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Karachi, Fri March 16, 2018

PESHAWAR

IRFAN BAHADUR

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he Anti-Smuggling Units of the Customs House Peshawar has raided a Godown situated at the Kharkhano Market and seized six truckloads of

foreign origin cloths worth millions of rupees on Tuesday. The customs sources informed Customs Today that raid was conducted after Collector Customs Mohammad Saeed Jadoon received secret information that some smugglers have dumped the contraband item in the said godown. Upon information passed on by

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Collector to Customs Deputy Collector AntiSmuggling Unit Obaid Khan, a raiding team was constituted under the leadership of Superintendent Nasir Bukhari. The raid was executed on the said market where a huge quantity of non-dutypaid imported cloths was hidden. The cloths were shifted after the conQiscation to the Customs House Peshawar in six trucks. The collector customs has lauded the role of the AntiSmuggling Units of the Peshawar Customs House for achieving a big target by seizing the NDP cloths.

Dry Port reflects dissatisfaction over provision of infrastructure by PR

Customs Export optimistic about collection of dues in present month

FTO accept tax refund claim appeal for hearing

Surriya Butt expected to revise Valuation Ruling No: 758/2015

Customs Hyderabad profits Rs113 million from duties & taxes

Margallah Dry Port requested PR to provide security cameras, proper concrete | See pAge 02 |

Customs Export has said that we will collect larger amount of arrears and dues | See pAge 03 |

FTO Advisor Mian Munawar has heard a case filed by Shamim Akhter against | See pAge 04 |

DGValuation,hasdecided17newvaluations which will be issued in the month | See pAge 09 |

MCC Hyderabad has generated Rs1204million (10.33%) CD | See pAge 16 |

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Pay tax thru ATM, internet banking: FBR launches online system Friday, March 16, 2018

ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched trial run of payment of taxes through alternate delivery channels (ATM) and online banking.

The FBR said that this was new initiative of the board for payments through ATM/online banking for Income Tax, Sales Tax, Federal Excise Duty and Customs Duty.

FBR informed the taxpayers that online collection system e-payments module through ATM & online banking is live on trial basis. The facility is available on the banks, including Askari Bank, Bank Alfalah, Meezan Bank, NBP, Habib Metro, ICBC, Soneri Bank, JS Bank, MCB, UBL, HBL, ABL, Summit Bank, Bank of Punjab, Bank.

Islamabad

Dry port reflects dissatisfaction over provision of infrastructure by pR

ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

cUStomS BULLetIN RepoRt

tARIQ DeRYA

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ith the aim to handle flow of Customs revenues after operationalisation of Gwadar port and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the federal government has decided to construct Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) at Gwadar. Federal Board of Revenue had demanded Rs2525.25 million cost of the project, which is scheduled to be completed by 2020. However, the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) has allocated Rs110 million for fiscal year 2017-18. The project includes construction of office and residential facilities to meet essential requirements in wake of CPEC. Currently MCC buildings exist in rented premises at Gwadar Port Authority (GPA). The existing Custom House, located on the eastern bay road next to the port, will be demolished by GPA for the construction of Eastern Bay Highway which will connect Gwadar port to the coastal highway. A piece of land measuring 11.2 acres was purchased by FBR for the construction of MCC Gwadar at Ankara Janubi, which in close proximity to Gwadar port, the documents said.

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ajid Zaman, Deputy Collector, Margallah Dry Port Islamabad requested Pakistan Railways (PR) to provide security cameras, proper concrete Qloor at the examination area, installation of razor wire on the height of walls at the east and south sides of the dry port and replacement of outdated machinery (Cranes and lifters) on urgent basis.

Talking with Customs Today while giving an exclusive interview, the Deputy Collector Islamabad Dry Port (IDP) showed dissatisfaction over the infrastructure provided by the PR for the IDP. He said that cranes being outdated could be a cause of any accident as currently available cranes are not adequate to lift the increased load of containerized cargo. We require state-of-theart cranes/lifters for movement, loading and stacking of containers, he added. Talking about the legality, he pointed out that, as per Section 14A of the Customs Act-1969 elaborated under the Customs Rules 2001 (SRO 450(1)2001 chapter xxi, sub-chapter xiv, it is a responsibility of the agency or department concerned, which is managing or owning the customs port, to provide at its own cost an adequate accommodation to customs staff for examination of goods, detention and stor-

govt to build model customs collectorate at gwadar

age of goods, security of premises and other departmental requirements to be determined by Collector Customs and the said agency or department shall also pay the utility bills of the premises.

The Deputy Collector reminded that, despite a number of reminders and previous meetings with the railways authorities, the PR authorities have failed to repair the boundary wall and installation of CCTV cameras for adequate sur-

veillance of the bonded goods. He maintained that, for the security of imported non-duty-paid goods and safeguard of the government revenue, the PR authorities must provide the agreed requirements on urgent basis.

Telling about the details of urgent demands, he told CT that we urgently need CCTV coverage of entire dry port area, especially at examination area, as well as installation of more floodlights at the dry

port, particularly at the examination area. Wajid Zaman said that, regarding the security checks, we have asked the PR to develop a system in which only importers, clearing agents and laborers should be allowed in the examination area.

He emphasized that numbers of security persons at all the entry and exit points on the premises of the IDP should be increased and strict checking on all the entry and exit pints be ensured.

IHc seeks record of reference filed against field office of FBR

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ISLAMABAD

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he Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed parties to submit record in customs cases Qiled

by M/s Lakson Tobacco Corporation Limited against Qield ofQice of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

A division bench of the IHC comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the case. During previous hearing the

bench had relisted the case for hearing along with other cases. In its petition against FBR, M/s Lakson Tobacco Corporation Limited had named additional collector customs as respondent. Meanwhile, another bench dated in ofQice the hearing of M/s Hasas Engineering and Construction Company (Private) Limited’s case. The appellant had challenged the act of recovery by commissioner Inland Revenue of Large Taxpayer’s Unit, Islamabad.

ATIR was also made respondent in the case as the tribunal had sustained de-

partmental decision regarding issuance of show cause notice and demand of recovery of outstanding tax amount in head of federal excise duty (FED). M/s Hasas Engineering and Construction Company Private Limited had prayed the court that FBR ofQice had issued a recovery notice to the company which did not hold lawful grounds. The appellant had prayed the court to declare the act as illegal and without any lawful authority and an interim stay may be granted against recovery proceedings.

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SHC seeks comments on petition filed by M/s World Line Petroleum Services KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the Customs Department and deputy attorney general on a constitutional petition filed by Rizwan Ahmed, proprietor of M/s World Line Petroleum Services, and Abdul Saleem Jadoon, seeking release of an oil tanker bearing registration number TTA 541 seized by customs officials allegedly with 15,000 liter Iranian high speed diesel. While hearing of the petition, a twomember bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omer Sial, also directed the parties to file their respective para wise comments on the next date of hearing.

SHc seeks comments of customs officials on status of seized machinery

Friday March 16, 2018

Karachi

customs export optimistic about collection of dues in present month

KARACHI

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the customs officials to file their final comments on a constitutional petition filed by Nadeem Khan S/o Kashif Khan, sole proprietor of M/s Quick Contractors and Traders, seeking release order of the old and used prime movers seized by the customs authorities for being restricted items. A two-member bench, headed

by Justice Munib Akhtar, heard the constitutional petition. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is engaged in the lawful business. He further submitted that the petitioner has imported a consignment of machinery (old and used prime movers) having Japan.

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pcA detects tax evasion of by Amir waheed garments KARACHI

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he Directorate of Customs Post Clearance Audit has detected duties and tax evasion of Rs 12.58 million by M/s Amir Waheed Garments Thatta, it is learnt here.

Sources told Customs Today that M/s Amir Waheed Garments Thatta imported a consignment of printed chemicals (powder and liquid form) packing material and other things, and got it cleared from the Port Qasim Karachi vide GDs on October 11, 2017 by paying customs duty very low at 10 percent after claiming the benefit of the SRO 569/2007. However, the subject items were correctly classifiable under the PCT 6524.2409 attracting customs duty at 14 percent and income tax at 10 percent, thus, by way of mis-declaration of classification, the company evaded/shortpaid Rs 12.58 million.

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KARACHI

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ollector Customs Export Saqif Saeed has said that we will collect larger amount of arrears and dues from defaulter companies during the current month. Nowadays we are reviewing the situation of the last six months.

Today the Customs Export has recovered evaded taxes and duties amounting to Rs11.85million from defaulter companies which were earlier issued with notices in this regard. Sources told Customs Today that, during scrutiny of the import data, it was found that M/s Reliance Traders availed undue beneQits and concessions by importing different consignments of general items including diapers, baby feeders and other articles in the month of November 8, 2017 through Examiner Shoaib Ali from the Port Qasim by misusing the SRO 569.

After the scrutiny, the company was found involved in a tax evasion of Rs07million. After detecting tax evasion, the Customs Export issued them with Qinal notice before 17 days to deposit the evaded amount within seven days.

After receiving the notice, the management of the M/s Reliance Traders deposited the evaded amount in the ofQicial account of the Customs Export on March 6, 2018.

On the other hand, the management of the M/s Waseem Marble

and Granite also cleared Rs4.85million of taxes and duties. Sources told CT that M/s Waseem Marble and Granite also availed undue beneQits and concessions and avoided paying taxes according to the customs bylaws. The Customs Export authorities served on them a Qinal notice on February 22. After receiving the notice, the management of the M/s Waseem Marble and Granite deposited the evaded amount of taxes on February 6.

Sources told customs today that, during scrutiny of the import data, it was found that m/s Reliance traders availed undue benefits and concessions by importing different consignments

Adjudication-II retrieves dues from two defaulter cos

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KARACHI

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he Customs Adjudication-II served a final notice on a defaulter company named M/s Mirza Wooden Works and recovered Rs4.14million from M/s Shabbir Tiles (Nazimabad) Karachi.

M/s Mirza Wooden Works was allegedly involved in tax evasion.

The company imported different

kinds of foreign wood (used in unique furnitures) on November 11, 2017 which was examined through one Waheed Khan who used the wrong PCT heading.

After a careful investigation, the Customs Adjudication-II issued a final notice to the company on February 20. The company cleared the amount of Rs3.50million on Tuesday. Source said another company M/s Shabbir Tiles got cleared a consignment of floor tiles on December

18, 2017 and evaded a tax amount of Rs4.14million.

After the investigation, the Customs Adjudication-II served a show cause notice on the company on January 12, 2018 but it failed to clear the tax amount.

The Collector Customs Adjudication-II served a final notice on the company on January 26, 2018. After receiving the notice, the company deposited Rs4.14million in favor of the Customs Department on March 5.

Meanwhile, The Customs Export has recovered evaded taxes and duties of Rs 10.25 million from defaulter companies which were issued with notices to pay the outstanding dues.

Sources told Customs Today that during scrutiny of the import data, it was revealed that M/s Mougheera & Company availed undue beneQits and concessions after importing different consignments by misusing the SRO 568 through Examiner Usman Ali on August 2017.

pak rupee depreciates in open market he Pak rupee witnessed mix trend against the US dollar both in open market and interbank. As per the local money market, the dollar lost 10 paisas in open currency market for buying at Rs111.60 for selling at 111.90. The US currency gained 10 paisas in interbank at Rs 110.30 for buying and Rs110.50 for selling.

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Heroin smuggling: Czech model produced in court Friday March 16, 2018

Lahore

LAHORE: A suspected smuggler of Czech origin was produced in a sessions court, while the court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for another two accused. Prosecutor Major (r) Muhammad Aftab argued before the court on behalf of Pakistan Customs. Additional Sessions Judge Shahid Bashir, while accepting the appeal of prosecutor, issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the accused. The two accused – Aftab Anwar and Haroon Afrid – were detected from the mobile data of Czech lady smuggler. The court adjourned the case till March 20, 2018. Tereza Hluskova (21) was arrested at Allama Iqbal International Airport on Jan 10, who was trying to smuggle nine-kilogram heroin to Ireland via Abu Dhabi.

customs Appellate tribunal hears 43 cases involving customs I&I LAHORE

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he Customs Appellate Tribunal (single & double) bench heard 43 cases and adjourned all for different dates without those cases whose verdicts were reserved. The division bench-II, comprising Omer Arshad Hakeem, Member Judicial and Saud Imran, Member Technical, heard 22 cases including, Customs Multan versus Muhammad Amin, Al- Rehman Fabrics versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad, Muhammad TauQiq versus Customs Lahore, Abdul Basit versus Customs Lahore, Safder Ali versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad, Customs Lahore versus Khurram Azhar.

online customs duty, taxes collection system launched he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched trial run of payment of taxes through alternate delivery channels, ATM, Online Banking “New initiative of FBR- Payments through ATM/internet Banking. The taxpayers would be able to deposit income tax, sales tax, federal excise duty (FED) customs duty online. The FBR informed that an online collection system e-payments module through ATM & Online banking is live on trial basis. The FBR specified various banks on which this facility is available. The banks include 1. Askari Bank 2. Bank Alfalah 3. Meezan Bank 4. National Bank of Pakistan 5. Habib Metro Bank 6. ICBC 7.

Soneri Bank Limited 8. JS Bank 9. Muslim Commercial Bank 10. United Bank Limited 11. Habib Bank Limited 12. Allied Bank Limited 13. Summit Bank 14. Bank of Punjab 15. Bank Al Habib 16. Faysal Bank 17.

Silk Bank 18. Bank Islami. –CB Report

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Furthermore, the same bench heard appeals of Directorate of Post Clearance Audit Lahore versus Worldwide ScientiQic, Waqas Abbasi versus Customs Lahore, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad versus Gul Jan, Customs Lahore versus Ahmed Traders, Taj Impex versus Customs Sambrial, Directorate Post Clearance Audit Lahore versus Fasna Impex, Hazoor Buxsh versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Multan and Noor Gas versus Customs Lahore. Division bench-I comprising Muhammad Shabbir Gujjar, Member Judicial and Saud Imran Member Technical heard 16 cases including Fatima Fertilizers versus collector PCA Lahore, A H Textile versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad, JS Brothers versus customs Faisalabad, Collector Customs Lahore versus Bitumen Traders, Naqeeb Ashraf versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Lahore.

Fto accept tax refund claim appeal for hearing LAHORE

SAJID NAwAZ

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ederal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Advisor Mian Munawar Ghafoor has heard a case Qiled by Shamim Akhter against the Regional Tax OfQice (RTO-II) Lahore. The same appeal has been accepted for hearing before the FTO. In the appeal, the counsel for the appellant mentioned that the RTO-II has failed to release the sales tax refund to the appellant since the last two years. He said the RTO-II collected excessive taxes from the company during the last two years. The petitioner approached the ofQicials concerned several times for the release of refunds, but the RTO ofQicials failed to clear refunds after the passage of a reasonable time.

Finally, the appellant decided to approach the FTO seeking interven-

collector Adjudication issues show cause notice to owner of NDp goods

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ollector Collectorate of Customs Adjudication Ahmed Reza Khan issued a show cause notice to the owner of non duty paid goods. According to the details, Superintendent of Anti Smuggling Organization Customs Collectorate of Preventive has forwarded a Contravention Report in case number 06/2017 issued under endorsement C.No. 01/ASO/409/2017/40 dated 12.1.2018 that a secret information was received that Haji Junaid owner of M/s Ammar Sanitary Store owned a godown situated at Soyay Asal to Raiwind Road,

Lahore and a huge quantity of foreign origin smuggled non duty paid tiles have been stoired in the godown. Accordingly after obtaining the search warrants under section 172 of the Customs Act 1969 from the court of magistrate, Lahore the staff of Anti Smuggling Organization raided the godown.

A person namely Sajjad Hussain son of Ghulam Farid was present there and on call one Muhammad Asghar son of Muhammad Ashraf appeared and identiQied himself as representative of owner Haji Junaid. –CB Report

tion in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the RTO-II to clear the refund claims.

The counsel further said that delay in release of refunds put burden on taxpayers, adding that the RTO-II should make audit of the case and release the extra amount collected by it from the taxpayers.

The counsel further stated that due

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FIA arrests six human traffickers ederal Investigation Agency (FIA) teams have arrested six accused involved in human trafQicking and electricity stealing here from Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin and Sialkot district.

FIA Deputy Director Mufakhir Adeel said that the accused persons identiQied as Mudassar Shahzad, Aftab Ali, Muhammad Nazir and Malik Waris were involved in human trafQicking while accused Muhammad Akram and Zeesan were held red handed stealing electricity.

Meanwhile, An FIA team sealed a medical store and arrested two ac-

pakistan rice exports register 27pc growth

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ISLAMABAD

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ice exports from Pakistan have seen sizeable growth of overall 27pc at the end of February, 2018, Senior Vice Chairman Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan, RaQique Suleman on said.

Talking to private news channel,

he shared the Qigures of rice exports during the period of July to February 2018. He said that at the end of February 2018, rice exports for Qiscal year 2017-18 (July to Feb 2018) a signiQicant growth has been observed as compared to last Qiscal year 2016-17 (July to Feb 2017).

This year we exported total 2.59 million metric tons of rice amounting to US$ 1.224 billion, whereas last Qis-

to delay in tax refund the business of appellant faces many troubles and prayed that FTO may order the Regional Tax Office for the refund of tax amount. After examining the appeal, FTO has reserved the appeal for hearing on the next date and directed the parties to appear before him on said date to conclude arguments in the case.

cal year in the same period we had exported 2.27 Million Metric Tons of rice amounting to US$.961 Million, which shows over all a signiQicant growth of 27pc in terms values and 14pc in terms of quantity, he added.

He expressed his pleasure to inform the media persons that by the grace of Almighty Allah, we have come out of the crisis which we have been observing since last three years. Fur-

cused persons for selling spurious drugs in Pir Mehal, Toba Tek Singh.

FIA ofQicial said that an FIA team, along with Provincial Drug Inspector, conducted surprise raid at Ali Zaib Medical Store, Bhussi Adda Pir Mehal, and recovered spurious/ unregistered tranquilliser drugs including Dosovil Injection (500), Yellow Liquid Injection (250), Black Cobra Tablets (45), Aminophyline Inj (Expired 45) and Tenzil Tablets (300 Tablets). Those arrested from the store were: Muhammad Nadeem, son of Rana Babu Khan, and Rameez Abbas, son of Rehmat Ullah. –CB Report

ther with the coordination of REAP OfQice Bearers with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Customs, value of rice export trade is showing improvement which is a good sign for our country. Further, REAP members are putting their untiring efforts and aggressive marketing to increase the rice exports and to earn valuable foreign exchange for our beloved country Pakistan.

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ISLAMABAD

m ARSHAD

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), in collaboration with Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), has launched a one-window facility for the registration of a company and the national tax number (NTN). This step has been taken as part of easing the doing of business process in the country as well as to reform the taxation system for both domestic and foreign companies. Through this facility, the entrepreneurs will login to the SECP online portal eServices, get their company registered with the SECP and will receive the NTN automatically at the company’s email address.

The facility has been launched to simplify procedures for business registration, to eliminate the hassle of visiting various government agencies and to ensure an expeditious service delivery by integrating the registration procedures of the SECP and FBR. This facility shall have favorable implications for investment promotion to attract investors from within and outside the country, and contribute to documentation of the economy.

It is also likely to achieve higher ranking in the World Bank’s starting-a-business and the composite doing business indicator.

Member (IT) FBR Khawaja Adnan Zahir and SECP Chairman Zafar Abdullah jointly inaugurated the system during the launch ceremony held here. Senior officials of SECP, FBR, BOI and PRAL were also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Adnan Zahir said that the FBR was pleased to collaborate with SECP to provide conducive environment for doing business in Pakistan. This is the first instance of government-to-government technical integration at the process level, he added. He further said that the creation of a cross-institution single process of registration of a company was the first step and the efforts should be continued to include more organizations. A lot more can be achieved if government organization work in such close coordination. Zafar Abdullah congratulated the teams of SECP, FBR and PRAL on putting in exhaustive efforts to develop the system. The SECP has undertaken a host of reform measures, which have resulted in a robust corporate growth in the country, leading to formalization of the business sector and documentation

of economy, he added. Executive Director General Board of Investment (BOI) Fareena Mazhar lauded the efforts of the SECP and FBR for their doing business reforms and stressed that these reforms would not only help the local entrepreneurs but would also serve as an attraction for foreign investors.

A video recording based on live company and NTN registration process, which was recorded at the SECP’s Company Registration Office, was also shown to the participants. The one window facility is based on back-end integration between SECP and FBR systems.

y, the facilit s i h t gh to the throu login l l i w s , r rvices reneu al eSe t entrep r o p red nline egiste r y Secp o n a p ceive eir com will re d get th n a p at the he Sec tically with t a m o t N au ddress the Nt mail a e ’s y n compa

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Founder & Chairman Zulfiqar Ali Editor Rahil Yasin editor@customsbulletin.com.pk For advertising & subscription marketing@customsbulletin.com.pk www.customsbulletin.com Phones: 042-35781643-4, Fax: 042-35781645 Address: 627, Siddiq Trade Centre, Gulberg, Lahore

eDItoRIAL

potentials of pakistani economy

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ccording to the UN Department of Economic and Social Aairs, financial and investment conditions are favourable in most of the South Asian economies, including Pakistan, due to accommodative monetary policies, low inflation and rising business confidence in recent years. Pakistan has the potentials to become leading economy of the world, but it has been under-performing since inception.

The UN report suggests the economy of Pakistan needs to improve its growth rate and its policymakers should have to lay the foundation for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in the medium-term. There is great demand for investment opportunities in Pakistan despite low industrial growth, underperforming agriculture sector and irrational tax rates. The government policymakers have so far failed to devise a uniformed and unambiguous tax system in the country, but still the economic activities are gaining momentum, which are supported by improvement in the energy supplies, development of infrastructure under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and other public initiatives. However, there is a need to lower loan demands which have witnessed visible rise during the first two quarters of the fiscal year 2017-18, especially in the corporate sector. The UN report suggests that the positive growth picture and policy reforms are supporting the private investments in several countries. The world economy passed through a long period of recession and subdued growth, but renewed investment trends, supported by consumer sentiments, have strengthened and pushed up the growth rate in a couple of years. The report says that due to reduced banking sector fragilities in developed countries, conditions of the global investment have improved. As a result, the financing costs remained low in emerging economies, strengthening by the recovery of capital flows and cross-border lending and higher commodity prices. However, a long period of recession in developed countries increased vulnerabilities of various emerging economies, which kept the potential investors at bay, increasing financial risks and borrowing costs.

The economy of Pakistan is at the crossroad where it has to decide which way to go. The political uncertainties are growing with political parties fighting with one another for their vested interests.

threat of food scarcity P

LAHORE

DR AFtAB AFZAL

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akistan is predominantly an agricultural economy with best canal irrigation system in the world and fertile lands, but has been appearing as a major importer of food products in recent years. The international media reports suggest Pakistan is one of the countries which could face food shortage in near future.

Pakistan has imported vegetables worth $1.37 billion from China during the first half of the current fiscal year. In the wake of unstable political situation and lethargy of the official cadre, no programme has

been launched to assess the food needs of the country and how to fight possible threat of food scarcity. India is continuously building dams on the rivers meant for Pakistan in violation of international agreements as rivers Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab are drying up, leaving the whole plains of Punjab and Sindh barren. This serious issue appears to be a non-issue for the officials who matter. The Indian Punjab province is the one third of the Pakistani part of Punjab in size, but it not only catering to the food needs of entire India, but also exports vegetables and fruits worth millions of dollars to Pakistan. This shows

how limited is the scope of agriculture sector in the country. According to an update of the State Bank, the import bills rose to $21.3 billion in the first half of the current fiscal year. Most of the imported products relate to agriculture and dairy sectors. The lavish spending on the import of edibles is putting extra-burden on the already depleting foreign exchange reserves. The reports show the import of vegetable products in the first sixmonth was 29 percent higher than the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. The rising import bill is also an indication that how much the country is depending on the

foreign agriculture products.

Reports also suggest that Pakistan imported edible fruits and nuts worth $74.9 million during the first half of the current fiscal year. The imports of the same products were $49 million during the last year.

Besides, Pakistan spent $64.6 million on the import of dairy products and another $23.9 million on the import of halal animals. Pakistan is major importer of palm oil which is incompatible with health chemistry of the local population. A national action plan against food scarcity is the need of the hour otherwise the situation would continue to go from bad to worse.

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Important documents of QMobile gutted in Customs House fire KARACHI: The investigations into a fire incident which occurred in second floor of the Customs House Building reveals major negligence of the staff.

According to sources, an investigation team was constituted to investigate and ascertain the main cause of the fire. The investigation team found that important documents of a well- known cellular company M/s Digicom (QMobile) were burnt to ashes which was a big loss and the could affect the cases of smuggling against the company. The source stated that after the findings, Pakistan Customs authorities have now started the deep investigations against the cellular company which declared its cellular phone as LED lights for tax avoidance and documentation had also been misstated.

Boat pilots strike halts shipping activity at kpt KARACHI

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he largest sea port of the country faces huge loss after the boat pilots goes on strike against their demands. According to the details, the boat pilots of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has called on a strike against their demands specially allowances which are not being paid by the administration despite several times promises. The source in Karachi Port Trust (KPT) informed Customs Today that the boat pilots who are the backbone in anchoring the vessels were on Go Slow strike against their demands but after several times promises the administrations did not paid any attention to fulfill it. After a long wait and watch policy the Pilots of the boats responsible for anchoring the vessel called on strike against their demands. The administration is now seeking the pilots as not a single pilot is present to fulfill the duty. Due to the strike called by the boats

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Friday March 16, 2018

National

Surriya Butt expected to revise Valuation Ruling No: 758/2015 D

KARACHI

wAQAR AHmeD ANSARI www.customsbulletin.com

uring the month of February, the Directorate General, Customs Valuation, has decided 17 new valuations which will be issued in the month of March and mid of April. A source said that due to high prices in the international market, importers are submitting applications to review the prices of different items. Today, the Directorate General, Customs Valuation, Director General Surriya Ahmed Butt has decided to revise the Valuation Ruling No: 758/2015 on April 30, 2018, it is learnt.

Surriya Butt said the department was reviewing suggestions from various importers to set new prices of ceramics and porcelains. She said that some valuations issued in 2015 were being reviewed from the beginning. Moreover, the valuations will be set in view of the rising prices in the international market.

Sources told CT that a petition was Qiled with the Customs Valuation in which change in prices of ceramics and porcelains was requested.

Sources further said that the Val-

uation Ruling No: 758/2015 was issued on September 8, 2015. A meeting was held with the stakeholders on 7th of March 2018. Importers

were advised to furnish the import invoices of the last three months showing factual values as well as websites, names and e-mail ad-

dresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value could be ascertained.

58 Inland Revenue officers of BS 16-19 transferred of the pilot the activity at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) is on halt whereas the vessels are waiting for their arrival as well as departure on the other hand few vessels are also waiting at the off port area. It is pertinent to mention here that the boats pilots are the main source who knew about the channels of the sea port. After the arrival of any vessel the boat pilots is the key official who anchors the vessels in the right direction after which the discharging or the loading of the goods starts. The strikes of the boat pilots have now entered the second day and the vessels are in standstill position where as no breakthrough has been reported after several promises of the administration to fulfill the demands of the pilots.

ISLAMABAD

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) has transferred/posted 58 Inland Revenue ofQicers from BS16 to BS-19 with immediate effect and until further orders.

Abbas Ahmed Mir (BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Large Taxpayers Unit, Islamabad from the post of Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad. Dr. Abdul Latif Mian (BS19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax OfQice II, Karachi from the post of Additional Director, Directorate of Internal Audit (Inland Revenue), Karachi.

Dr. Saqib Ahmad Khan (BS-19) has been transferred and posted as

Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax OfQice, Rawalpindi from the post of Secretary, (Legal Wing) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad.

Said Munaf (BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Secretary, (IR Policy Wing) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Additional CommissionerIR, Regional Tax OfQice II, Lahore.

Ms. Farzana Gohar Ali (BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax OfQice, Faisalabad from the post of Additional Director, Addl. Directorate of Internal Audit (Inland Revenue), Faisalabad.

Amjad Hussain Memon (BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax OfQice, Quetta from the post of Additional Commissioner-IR, Regional Tax OfQice,

Hyderabad. Ms. Bushra Fatima (BS19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax OfQice II, Lahore from the post of Additional Director, Directorate of Internal Audit (Inland Revenue), Lahore.

Riaz Ali Shah (BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax OfQice, Hyderabad from the post of Additional Commissioner-IR, Regional Tax OfQice II, Karachi. Kashif Azhar (BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax OfQice II, Lahore from the post of Additional Commissioner-IR, Corporate Regional Tax OfQice, Lahore. Ms. Amna Naeem (BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Corporate Regional Tax OfQice, Lahore from the post of Additional Commissioner, Re-

gional Tax OfQice II, Lahore. Muhammad Ali (BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax OfQice II, Lahore from the post of Secretary, (IR Policy Wing) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad. Tariq Hussain Tunio (BS-19) has been posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Large Taxpayers Unit-II, Karachi on repatriation from Sindh Revenue Board. Muhammad Asif RaQique (BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax OfQice, Faisalabad from the post of Deputy Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation (Inland Revenue), Lahore. Ghulam Abid (AOST/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Assistant Director (Audit), Regional Tax OfQice, Faisalabad from the post of Assistant Director (Audit), Regional Tax OfQice II, Lahore.

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FBR again seeks information about dual nationality holders working at executive posts Friday March 16, 2018

National customs preventive to induct new speedboats in fleet to secure sea routes

LAHORE: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) field formations have failed to submit details of the civil servants working in BS-17 and above having dual nationality as the board has issued reminders, seeking the details from the board members, directors, chief commissioners, chief collectors, directors general and commissioners.

According to the details, the board sought the information about the civil servants who had failed to submit their details in response to the notification issued by the FBR on January 31 despite the fact that they were informed that the details were of immediate nature having time limit in a court case.

chief commissioner, 22 commissioners among 25 IR officers reshuffled

KARACHI

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ISLAMABAD

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he Pakistan Customs Preventive has sought help of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for capacity building of the department. According to the details, Collector Customs Preventive Iftikhar Ahmed has requested the FBR chairman to take necessary steps to further strengthen the capabilities of the department so that smuggling through sea routes could be curbed more efficiently. Talking to Customs Today, Deputy Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Preventive Headquarters Faisal Khan stated that soon new speedboats are going to be inducted into the fleet which would help the department safeguard the sea routes from smugglers entering the Pakistani waters. Talking about the land route Deputy Collector Preventive Headquarters Faisal Khan informed that the officers are vigilant and are in coordination with other law enforcement agencies.

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SHc seeks comments on status of seized machinery he Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the customs officials to file their final comments on a constitutional petition filed by Nadeem Khan S/o Kashif Khan, sole proprietor of M/s Quick Contractors and Traders, seeking release order of the old and used prime movers seized by the customs authorities for being restricted items. A two-member bench, headed

by Justice Munib Akhtar, heard the constitutional petition. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is engaged in the lawful business. He further submitted that the petitioner has imported a consignment of machinery (old and used prime movers) having Japan origin and residual life of 10 years. –CB Report

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) has transferred/posted 25 Inland Revenue Service ofQicers from BS 19-21 with immediate effect and until further orders.

Khalil Ahmad Zahid (BS-21) has been transferred and posted as Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax OfQice, Multan from the post of Chief Commissioner, Regional Tax OfQice, Sahiwal. However, he is also assigned the additional charge of the post of Chief Commissioner-IR, RTO, Sahiwal till the posting of a regular incumbent.

Syed Maroof Gilani (BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue Inland Revenue (Appeals-III),

Karachi from the post of Commissioner, (IP/TFD) Corporate Regional Tax Office, Karachi. Dr. Shamsul Hadi (BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue Inland Revenue (Appeals-I), Islamabad from the post of Commissioner, Inland Revenue (Appeals-IV), Islamabad.

04 Ms. Amina Hassan (BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (Zone-I) Regional Tax Office II, Lahore from the post of Chief, (Admin Pool) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad. Mehmood Hussain Jafari (BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Commis-

sioner Inland Revenue (WHT) Regional Tax Office, Sialkot from the post of Commissioner, (Zone-VII) Corporate Regional Tax Office, Lahore. Shahid ul Hassan Chattha (BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (Multan Zone) Regional Tax OfQice, Multan from the post of Commissioner, (Zone-II) Large Taxpayers Unit, Lahore. Mohammad Farooq Azam Memon (BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue Inland Revenue (Appeals), Hyderabad from the post of Commissioner, (IP/TFD) Regional Tax OfQice III, Karachi.

Muhammad Irfan Raza (BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (Zone-I) Large Taxpayers Unit, Lahore from the post of Chief, (Management) Federal Board of Revenue.

customs Faisalabad Appraisement earns Rs27 million extra revenue T

KARACHI

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he Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement collected Rs897.376million revenue during the second month of February of Fiscal Year 2018 against the set target of Rs870.40million. So the collectorate remained plus with Rs27million. The Customs Appraisement generated customs duty (CD), sales tax (ST), income tax (IT) and federal excise duty (FED) during the above said period. According to a statistical data available with Customs Today, it received Rs278.434million as customs duty (CD) against the allocated target of Rs279.79million.

The Model Customs Collectorate, Appraisement Branch, assigned the revenue collection target of Rs576.58million as sale tax and

collected Rs610.094million. It earned Rs8.808millions of income tax during the above said period against the earmarked target of Rs13.96million. It collected

Rs0.040million as federal excise duty (FED) against the assigned target of Rs0.07million. Customs Appraisement Collector Doctor Asif Mehmood Jah says that his depart-

ment has already issued notices to a number of tax defaulters in the recent months asking them to clear the outstanding tax dues at the earliest to avoid stern action.

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Customs Appellate Tribunal postpones hearing of reference filed against DG I&I ISLAMABAD: Tfhe Customs Appellate Tribunal on Friday dated in office the hearing of three customs references filed against Collectorate of Customs and Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation, Islamabad.

A single bench of the Customs Appellate Tribunal comprising Member, Syed Muhammad Anwar, heard the cases. The bench adjourned the hearing of the cases after brief arguments on the cases by the appellants.

M/s Lucky Enterprises, Haq Nawaz and Wasif Hussain had filed these cases. All of these cases had been filed during 2016.

tax evasion committed by m/s kalsom Steel uncovered by pcA KARACHI

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he Directorate of Customs Post Clearance Audit has detected the evasion of duties and taxes of Rs6.48million committed by M/s Kalsom Steel Works Karachi, it is learnt here.

Sources told Customs Today that M/s Kalsom Steel Works Karachi imported a consignment of steel scrap, old steel items and various types of crockery and other items and got it cleared from the PICT Karachi vide GDs on January 2, 2017 by paying customs duty at 6 percent after claiming the beneQits of the SRO 562/2007. However the subject items were correctly classiQiable under the PCT 2908.2487 attracting customs duty at 10 percent and income tax at 12 per-

cent, thus, by way of mis-declaration of classiQication, the company evaded/short-paid Rs06.48million. The goods were cleared by Head Examiner Saleem Memon. Sources said that the importer violated the provisions of Section 89 (7) & (45A) of the Customs Act-1969, Section 21 read with Section 58 of the Sales Tax Act-1990 and Section 48 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 punishable under clauses (147) and 243 of Section 475(7) of the Customs Act-1969, Section 24 of the Sales Tax Act1990 and Section 25 & 58 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and Section 7-A of the Sales Tax Act1990 read with chapter X of the Sales Tax Special Procedure Rules 2007 (Special procedures for payment of sales tax by the importers) and under relevant provisions of Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

National

court approves interim pre-arrest bail of suspect in betel nuts smuggling case

Large quantity of cosmetic & jewellery goods priced at Rs06m KARACHI

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he Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Quetta frustrated a bid to smuggle imported perfumes, watches, body sprays, and jewelery items worth Rs06million during a special checking. Sources told Customs Today that Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation Quetta Muhammad Akram Chaudhary received a tip-off that some smugglers are trying to smuggle said goods from Quetta into other cities.

He constituted a raiding team under the supervision of Superintendent Majid Siddique and others. The team enhanced the surveillance on Kali Ismail Road Quetta and started searching of vehicles. During the search operation, the team intercepted a passenger van with registration No: QZ-7634 which was going from Quetta to other cities. During the checking, the customs team recovered 1000 bottles of imported perfumes, 300 imported non-duty-paid watches, 5,000 body sprays, and a large number of imported artificial jewellery valued at Rs06million. The customs team seized all the items and arrested two smugglers including a driver who were identified Ghulam Ali, and Raja Kamran.

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LAHORE

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ustoms Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi on Tuesday granted interim pre-arrest bail to suspect, Muhammad Shoaib Arshad, owner of M/s City Steel UAE Mills (Private) Limited. Arshad was booked for trying to clear betel nuts in the garb of waste and cast iron scrap.

During the hearing, the suspect appeared before the court along with his counsel who argued that his client was falsely implicated in this case, who is ready to face trail, however, he had apprehension of arrest, therefor, the court might grant him bail. After hearing the arguments, the court granted him bail against surety bonds of Rs 200,000 and issued notices to the Customs Department and special prosecutor to Qile their comments on the next date of hearing. On the last date of hearing, the investigation ofQicer of Anti-Smuggling Organization had submitted the Qirst information report (FIR) before the customs court against suspects namely Muhammad Shoaib Arshad, owner of M/s City Steel UAE Mills Private Limited, Muhammad Arshad, owner of M/s A.F Enterprises, Muhammad Tariq,

Friday March 16, 2018

Sohrab Khan, Amjad Khan and others to be ascertained during the course of investigation. According to the FIR, a team of Anti-Smuggling Organisation found two containers near Shan Chowrangi, Korani Road, Karachi which were stopped and divers were told to show documents of 14 containers, including the two containers, which were cleared from Customs Collectorate Port Qasim. The Investigation ofQicer further informed the court that during the search, ofQicials of the cus-

toms department recovered gunny gags containing betel nuts total weight 80025 kilograms (gross) valuing to Rs200,062,500 from six seized containers. He said that during the investigation, is has been established beyond any iota of doubt that said suspects in collusion with other accomplices in crime have indulged smuggling of above mentioned contraband betel nuts under the garb of waste and scrap of iron and cleared the same under HS Code 7204.4100.

Rs1,946b collected: FBR revenue collection doubled in five years

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ISLAMABAD

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dviser to Prime Minister on Finance Miftah Ismail said that the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) revenue collection has doubled in last Qive years.

Addressing a press conference along with Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Adviser to PM on Finance Miftah Ismail and Minister of State for Finance Rana Afzal, Miftah said that the tax machinery collected Rs1946 billion in 2012-13 which would now go up to Rs4,013 billion.

Unveiling the government’s plan to present the upcoming budget on

April 27 in Parliament, He Ismail said that inQlation had come down during PML-N government’s tenure.

Miftah Ismail said the foreign currency reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan would be maintained at $12.5 billion by end of the current fiscal while circular debt of worth Rs150 billion would be cleared before completing the tenure of the government. The foreign currency reserves held by the SBP had already depleted to around $12.23 billion. At the end of the press conference when asked how the reserves will be maintained at $12.5 billion when it declined by almost $1 billion in the

last few weeks, the minister said that of course they would borrow money but declined to share further plan. “We have consulted political parties including the PPP and PTI and decided to present the next budget on April 27 as our tenure will be completed on May 31, 2018. There should be ample time that the provinces can also present their respective budgets and get approval before ending of their tenure,” Miftah Ismail said.

He said the debt to GDP ratio stood at 61.6 percent as domestic debt rose from 38.8 percent to 41 percent in the last five years while external debt decreased from 21.4

percent of GDP to 20.6 percent of GDP in this period. “We borrowed money to finance power sector and many other development projects,” he added. On rising current account deficit, he said that the trade deficit used to be in the range of 2 to 3 percent of GDP which could be financed easily but after jump in imports of machinery and raw material for installing power plants, LNG terminals and others, it could not be possible by curtailing imports. Now in February 2018, the growth in exports has gone up in the range of 15 percent while imports growth reduced to 8 percent, he further said.

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World Customs

Taiwan’s Formosa says US is best investment spot

TAIPEI: The chairman of Taiwan’s largest industrial conglomerate Formosa Plastics Group on said his company’s $15 billion investment in the U.S will not be affected by President Donald Trump’s plan to impose across-the-board tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.

Friday March 16, 2018

406 star tortoises seized as smuggling racket is busted

Iraq increases taxes amid public discontent

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BAGHDAD

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DHAKA

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n a huge catch, ofQicials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Vijayawada Unit, busted an international star tortoises smuggling racket. They seized 406 tortoises being exported to Bangladesh. OfQicials suspect that the tortoises are being exported through the Paradeep Port in Odisha. Star tortoises are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and declared vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). On a tipoff that they were being transported in the Vivek Express, the DRI team headed by its Deputy Director V. Ramakrishna and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) conducted a search in the railway station and recovered the tortoises packed in sacks. They

Swiss investor in talks to buy United grinding wiss investor Martin Ebner is in talks to buy Swiss-German United Grinding, as other bidders have dropped out of the race for the machine tool maker, two people close to the matter said. China Jianyin Investment (JIC), which had been keen to buy Bern-based UGG, is no longer in the running, one of them said. Switzerland’s Oerlikon (OERL.S) has also dropped out of the auction for the maker of tools that are used to grind surfaces and small workpieces, the sources said. UGG was expected to fetch up to 600 million euros ($739 million), sources close to the matter previously said. The company, owned by Germany’s industrial holding Koerber AG, is expected to post earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of 72 million euros this year. –CB Report

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arrested two women who were carrying the four sacks. The Forest Department ofQicials of the Eluru Wildlife Division, who inspected the spot, conQirmed that they were Indian star tortoises. “The accused

were transporting the tortoises from Kadiri to Bhubaneswar. Export of star tortoises is prohibited under Foreign Trade Policy and is liable for conQiscation under the Customs Act, 1962.

Art heir wildenstein in French court for alleged tax fraud

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he proceedings opened with lawyers for Guy Wildenstein, 72, contesting the legal grounds for the trial, which is expected to last for four weeks. In January 2017, a court found evidence of a “clear attempt” by Wildenstein and seven co-defendants to hide art treasures and properties worth hundreds of millions of euros from tax authorities. “For at least three generations, members of the Wilden-

stein family have carefully concealed a considerable estate behind legal vehicles outside of French law, thereby escaping taxation,” the court said at the time. But the presiding judge said lapses in the investigation and in French law made it impossible to return a guilty verdict, a decision that was immediately appealed by prosecutors. They say the family’s true assets range from a Paris mansion to the Kenya. –CB Report

raqi government sent to parliament a revised version of the 2018 budget bill for the fourth time The budget proposal includes a new 10% tax on sales at commercial centers, restaurants and barbershops. The government’s new tax policy comes as a result of Iraq’s 2015 agreement for a $5.4 billion loan with the International Monetary Fund.

This deal includes a reform of public Qinances (including the tax system) to collect 2.3 trillion dinars ($1.8 billion) under the 2018 budget through taxes imposed on telecommunications services, hotels, refreshments, cigarettes and alcohol, among other items.

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Madhar Mohammad Saleh, Qinancial adviser to the prime minister, attributed the government’s new taxes to efforts to diversify the economy and end its reliance on oil.

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Saleh said, “Iraq ranks last in the world in terms of paying taxes — with the amount of tax paid equivalent to only 3% of GDP. Paying taxes is still alien to the Iraqi people.”

He added, “Paying taxes is a national duty so that every citizen could contribute to the state budget and these funds could be used for national projects that are of paramount importance to Iraqis, such as hospitals and infrastructure, among other development projects. … The imposed taxes are very low and will not pose any burden to citizens.

Politicians need to Qind solutions to Qinancial problems as the situation in the country is already difQicult.”

The government began to impose taxes for the Qirst time in the 2015 budget, namely Article 33, on prepaid mobile card and airplane tickets in the wake of the Qinancial crisis that broke out in 2014, which is still ongoing. Those taxes were implemented because of low oil prices and the high cost of the battles against the Islamic State.

Jordan to raise electricity price from march lectricity prices are announced at the end of each month and are based on the average price of crude oil over the previous three months, said Hiari.

“The increase will affect all economic sectors including the industrial and households. But households that consume 300 kWh and less will not witness any increase in their bills,” he said. Jordan, which imports 96 percent of its energy needs annually, is working on several energy projects to increase reliance on renewable energy, oil shale and renewable energy to reduce costs of electricity and meet rising

demands. Jordan will increase price of electricity for all sectors, including industrial and households, starting from March 1, the government said Wednesday. The money paid per kilowatt-hour will be raised from 0.012 dinars (0.017 U.S. dollars) to 0.014 dinars for all sectors, said Farouq Hiari, chief commissioner of the state-owned Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission. The average price of a crude oil barrel in the last three months rose to 66.2 dollars per barrel, exceeding a 55-dollars cap set by the government of Jordan to keep electricity tariffs unchanged. –CB Report

turkmen section of trans Afghanistan gas pipeline completed

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he leaders of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan celebrated with the foreign minister of India the completion of the Turkmen section of the transAfghanistan pipeline which will transport natural gas from Turk-

menistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. “From 2015, we have done a lot of work in order to reach the current phase of the project,” explained Muhammetmyrat Amanov, CEO of the TAPI Pipeline Company.

“We have concluded our work in Turkmenistan and we now move to Afghanistan. We plan to Qinish the job and put gas in the pipeline towards the end of 2019.” Terrorist

attacks in Afghanistan are of great concern to everyone involved in the project. The Taliban have declared that they wish to destroy the pipeline. Afghan authorities say all necessary measures have been taken. “Afghanistan is of course a country which has high risk of security, but in the mean time, we have full preparation from the governments’ side for protecting TAPI,”

said the acting minister of mines and petroleum of Afghanistan, Nargis Nehan. “We are aware of the risk, but you also understand that TAPI is such an important project, that not only the government of Afghanistan, but also the people will do whatever they can to protect the pipeline.”

The pipeline will run more than 1,800 km to the Fazilka Village on the Indo-Pakistani border.

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KPT shipping intelligence report KARACHI: Following were the movements of ships and cargo handling at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) during the last 24 hours, ending at 0700 hours. SHIPS ARRIVED: Solto Trader Coal Eternal Diligence Tanker Caribbena Tanker Libra Container Ship UM Elhanaya Coal M.T Lahore Tanker CMA CGM Narmada Container Ship YM Mirinda Tanker WAH HAI 503 Container Ship SEA Meray Rice SIMA Giselle Container Ship XIN Chang Shu Container Ship Liberty Pride CAR Carrier X-Press Makalu Container Ship Triton Swallow Coal XIN Chang SHE Container Ship SHIPS SAILED: Lake Sturgeon Crete 1 Eye N BW Zambesi Avra YM Cypress Excellent Pescadores Caribbean Libra XIN Chang SHE M T M Hong kong liberty Pride.

Five ships take berth at port Qasim hipping activity remained active at the port where five ships, MS Tiger, Genava, Ocean Phoenix, Argent Habiscus and Corona scheduled to load/offload Containers, Rice, Coal, Phosphoric Acid and Palm oil were allotted berths at Qasim International Container Terminal, Multipurpose Terminal, Pakistan International Bulk Terminal, Engro Vopak Terminal and Liquid Cargo Terminal respectively. Meanwhile Container ships, MSC Silvana and MSC Saturn, and gas carrier Express also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim on Monday morning. A total of eleven ships, MS Tiger, Jack London, Genava, Amadeus, Ocean Phoenix, Pacific Victory, Thor Courage, Argent Habiscus, UMM Bab, Corona and Petali Lady were occupying at PQA berths to load/offload Containers, Rice, Soya been seeds, Coal, Phosphoric Acid, Palm oil and Diesel oil during last 24 hours. Cargo through-

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Ports & Shipping

kenya moves to harmonise cargo clearance at sea port RUSSIA

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he government has harmonised ofQloading and clearance of imported goods at the port of Mombasa to curb delays. Maritime and Shipping Affairs Principal Secretary, Nancy Karigithu, said the State wants to clear obstructions in clearance of cargo and reduce bureaucracy in handling of ships. Public and private sector agencies involved in ship, cargo, crew and passenger clearance are to link up with the Single Window System, she said. Procedures and customs, immigration, health and other public authorities’ documents are among those to be streamlined.

“Documentation procedures work best where the paperwork is streamlined for simplicity and efQiciency. A large number of unnecessary paperwork and slow documentation processes are a serious danger to our competitiveness as a country and even as a region given

the wide geographical coverage of our port users,” the PS said Wednesday. She said the harmonisation process started yesterday. “We will know how we are going to be getting information on the goods beforehand and it has to be electronic.

By the time the ship is arriving in Mombasa all agencies involved in cargo will have information and we will be able to work much faster and

release the ship from the port as quickly as possible,” she said. Speaking at Nyali Sun Africa Hotel in Mombasa, Ms Karigithu said the government will implement the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime TrafQic. “The convention…will facilitate smooth transit in ports for ships, cargo, crew and passengers,” the PS added.

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Bangladesh seeks access to kolkata port for exports angladesh has sought access to Kolkata port for carrying out exports and imports, according to sources. The access may help Bangladesh attract Indian FDI in designated SEZs on the West Bengal border. A formal presentation in this regard was made during the Commerce Secretarylevel bilateral talks in Dhaka on February 7 and 8. The proposal that came through bilateral platform will contribute to the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) sub-regional initiative. Nepal and Bhutan have access to Indian ports through bilateral framework. Both the Himalayan countries also access Bangladesh through Indian territories. While Nepal accesses Bangladesh by road, Bhutan uses both road and inland waterway. Under BBIN initiatives, India has better and wider logistics infrastructure to help both countries access Chittagong and Mongla port in Bangladesh through India. Bangladesh, meanwhile, granted India’s North-Eastern States access to Chittagong port through Tripura. –CB Report

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kpt ships movement and cargo handling report put during last 24 hours stood at 162,462 tonnes, comprising 131,397 tonnes import cargo and 31,065 tonnes export cargo inclusive of containerized cargo carried in 2,188 Containers (TEUs), (553 TEUs imports and 1,635 TEUs exports) was handled at the port. Four ships, MS Tiger, Thor Courage, Argent Habiscus and Umm Bab sailed out to sea on Monday morning, while another ship Amadeus is expected to sail in the afternoon. Five ships, MSC Silvana, MSC Saturn, Sakizaya Wisdom, Dazi Yun and Express carrying Containers, Canola seeds, General cargo and LNG are expected to take berths at QICT, FAP, MW-1 and LCT respectively. –CB Report

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ollowing were the movements of ships and cargo handling at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) during the last 24 hours, ending at 0700 hours.

SHIPS ARRIVED: OOCL California Container Ship Alam Mulia Coal Argent Hibiscus Tanker Ever Diamond Container Ship Kota Kamil Container Ship SHIPS SAILED: Kong Que Song Wan Hai 503 MS Tiger Ariane Makara Kiran Bosphorus Sima Giselle Xin Chang Shu Soho Trader CARGO HANDLING TURNOVER: The total cargo handled at Karachi Port during the last 24 hours closed at 182,422 metric tonnes.

The breakup shows that the port has handled 64,585 metric tonnes of export cargo and 117,837 metric tonnes of import cargo during the

said period. Commodity wise handling in metric tonnes is given below. COMMODITY: IMPORT: EXPORT: TOTAL: Containers 30,909 54,239 85,148 BulK 2,622 250 2,872 Coal 54,006 54,006 Rice 1,683 1,683 Oil/Liquid 30,300 8,200 38,500.

Meanwhile, The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) issued the following shipping report for the last 24 hours, ending 0700 hours. ALONG SIDE (Bulk Oil Pier) OP-II Amazon Guardian D. Crude Oil PNSC 27/02/18 OP-III Glorious D. Mogas Alpine 27/02/18 ALONG SIDE (East Wharves) 1/2 Oriental Sakura D. Chemical Alpine 27/02/18 2/3 Excellent Pescadores L. Wheat OC-Services 27/02/18 11/12 Astra Centaurus D. Dap BulkSh. 22/02/18 12/13 Shandong Haisheng D. Gen.Cargo M.R Traders 25/02/18 14/15 Indian Light D. Gen. Cargo OC.World 27/02/18 ALONG SIDE(P.I.C.T) 6/7 Sima Gen-

esis D. L. Cnt. East Wind 26/02/18 8/9 Clemens Schulte D. L. Cnt. United Arab 28/02/18 ALONG SIDE(PDWCP): SAPT-3 OOCL Washington D. L. Cnt. OOCL PAK 27/02/18 SAPT-4 Hyundai Global D. L. Cnt. Forbes-Sh 27/02/18 Along Side(West Wharves) 21 Taj L. Sugar WMA Shipcare 23/02/18 ALONG SIDE (K.I.C.T): 28/29 Navios Felicitas D. L. Cnt. CMA CGM Pak 25/02/18 28/30 Cosco Durban D. L. Cnt. COSCO 26/02/18 EXPECTED ARRIVALS: CONTAINER (GEARLESS) Mol Earnest Mol Pak 28/02/18 Not Sched 700 Cnt. 1000 Cnt. Xin Chang Shu P-Delta 02/03/18 Not Sched 600 Cnt. 600 Cnt. Ever Diamond Green Pak 07/03/18 Not Sched 800 Cnt. 900 Cnt. Kota Kamil P-Delta 07/03/18 Not Sched 300 Cnt. 500 Cnt. GENERAL CARGO: Damas Crystal Sea 23/02/18 Not Sched Nil 163 G.C Hermann-S GAC 23/02/18 Not

Sched 30,974 Steel Nil Kobe Star GAC 23/03/18 Not Sched 28,716 GC Nil Royal Jade GAC 23/03/18 Not Sched 14,349 Steel Nil Copenhagen Gul Maritime 01/03/18 Not Sched 1,375 GC Nil Industrial Revoution Project-sh 28/02/18 Not Sched 65 GC Nil Kong Que Song COSCO 03/03/18 Not Sched 6,735 GC Nil COAL: Caravos Liberty OC.World 01/03/18 Not Sched 60,147 Nil Avra OC.World 02/03/18 Not Sched 51,700 Nil SHIPS OFF PORT: Vessel Name Type Agent expected Berth No. Arrival Date Arrival Time Remarks Kota Karim Container Ship P-Delta 25/02/18 22:30 Lake Sturgeon Oil Tanker GAC 13/02/18 13:50 BW Zambesi Oil Tanker GAC 21/02/18 13:30 1 Enteral Diligence Oil Tanker GAC 23/02/18 06:12 BW Cobalt Oil Tanker Alpine 24/02/18 23:30 Corona Oil Tanker Alpine 25/02/18 22:30 Caribbean Oil Tanker.

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SU’s IBA signs MoU with Pakistan Stock Exchange Karachi HYDERABAD: The Institute of Business Administration University of Sindh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pakistan Stock Exchange Karachi for training and skill development of the university students. According to university spokesman, the Vice Chancellor University of Sindh and the Deputy Managing Director Pakistan Stock Exchange Karachi signed the agreement. The MoU aims at providing university students training, workshops, skill development opportunities and seminars on issues related to stock exchange trading and other general business-related spheres.

Friday March 16, 2018

Business

Sc summons NAB in DRAp staff harassment case ISLAMABAD

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hief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar has summoned the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) prosecutor general in connection with the counterfeit drugs case.

The CJP was hearing a complaint lodged by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) with the Supreme Court’s (SC) Human Rights Cell (HRC) against Everest Pharmaceuticals for manufacturing fake drugs. The complaint states that the company’s owner Chaudhry Usman used his connections to harass the DRAP staff. The three-member

Services exports up 4.75% in 7 months KARACHI

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bench was informed that NAB had withdrawn the notice against DRAP and the proceedings against the accused had been closed. The bureau’s additional prosecutor general apprised the apex court that the notice to DRAP’s chief executive ofQicer was

NAB decides to probe appointment of Hec chairman

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he exports of services from the country witnessed growth of 4.75 percent during the first seven months of the current fiscal year as compared to the corresponding period of last year. The services exports during July-January (2017-18) were recorded at $2.995 billion against the exports of $2.86 billion during July-January (2016-17), according to the latest data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The imports of services into the country also increased from $5.544 billion last year to $5.952 billion.

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issued before the court’s order. “The notice was issued through a misunderstanding,” said the NAB additional prosecutor general, to which the CJP responded that it was equivalent to undermining the authority of the court. “Any such actions will

not be tolerated in the future. Please inform the NAB chairman of my displeasure and annoyance on this incident,” said Chief Justice Nisar and ordered the bureau to submit a complete record of its proceedings against DRAP to the SC. In addition, the bench directed NAB’s additional prosecutor general to probe into the case and also into NAB ofQicer Amir Marth’s assets. “Anyone who takes any action against DRAP without the SC’s permission will not be pardoned,” he stated. He directed the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) director general to submit a report on the harassment of DRAP ofQicers within 15 days and then submit a complaint against Bahawalpur Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Riffat Mukhtar and others who were accomplices in the harassment.

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ISLAMABAD

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he National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has decided to launch an inquiry against the alleged illegal appointment of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, who is about to complete his tenure.

The appointment of Mukhtar Ahmed as HEC chairman opened a Qloodgate of criticism because the criterion adopted to appoint him to the post was dubious. His appointment had

also been challenged in various courts of Pakistan. Eventually, in a meeting chaired by NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal on Monday, it was decided to carry out complaint veriQication against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and ofQicers of the Establishment Division in the case of alleged illegal appointment of Mukhtar Ahmed. Higher Education Working Group on Higher Education Reforms welcomed NAB’s decision to investigate alleged illegal appointment of HEC chairman. The working group said that such inquiries would be greatly helpful in

discouraging illegal and non-transparent appointments of heads of institutions in the higher education sector. The spokesperson of the working group said that many stakeholders had raised serious concerns over the appointment of HEC chairman by ignoring merit. In this regard, a detailed report was also prepared, he added. The spokesperson said that the working group believed that the effective functioning of the higher education sector was directly linked to the appointment of capable senior academicians through a transparent selection process.

‘punjab faced 31%, Sindh 32% water shortage’ ISLAMABAD

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he Indus River System Authority (IRSA) said on Monday that Punjab faced 31 per cent water shortage, Sindh 32 per cent, Balochistan 7 per cent and Khyber Pakhtunkwa 21 per cent during the period October 1, 2017 to March 10, 2018. As per IRSA account report, Punjab utilized 11.9 million acre feet (MAF) water against 17.3 MAF share, Sindh utilized 9.13 MAF against 13.4 MAF, Balochistan 1.05 MAF against 1.12 MAF and KPK 0.46 MAF against 0.56 MAF. As per new sharing, Taunsa-Panjad (TP) Link canal would be closed from tomorrow, IRSA said. Meanwhile, IRSA released 34,200 cusecs water from various rim stations with inflow of 33,600 cusecs. According to the data released by IRSA, water level in the Indus River at Tarbela Dam was 1386.00 feet, which was 06.00 feet higher than its dead level of 1,380 feet. Water inflow in the dam was recorded as 14,800 cusecs and outflow as 14,200 cusecs. The water level in the Jhelum River at Mangla Dam was 1050.00 feet, which was 10.00 feet higher than its dead level of 1,040 feet whereas the inflow and outflow of water was recorded as 8,600 cusecs and 9,800 cusecs respectively.

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Secp enhances powers of Ios for search, seizure ISLAMABAD

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ecurities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has issued draft rules for search and seizure for investigating registered corporate entities in suspicious transactions and illegal activities. According to draft rules, the investigating officer of the SECP would be empowered to

prepare an inventory of all the documents, digital evidence, electronic devices, objects, articles, material or things seized in the course of search and clearly note the place in which they are found. The investigate officer shall allow any occupant of the place to be present during search under such restriction as deemed appropriate as deemed appropriate for conducting the search.

The investigating officer shall

prepare seizure memo in the form as provided in the Schedule at the spot and must carry with him all necessary tools or things required for preparing seizure memo at the spot: provided that where there is no provision of electricity, computer, printer at the spot the investigating officer shall prepare handwritten seizure memo. The investigating officer shall maintain a diary of proceedings, setting forth details

of day to day proceedings in the investigation and the investigating officer shall record concisely and clearly all steps taken by the team during the course of investigation. It shall also include description of all documents seized and all statements recorded.

Diary of proceedings referred to sub-rule (4) shall not be part of prosecution record and shall be used for assistance in the investigation and perusal of the

commission and the court and no person shall be entitled to call for such diaries, nor shall he or they be entitled to inspection such diaries. The investigating officer shall meet all requirements of the Act and any administered legislation under which investigation is authorized. According to the rules, the seizure or attachment would be made after sunrise and before sunset and not otherwise.

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IWCCI to organize Women in business festival ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) will organize “Women in Business Festival (WIBFEST”). The festival aimed to encourage women entrepreneurs in the country.

Women participants from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Hyderabad, Multan, Sailkot, Peshawar, Mardan and Faisalabad will attend the event. These women are involved in creative businesses. The event will also have fun filled activities for kids and also different food display by these women entrepreneurs other than conventional products. This event will also encourage young women in business activities.

govt to provide grant to Smes on acquiring certifications

Chambers

‘karachi-oasis of Harmony to start at expo center from April 20th’

ISLAMABAD

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inistry of Science & Technology has launched a “Certification Incentive Program” (CIP) for SMEs under Productivity, Quality and Invention (PQI) Initiative 2025 to support SMEs in improving certification framework that would lead to better quality products, improved industrial productivity, high level of competitiveness and wider penetration of Pakistani products into the international market. To brief the business community about the key features of the program, Ministry of Science & Technology organized an introductory seminar on “Certification Incentive Program” at Islamabad

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Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Shaheen Raja, Project Manager, Ministry of S&T said that SME’s/Firms with achieved certifications such as ISO 9001, 14001, 18001 & others would be eligible to apply for this program.

He said the program would be for 3 years out of which one year has already passed and it would cost Rs.745,81 million. 75% of this cost would be spent on giving grants to SMEs for achieved certifications while the rest would be spent on their capacity building and trainings. The program would guide & support the SMEs to adopt new trends of international competitiveness, improved industrial productivity & quality. He said the SMEs were not bound by law to obtain certifications, however, for promoting exports in international market, they have to achieve these certifications as the international clients preferred to buy from certified firms.

Friday March 16, 2018

KARACHI

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hairman Businessmen Group (BMG) and Former President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Siraj Kassam Teli has announced that preparations were in full swing for staging 15th My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony Exhibition 2018 in a vivid and lively manner, which will start on 20th April 2018 and conclude on 22nd April 2018 at Karachi Expo Center.

Addressing a press conference at KCCI Auditorium on BMG Chairman appreciated the overwhelming support by the media extended to the Businessmen Group since its inception in 1998 and also to My Karachi Exhibition since 2004 which has resulted in making this mega event an icon and identity for not just Karachi Chamber and the Businessmen Group but also for all the Karachiites. “The success of My Karachi exhibition can mainly be attributed to the non-stop support by the media since 2004 who carry out numerous activities at the exhibition which help a lot in effectively promoting

this event”, he added. Vice Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala, President KCCI Muffasar Atta Malik, Senior Vice President KCCI Abdul Basit Abdul Razzak, Vice President KCCI Rehan Hanif, Chairman of Special Committee for My Karachi Muhammad Idrees, Former Presidents KCCI Haroon Agar, Abdullah Zaki, Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra and Shamim Ahmed Firpo and along with KCCI Managing Committee members were also present on the occasion. Chairman BMG further said, “My Karachi title

was particularly chosen for this exhibition as we, the business and industrial community, strongly felt that we have to own this city.” The success of My Karachi title can be gauged from the fact that many people have also started numerous events with a similar title of My Karachi, which was initially introduced by Karachi Chamber in 2004.

“We are not opposing them for imitating our title but we warmly welcome all such events because all these events are being held to pro-

IccI holds party in honor winner of gothia cup ISLAMABAD

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he Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) hosted a reception in honor of winner of Islamabad Football Association (IFA) soccer team that had won the Gothia Cup China Under-18 Football Tournament 2017 after defeating hot favorites Zhaoqing Lixun FC, China in the Qinal played at Shanyang, China last year. IFA President Saleem Chaudhry, Secretary Syed Sharafat Hussain Bukhari, Team Manager Syed Tanveer, Coach Muhammad Zaman, Team Captain Abdullah Shah, team players, Secretary Information of Pakistan Football Federation Rana Tanveer and ohers were also present at the occasion.

Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh

Amir Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry congratulated IFA soccer team for winning Gothia Cup which showed that Pakistan has great talent of football. He said government should declare football as an industry for its better development. He emphasized that CDA should develop more football grounds in Islamabad to facilitate its better growth. Muhammad Naveed Senior Vice President ICCI thanked IFA soccer team for visiting ICCI. He said those nations achieve better development that focused on promoting sports in youth.

He assured that ICCI Sports Committee will cooperate with IFA in promoting football in the region.

Saleem Chaudhry, President, Islamabad Football Association said that IFA soccer team went China on selfQinance basis as no one had sponsored it. He urged that corporate

and private sectors should patronize sports activities in the country including football. He said FIFA had put ban on Pakistan Football Federation for the last 3 years due to which our football players could not go abroad. He said 50 football clubs were registered with IFA while 10 academies were working under its patronage to promote football talent in the region. He said about 5000 football players were playing in Islamabad current. He said during next 2-3 months a professional football league would he held in Islamabad in which 8-10 teams would participate including some international players. Abdullah Shah, Captain of IFA soccer team said that 56 teams had participated in the Gothia Cup and Pakistan won the tournament by defeating India, Ethiopia, Balgladesh, China and others in the tournament.

mote the soft and positive image of Karachi”, he added. Explaining the reasons behind choosing the theme ‘Oasis of Harmony’ for My Karachi Exhibition, Siraj Teli stated that this theme depicts the diverse, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic population who speak different languages but live in complete harmony across Karachi. The theme also represents the entire business and industrial community of Karachi, starting from a small shopkeeper to leading industrialists, he added.

Siraj Kassam Teli pointed out that Karachi Chamber has been constantly staging My Karachi Exhibition since 2004 when Karachi city was suffering badly due to terrorists’ activities and the law and order situation of Karachi was not so good. Moreover, the foreign media was wrongly portraying any law and order incident occurring in any particular area in such a manner that it gave a negative impression about the entire city. “To rectify this serious issue, we decided to initiate My Karachi Exhibition and ensured that the business and industrial community, all diplomats, foreign companies and the Karachiites densely participate in this event.

LccI for measures to control power sector’s circular debt

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ahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) expressed concerns over increased circular debt in the power sector and feared dire consequences if the issue was not resolved. LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid, Senior Vice President Khawaja Khawar Rashid, Vice President Zeshan Khalil and Executive Committee Members said in a media statement that according to a report, circular debt had become a threat to the power sector. They said that huge amount of circular debt would result in reduction in power generation that would hit electricity consumers of all categories – industrial, agricultural, commercial and domestic. –CB Report

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Faisalabad AFU seizes 450 non customs paid mobile phones FAISALABAD: The Customs Collectorate Air Freight Unit (AFU) has confiscated over 450 pieces of smuggled foreign origin mobile phones at the Faisalabad International Airport during a checking of a Dubai flight last night under the Supervision of Assistant Collector Ameer Ahmed.

Sources told Customs Today, that the value of these mobile phones and items is estimated at Rs 5 million approximately involving customs duty and taxes.

Friday, March 16, 2018

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

customs Hyderabad profits Rs113 million from duties & taxes HYDERABAD ASLAm ANJUm QUReSHI www.customsbulletin.com

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he Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Hyderabad has generated Rs1204million (10.33%) customs duty and taxes during the month of February Financial Year 2018.

The department collected customs duty, sales tax, federal excise duty (Special FED) and withholding tax during the abovementioned period.

The MCC Hyderabad was assigned the target of Rs1091million in February Fiscal Year 2018. So the net difference of proQit is Rs113million. The income from last July to February is Rs10399.5million whereas the allocated target was Rs9258.9million.

The major sources of tax revenue remained Hyderabad Dry Port, State Warehouse and Sukkur-Larkana division. The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) also seized non-dutypaid goods worth millions of rupees.

Under the supervision of Hyderabad Customs Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq, Additional Collector (HQ) Dr Aamer Nawaz Hamid and Statistical Revenue ASO and others played an important role in the revenue collection, ofQicials said. The Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Hyderabad,

Anti-Smuggling Organizations (ASO) Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana Division aborted various smuggling at-

tempts and impounded non-dutypaid items including Qive vehicles, cloths, blankets, auto parts, watches,

cigarettes, Guttka, tyres and tubes, electronic items including LED TVs, mobil sets and CPUs in different op-

erations worth millions of rupees during the month of February Financial Year 2018.

NAB orders probe against former army officers in corruption case ISLAMABAD

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The National Accountability Bureau has ordered an investigation against former army officials and civil servants of the Balochistan government in a corruption case.

The executive board meeting chaired by NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal or-

dered the investigation against Lt-Gen (retd) Muhammad Afzal Janjua, Brig (retd) Iftikhar Mehdi, former secretary finance Balochistan Mehfooz Ali Khan and directors of M/s Allah Hu Holding Limited and officials of the Balochistan government in a case of embezzlement of Rs243 million. The meeting also decided to file three corruption references and five inquiries.

The NAB executive board approved the first corruption reference against the owner of Safa Gold Mall Rana Abdul

Qyum and officials of the Capital Development Authority in case of illegal approval of construction of additional floors of the mall in a posh area of the federal capital, causing a loss of million rupees to the national kitty. The second reference was approved against former director-general Galyat Development Authority (GDA) Tariq Hayat Khan and others on charges of the misuse of power and illegally allotting land of the GDA on low rates, causing a loss of Rs90 million to the national exchequer.

The third reference was approved against former managing director Water and Sanitation Authority Quetta Hamid Latif Rana and others in a case of assets beyond the known source of income, causing a loss of Rs337 million to the national treasury.

The NAB authorized the first inquiry against the management of the National Highway Authority and others for their alleged involvement in awarding the contract of Karachi-Lahore Motorway Section-III-Abdul Hakeem (230-km) to M/s

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).

China Railway 20 Bureau Group Corporation. illegal contract caused a loss of Rs14 billion to the national exchequer.

The second inquiry was launched against two ex-members of National Assembly, Muddasar Qayuom Nahra and Azhar Qyuom Nahra in a case of assets beyond the known source of income.

The third inquiry was authorized against two individuals, Hafeezur Rehman and Qasim Shah over the allegations of corruption.