March 10 layout 1

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Vol 1 Issue No. 307

Karachi, Thu March 10, 2016

KARACHI

S R KHAN

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odel Customs Collectorate (MCC) Port Qasim Collector Mukarram Jah has directed the ofQicials to improve services, besides detecting mis-declaration and under-invoicing in order to stop leakage of revenues.

He issued the direction while holding a meeting

of senior ofQicers of the collectorate to discuss various issues. Additional collectors, deputy collectors and assistant collectors were present in the meeting. The issues pertaining to the clearance of imported consignments, examination procedure, revenue collection, tax evasion and mis-declaration came under discussion. Collector Mukarram Jah has directed the authorities concerned of the collectorate to improve the services at appraising hall and examination pro-

Price Rs. 14.00

cedure in order to ensure smooth clearance of the imported consignments.

The collector also directed to keep vigilant eye on mis-declaration and tax evasion matters in order to enhance revenue generation of the collectorate. “The performance of Collectorate of Intelligence Unit (CIU) should be enhanced further, as it is playing an important role in detecting tax evasion and under-invoicing in imported consignments,” the collector asserted.

Chairman FBR Nisar to preside over meeting of tax reforms committee

Faisalabad Customs Intelligence impounds truck, generator worth Rs 4.8m

Banks urged to speed up pace of credit expansion in KP

Appraisement East busts biggest scam, 31 FIRs lodged against culprits

Tunisia wants to enhance bilateral trade with Pakistan

Chairman FBR Nisar will preside over meeting of tax reforms committee | See pAge 02 |

Customs Intelligence has confiscated a generator of 400 KVA along with a truck | See pAge 03 |

Keeping changes in business conditions in KPK, SBP Ashraf has asked the banks | See pAge 04 |

Customs Collectorate Appraisement East has lodged FIRs against M/s AMI Pakistan | See pAge 12 |

Adel Elarbi, Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia said that his country | See pAge 09 |

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Islamabad High Court adjourns hearing of case filed by PTMCPL Thursday, March 10, 2016

National

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court on Thursday adjourned hearing on a case seeking court’s directions restricting the Large Taxpayer’s Unit from recovering Rs 9,313,925 in head of federal excise duty.

IHC Judge, Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case and dated in office. Pakistan Telecom Mobile Company Private Limited had filed the case challenging a show cause notice issued in 2007.

The show cause notice asked the appellant that “why Rs 9,313,925 should not be recovered from appellant in the head of FED?”

chairman fBR Nisar to preside over meeting of tax reforms committee

customs Appraisement starts probe against m/s Ami pakistan KARACHI

muBeeN HuSSAiN

ISLAMABAD

m fAiZAN

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hairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Nisar Mohammad will preside over meeting of tax reforms committee.

Sources informed Customs Today that during the meeting Chairman FBR will examine the implementation of recommendations suggested by tax reforms committee. The meeting will take place in conference room of FBR headquarter. The meeting will be held today and will conclude tomorrow March 5.

Prominent among those who will attend the meeting includes Chairman Tax Reforms Commission Syed Masood Naqvi, Member Ishfaq Dola, Member IR Operations Abid H. Shaban, Member Dr. Mohammad Irshad, Member Customs Nasir Masroor Ahmad, Member Inland Revenue Policy Rehmatullah Wazir.

Sources said that participants of the meeting will forward their suggestions to streamline the process of tax collections.

Meanwhile, Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has presided over a meeting of the Tax Reforms Committee. Participants of the meeting considered implementation on various proposals recommended by the committee. Sources informed Customs Today that prominent among those who at-

he Customs Collectorate Appraisement-East and Customs Collectorate Appraisement-West have started investigations against M/s AMI Pakistan (Private) Limited on the charges of filing fake bill of lading and miss-declaration. The company belongs to the Marine Group of which Capt Haleem Siddiqui is the chairman. In the mega corruption scam unearthed by Customs Collectorate Appraisement-East section R&D, 31 FIRs have been lodged so far against the white collar crime allegedly committed by M/s AMI Pakistan under the umbrella of free trade agreement with China. Nisar Pasha, who is the General Manager of Port Links (Private) Limited, another company of Marine Group which has been assigned task to look after the case, informed Customs Today that the organization has issued show cause notices to manager Noman Rauf and assistant manager Import Documentations Saira Jhangir for their alleged involvement in the crime. M/s AMI Pakistan has also given the required documents of past three years to the customs officials for further investigations and there is no space for the criminals is the organization.

tended the meeting are Advisor to Prime Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhtar, FBR Chairman Nisar Mohammad Khan, Member Administration Majid Qureshi, Member Inland Revenue Operations Dr Mohammad Irshad, Member Inland Revenue Policy Rehmatullah Khan Wazir, Member FATE Nadeem Dar, Member Legal Shoukat Ali, Tax Reforms Commission Chairman Ma-

sood Naqvi and Member Customs Nasir Masroor Ahmad.

During the meeting a presentation was given to participation on “Road to Seven Trillion”. Federal Finance Minister directed FBR to speed up the process of implementation on recommendations of Tax Reforms Commission. He said we are working on some measures to enhance the revenue collection

upto Rs 7000 billion during next few years. Federal Finance Minister also hailed the performance of committe. The participants of the meeting also considered on implementation of decisions which were taken during previous meetings. It was decided during the meeting that implementation of proposals will be strictly monitored to achieve desired results.

Dar presides over ecNec meeting, approves six projects T

ISLAMABAD

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he Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) which met under the Chairmanship of Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar, considered various project proposals in the spheres of health, communication and water supply. The ECNEC discussed at length the proposal of Ministry of National Health Services, Regula-

tions and Coordination regarding the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) spanning over the period from 2015-16 to 2019-20 and gave its approval for the project. The project would cost Rs.37,644.68 million and will be Qinanced by the Federal as well as Provincial governments. The program envisages protecting children of 1 year age against nine vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) including childhood tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis-B,

Haemophilus inQluencza Type B, measles and pneumonia. The EPI also aims at protecting pregnant women against tetanus toxoid and the newborn babies against tetanus neonatrum. EPI also has the objective to eradicate, eliminate, reduce and control vaccine preventive diseases (VPD) for implementation and execution by Federating Units. The Programme will protect children under Qive years of age against the complications and mortality caused by diarrheal diseases by proper case

management. The programme shall cover the whole country including ICT, FATA, GB and AJK. The Ministry of National Health Services will undertake procurement of the vaccine under a centralized system. ECNEC considered and approved in principle the proposal from Ministry of Ports and Shipping for provision of coal conveying system from Pakistan International Bulk Terminal (PIBT) to Railway network at Port Qasim. Under the project, construction of coal conveying system meas-

uring 4.8 KM and laying of 8 KM railways track with allied structures and facilities for transportation of coal from PIBT coal terminal to railway siding and loading of coal onto railway wagons for onward transmission to the proposed coal Qired power plants will be undertaken.

ECNEC had detailed discussion on the project regarding construction of additional carriageway of Indus Highway N-55, Sehwan-Khairpur Nathan Shah, Ratodero Section (approx 200 KM)

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PRA cracks down on unregistered hotels, guesthouses LAHORE: A team of the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has visited Murree and conducted raids against unregistered hotels and guesthouses. The team warned the owners of unregistered hotels and guesthouses to get them registered at the earliest. Sources informed Customs Today that on the request of Hotel Association Murree, PRA has given a 20-day deadline to the owners of unregistered hotels and guesthouses to get their registration certificate from the PRA and immediately start paying sales taxes, otherwise their premises will be sealed. A detailed meeting was held in the office of Assistant Commissioner, Murree in which Hotel Association of Murree.

Thursday March 10, 2016

National

faisalabad customs Adjudication summons alleged smuggler on Apr 1

faisalabad intelligence impounds truck, generator worth Rs 4.8m

FAISALABAD

NAeem SHeiKH

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ustoms Adjudication Additional Collector Beelam Ur Ramzan issued a show-cause notice to accused person; Muhammad Umar allegedly involved in Rs 1.13 million tax evasion. The additional collector served notice on accused through Sargodha Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) for attending the hearing.

The Sargodha ASO had made Muhammad Umar a respondent in the case pertaining to the confiscation of the Hino Truck, which was being used for the transportation of the smuggled items. The Customs Adjudication additional collector summoned the accused person on April 1, 2016 to attend the hearing.

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Rto-ii achieves 100pc target in february LAHOR

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he Regional Tax Office-II (RTO-II) of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has achieved the 100 percent tax collection target for February 2016.

According to the detail, the FBR had assigned Rs 6 billion target for the month, including Rs 3.5 billion as sales tax and Rs 2.5 billion under the head of income tax.

The RTO-II achieved the target by collecting Rs 3,500 million in wake of sales tax and Rs 2,500 million under the head of income tax.

Officials said that department was taking effective steps to recover the taxes from the defaulters, adding that recently announced tax amnesty scheme will increase the revenue collection that will help to meet the target of current fiscal year.

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FAISALABAD

NAeem SHeiKH

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he Customs Intelligence and Investigation has conQiscated a generator of 400 KVA along with a truck being used for the transportation of smuggled generator. The value of seized items is Rs 4.86 million involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 2.64 million. Customs Intelligence team intercepted a Mazda Mini truck bearing Registration No. FDV-7351 near Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad and recovered a generator. The ofQicials asked the person concerned to show documents regarding the legal import of the items, but he could not do the same.

Therefore, the customs ofQicials impounded the truck and generator after legal formalities under Section 157(2) of Customs Act, 1969.

The team comprising Senior Intelligence OfQicer Muhammad Tahir Iqbal, Intelligence OfQicer Muhammad Mansoor Nasir, Sepoys Muhammad Naeem Niazi, Sajjad Ahmed and Mukhtar Ahmed participated in the raids. For the further legal action, report has been submitted to the adjudication department.

Meanwhile, The Customs Intelligence and Investigation has impounded a mini truck and used auto parts, including rear axle and front axle of heavy-duty vehicles worth Rs 1.98 million involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 793,750. The staff of

Customs Intelligence intercepted a Shehzor mini truck bearing registration No. SGN-8677 near Chenab Nagar Toll Plaza Sargodha Road. The ofQicials asked the driver named Muhammad Ijaz and owners of the items named Irfan Siddique and Muhammad Shakeel to show documents regarding the legal import but they failed to do the same. After the legal formalities, the vehicle and items were impounded Section 157 of Customs Act, 1969 and the case has been

the team comprising Senior intelligence officer muhammad tahir iqbal, intelligence officer muhammad mansoor Nasir, Sepoys muhammad Naeem Niazi, Sajjad Ahmed and mukhtar Ahmed participated in the raids. for the further legal action, report has been submitted to the adjudication department

BoR told to computerise land record at the earliest KARACHI

S

S R KHAN

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indh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has directed the Sindh Board of Revenue (BoR) to ensure early computerization of land record in Sindh. Chief Secretary Muhammad Siddiqui Memon has said that the chief minister has directed the BoR to complete the computerization of land record in Sindh.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Sindh government in the year-2014 was issued orders in connection with computerization of land record throughout the province with a view to curb the land grabbing and check the veracity of the lands existed in the province.

The Land Administration and Revenue Management Information System (LARMIS) is looking after the matter with the co-ordination of another wing i.e. Reforms Wing and Special Cell, Board of Revenue.

In this regard, the provincial government was also being established four (04) IT schemes relating to computerization of land records in Sindh, budgetary allocation, utilization and major targets for each are given in Annual Development Program (ADP) of Board of Revenue (BoR).

However, the process of computerization of land record by the authorities concerned of BoR has not been accomplished yet despite passing two years of time.

sent to adjudication for further legal action. The intelligence team comprising Senior Intelligence OfQicer Muhammad Tahir Iqbal, Intelligence OfQicer Muhammad Mansoor Nasir, Sepoy Muhammad Naeem Niazi, Sajjad Ahmed and Mukhtar Ahmed participated in the raid. Meanwhile, The Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation has conQiscated 200 bags of foreign origin coconut worth Rs 1.7 million involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 946,084.

iHc reserves judgement in Ltu case single bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reserved a judgement on a case, challenging the recovery of Rs 502.40 million made by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Justice Aamer Farooq of the IHC heard the case filed by M/s Huawai Technologies (Private) Limited. The appellant had challenged the act of recovery of the said amount by Commissioner Inland Revenue.

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PIA increases checked baggage allowance, issues list of banned items ISLAMABAD: PIA Tuesday increased the allowance of checked baggage for the passengers from Pakistan to Manchester (England) with the immediate effect. “In line to provide more facilities to the travellers PIA has enhanced baggage allowance to 55 kg for Economy class and to 60 kg for Business class on Pakistan-Manchester route,” spokesman of the airlines here said. Prior to this announcement the passengers were allowed to carry 30 kg baggage on the route. The airlines, for the safety of passengers and aircraft, passengers are prohibited from carrying the following items in either checked or hand baggage: Explosives, munitions, fireworks.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Business

pSX loses 33,000 mark, sheds 75pts over volatility KARACHI

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he Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Wednesday remained under pressure all the day mainly due to volatility as benchmark KSE-100 index also lost 33,000 mark, shedding 74.87 points to drop to 32957.98 points level at closing.

The stocks recorded the highest trading level of 33086.51 points and lowest level of 32892.35 points, with the volume of 204.36 million shares, having about Rs9.1 billion value. As many as 307 companies were active; of which 136 advanced, 157 declined and 14 remained unchanged. Ce-

govt issues over Rs 336b under pSDp ISLAMABAD

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he federal government has released more than Rs 336.171 billion for different social sector developmental projects under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2015-16 against the total allocation of Rs 700 billion. According to latest data released by the Planning Commission of Pakistan, the government has released Rs 34.568 billion for infrastructure development projects under NHA as against the total allocation of Rs 159.600 billion.

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ment was the top traded sector with 28,760,700 volume, while commercial banks remained second with 22,613,600 volume. The three top traded companies were BO Punjab with a volume of 14,496,000 and price per share of 8.55 (0.06), Sui

South Gas with a volume 12,187,500 of price per share of 27.82 (0.08), Dewan Cement with a volume 11,873,500 of price per share of 12.06 (1.00). The top three gainers were Bhanero Tex with price per share 520.48 (24.78), SanoQi-Aventis

with price per share of 497.70 (23.70) and Jubile Life Ins price per share of 523 (13). The top three losers were Unilever Foods with price per share of 5425 (-275), Atlas Battery with price per share of 590 (30.68) and Shezan Inter per share of 455 (-15). Earlier, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Wednesday started with positive note gaining 20.73 points to reach 33053.58 points level. Till midday, the PSX observed Qluctuation in trading and gained just 9.50 points till midday to reach 33042.35 points level. On Tuesday, the benchmark-100 index ended little unchanged, but managed to end positive for the 10th successive session. At close, the KSE-100 index rose 0.03% or 10.25 points to end at 33,032.85, Qinding resistance at the 33,000-point mark.

govt announces demonetisation of all old design banknotes by Dec 1 KARACHI

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he government has announced demonetisation of all old design banknotes with effect from December 1, 2016.

The decision was taken as per Federal Government’s Gazette notiQication dated June 4, 2015, therefore, it has now been decided to phase out all remaining old design banknotes of Rs 10, 50, 100 and 1,000. The Rs 5 banknote and old design Rs 500 ban-

knote have already been demonetized, said a statement on Tuesday. It is worth mentioning that the State Bank of Pakistan issued a new design banknote series which started with the issuance of Rs 20 denomination banknote in 2005 to improve the security, durability and aesthetic quality of banknotes. The process of issuance of complete series of new design banknotes comprising eight denominations include Rs 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 was completed in 2008. The commercial or microQinance banks will accept the old design banknotes of Rs 10, 50,

100, 1,000 and exchange the same with the new design banknotes and coins of all denominations up to November 30 2016 only. However, SBP BSC Qield ofQices will continue to accept the old design banknotes of Rs 10, 50, 100 and 1,000 from general public up to December 31, 2021.

The last day to exchange all old design banknotes from banks is November 30, 2016. All old design banknotes will cease to be legal tender on December 1, 2016 while last day to exchange all such banknotes from SBP BSC Qield ofQices is December 31, 2021.

Banks urged to speed up pace of credit expansion in Kp PESHAWAR

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eeping changes in business conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Ashraf Mahmood Wathra has asked the banks to speed up the pace of its credit expansion and other trade facilitation activities in the province.

“Our banking industry has been playing its role for increasing economic activity not only through channelising funds but through other banking services,” the SBP governor said, adding that however, further improvement will also be brought in the quality of services and products. He stated this while addressing a discussion session on credit expansion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the representatives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KPCC), business community, Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and presidents of banks. Ashraf Wathra pointed out that the unfavourable security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province adversely affected the overall economic environment during the last decade. He shown optimism to grow ratio of public access to financial services, as the overall law and order situations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is getting improved compared to the last three years.

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Senate body discusses privatisation of pSm, pmtf S

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enate Standing Committee on Industries has discussed privatisation of the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and Pakistan Machine Tool Factory. The members of the committee said that the employees are suffering due to the non-payment of salaries and the suspension is also causing huge losses to the na-

tional exchequer.

The PSM administration informed the committee that on June 15, 2015, Sui Southern Gas Company discontinued the natural gas supply, due to non payments. “But despite their repeated attempts the gas supply could not be restored,” the PSM ofQicials added. rivatisation Commission Head Muhammad Zubair said that privatisation of the mills would save the country further losses, and

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ISLAMABAD

would be equally beneQicial for the staff as well as the country.

He said Rs 18.5 billion bailout package was spent on the purchase of raw material, payment of the utility bills and salaries, adding, “The only objective is to improve conditions of the mills before its sale.” Senator Taj Haider said that the import maQia was behind the demise of PSM. He said due to interference by the maQia, the mill was out of production. He added

the government was not ready to provide production tariff, and that mill’s production could be revived to 3 million tonnes by determining the gas surcharges. The PSM chairman informed the body that in 2008, PSM suffered a loss of Rs 26 billion, but the government released only Rs 10 billion to the mills against the requested Rs 20 billion. He lamented that since then the mills could not be pulled out of the Qinancial crunch. Dis-

cussing the losses of Pakistan Machine Tool Factory, the committee was told that it had been in loss since 2002-03, and that the cabinet committee in 2013 decided to privatise it, but the Ministry of Defence Production opposed it.

Meanwhile, Several energy projects, which are among the Qirst phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be completed by December next year, Radio Pakistan reported.

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ashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar is an active member of the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce as well as a number of other committees. He has been vocal on Qinance, commerce and other issues related to national as well as provincial, especially the Balochitsan both inside the Senate and on the forum of committees. Gracing a request for interview to Customs Today, he lauded the Pakistan Customs for showing amazing performance in checking smuggling from Iran and Afghanistan which had crumbled the local agricultural produces and commercial activities Balochistan. However, he demanded 20 to 30 percent reduction in taxes on value-added products likely to be exported from Balochistan to other countries.

He said that the step will support traders and business community in competing with the Iranian and Afghan counterparts in Central Asian Republics. Moreover, the government must also increase import duty on goods from Afghanistan and Iran because Pakistani exporters have faced a number of problems at the hands of security agencies of both the countries. Presently, Baloch traders have to pay a number of taxes to Iranian Customs and tax authorities, including the road tax and others which make the exports costlier in Iran. This has resulted in closure of 80 percent businesses, especially exports from Balochistan. Therefore, he said that the local businessmen are forced to shift their working capital to other countries.

To a question about solution to the backwardness of Balochistan, Usman Kakar said

that complete solution of the backwardness of Balochistan lied in a financial bailout package of Rs 150 billion by the federal government to the province. With the help of this package, Balochistan will be able to control over 20 hours’ long power load shedding by constructing a number of dams on Pishin, Zhob and other rivers. Flood water of these rivers plays havoc in the province, however, construction of dams on these rivers may also resolve the water logging and lowering underground water problems because farmers and agricultures have to dig over 100 feet to get tube well water for irrigation. The lowered underground water level has also destroyed gardens, meadows as well as live stock in the province as only 15% land in Balochistan is being cultivated and province has to get live stock for meat purpose from Sindh and other provinces. In the past, Baloch traders had been major exporter of meat to Iran and

i kistan a p e s cau iran be umber of d n a n dan nista Afgha ers have face of security s export at the hand s. untrie s o c m e e l a h b t pro f both s have to pay o s e i c er nd agen ch trad n customs a o l a B , y ia tl x presen taxes to iran the road ta f g o din er s numb orities, inclu export e h t e h k t ma tax au which s r n e h t r in ira and o costlie

Afghanistan. He pressed the federal governme to announce this package in the upcoming nancial budget for the year 2016-17 for ea solution of problems of Balochistan.

To another question about measures taken by t federal government to check import of agric tural products from Iran, Senator Usman Kak said that the federal government had not tak any step to provide relief to Baloch farmers a growers against the cheaper import of apple a other agricultural products from Iran. Resultan local grower is Qinancially ruined because it is n possible for Baloch farmers to compete with Ira ian imported products because the Iranian go ernment provide subsidy in the form of free cost electricity, fertilizers and other supporti measure to their farmers and growers. Resultan Iranian farmers and growers get agricultural pr duces almost free of cost, but on our side, o farmers and growers are bound to pay for ea and every utility on higher rates, which make o products several times costlier than the import ones. Senator Usman Khan Kakar said that nance Ministry and Planning Commission had n pursued progress on the projects adding the fe eral institutions were the executing agencies a were responsible for the unspent funds. For e ample, gas was discovered from Balochistan ov six decades back but major area in the province still lying without gas supply. Moreover, gas pre sure in gasiQied areas in the province also r mains low which irritate the consumers. S cially the Quetta, Ziarat, Kalat are major victim of low gas pressure. Therefore the federal go ernment must take immediate steps to crease gas pressure.

ent firly

the culkar ken and and ntly, not anove of ive ntly, roour ach our ted Finot edand exver e is esreSoms ovin-

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Business with iran

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akistan and Iran have close cultural and religious relations, but the two countries are not too close to establish strong economic relations. Both have failed to reap the benefits of potential trade as well as investment opportunities knocking each other’s doors. The countries are geographically close, but economically apart.

However, illegal trade between the two countries never stopped, rather it flourished during the years of international sanctions on Iran. According to newspaper reports, the State Bank of Pakistan is now willing to allow the country’s banks to resume ties with their Iranian counterparts. Once the financial relations are established, it will definitely curb illegal trade on both sides of the border.

According to an SBP official, central bank-tocentral bank contact is necessary for permissible money transactions and it will help boost trade activities in the region. As Pakistan and China are working on infrastructural projects, Iran can also enhance its trade with China through the economic corridor passing through Pakistan.

Earlier due to international sanctions on Iran, the economic relations between the two countries remained at the lowest ebb. The trade volume fell to $431.76 million in 2010-11 from $1.32 billion in 2008-09 despite the fact both the countries have a preferential trade agreement. However, the time has come not only to revive the economic relations, but also establish close partnership in the areas of mutual trade, investment, technology and energy sectors. It is hoped that strong banking relations will allow importers of Iranian goods to open the letters of credit and lifting of sanctions will pave the way for revival of bilateral and multilateral arrangements to promote investment and cooperation. Pakistan is one of the best rice producers in the world and Iran is the world’s second top importer of this commodity and the mutual trade will be in the best interest of the two nations. The lifting of sanctions will revive the mega projects signed between the two countries such as Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project and import of 1,000 megawatts electricity from Iran. It seems the government is still unprepared to take prompt action in establishing economic relations with Iran as lethargy will only allow India and other hostile nations to take over the market meant for Pakistan.

Dilemma of fake currency notes P

LAHORE

DR AftAB AfZAL

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olice have arrested a gang of criminals involved in printing fake currency notes of various denominations, including US dollars and UAE dirhams during a raid in Lahore.

Earlier, Saeed Ahmad, acting governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, had warned of anti-state elements involved in circulating counterfeit Pakistani currency in the country not only putting the individuals, who happened to accept the fake notes accidently, in pain and agony, but also undermining the national economy.

Though the central bank is vigilant to foil the attempts of crim-

inals by devising a course of currency management and strategies, the arrest of the criminals indicate that counterfeit banknotes are a reality and an imminent danger to the economy.

The bank is ready to launch a campaign to create awareness among the masses about counterfeit notes and counter the gangs of criminals active in this business across the country. A documentary has been prepared to be broadcast on TV channels and a smart-phone application is also being developed to help people detect fake currency notes. However, the gangs are not the partners of the crime alone as Indian intelligence agency RAW is actively pursuing a goal to spoil the economy of

this nation.

The official circles are fully aware of the Indian designs against the national economy as secret agencies are not only spreading fake currency across the country through its agents, but is also using it to launch terrorist activities in the country.

The most pathetic part of the campaign is that Indian agencies use the quality paper and print it on sophisticated machines which makes it difficult for the common man to detect the counterfeit currency. The State Bank is proud of the security features incorporated in the currency notes, but the fact remains the quality of paper used in the original currency is questionable.

The nation is already facing

various kinds of economic woes and the matter of the counterfeit currency needs to be taken seriously. The government will have to change the quality of paper and colours schemes used in the currency notes which are apparently substandard in the current denominations. Meanwhile, the arrest of seven criminals involved in printing fake currency notes is tip of the iceberg as deep investigations is required to unearth the gangs involved in the business. There is a need to understand how fake currency is utilized at a large scale. The banks staff should also be trained to detect the fake currency as some individuals even drew fake currency notes from the ATM machines.

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Zesa seeks low import tariff LONDON: Zesa Holdings negotiations with EDM of Mozambique have taken longer than expected as the power utility seeks to secure a tariff that is not onerous to its finances.Secretary for Energy, Partison Mbiriri said the power utility will be guided by what obtains in the region in terms of the tariff rate although it has emerged EDM had bargained for a tariff of about 15c kWh. “Negotiations are still going on, there is no outcome yet on what the tariff will be. Without knowledge on what the tariff will be, it will be onerous for a tariff of that magnitude to be carried by consumers, so negotiations are continuing. Rates of between 13c and 15c are a little on the high side,” he said. “About 40MW is what we expect to get from EDM; there is no outcome yet,” he added. Zimbabwe has resorted to importing power from the region to bridge its deficit, with current generation at about 1 000MW against peak period demand of 2 200MW.

Lcci-copHc hold seminar on gwadar port seminar on “Gwadar – A deep sea port exploring global opportunities” held here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The participants in the seminar have highlighted the importance of Gwadar port and said it is the region’s most strategically well located port that would be a hub of maritime trade in the whole region. It will attract more investments, which will promote the development of different sectors and contribute to local social economic development, directly or indirectly. Gwadar is bound to change the faith of Pakistan as it is not only a global distribution center but is also a

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gateway to China and land locked countries of the region. The LCCI Vice President Nasir Saeed, Chairman China Overseas Ports Holding Company Zhang Baozhong, Chinese Consul General in Lahore Yu Boren, Saiyed Shahzad Sultan and Convener of the Standing Committee Muhammad Anwar spoke on the occasion while former LCCI Presidents Mian Muhammad Ashraf, Mian Anjum Nisar, Shahid Hassan Sheikh, Sohail Lashari, former Vice President Kashif Anwar, Executive Committee Members Abdul Razaq, Mian Zahid Javed, Shahzad Waheed, Tanveer Ahmed and Zafar Mahmood were present on the occasion. Chairman of China Overseas Ports Holding Company Zhang Baozhong said that Gwadar Port is the product of long term China-Pakistan cooperation.

Gwadar Terminal has done a lot of effective and fruitful work. He said that last year in May, we have commenced the commercial containerized service from Gwadar; this service is continuously catering the seafood shipments for Indonesia, China & other Far Eastern countries.—CB Report

Thursday March 10, 2016

Chambers

tunisia wants to enhance bilateral trade with pakistan A

ISLAMABAD

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del Elarbi, Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia said that his country was interested to enhance bilateral trade relations with Pakistan as increased mutual trade cooperation was highly beneQicial for both countries.

He said Pakistan could get better access to the world’s largest markets like Europe, North Africa and Middle East by promoting cooperation with Tunisia while Tunisia could get access to Asia by enhancing cooperation with Pakistan. He expressed these views during an interaction with business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He said Tunisia was one of the major exporters of high quality and healthy olive oil at competitive rates and Pakistani olive oil importers should avail this opportunity to promote their business. He said 80% trade of Tunisia was with Europe and Pakistani investors should explore opportunities of investment and joint ventures in Tunisia to promote their exports to European and

North African markets. He identiQied agriculture, textiles, electronics, tourism and services as other potential areas of cooperation between the two countries.

He was hopeful that Pak-Tunisia preferential trade agreement would be signed this year, which would help in enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries. He assured that he would try to get some spe-

cial treatment for Pakistani businessmen in visa cases so that they could easily visit Tunisia to explore business opportunities.

Speaking at the occasion, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Pak-Tunisia bilateral trade during 2014-15 was just US$ 33.08 million and hectic efforts from both sides were

govt to impose zero-rating regime for exports

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FAISALABAD

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overnment has decided in principal to introduce zerorating regime for exports form next Qinancial year, said Federal Minister for Commerce Engineer Khurram Dastagir. He was addressing a meeting in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) here. He said that the present government has to face multifarious and multi dimensional challenges.

However, with its sincere efforts positive improvements could be witnessed in energy sector. Similarly the hydra headed monster of terrorism has also been nailed down.

He said that sixteen hour long load shedding of electricity has been reduced to only four hours and efforts are now being made to give further relief to the people of Pakistan.

He said that initially a proposal was under consideration to allow zero rating to only Qive export sectors but now his ministry was contemplating to extend it to the nine vale coed sectors. He said that we have done a lot but more has to be done to put the country on the road to progress and prosperity.

He claimed that PML-N Government has earned political stability with its 1000 days and as soon as the economic situation improves more relief will be doled out to the business community. Regarding refund claims, he said that this issue will be eliminated with the introduction of zero-rating regime for export sectors and then all efforts would be diverted to the payment of pending refund claims. Regarding exports, the federal minister said that the GSP-Plus status is one of the biggest facility earned by this government which has played an in-

strumental role in enhancing 33 percent increase in our exports to the EU countries. He said that unprecedented boost has been recorded in the export of readymade garments, leather products and home textiles and hence this apprehension should be scratched our of our minds once for all that Pakistan has failed to harvest the beneQits of GSP Plus and this facility will be withdrawn ahead of its scheduled period. He categorically announced that this facility will continue up toDecember 31, 2023 and hence, Pakistani exporters have clear 8 years to further explore new markets and export new products to the EU countries. He said that Pakistan is the Qirst country that has established a separate organization to monitor the implementation on 27 UN conventions and protocols and hence there is no chance that this facility of GSP Plus will be eliminated ahead of its due date.

needed to make significant improvement in two-way trade. He said both countries should encourage frequent exchange of trade delegations and organize single country exhibitions on reciprocal basis to increase bilateral trade volume. He said Pakistan could export rice, pharmaceutical, surgical, leather, sports and many other products to Tunisia.

iran to resume oil exports to pre-sanction level ran has said that it is aiming to restore oil exports to level that existed prior to western sanctions. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made the comment during a televised address on Sunday. Iran exported more than 2.6 million barrels of crude oil a day in 2011 before the sanctions.

The sanctions then cut the country’s exports to around 1 million a day. The country’s oil exports are expected to rise to 2 million barrels per day within the first half of this year. Mr Rouhani said, Iran’s economy grew 3 percent in the current Iranian calendar year, which ends on 20th March. He said, the country would see a leap in economic growth next year.—CB Report

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Iran-Afghanistan bilateral trade hits $1.8b Thursday March 10, 2016

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TEHRAN: Khan Jan Alokozai, a senior official of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce, underlined the significance of Iran’s specialized exhibitions in Kabul, saying that after the expos bilateral trade between the two neighboring countries has risen to $1.8 billion. The value of Afghanistan’s non-oil imports from Iran has reached $1.8 billion and $50 million worth of goods have been exported to the Islamic Republic, Alokozai said on the sidelines of Iran’s third specialized exhibition in the Afghan capital. He added that before holding Iran’s specialized exhibitions, the value of bilateral trade between the two neighbors stood at $800 million.

“Holding an exhibition is a useful and effective measure, which both makes the two countries closer in economic areas and leaves numerous (positive) effects in the cultural and social fields,” he noted.

chinese customs officers seize toxic beans BEIJING

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ustoms ofQicials in southern China have stopped a traveller returning from Ethiopia with a bag containing hundreds of highly toxic jequirity beans, according to mainland media.

The man was carrying 100g of the seeds when he was stopped by inspectors at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangdong province, the Southern Daily reported. The hard red and black seeds are attractive but highly poisonous and found mainly found in India. They are native to Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong.

The seeds are popular in ornaments and jewellery or even rosary beads, hence one of their other common names, rosary peas.

The passenger arriving in Guangzhou told airport staff that he

Saudi customs seizes 112,000 drug pills at border audi customs men seized nearly 112,000 banned captagon pills hidden in the underwear clothes of a family heading for Umrah (mini pilgrimage).

Customs inspectors stopped the three woman and three men at the border point with Jordan and decided to search them all after suspecting some of them. Female customs inspectors searching the women found around 18,000 captagon pills with each of them while the rest was found with the three men. “The three men and three women were among passengers on a bus crossing the border. They said they were going to perform Umrah,” ‘Sabq’ daily said, quoting Bandar Al Raheeli, director of the border customs point. They said they were going to perform Umrah,”‘Sabq’ daily said, quoting Bandar Al Raheeli, director of the border customs point.—CB Report

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picked the seeds from trees in Ethiopia due to their bright colour.

It’s unknown whether the man knew anything about the toxicity of the seeds, or had any idea that most countries have strict regulation about importing plants.

Airport staff sent the seeds sent to the airport’s Quarantine Bureau’s phytosanitary laboratory, which conQirmed their identity.

There have been reports on the mainland on people being poisoned, often fatally, by eating the beans or wearing bracelets or necklaces made from them.

The botanical name, Abrus precatorious, refers to the presence of abrin, a toxic compound that stops cells making proteins. It has a similar effect to ricin, one of the world’s most poisonous substances, derived from the seeds of the castor oil plant, Ricinus communis, which are also popular as beads or in instruments like maracas. The castor oil plant is also native to Hong Kong.

uS customs confiscate heroin worth $90,000

LONDON

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n arriving passenger at John F. Kennedy International Airport tried to ‘sneak’ past U. S. Customs and Border Protection ofQicers, but was stopped in his

£300,000 of cannabis seized in Newtownabbey

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olice have seized an estimated £300,000 worth of herbal cannabis in Newtownabbey.

The drugs were found during a search of commercial premises on Wednesday. A 30-year-old man was arrested and taken to a Belfast police station for questioning.

Detective Inspector Sean Taylor said: “OfQicers have also searched properties in Randalstown and Ballymena and our enquiries are continuing. This is the latest in a series of unrelated drugs seizures this

week which brings to total value recovered since Monday to more than £1 million. “We are aware of the threat posed by illegal drugs and are determined to use every opportunity to take these substances off the streets and bring anyone involved in their sale, supply or distribution before the courts.”Meanwhile, Detectives in the North have seized high purity cocaine with a large quantity of benzocaine. The cocaine has a minimum street value of £60,000.—CB Report

tracks. CBP ofQicers stopped Mr. Perez Beltran, a United States citizen, who arrived on a Qlight from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. During the course of the inspection, CBP ofQicers discovered a pair of sneakers in his luggage that appeared heavier than normal. CBP ofQicers probed the sneakers and found a tan powdery substance that tested positive for heroin. Two ad-

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ditional pairs of drug-Qilled sneakers were discovered in his luggage as well. Approximately 3 lbs. of heroin was seized, with an estimated street value of $90,000.

“This latest seizure demonstrates the vigilance of our CBP ofQicers, and their excellence in detecting those who would try to smuggle these illegal substances,” said Robert E. Perez, Director, Field Operations New York.

CBP ofQicers placed Mr. Beltran under arrest and turned him over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). He now faces federal narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s OfQice in the U.S. Eastern District Court of New York. All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Meanwhile, Customs and Border Protection ofQicers arrested a Rio Rico, Arizona man for an alleged attempt to smuggle approximately 23 pounds of marijuana, worth about $11,700, through the Port of Nogales here the other day.

Australian fruit exports growing

recently released report in Australia shows that the future for fruit exports is looking positive; exports are expected to increase from $821 million in 2015–16 to around $900 million by 2020–21.

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)’s Outlook 2016 agricultural commodities report states that between 2010–11 and 2014–15 the total value of fruit exports grew by $262 million to $770 million following a decade of contraction.

More than 80 per cent of the

value of fruit exports in 2014–15 was fresh and table grapes were the highest value export, “having grown to $240 million from $79 million in 2010–11,” the report said. “Grape exports grew in 2014–15, despite the loss of trade to Vietnam resulting from biosecurity restrictions.

Vietnam was Australia’s thirdlargest market in 2013–14. “Exports to China and Japan increased markedly in 2014–15, with Japan becoming an important importer of Australian grapes for the Qirst time.”

Fresh oranges, mandarins, cherries and mangoes also made the list of major fruit exports. —CB Report

iran, Russia finalise historic customs agreement

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TEHRAN

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ustoms departments of Iran and Russia have agreed on launching the ‘green customs corridor’ connecting the two countries. An agreement to this effect was Qinalized during the visit of First Deputy Head of the Federal Customs

of the Russian Federation Vladimir Malinin to Tehran and his meeting with the Governor of Iran Customs Administration (ICA) Masoud Karbasian on March 1, said an ICA press release. It said the most important item in the agreement is export of Iran’s agriculture products to Russia stipulating that such items will be placed with priority in Russia’s green customs corridor, IRNA news

agency reported.

Malinin said that Russia has not so far settled the customs with any country with such a speed it did with Iran. The agreement also lays down expansion of transit between Iran and Russia which includes the facilities to be provided by the green customs corridor. Karbasian said the agreement will increase bilateral trade between Tehran and

Moscow ten times and the value of joint bilateral projects will rise to $30 billion.

Meanwhile, Khan Jan Alokozai, a senior ofQicial of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce, underlined the signiQicance of Iran’s specialized exhibitions in Kabul, saying that after the expos bilateral trade between the two neighboring countries has risen to $1.8 billion.

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Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline to restart within days BAGHDAD: An oil pipeline linking northern Iraq to Turkey which has been out of service since Feb. 17 is expected to resume operations “within a couple of days”, the chief executive of Genel , one of the main oil producers in Iraqi Kurdistan, said.

The Turkish government was reinforcing security measures on the pipeline and these changes should limit downtime of the pipeline over the course of this year, he said on Thursday.

“We are expecting within a couple of days the pipeline will be up and running,” Murat Ozgul told analysts. A source within the Kurdistan regional government told Reuters on March 1 the pipeline would be repaired by the end of the week.

trincomalee port records Rs 9m increased income he Port of Trincomalee has recoded Rs. 9 million of increased income during the last two months by re-establishing the weigh bridge system at port. The total income received by the port was reported as at Rs.71 million for the said period. The port introduced Weigh Bridge system first, in the year of 2006 but it was not been used properly until the system was restored in last December. Hence, the cargo volumes calculated for Coal, Clinker and Gypsum using the previous Weigh Bridge system were reported with inaccurate statistics. However, the shortages of the previous system have been revealed as one of the major reasons for the lost profit reported in the Port of Trincomalee. Hence, the present Management of Sri Lanka Ports Authority made arrangements to re-establish the Weigh Bridge system at the port following the guidelines extended by Hon. Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga. The Weigh Bridge

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Kabul hails Delhi’s decision to invest in chabahar

KABUL

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fghanistaninfo-icon has hailed India’s decision to invest $156 million in developingthe Chabahar port in Iran, a project aimed at promoting trade among the three nations.

Given its capacity for loading and unloading transit commodities, the port can emerge as a commercial hub for Afghan, Indian and Iranian traders. A Ministry of Commerce and Industries spokesman, speak-

system currently is being used at the Port of Trincomalee since 27 of December 2015. Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has spent Rs. 2.5 million on repairing activities of the Weight Bride system. The poor maintenance methods and damages on machines have been identified as major factors for the breakdown of the system. Hon. Minister Port and Shipping Arjuna Ranathunga further stated that he would take a special investigation whether to confirm if there was an invisible hand behind the breakdown of the operations of the Weight Bridge system.—CB Report

Ports & Shipping

ing to Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency(IRNA), the port project was proQitable for India as well. Mosafer Qoqandi hoped Afghanistan would also take advantage of India’s investment in Chabahar. Regional states would also beneQit from the enhanced capacity of the port, he added. Based on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) Tehranhas allocated 54 hectares of land to Afghan merchants for transiting their products, according to IRNA. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi hopes the investment in Chabahar will provide opportunities for New Delhi to have a wider presence in the region. Meanwhile, Govern-

ment plans to set up four new major ports at Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh at an investment of Rs 32,000 crore under PPP model. “Four new major ports are proposed at Colachel, Tamil Nadu (at an estimated cost of Rs 6,000 crore approx), Dahanu, Maharashtra (Rs 9,000 crore approx), Sagar Island, West Bengal (Rs 11,000 crore approx) Dugarajapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (Rs 6,000 crore approx),” Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan said in a written reply to Lok Sabha on Thursday.

These projects are proposed to be taken up through combination of public and private investment.

Thursday March 10, 2016

Brisk shipping recorded at port Qasim risk shipping was recorded at the Port Qasim where huge quantity of ships arrived. where six ships CV Maersk Detroit, MV Han De, MV Alam Mutiara, MT Agiri, MT Al-Gottara and MT Feng Hai-6 carrying Containers, 1,498 tonnes General cargo, 40,000 tonnes Coal, 61,498 tonnes Furnace oil, 141,000m3 LNG and 18,500 tonnes Palm oil were allotted berths at Qasim International Container Terminal, multi Purpose Terminal, FOTCO Oil terminal, Engro Elengy Terminal and Liquid Cargo Terminal respectively. Berth occupancy was managed at the Port at Sixty percent on Tuesday where a total of nine ships namely C.V Maersk Detroit, C.V AlRowdah, C.V MSC Joanna, M.V Han De. M.V Alam Mutiara, M.V Pobur, M.T Agiri, M.T Al-Gattara and M.T Feng Hai-6 are currently occupying berths to load/offload Containers, Cement, General cargo, Coal, Canola Seeds, Furnace oil, LNG and Palm oil respectively during last 24 hours. Cargo handing operation were carried out efficiently at the Port on Tuesday where a cargo volume of 159,420 tonnes, comprising 103,742 tonnes imports and 55,678 tonnes export, inclusive of containerized cargo carried in 4,327 Containers (TEUs) was handled during last 24 hours. Departures: Container ship ‘Maersk Detroit’ sailed out to sea Tuesday morning while another Container ship ‘AlRowadah’ is expected to sail on same day afternoon. —CB Report

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inventory adjustments causing tV shipments to decline

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WASHINGTON

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iquid crystal display (LCD) manufacturer inventory adjustments and continued slowing demand are causing TV and IT display prices to fall, further eroding panel makers’ profitability.

TV and IT display shipments in the first quarter of 2016 are expected to decline 8 per cent compared to the same period last year, to register just 196 million units. This is

the first time since 2009 that panel shipments have declined in the first quarter year over year, according to IHS. Although unit shipments of LCD display also declined last year, shipment area increased thanks to the growing popularity of largescreen TV sets, which sustained the display industry. Large-area TFT LCD shipment area increased by 5 per cent in 2015 year over year, while unit shipments declined 4 per cent, reaching 694 million units, according to the IHS Large Area Display Market Tracker. “Due

to global currency exchange issues and slower demand from emerging markets, global TV display demand in 2015 was lower than initially forecast,” said Yoonsung Chung, director of large area display research for IHS Technology. “TV panel demand in early of 2016 will continue to falter, because of excess panel inventory carried over from last year,” said Linda Lin, senior analyst, large displays, IHS Technology. “To control the deficits caused by overproduction of IT and TV panels, panel makers will have to

reduce fab utilisation early this year, since average selling prices are nearing manufacturing costs.”

Notebook PC panel shipments are expected to experience the most serious year-over-year decline, falling 14 per cent to reach 40.9 million units in Q1 2016. OLED TV panels will be the only display segment forecast to experience growth in Q1. The oversupply in LCD TV panels is forecast to continue into the first quarter, according to the latest IHS TV Display Supply Chain Tracker China.

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FIA detains two more currency smugglers in Lahore LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two more currency smugglers on revelation of the accused arrested from Allama Iqbal International Airport with Rs 130 million foreign currencies.

As per details, the FIA team has raided Iqbal Town and arrested Hafiz Shabir, who is allegedly involve in currency smuggling. Following the revelation, the FIA team nabbed another accused namely Liaqat from a money exchange company and also seized Rs 110 million from his possession.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Appraisement-east busts biggest scam, 31 fiRs lodged against culprits KARACHI muBeeN HuSSAiN

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ustoms Collectorate Appraisement East has lodged FIRs against M/s AMI Pakistan Pvt Ltd due to mis-declaration through submission of fake bill of lending of fabric consignments.

According to the sources, Customs Appraisement East has registered 13 FIRs against M/s AMI Pakistan a subsidiary of Marine Group – Capt. Haleem Siddiqui is the Chairman of Marine Group for feeding wrong information regarding port of loading and origin of goods into Pakistan Customs Computerized System to affect clearance of banned goods. Along with M/s AMI Pakistan Private Limited the FIRs are also lodged against the importers M/s Russhco, M/s Jacquard International, M/s R.J Corporation, M/s Sturm Fashion Company, M/s N.P Corporation, M/s N.A.I & Company, M/s Multi Trends International, M/s Goodwill Traders, M/s R.J Textile, M/s Attire Fabrics, M/s UHL Company, M/s Brilliant Corporation and M/s AJ Knitting.

Sources said that manager Noman of M/s AMI Pakistan Private

Limited was arrested due to his involvement in preparation of fake bill

of lending and miss-declaration.

Sources revealed that M/s AMI Pak-

istan Private Limited imported Indian consignment through Dubai

but the consignment was declared it was imported from China.

customs Appellate rejects plea of m/s Zheel pak cement KARACHI

S R KHAN

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he Customs Appellate has rejected an appeal by M/s Zheel Pak Cement (Private) Limited in a tax evasion case Qiled

by Customs Collectorate, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim. The collectorate alleges that the importer, M/s Zheel Pak Cement, has evaded taxes worth millions of rupees. The sources in Customs Collectorate,

Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, informed Customs Today that the alleged party (respondent) has moved the Customs Tribunal after rejection of its plea from the Customs Appellate.

The sources further informed Customs Today that the importer M/s Zheel Pak Cement was involved in tax evasion through under-invoicing in the imported consignments of coke/coal through Qasim International Containers Terminal (QICT).

“The importer was open a fake Less Container Load (LCL) in which it described the cost of im-

ported coal/coke at US$450per ton and cleared the consignments, however; the original cost of the imported coal was US$650per ton”, sources added. The sources further informed that the Collectorate of Intelligence Unit (CIU) of Customs-Port Muhammad Bin Qasim in its post release veriQication of the said consignments found that the importer M/s Zheel Pak Cement (Pvt) Limited was involved in tax evasion of millions of rupees.

Subsequently, the Customs-Port Muhammad Bin Qasim issued show-cause notice to the importer on which the importer Qirst moved

to Sindh High Court (SHC) and then Customs Appellate, but its pleas were being rejected. Responding to a query, the sources informed that the case has been moved to Customs Tribunal and it would be decided in few days. The sources hinted that the verdict of the case would come into the favour of Pakistan Customs and millions of rupees would be come into the national exchequer.

Meanwhile, The Customs Collectorate Appraisement-West has instructed all the section of the collectorate to ensure compliance of the Supreme Court’s orders in en-

Published by M S Raza Off# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Road Karachi, Printed by Dhoom Printing Building No RY/A, 11/6,11/7, Mashoor Mahal,off I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi

forcing Urdu language in the ofQicial correspondence.

In this regard, Deputy Collector (Law Section) Ghulam Nabi Kamboh has forwarded a letter to DC Customs Appraisement-West Hq/Admin to circulate the letter among all the sections for strict compliance.

“The aforesaid correspondence/orders are self-speaking, keeping in view the Supreme Court’s directions, it is requested to kindly circulate the same amongst the concerned sections/groups for compliance”, according to a letter.