspector ehtesham-ul-haq to retire on nov 19 htesham-ul-Haq, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS16, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation. The officer, presently posted as Inspector at Model Customs Collectorate, Multan, will stand retired from government service with effect from November 19, 2017. Meanwhile, Muhammad Naveed Iqbal, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-16, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation. The officer, presently posted as Inspector at Model Customs Collectorate, Multan, will stand retired from government service with effect from April 11, 2018. –CB Report
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our Inland Revenue Service ofSicers of BS 20-21 have relinquished/assumed the charge. Khawaja Adnan Zahir (IRS/BS21) relinquished the charges of the post of Chief Commissioner-IR, RTO-II, Lahore on July 18, 2017 and assumed the charge as Member (IT), FBR (HQ), Islamabad on July 19. Seema Shakil (IRS/BS-21) relinquished the charges of the post of Chief Commissioner-IR, Corporate RTO, Karachi on July 18, 2017 and assumed the charge as Chief Commissioner-IR, LTU, Karachi on the same date. Dr Muhammad Akram Khan (IRS/BS-21) relinquished the charges of the post of Member, FBR (HQ), Islamabad on July 17, 2017
and assumed the charge as Chief Commissioner-IR, RTO, Faisalabad on July 18. NaheedAzhar (IRS/BS-
20) relinquished the charges of the post of Commissioner-IR, (HRM), LTU, Karachi on July 17, 2017 and
assumed the charge as Chief Commissioner-IR (OPS), RTO, Hyderabad on the same date.
ASo recovers huge quantity of cellular phones, tablets worth Rs 13.2 million C
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ustoms Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has foiled bids to smuggle a huge quantity of electronic items from the city. According to details, Director General of I&I Shaukat Ali received authentic information regarding smuggling of electronic items in a huge quantity. Reacting to the information, the DG shared the details with the Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation who constituted a team under the supervision of Senior Intelligence Officer Akmal Hashmi. Hashmi conducted two raids, the one at First Cargo and the other at Shalimar Cargo Service at the Karachi Railway Station, and recovered a huge quantity of cel-
lular phones. The alleged consignments were to be sent to different parts of the country.
In Sirst raid, Hashmi and his team recovered 261 cellular phones and tablets. In the second
raid, he recover ed 355 cellular phones, tablets and Mac Books worth Rs 13.2 million.
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Cotton sowing in Punjab up by 18% ISLAMABAD: Cotton crop cultivation during the current sowing season (2017-18) has witnessed about 18 percent increase in Punjab as compared the sowing of same period of last year. However, it decreased by 6 percent in Sindh during the period under review, according to a top official in the Ministry of Textile Industry. During the current sowing season, cotton crop has been cultivate over 2.743 million hectares in Punjab which is 18 percent higher as compared the same period of last year. However, cotton sowing in the Sindh Province during the period under review decreased by 6 percent as the crop has been cultivate over 0.598 million hectares of land, he added.
telecom sector adds 583 billion to national treasury ISLAMABAD
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he telecoms sector, a significant source of revenue generation, has contributed around Rs 582.95 billion to the national exchequer during the last three and a half years. Major telecom contribution of Rs 243.28 billion to the national kitty was registered during the year 2013-14 while 2014-15 witnessed a contribution of Rs 126.26 billion. Similarly, during 2015-16, the telecom sector contributed Rs 159.65 billion while the first two quarters of 2016-17 brought Rs 53.76 billion in. Sources at Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said that the contributions comprised all PTA’s receipts including Initial and Annual License Fees, Annual Radio
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Frequency Spectrum, Spectrum Administrative Fee, Universal Service Fund (USF) and Research & Development Fund Contributions, APC for USF, Numbering Charges, License Application fee etc.The others included Custom Duties, With Holding Tax (WHT) and other charges. The sources said the commercial launch of 3G and 4G services has opened new opportunities for revenue generation for the mobile operators. Availability of 3G and 4G services has enabled development of new applications and database services, and people of Pakistan are quickly adapting to these new technologies and services. Moreover, the sources said there has also been a consistent growth information Technology (IT) remittances over last decade at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 23 per cent. There has been an impressive growth approximately 97 percent in IT remittances over last four years.
National
cpec means pakistan’s entry into global supply chain: Ahsan Iqbal
gBDwp approves Rs623.451 million for six projects GILGIT
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ilgit Baltistan Working Development Party (GBWDP) have approved Rs 623.451 million for six projects related to the departments of Services, Home, GB Development Authority, Education and Health for financial year 2017-18. The meeting of GBWDP for fiscal year 2017-18 was held with Chief Secretary (CS) GB Dr Kazim Niaz in chair in which several important development projects were approved. In the meeting, a total of 22 projects were presented for discussion pertaining to departments of Law, Home, Services, GB Development Authority, Energy, Agriculture and Communication worth over Rs5.93billion. The meeting recommended that nine development projects costing over Rs 2.9898 billion including two projects for Law, three for Communication, one each for Health, Agriculture, GB Development Authority and Home departments should be referred to the Chief Minister GB’s forum for approval. The meeting deferred seven others projects related to Energy, Education, Health, Information and GB Development Authority due to technical reasons.
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ederal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Prof Dr Ahsan Iqbal Monday said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) meant Pakistan’s entry into global supply chain. He stated this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of Sirst Pakistan-China Forum on Higher Education, held here at Air University jointly organized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and China Association of Higher Education. The one-day forum on “Challenges of Equitable Access and Quality in Higher Education” was addressed by eminent speakers from the higher education bodies of the two countries and attended by the faculty and students from the universities at Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Speaking on the occasion, the minister appreciated the efforts of Higher Education Commission (HEC) for building CPEC University Alliance and CPEC Consortium of Business Schools. “These efforts will help build collaborative linkages and intellectual connectivity which symbolize the
Tuesday July 25, 2017
spirit of CPEC,” he added. He welcomed the Chinese scholars to Pakistan which he hoped would explore new avenues of mutual cooperation between the two countries. The minister said that the government was fully supporting higher education commission which aimed at capacity building of existing Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to prepare suitable human resource for CPEC and promote cultural harmony between the two countries. Earlier, in
his welcome address, Executive Director of HEC, Dr Arshad Ali thanked the Minister for his wholehearted support for higher education, which he emphasized was not a goal but a prerequisite in a knowledge-based economy. The Forum focused on three areas including National Role and Contribution in Improving Quality of Higher Education; Ensuring Quality with Large-scale Increase in Access and Balancing Quality of Higher Education in diverse regions.
excise Dept recovers Rs746 million during 2016-17
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he Excise and Taxation Department Sargodha division recovered Rs746 million taxes from various heads in the division during 2016-17 which is 91 percent of their given target. Similarly, 19000 fake number plates were demolished, 621 unregistered vehicles and 19000 vehicles were challaned for various violations. Excise and Taxation Director Mushtaq Faridi said on Sunday said that property tax system of the region had also been attached with the central computerised system
through which people could see their property and tax details online. He disclosed that Excise department Sargodha led by ETO Arshad Chehal recovered Rs424
million under various heads and achieved 89 percent target, Khushab district led by ETO Javed Iqbal Cheema recovered Rs115 million which was 91 percent of their given
target. Similarly, Rs111 million were recovered by District Mianwali led by ETO Farooq Butt and achieved 91 percent target while District Bhakhar led by ETO Arshad Hameed recovered Rs96 million and achieved 100 percent target from various heads from July 2016 to June 30 2017. The Excise director said that the department conducts general hold up on every Wednesday against all the tax defaulters. Sargodha District checked over 60,000 vehicles during last Siscal year, Khushab 35000 vehicles, Mianwali 32000 vehicles while in Bhakhar district over 40000 vehicles were checked, he added.
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World Customs
Japan’s wooden bedroom furniture imports rose 6%
TOKYO: Japan’s three top suppliers of wooden bedroom furniture (China, Vietnam and Thailand) saw a decline in the value of shipments to Japan in April compared to levels in March, as ITTO reported. Shipments from the top supplier, China, fell almost 15%, shipments from Vietnam were down 22% while shipments from Thailand dropped just over 30%. The overall decline for all wooden bedroom furniture from March to April was 18%. However, overall year-on-year imports of wooden bedroom furniture rose 6% from 2016.
Tuesday July 25, 2017
china customs officials nabs SARS seizes cocaine worth R7m at oR tambo Int’l woman smuggling 102 iphones JOHANNESBURG
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woman has been arrested in mainland China for smuggling 42 pounds of contraband into the country from Hong Kong, including 102 iPhones and Sifteen high-end watches. In total, she was carrying an incredible 102 iPhones and 15 luxury watches, tacking on more than 40 pounds to her relatively thin frame. Based on the images, it appears that most of the devices were of the iPhone 6 and newer family although there appear to be a few smaller models like the iPhone SE. It’s unclear if the woman was a lone wolf or operating as part of a larger smuggling ring. Prices for the iPhone can vary greatly between the China mainland and Hong Kong, with devices costing up to 30 percent more in China’s mainland be-
Issue of dependent tax rises with Saudi Arabia: India ndia has raised with the Saudi government the issue of the dependent tax, imposed on expatriates who have dependents living there, from July, the Lok Sabha was informed today. Replying to a written question, Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar maintained that this is not an India-specific issue. However, it needs to be seen whether the annual increase in tax would adversely impact the resident Indian families, he added. “The issue has been officially raised with a visiting Saudi delegation on July 11 (last week),” he said while noting that according to initial feedback from Indian mission, there is no indication of any increase in the families returning to India on account of the dependent tax. Akbar also noted that the resident Indian community in Saudi Arabia has also marginally increased during the last one year and is estimated at 3.03m in March. –CB Report
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cause of taxes and other levies. Meanwhile, China’s primary money rates fell on Friday after the country’s central bank injections cash into money markets, but traders said conditions may turn tighter next week as banks work to meet tax obligations and reserve requirements. The volume-weighted average rate of the benchmark seven-
day repo traded in the interbank market, considered the best indicator of general liquidity in China, was 2.746 per cent, nearly 6 basis points lower that the previous day’s closing average rate. On Friday, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) injected 100 million yuan into money markets through seven-day reverse bond repurchase agreements.
Russian oil export duty seen falling to $74.4/t in August
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ussia’s oil export duty CL-EXPDTY-RU is expected to decline to $74.4 per tonne in August, down from $80.9 per tonne in July, data from the Sinance ministry showed on Monday. The rate is calculated by the Sinance ministry and is based on monitoring of seaborne Urals URL-E URL-NWE-E crude oil prices from June 15 until July 14. Meanwhile, Armenia is discussing the issue of getting a new
military loan with Russia, finance minister Vardan Aramyan said on Monday, July 17. The minister did not divulge details concerning the amount of the loan, revealing only that consultations have started this year, RFE/RL Armenian Service reports. According to him, some $30 million remain from a previous $200 million Russian loan which will be spent on military goods. –CB Report
outh African Revenue Service (Sars) customs ofSicials have seized almost 200 kilogrammes of cocaine and almost R7 million in foreign currency in separate incidents at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg this month. In a statement on Friday, SARS said it had seized 197kg cocaine and approximately R7 million in US dollars in two separate incidents at OR Tambo since July 5. The latest incident happened when Sars Customs detector dogs intercepted 197kg of cocaine disguised as shampoo en route from Sao Paolo, Brazil, in transit to Australia on Monday. Sars spokesperson Sandile Memela said three narcotic detector dogs searched the shipment and the positive indication by the dogs
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led to a physical examination of the consignment. “After the shipment was identiSied, the goods were unpacked, under the supervision of SARS Customs ofSicials. Upon physical examination the contents were found to be bottles of hair shampoo. It was subsequently discovered that the shampoo contained a white cream which dried up quicker than normal cream and also become powdery when dry. Narcotic testing revealed that the cream reacted positive for cocaine.” The goods were handed over to the South African Police Services’ Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) for further investigating and safe-keeping. In an earlier incident, on July 5, SARS Customs ofSicials intercepted a male traveller from Beira in Mozambique, in transit to Dubai, carrying $501 332 (approximately R6 717 848). The incident happened when the traveller, who claimed to be a businessman, failed to declare excess currency in his possession.
turkey set for high-level eu meeting
urkish and EU Sigures are set for a high-level meeting next week to work on Ankara’s long-running bid to join the bloc, Turkey’s foreign ministry announced. Next Tuesday will see talks in Brussels between Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and EU Minister Omer Celik plus EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Johannes Hahn, EU Enlargement Commissioner. The state of Turkey’s accession talks as well as economy, trade, counterterrorism, migration and visa liberalization will all be on the agenda, the ministry added. “Turkey, as a candidate country
and a strategic partner, will convey its expectations on these issues to the EU side,” it read. Meanwhile, The unemployment rate in Turkey rose 1.2 points to 10.5 percent in April compared to the same month last year, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) announced Monday. The number of jobless aged 15 and over in the country jumped to 3.3 million, a rise of 463,000 on April last year, TurkStat said in a statement. However, April’s Sigures showed a 1.2 percentage point drop from the previous month, when unemployment stood at 11.7 percent. –CB Report
chinese trade with north Korea has dropped
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orth Korean exports to China fell by 13.2 percent in the Sirst half of 2017, Chinese customs authorities said at a recent news conference. The amount of goods going the other way increased by 29.1 percent, although Chinese cus-
toms ofSicials stressed that these goods were not banned by the U.N. sanctions that are intended to force the communist regime in Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons program. Recent months have seen the escalation of tensions, as North Korea has test-Sired multiple ballistic missiles as part of its desire to gain a reliable method of nuclear weapons
delivery. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously criticized the Chinese regime in a July 5 tweet for not applying more pressure on North Korea to halt their nuclear weapons program. “Trade between China and North Korea grew almost 40 percent in the Sirst quarter. So much for China working with us but we had to give it a try!” the president wrote. In April, Trump and Chi-
nese leader Xi Jinping had met at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida; the Sirst face-to-face meeting between the two statesmen. According to Trump, they “made tremendous progress,” though no deals or breakthroughs were made. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stated that Xi had acknowledged that the situation involving North Korea had reached “a very serious stage”.
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Two ships take berth at Port Qasim KARACHI: Two ships M.T YM Miranda and M.V Uni-Bulker carrying Chemical and Steel Coil were allotted berths at Multi Purpose Terminal berth # 1 and 2 respectively during last 24 hours, said a report issued by Port Qasim Authority (PQA) Meanwhile two more ships MSC Sao Paulo and M.T Lion-M with Containers and Furnace oil also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim during last 24 hours. Berth occupancy was observed at the Port at fifty six percent on Wednesday where a total of nine ships namely, M.V Maersk Hartford, MSC Esthi, APL Columbus, Uni-Bulker, YM Miranda, Gas Odyssey, Star Trader, Sky Ploeg and Jag Lavanya are currently occupying berths to load/ offload Containers, Steel Coil, Chemical, Soya Bean Seeds, Palm Oil and Furnace Oil respectively.
gladstone ports workers face court over false claims ne former and two present Gladstone Ports Corporation workers faced Gladstone Magistrates Court after using false receipts to claim money they weren’t entitled to. It was just a few of many similar cases that have already been heard or are yet to be heard by the courts after an investigation conducted by the GPC revealed workers were taking advantage of the company’s Health and Wellbeing Scheme, which allows workers to purchase goods and be reimbursed for them. However, the scheme only allows workers to purchase specific items that directly contribute to the worker’s health and well-being, for example a kayak. But workers were buying items from a Gladstone store that did not fall under the scheme, however in their reimbursement applications they used falsified receipts
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to make it look as if they did. A search warrant of the store executed by police located the falsified documents. A number of GPC workers have already faced the court, with at least 80 charged on the same offence of false entry in record. This week, a 62-year-old worker with no criminal history pleaded guilty to the charge of false entry in record, but unlike his colleagues he’d tried to crack the system twice. Kenneth Paul Peatey made two purchases at the Gladstone store, one in 2014 and again in 2015. Both times he used false receipts to be reimbursed for the items, worth more than $600. The court heard he had been employed at the company for 12 years, had two adult children and was a married man of 43 years.
Ports & Shipping
port of Virginia sets new volume records for June, fiscal year WASHINGTON
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he Port of Virginia ended last month with a bang – its best June on record. The close of the month also marked the end of its best-ever July-June Siscal year. The port’s terminals moved 231,675 containers, as measured in standard 20-foot units or TEUs, in June, a 7 percent gain from the same month a year ago. For the Siscal year that ended June 30, the port handled 2.76 million TEUs, a 7.3 percent increase from the same period a year earlier. “We Sinished Siscal year 2017 with a solid volume increase and thus marked our fourth consecutive Siscal year of volume growth,” said John Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, in a statement. “We grew in the right areas, we moved a record-amount of volume across all modes of transportation, train, barge and truck – and did so safely – and we continue to improve
our service levels.” Import-loaded TEUs outpaced export loads for both the month and the Siscal year: For June, import loads rose 10 percent year over year, while for the Siscal year, they grew 10.8 percent. Export-loaded TEUs fell 0.3 percent for the month and were up 6.8 percent for the fiscal year. Empty outbound TEUs were up 23.6 percent for June, year over year, and 2 percent for the fiscal year. Volume growth for rail and truck contain-
ers moved in June through the port was neck-and-neck: Rail containers were up 6.8 percent, year over year, while truck containers rose 6.9 percent. For the fiscal year, railcontainer volume rose 11.3 percent and truck containers 4.6 percent. Breakbulk tonnage – non-containerized cargo packed in or on bales, drums or pallets – dropped 50.6 percent in June, year over year, and fell 25.6 percent for the fiscal year.
Tuesday July 25, 2017
Sc ports set record on shipped containers outh Carolina’s ports both by sea and by land have reported a record year. The state’s Ports Authority released a statement Wednesday saying its various terminals across the state had moved a record 2.14 million containers, or 20-foot equivalent units, in the fiscal year that ended. This figure was 10 percent higher than the previous fiscal year. These strong numbers include operations at the inland port in Greer, where rail lifts reached an all-time high in June: 13,060 of them. The inland port finished fiscal year 2017 with a record 121,761 moves, 33 percent more than the previous year. Ports spokeswoman Erin Dhand said the record-setting container traffic did not include so-called “roll-in/roll-off” cargo of the wheeled variety that is, cars. One of the biggest exporters from South Carolina’s ports is BMW, which uses roll-on/roll-off ships to send its cars around the world. Vehicle exports out of the South Carolina ports actually declined in fiscal year 2017 to just over 258,000 vehicles.
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Shippers’ council mulls virtual operations at ports ABUJA
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he Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) is to engender virtual operations at the nation’s ports, noting that physical contacts and transactions were encouraging corruption, inefSiciency and delays within the facilities. It also promised to install an electronic gate at Apapa, Lagos in 18 months to check the trafSic gridlocks at that axis, saying the challenge will immediately disappear since vehicles that do not have its electronic chips would be denied access. NSC’s Executive Secretary, Hassan Bello, who dropped the hints during a courtesy visit to the Rutam Headquarters of The Guardian in Lagos, said the measures were part of his administration’s commitment to enhance efSiciency at the ports through modern infrastructure,
technological advancement and cost-efSicient policies. He said the initiatives would aid a 24-hour activity and reposition the facilities for a favourable competition within the West Africa sub-region. Seeking the full cooperation of the media to enable him realise the goal, Bello said some swift interventions by the council had halted the diversion of cargoes to neighbouring ports. His words: “The shippers have been diverting cargoes to other countries before now. But the NSC has intervened by shortening the process. We are interrogating the system all the time and our aim is that you can sit down in The Guardian, import a car and clear it on your computer and it will come to Rutam House or wherever you want it to go. “You do not need any physical presence at the ports because it is physical transaction and cash that bring corruption, inefSiciency and
delays. So, that is the hope we have and that is the port of our future. Right now, we are even snatching goods away from our competitors.” Admitting that all the repositioning talks would amount to nought in the absence of smooth access roads, the NSC boss disclosed that the infrastructure were receiving attention, especially Apapa, the main moneyspinning port in the country. To protect other access roads nationwide, Bello said the agency was promoting transit parks to discourage trucks from inhabiting highways. He disclosed also that the NSC was working with the World Bank to examine the Lagos logistic rail network so that it could equally employ the rail, inland waterways and pipeline as means of transportation. According to Bello, the council is also introducing an automated container tracking system through a new cargotracking note. This, he said, would
allow government to know the kind of goods that comes into the ports and check false declaration. Meanwhile, Nigeria Port Authority is responsible for the maintenance of ports in Nigeria. There are two large ports under the command of the Nigeria Port Authority – Port Harcourt and Lagos. Understandably, people who want to work in this structure are more interested in the Nigeria Port Authority Salary Structure. It`s hard to Sind much information about salary structure of any government company in Nigeria. One of the reasons for that is the conSidentiality of this information. Nevertheless, it`s possible to Sind some piece of information about salary structure of Nigeria port authority. Several years ago, Nigeria Port Authority provided an ultimatum to the Nigerian government. One of their main demands was to increase the average salary.
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ANF holds Force Commanders Conference Tuesday July 25, 2017
Business
RAWALPINDI: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) organised Force Commanders Conference at ANF Headquarters. ANF Director General Major General Musarrat Nawaz Malik chaired the conference. The conference was attended by commanders of all ANF regional directorates and senior staff officers. During the conference, DG ANF appreciated the efforts made by ANF regional directorates in curbing menace of drugs. He also emphasized on emerging trend in the abuse of synthetic drugs, underlining it as a grave threat requiring special measures.
cM directs to frame rules of business for police Act PESHAWAR
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hief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak directed to immediately frame rules of business for smooth implementation process of Police Act in province. He was presiding over a meeting on implementation process of Police Act at Chief Minister Secretariat here. Chief Secretary Abid Saeed, IGP Salahuddin Mehsud, Implementation Commissioner, Tariq Umar Khitab, Secretary Finance Shakeel Qadir, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Muhammad Israr, Secretary Home Siraj Khan and represen-
FIA arrests two over fraud LAHORE
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tatives of law department and others attended the meeting. The meeting held a detailed discussion on implementation process, completion of different requirements
Secp organises session on commodities based financial eco-system
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he Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Faisalabad on Monday arrested two persons for defrauding people. According to FIA spokesman, one Nabeel Sagar, a resident of Toba Tek Singh area, received Rs 185,000 from the complainant, Abdul Rehman, for sending him to Bahrain for employment. The second accused, Muhammad Munir, a resident of Mian Channu, received Rs 125,000 from a complainant, Muhammad Kashif of Faisalabad, over the pretext of employment in Saudi Arabia.
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for the formation of different safety commissions, regional and district levels and framing of rules of business under Police Act. Addressing the participants, Chief Minister said that
his government had achieved target of making police an independent body according to aspirations of people. There should be different safeguards at different tiers of governance for the accountability and responsiveness of police force. The commissions would strictly monitor complaints against police force that would serve as a check on the force. He directed to expedite formation of safety commissions for smooth implementation adding that the members of the safety commission would have to deliver to run system of policing efSiciently. Pervez Khattak gave directions to frame the rules of business within ten days thereafter the implementation commissioner would give a road map to oversee the whole implementation process on police act in the province.
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ecurities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) organized a consultative session on agricultural warehousing regulations and commodities based collateral and Sinancing eco-system, at its head ofSice. A number of stakeholders from the State Bank of Pakistan, National Bank of Pakistan, Zarai Taraqiyati Bank, National Rural Support Programme and ofSicials from the min-
istry of agriculture attended the session, a statement issued here by the commission said. Representatives of a number of commercial banks including, HBL, MCB, Meezan and UBL, Central Depository Company of Pakistan, Pakistan Mercantile Exchange, Pakistan MicroSinance Network, Pakistan MicroSinance Investment Company, provincial departments of agriculture from Punjab and Sindh, Pakistan Agriculture Coalition, telecommunication companies (Mobilink and Telenor) also attended the session. Executive Director, SECP highlighted the importance of collat-
eral and warehouse management for developing agriculture value chain and the SECP’s role and commitment towards modernizing Pakistan’s agricultural markets. He also briefed the participants on the recently notiSied collateral management framework. Dr Andre Van der Vyver, an international expert on commodities market also made a detailed presentation on practical and operational aspects of collateral management ecosystem. The participants actively made queries in the interactive session and provided their input and suggestions on the way forward.
KpogcL to attract investment in its exploration blocks ISLAMABAD
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hyber Pakhtunkhawa Oil and Gas Company Ltd (KPOGCL) is striving to attract investment for its exploration blocks located in different potential areas of the province. According to a press release of the company issued a spokesman of KPOGCL said the company was inviting the heads and delegations of Exploration and Production (E&P) Companies operating in Pakistan to brief them about the hydrocarbon potential in KP province. He said the province has great oil and gas reserves and its huge deposits have been discovered in southern belt of the province, including district Kohat and Karak. “Khyber Pakhtunkhawa has opened up new avenues of economic development in the province through the exploration of its indigenous oil and gas reserves,” he said, adding that due to the enabling environment created by the government through KPOGCL, the province has become the largest oil producer province in the country. The spokesman said currently the company was producing more than 50 percent of national crude oil, 380 million cubic feet of gas and 350 tons of LPG per day.
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nA body stresses to enhance country’s exports ISLAMABAD
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ational Assembly Standing committee on Commerce on stressed to need for enhancing the country’s exports and shows concern on decline in trade and exports. The committee was briefed by the ministry of commerce that no Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA)
has been signed by the present government since 2013 to 2017 with any country. The meeting of the Standing Committee on Commerce was held under the Chairmanship of MNA, Siraj Muhammad Khan. It was informed to the Committee that the Prime Minister has announced a package in recent past due to which the trade rate has been enhanced to 16% in the last month. The Committee recommends the ministry that import of the com-
modities and products, which are produced within Pakistan should be discouraged by imposition of taxes, tariffs and regulatory duties. The Committee was briefed by the ministry that due to enhanced rates of oil, gas and electricity, the industries are facing problems to compete the international market resulting into decline of exports causing trade deSicit in country. It was informed to the committee that now the electricity and gas is
regularly and continuously provided to the industries. It was recommended by the committee that instead of giving cash subsidies to the industries, rebate on the rates of electricity and gas should be granted to all the industries. It was directed by the committee that the exemption of General Sales Tax (GST) on exports of all commodities and products should be considered by the ministry. The members of National Assembly Ch.
Asad-ur Rehman,Muhammad Pervaiz Malik, Waseem Akhtar Shaikh, Tahira Aurangzeb, Ms. Zeb Jaffar, Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharral, Ms. Shahzadi Umerzadi Tiwana, Dr. Mehreen Razaque Bhutto, Nazir Ahmed Bughio, Mussarat Ahmad Zeb, Sajida Begum, Sanjay Perwani, Dr. Fouzia Hameed and Minister for Commerce attended the meeting besides the senior officers from the Ministry of Commerce with their staff.
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Russia exported over 1.5 MMT of sunoil this season MOSCOW: In May 2016/17, Russian sunoil exports revived again and totaled 227 KMT, or 53% more than in the previous month (148 KMT) and 65% more than in May 2016 (138 KMT). Despite problems with sunoil supplies to Turkey, overall exports for the season (September-May) still hold at a record 1517.2 KMT, or 38.5% more than at the same time last season, UkrAgroConsult notes. As before, the top importer of Russian sunoil is Turkey (30% of total exports). Apart from this season’s rise in deliveries to major destinations such as Egypt (19%) and Iran (10%), previously minor importers of Russian sunoil (Iraq, Lebanon, Tajikistan, India, Algeria and Afghanistan) also stepped up its purchases. Further prospects of the world oilseeds/vegoils market will be discussed at the V International Conference “Black Sea Oil Trade”, which will take place on September 19, 2017 in Hilton hotel, Kiev, Ukraine.
pFc greeted for holding successful Interiors pak expo LAHORE
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Chambers
canadian diplomat eyes Ict, agri as potential areas of cooperation
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ISLAMABAD
he Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), United Business Group (UBG) and Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have felicitated Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq for conducting successfully a series of eight glittering 3-day mega ‘Interiors Pakistan’ exhibitions across the country. In his message to PFC Chief Executive, FPCCI President Zubair Tufail said PFC’s Interiors Pakistan exhibitions were playing a vital role to boost furniture industry locally and internationally. He said the PFC events were boosting the visitor economy through domestic and international visitation, facilitating
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small business growth by connecting buyers and sellers, knowledge sharing leading to innovation and business collaboration and providing a platform for international trade and investment. In his message, LCCI President Abdul Basit said the PFC had been playing its due role in economic wellbeing of the country and LCCI would provide furniture exhibitors level playing field enabling them to conduct their business with peace of mind and add up to the important revenue to the national exchequer. He said the local furniture products were excellent and present their culture. SM Muneer Patron-inChief United Business Group and Chief Executive Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) said the objective of Interiors Pakistan was to give exposure to local entrepreneurs to the major markets in Pakistan.
cDA asked to improve infrastructure in markets
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Tuesday July 25, 2017
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erry John Calderwood, High Commissioner of Canada said that Pakistan and Canada have good potential to enhance cooperation in ICT, agriculture, energy, mining and other Sields and private sectors of both countries have to play the leading role in exploiting these opportunities. He said that Canada and Pakistan could complement each other in many areas by sharing expertise and developing partnerships. He said Canada was quite strong in oil & gas, hydro & solar power and Pakistan could beneSit from its expertise to improve its energy generation. He was addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Perry John Calderwood said that Canada was an advanced economy and Pakistan could achieve better results by developing close cooperation with it. He said Canada was providing development assistance to Pakistan for women economic empowerment and added that the new development policy of Canada would also beneSit Pakistan. He said Pakistan was a potential country for
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halid Iqbal Malik, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a meeting with CDA Directors has said that due to lack of parking and other facilities, 50% sales in markets has decreased and urged that CDA should give priority focus to improve basic infrastructure in markets including parking facilities, roads, footpaths, street lights, sewerage system and other amenities. He was talking to Ali SuSian Director Municipal Administration, Khalid Asif Director Roads & Markets Maintenance, Altaf Khan Director Streetlights and Sardar Khan Zimrii Director Sanitation & Sewerage of CDA who visited ICCI to discuss the issues and Sind out their
business and investment, but due to security concerns, Canadian investors were avoiding to visit Pakistan. However, he said the security situation was now improving and was hopeful that it will help Canadian investors to explore Pakistan. Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in his address said that Pakistan and Canada enjoyed old friendly relations as they established diplomatic relations in 1947. However, bilateral trade of just over $1 billion in 2015 did not
optimum solutions in consultation with business community. Representatives of various local markets were also present at the occasion. Khalid Iqbal Malik said that Aamir Ali Ahmed, former Member Administration CDA was very cooperative with business community in resolving issues and called upon the government to bring him back to CDA as his presence in the civic body would help in addressing issues of trade and industry. He said that all markets of the federal capital were facing serious issues due to which business activities were suffering. He said it was high time that CDA should pay more attention to markets that were generating lot of revenue for the national exchequer. He said trade license fee for shops in Islamabad was four times high compared to other municipalities and
reflected the real potential of both countries. He said that trade in limited items was the main reason of low trade volume and stressed that both countries should focus on trade diversification to improve bilateral trade figure. He said that trade balance was in favor of Canada and it should enhance its imports from Pakistan as many Pakistan products could meet the needs of Canadian customers at affordable cost. He emphasized that Canadian businessmen should benefit from Pakistan’s IT-enabled
urged that CDA should reduce it to Rs.1000/ per trade license for small shops. He said Hamza Shafqaat, former Director Municipal Administration CDA in a meeting with ICCI had agreed to fix Rs.60/ per sq yards as board tax for shops and stressed that CDA should approve this rate that would improve its revenue. Khalid Malik Senior Vice President ICCI, Zafar Bakhtawari, Ejaz Abbasi, Ajmal Baloch, Khalid Chaudhry, Qazi Ilyas President Jinnah Super, Yousaf Rajput President Blue Area, Raja Zulfiqar President G-9 Markaz, Tahir Abbasi from F-10 Markaz, Muhammad Hussain General Secretary Super Market, Zafar Gujjar from G-10/4 and representative of various other markets also spoke at the occasion and highlighted issues of their markets.
services in animation and gaming, retail banking and finance, mobile content, document management and call centers. ICCI President said that many sectors of Pakistan’s economy including oil & gas, infrastructure, power generation, information & communication technologies, mining, agro business, wood sector and science & technology offered great investment potential to Canadian companies and they should explore these sectors. He said Pakistan needed more oil rigs and mining equipment to exploit its vast natural resources and Canada should take benefit of these opportunities. He said Canadian investors should also explore joint ventures and investment in CPEC projects in Pakistan. He said that Pakistani exporters have to face cumbersome visa formalities for attending trade fairs in Canada while its travel advisories discouraged Canadian businesspeople from visiting Pakistan. Khalid Malik, Senior Vice President, ICCI welcomed H.E. Mr. Perry John Calderwood, High Commissioner of Canada and introduced his proSile to the business community.
JcStSI set up for small traders, industrialists hang Chambers of Small Traders and Small Industries (JCSTSI) has been set up in the city for the welfare of small traders and industries. Addressing a press conference here, JCSTSI president Sh. Muhammad Younas said that big traders did not patronize the small traders and small industrialists due to which they were facing hardships and problems. To uplift small traders and industrialists and resolve their problems, the Jhang Chambers of Small Traders and Small Industries have been set up, he added. JCSTSI senior vice President Jamshed Akhtar, vice president Imran Sohail and members of the newly established chamber were also present. –CB Report
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Khushab FIU impounds non duty paid Toyota Corolla car KHUSHAB: The Field Investigation Unit (FIU) of the Customs Intelligence and Investigations Khushab has seized a non duty paid Toyota Corolla car model 1993 bearing registration no: AAM-350 (Quetta) worth Rs10,00,000 involving customs duty to the tune of Rs 7,50,000. Sources told Customs Today, that Deputy Director Syed Itrat Hussain received information regarding some smuggling attempts. He constituted a raiding team comprising Superintendent Muhammad Tahir, Intelligence officer Mansoor Nasir, Anser Saleemi and sepoy Muhammad Khalil.
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
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gwadar customs recovers computer accessories worth Rs2.4 million GWADAR wAQAR AhMeD AnSARI www.customsbulletin.com
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he Collectorate of Gwadar has seized a huge quantity of portable hard disks and 2 GB ram worth Rs 2.4 million during the last two days. In another raid, the Customs Collectorate foiled an attempt to smuggle 200 boxes of Irani brake oil According to details, on a tip-off regarding possible smuggling of computer accessories in Jawar Khan area, Gawadar Collector Saeed Akram constituted a team of Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) under the supervision of Customs Preventive Inspector Faiz Baksh. The team, during a search operation in Jawar Khan area, intercepted a truck bearing registration number KDL-378 which was going to Karachi. During the search, the customs team found 100 pieces of portable hard disks, 500 pieces of 2 GB ram, 200 electronic keyboard, 500 laser mouse and 32 GB data storage USBs. The team seized the computer items and truck which was being used to smuggle these goods and arrested two persons who was later identiSied as Khalil Ahmed and Qadir Khan belongs to Karachi. Source said that the market value of seized items is
Rs 2.4 million in international market. An FIR has been registered against the
accused persons. Source said that this is the 5th raid during the month of Jul,.
Collector Gawadar Saeed Akram said that our team is showing excellent per-
formance in curbing smuggling attempts in the region.
peshawar ASo impounds goods & six vehicles valued Rs14.3m PESHAWAR
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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Peshawar Squad 01 and Squad 02 impounded smuggled goods along with six offending vehicles (vehicles carrying smuggled goods) worth Rs14.3million during 01 to 10th of July Financial Year (FY) 2017-18. According to details explained
by Zakir Muhammad, Deputy Collector ASO Peshawar, during the beginning of FY2017-18, the ASO Peshawar showed excellent performance as it impounded six offending vehicles valued Rs6.2million. The ASO seized a truck with registration No: TJK-234 worth Rs1.5million, Ford wagon J-4326 valued Rs0.5million, Mehran car LHP-9418 valued Rs0.3million, Toyota XLI-car priced Rs0.7million, Toyota GLI car worth Rs1.2million and Premio Motor car worth Rs2.00million. He said that during above said period, the ASO conSiscated eight
LCD TVs valued Rs0.375million whereas it did miscellaneous goods worth Rs4.352million and
the ASO seized 26 foreign origin tyres valued Rs0.246million. During the initial 10 days of July
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).
FY16-17, the ASO Peshawar impounded 688 different mobile phones valued Rs2.7million while it did 200 foreign origin fake cigarettes worth Rs0.3million. He said the ASO showed some good performance due to timely mobilization of squads for chasing the targets. Newly recruited sepoys and inspectors provided fresh blood to the force who demonstrated excellent performance by helping seize smuggled goods. This was a teamwork which resulted in a brilliant performance of the ASO North during above said period.