March 23 layout 1

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Vol 1 Issue No. 314

Karachi, Wed March 23, 2016

LAHORE

M HAYAT

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ustoms Preventive authorities has foiled an attempt to smuggle 1.5 kilogram of heroine to Holland.

According to sources, accused Waris Khan of Vehari has tactfully packed the heroine in kids’ books.

The Customs GPO authorities discovered the heroine from international parcels section. The hero-

ine is estimated at millions of rupees. It was informed that on the instructions of collector of customs ZulPiqar Younis, the Customs GPO authorities registered FIR and initiated investigations. Meanwhile, Model Customs Collectorate Preventive Collector ZulPiqar Younis has distributed work of the collectorate among eight deputy and assistant collectors.

According to the detail, Deputy Collector Saima Ayyaz will look after Air Freight Unit (AFU) administration, Group-I and II,

Price Rs. 14.00

adjudication of AFU cases, audit and supervision of betel leaf adjudication and appeals. Assistant Collector Palwasha Syed will handle all matters of Passenger Facilitation Center (PFC), while Assistant Collector Muhammad Adnan Khan will look after AntiSmuggling Organisation (ASO), Investigation& Prosecution, GPO, state warehouse and auction.

Assistant Collector Asim Awan will be responsible of all matter of airport trafPic, baggage and adjudication of trafPic cases.

Sialkot Anti-Smuggling Organization seizes Indian orign chilli, cloth

Appraisement East faces shortage of staff Customs

Ishaq Dar chairs meeting to review financial matters of PIA

Customs Intelligence seizes non-duty paid Land Cruiser, Mazda bus

Govt to sign five more L NG agreements with Qata r: Abbasi

The ASO has recovered Indian origin red chilli and cloth worth Rs 800,000 | See pAge 02 |

Customs Collectorate Appraisement East is finding it very hard to ensure speedy | See pAge 03 |

Dar chaired a meeting at the Ministry of Finance to review financial matters of PIA | See pAge 04 |

The Customs Intelligence has detained a non-customs paid V8 Land Cruiser | See pAge 12 |

The govt has announced to sign five more LNG supply agreements with Qatar | See pAge 09 |

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IHC adjourns hearing of reference filed by Haidri Beverages Wednesday, March 23, 2016

National

ISLAMABAD: A division bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has adjourned the hearing of a petition, seeking the court’s guidance in jurisdiction of the Customs Appellate Tribunal and Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR).

A division bench of the IHC comprising Justice Noorul Haq Qureshi and Justice Athar Minallah heard the reference filed by Haidri Beverages (Private) Limited.

The appellant had submitted a legal-proposition, asking the court to direct on the matter if the Customs Appellate Tribunal had the jurisdiction to hear cases of the federal excise duty and other special duties.

Sialkot Anti-Smuggling organisation seizes indian-orign chilli, cloth

wB offers assistance to fBr for debugging iT system ISLAMABAD

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SIALKOT

SALeeM AwAn SHeiku

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has recovered Indian origin red chilli and cloth worth Rs 800,000 from a truck. Following the directions of ASO incharge Assistant Collector Zahid Bashir Chaudhary, Inspector Sheikh Muhmmad Ikram along with his team established a check post on the Airport Road. The team intercepted a truck coming from Azad Kashmir and recovered red chilli and cloth. The ofPicials asked the driver to show documents regarding the legal import of the items but he failed to do the same; therefore the recovered items were seized under the customs laws. The ofPicials also arrested the truck driver and his helper and registered a case against them. Further investigation is underway. Meanwhile, The mega Silakot airport project would help in doubling the annual export from Sialkot from existing exports worth $2 billion, thus catering the need of the Pakistan’s Pirst ever Golden Export Triangle comprising Sialkot, Gujrat and Gujranwala districts. Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) Chairman Malik Muhammad Ashraf stated this while talking to the newsmen here. He narrated that the mega Sialkot airport project, is now opening the new vistas of economic development in the country and bring a boom

he World Bank (WB) has offered the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to devise a short; medium or long term plan for overhauling of IT system in order to eliminate problems being faced by the tax collection machinery. The WB offered that plan in a meeting held here at FBR headquarters, which was attended by FBR Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan and members.

The bank was told that FBR did not have any direct interaction system with taxpayers, as all taxpayers have to approach the board through Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL).

While the WB wanted to make a plan after conducting a survey to develop a direct interactive system between the taxpayers and FBR. While the WB wanted to make a plan after conducting a survey to develop a direct interactive system between the taxpayers and FBR. Meanwhile, FBR chairman informed the delegation of WB that the board wanted to overcome the IT problems, besides making the existing system better to facilitate the taxpayers.

in the industrial sector. Chairman Malik Ashraf revealed that the mega project of Sialkot International Airport, established by the trendy Sialkot exporters on self help basis, is now proving itself as a milestone towards the stability of the national economy.

There is no doubt to say that Sialkot international airport project has now become a success story. He told that the Sialkot international airport has also ensured the easy access of Sialkot exporters to the international business routs , foreign destinations and

international trade markets besides, leaving very positive, health and pleasant impacts on regional economical growth and human development in Pakistan’s Pirst ever “Gold Export Triangle” comprising Sialkot, Gujranwala and Gujrat districts here.

customs court sends woman smuggler to jail for 5 years T

LAHORE

M iMrAn ALi

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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has sentenced a suspect, Rahat Shehzadi, to Pive years imprisonment in a case pertaining to the smuggling of Rs 20 million. The Customs Court has also imposed a penalty of Rs 180 million and bound her to pay the money within the speciPic time. In case of

failure, she will have to spend six more months in jail.

Earlier, the verdict on the case was adjourned from February 12 to February 23 and then it was rescheduled for March 18. As per details available to Customs Today, a case was registered against Rahat Shahzadi. She was intercepted by Customs authorities at the Lahore airport when she was attempting to smuggle Rs 20 million of foreign and local currency to Dubai in 2013. Now the Customs investigation and prosecution had com-

pleted the interim challan against the suspect which was submitted before the court. The Customs Court has also recorded the statements of witnesses and completed the judicial trial of the suspect and concluded the hearing of the case. The verdict was announced on Friday and the culprit has been sent to jail for Pive years. Meanwhile, Special Judge of Customs Court Chaudhry Ameer Muhammad Khan has sent an alleged gold smuggler, Muhammad Rizwan, to jail on judicial remand for 14 days. As per details,

Muhammad Rizwan son of Hadayatullah, a resident of Kot Khawaja Saeed, Lahore, was arrested by the Customs Preventive at Allam Iqbal International Airport in November 2014. The Customs authorities had arrested him for smuggling 600 tola of gold worth Rs 30 million. He was in the custody of the Customs investigation team that grilled him to dig out more persons behind smuggling. After interrogations, he was on judicial remand for 14 days. Earlier, the Customs authorities had also arrested

another passenger who was trying to smuggle four kilogram of gold from Sharja to Lahore. Meanwhile, The Customs Investigation and Prosecution has submitted a challan in a plastic material smuggling case to the Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling. The suspect in the case named Shaukat Ali was arrested by the Customs Intelligence authorities from Lahore while they recovered a huge quantity of smuggled Iranian plastic raw material from his warehouse near Shahdara.

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Faisalabad Customs confiscates 888kg non-duty paid cloth FAISALABAD: Customs Intelligence and Investigation has seized 24 rolls of foreign origin smuggled cloth, the estimated value of the cloth is Rs 0.62 million involving Rs 0.31 million customs duty and taxes.

Sources told Customs Today that after receiving a tip-off regarding the smuggling attempt, Additional Director Azmat Tahira has constituted a raiding team comprising Asghar Mehdi Naqvi (IO), Zulfiqar ali Awan and Shoukat Hayat.

The accused person namely Khalil-Ur-Rehman son of Muhammad Sharif, who is a resident of Khanewal has claimed the ownership of the smuggled cloth.

Wednesday March 23, 2016

National

Additional collector Saima Aftab declares seizure of Toyota corolla legal

Appraisement-east faces shortage of staff

FAISALABAD

nAeeM SHeikH

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ustoms Adjudication Additional Collector Saima Aftab has issued Order-in-Original in favour of Field Intelligence Unit (FIU) Khushab. Sources informed Customs Today that the FIU team intercepted a Toyota Corolla bearing No. AAH-224 and asked the owner of the vehicle to produce legal documents regarding possession of the vehicle but the owner failed to provide any relevant documents. The FIU team seized the vehicle and forwarded the case to the customs adjudication. During the hearing of the case, Saeed Hayat (IO) appeared from the prosecution side and asserted that the seized vehicle falls under the ambit of the sections of the Customs Act 1969.

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pakistan, Turkey to ink framework accord for fTA ISLAMABAD

M fAiZAn

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ederal Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir and Minister of Economy of Turkey will sign a framework agreement today, which will be the basis of negotiations for future Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.

Pakistan and Turkey have been enjoying cordial relations for last few decades. Turkish businessmen always prefer to get benefits of business opportunities in Pakistan, while Pakistan also extends its full cooperation in various fields to Turkey. Both the countries are joining hands to further expand trade ties which will be beneficial for the people of the two countries. Both the countries are joining hands to further expand trade ties which will be beneficial for the people of the two countries.

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KARACHI

AfTAB cHAnnA

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he Customs Collectorate Appraisement East is Pinding it very hard to ensure speedy disposal of clearance process as the Pield formation is facing shortage of staff since long, it is learnt.

The sanctioned strength of the Customs Appraisement East is around 110 employees, however, the strength has never been completed and the department always remained understaff. Now the workload has almost become double which is hindering the day-to-day functions of the department, sources told Customs Today.

At present, there is a staff of 81 persons in Appraisement East, however, the workload is being increased gradually. Most of the senior staff members have retired or are near to retirement while no new appointment has been made since long, the sources disclosed.

“We have requested the FBR to make new appointments in the Appraisement East so that the future workload could be catered in a bePitting manner”, sources added.

Meanwhile, Customs 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 reg-

istered 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 Interna-

At present, there is a staff of 81 persons in Appraisement east, however, the workload is being increased gradually. Most of the senior staff members have retired or are near to retirement while no new appointment has been made since long, the sources disclosed

fBr asks field formations to list non-filers ISLAMABAD

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AfTAB cHAnnA

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ollowing unsatisfactory results received from Voluntary Tax Compliance Scheme so far, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed all regional ofPices to prepare a list of non-Piler traders aiming at establishing the writ of FBR in country. The board also asked the commissioners to demand the mon-

itoring reports on daily basis from Inland Revenue (IR) ofPicers so a effective strategy could be designed to recover the evaded tax amount from the defaulters. OfPicials said that the FBR had approved the scheme unwillingly in the light of past experiences. The current results had not disappointed the board, as it has witnessed the same in the past, they said, adding that almost 5300 returns have received so far through the tax amnesty scheme. The ofPicials further said that tax amnesty scheme

helped the board to expose the traders’ representatives who were raising voices to get approved their demands and claiming to bring the huge number of traders into tax system. It is important to mention here that traders’ representatives had claimed to bring one million traders into tax net but they could not do the same. Now, FBR will take stern actions against the tax defaulters without any hesitation, as a chance was given to them to facilitate them but they remained reluctant.

tional, 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.

Anf foils hashish smuggling bid in Jamrud he ANF and Khasadar have recovered 27 kg hashish from a car at Bagyari check post of tehsil Jamrud, Khyber Agency. Sources told Customs Today that during the routine checking, the ANF and Khasadar force intercepted a Peshawar bound car bearing registration No.P-6859 for checking and found 27 kg fine quality hashish concealed in various cavities of the vehicle.

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ZTBL announces offsite ATMs facility for customers Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Business

LAHORE: Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) has announced to give offsite ATMs facility to the customers with collaboration of the National Bank of Pakistan.

ZTBL President Syed Talat Mahmood has said that the present management is making all-out efforts to convey its agri credit facilities at the doorsteps of the farmers. Speaking at a MOUs signing ceremony at ZTBL Zonal Office, Lahore for ATMs facility said that ATM facility scheme is started as per instructions and vision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and with the government’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy.

pSX loses 33,000 mark after shedding 95pts KARACHI

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pened with positive note, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Tuesday again closed negative, losing psychological barrier of 33,000 points level as the benchmark KSE-100 index shed 94.57 points to drop to 32928.30 points level.

The stocks recorded the highest trading level of 33191.08 points and lowest level of 32868.07 points, with the volume of 133.16 million shares, having about Rs6.34 billion value. As many as 304 companies were active; of which 104 advanced, 171 declined

pak rupee remains firm against dollar KARACHI

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he Pakistan rupee Monday remained firm against the US dollar both in open market and interbank.

According to the local money market, the dollar remained unchanged both in cash-free market and interbank at 105.75 and 104.50 respectively. On Friday, the greenback lost 15 paisas in open market for selling at 105.75 and remained steady in interbank at 105.40.

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and 29 remained unchanged. Commercial banks was the top traded sector with 16,996,100 volume,

while auto assembling remained second with 15,155,650 volume. The three top traded companies were K-

Electric Ltd with a volume of 11,361,000 and price per share of 6.93 (-0.08), Dewan Motors with a volume 10,394,500 of price per share of 10.50 (0.73), BO Punjab with a volume 7,234,000 of price per share of 8.90 (-0.23). The top three gainers were Unilever Foods with price per share 5190 (210), RaPhan Maize XD with price per share of 7980 (101) and Murree Brewery price per share of 835.50 (37.50).

The top three losers were Indus Motor Co XD with price per share of 934.50 (-35.32), Atlas Battery with price per share of 543.51 (-23.82) and Pak Suzuki per share of 406.42 (-21.39). Earlier, in bid to recoup the overnight losses, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened positive and gained 153 points to reach 33176.29 points level in early trading.

ishaq Dar chairs meeting to review financial matters of piA ISLAMABAD

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ederal Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting at the Ministry of Finance to review Pinancial matters of Pakistan International Airlines.

Secretary Aviation Division, Muhammad Irfan Elahi updated the meeting about comparative analysis of PIA’s performance in the Piscal years 2013-14 and 2014-15. He gave a review of PIA’s performance

in the last nine months of the CFY15-16 and also informed the meeting about the immediate Pinancial requirements of the airline.

He said as desired concerted efforts are being made to minimize operational losses of the airline, yet to improve the service delivery and overall working of the airline, Pinancial assistance from the government was necessary. The Minister while emphasizing efforts by the PIA administration for improving service delivery and reduction of operational losses said that strict Pinancial discipline along with quality man-

agement were much desired to attain passenger and cargo service quality in accordance with international standards. He said the government fully supports efforts aimed at improvement in PIA’s services but also expected the PIA management as well as employees to contribute their best to revive the airline to the level of its past glory.

The meeting also discussed the PIA corporatization bill, which is to be tabled before the parliament in its joint sitting. Senior ofPicials of the Ministry of Finance and Aviation Division attended the meeting.

petroleum production increases by 6.51% in 7 months ISLAMABAD

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he production of various petroleum products witnessed positive growth of 6.51 percent during the first seven months of the current fiscal year as compared to the corresponding period of last year. According to the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the petroleum products that contributed positively in the growth of petroleum products included Jet fuel oil, output of which increased by 7.63 percent during July-January (2015-16) as compared to the production of July-January (2014-15).

The production of motor spirits increased by 3.79 percent, high speed diesel by 5.09 percent, while the production of furnace oil increased by 9.37 percent. Similarly, the output of lubricating oil witnessed growth of s14.04 percent, LPG 15.49 percent, the PBS data revealed. The petroleum products that witnessed negative growth during the period under review included kerosene oil, production of which decreased by 10.17 percent, diesel oil by 21.15 percent, jute batching oil by 18.11 percent while the production of Solvent Naptha decreased by 1.29 percent.

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excellent mango production predicted MULTAN

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he Mango Research Station (MRS) has predicted huge mango production in coming season due to suitable climate condition and other factors.

Talking to APP here Monday, MRS Incharge Abdul Ghaffar stated that plenty of Plowering was noted at mango orchards in the region. He

said favourable climate, lower levels of fog, less rains and growers understanding regarding management of mango orchards throughout the year, were main reasons behind “good Plowering at trees” during the on-going stage.

Last year, production of white “Chaunsa” was affected due to anthracnose disease which had attacked the orchards at Plowering stage. “Now there is no chance of disease attack this year. Also, some

insects including Mango Harper and Mango InPlorescent Midge also damaged orchards and caused low production”. About an estimate percentage increase in mango production this year, the Mango Research Station Incharge hoped that nearly 40 to 50 percent increase was expected in the upcoming season as compared to last year produce. Punjab province produced nearly fourteen thousands tonnes mangoes last year, he said.

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to renew the maintenance and look after contract pertaining to the WeBOC (Web Based One Customs) with IBM, Customs Today has learnt.

The decision to this effect was taken in a meeting chaired by FBR Chairman Nisar Mohammad Khan. The meeting discussed in details the reasons for shutdown of WeBOC in the recent past, suspending the clearance system at the Appraisement West and East.

It may be mentioned here that the state-of-theart self-developed WeBOC (Web Based One Customs) became dysfunctional following some software problems. The Pakistan Customs, a wing of the FBR, has developed the IT-based WeBOC for paperless Piling of the goods declaration and other functions. However the system was shut down due to reasons best known to the FBR authorities.

According to sources, the WeBOC support and maintenance contract with IBM had expired over a year ago and the Board would likely to approve renewal of this contract very shortly. The incident of WeBOC shutdown occurred after the hard discs were not replaced after completion of warranty life. The entire Storage Area Network (SAN) collapsed suspending all WeBOC operations. The sources added that the contract with IBM would soon be renewed to ensure smooth functioning of the WeBOC system besides minor and major errors would also be removed in this system.

Meanwhile, The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has started action against 241 Customs ofPicers on the allegations of corruption.

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Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Sources told Customs Today that some businessmen had informed the FBR about the corrupt ofPicials and demanded action against them.

After receiving such complaints, the FBR started inquiries against the ofPicials. Sources said that as a result of these inquiries, no evidence was found against 33 ofPicials, warning issued to 12 ofPicials, 39 ofPicials were awarded different sentences, while inquiries against 157 ofPicials are still in process. Sources said that the federal government has also sought details about the ofPicials who found involved in corruption.

Meanwhile, The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has reshufPled four ofPicers of BS 17-18 of the Pakistan Customs Service with immediate effect and until further orders.

According to a notiPication issued by Ghulam Ali Malik, Secretary Mgt-Customs-II; Muhammad Mumtaz Ali Raza Chaudhary, BS-18, Deputy Director, Directorate General of Transit Trade has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director at Directorate of IOCO North Lahore, Kamran Ali Rana, BS-18, Deputy Director, Customs Collectorate Appraisement East Karachi has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Directorate General of Transit Trade Karachi, Muhammad Arsalan Majeed Rana, BS-17, Assistant Collector Customs Collectorate of Appraisement West Karachi transferred and posted as Assistant Collector, Customs Collectorate of Exports PMBQ and Shah Faisal, BS-17, Assistant Collector Customs Collectorate Quetta transferred and posted as Assistant Director, Directorate of Transit Trade, Quetta.

The notiPication states that the ofPicers who are drawing performance allowance prior to issuance of this notiPication shall continue to draw this allowance on the new place of posting.

Meanwhile,The Federal Board of Revenue-FBR

has issued directives to all the wings and Pield formations to verify the educational documents of the ofPicials from Grade-5 to Grade-16, it is learnt here. In a letter issued from the FBR-Headquarters, it was directed to the authorities concerned of all Collectorates to start the process of scrutinizing the educational documents of the ofPicials from Grade-5 to Grade-16 and submit a detailed report in a month. Under the process, the educational documents of the lower divisional clerks (LDCs), upper divisional clerks (UDCs), appraising ofPicers (AOs) and examining ofPicers (EO) would be scrutinized. Sources informed Customs Today that FBR Chairman Nisar Mohammad and Member Customs Nasir Masroor have taken the step to scrutinize the educational ceritiPicates of the ofPicials to complete the recruitments process. The sources further said that most of the appraising and examining ofPicers in the Pakistan Customs Services are working on technical side and their assignments and duties are incompatible with their educational qualiPications. The sources further hinted that the said step of the FBR authorities concerned would put the services of several ofPicials of Pakistan Customs Services (PCS) at risk.

ar an nis m r i a h eeting m e fBr c h T an. ns ad kh reaso m e h m t a s Moh e etail d in d c in th e o s B s e u c dis of w e tdown ing th u d h n s e r p fo , sus t the t past tem a recen s y s e east nc t and s cleara e w nt iseme Appra

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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

effects of low oil prices

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ccording to newspaper reports, the country will not be able to achieve the annual growth target of 5.5 percent this year mainly because of decline in cotton exports. The international financial institutions have already projected the growth in the gross domestic product at around 4.5 percent despite the fact that oil prices have recorded a significant decline this fiscal year. The Pakistani economy often remained under pressure due to rising prices of oil and gas in the international market and has suffered energy crisis for years. However, at a time the low oil prices have brought boon for many emerging economies, Pakistan is feeling the heat of boon and bane at the same time for the same reasons. As a matter of fact, oil import is a major source of income for the government and low oil prices mean low income in the form of duties and taxes.

The low oil prices have also begun to slash the income of the oil producing countries. As most of the expatriate Pakistanis are working in the Middle Eastern countries, it will definitely affect the volume of remittances they send to the country.

The federal commerce minister has recently unfurled the salient features of the new trade policy, saying the policy will mainly focus on the provision of maximum incentives to the export sector and stressed the need for using modern technology in the value addition to make the Pakistani exports competitive in the international market. The government has allocated Rs 6 billion to encourage exports and introduce Pakistani brands in the international market. The government has already decided to introduce zero-rating regime for exports from the next financial year. According to an assessment, Pakistan’s exports to European countries have increased by 33 percent after securing GSP Plus status. However, a 20 percent decline in euro’s value against US dollar have neutralized the monetary gains while the global recession has slowed down the demand of exportable products from Pakistan.

According to experts, Pakistan is at a better place as compared to the countries in the region and has the potential to become hub of international trade and investment. What only needs to do is to streamline the banking system, improve electricity supply and flush out terrorism once for all. However, alongside making arrangement for energy generation, the country needs political stability.

wHT and tax amnesty scheme A

LAHORE

Dr AfTAB AfZAL

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ccording to newspaper reports, the economic coordination committee of the cabinet has decided to extend the date for concessional rate of withholding tax of 0.4 percent on banking transactions for non-filers up to the second week of March. The controversy started when the government imposed 0.6 percent withholding tax on banking transactions in the federal budget. However, in the wake of strong protest by the business community, the government cut it to half, but again increased it by 0.1 percent to push traders to register themselves

with the tax authorities. There are no two opinions in the notion that tax-to-GDP ratio in Pakistan is very low as compared to other countries in the region. However, according to national and international tax experts, confusing tax laws and multiple tax regimes are responsible for the low tax base in the country.

The matter of tax collections is complex and it needs very careful understanding to apply a solution. Most of the laws give the authorities a mandate to investigate and evaluate tax income of an individual or a company, but suspicions and misunderstanding reign during the whole process of audit and investigations. As a result, ligations start with the government agencies which con-

sume years of precious manhours of the government officials, businessmen as well as of courts.

Withholding tax on bank transactions was introduced in the federal budget in a bid to collect revenues from non-filers of income tax. But across the board application of the order resulted in lower bank deposits, putting the whole banking system in jeopardy. The State Bank has allowed the tax authorities to access the bank accounts of individuals for tax assessment and collection. Now the people have started avoiding banks in business matters. Easy solutions always have complications. If the government wants to enhance tax net, it will have to win the trust of the business community

in the first place. Taxpayers, large or small, be given special citizen cards and facilities in every walk of life. They need attention and respect. A difference between income taxpayers and non-income taxpayers should be visible in society so that the people take pride in filing their income returns. Arrests and witch-hunt of businessmen will further push the potential income taxpayers away and they will never file income tax returns voluntarily. The current practice is that there is no difference between taxpayers and non-taxpayers in society and the government official treat both of them in the same manner.

Until a tax culture is created, the voluntary tax amnesty schemes will continue to end in smoke.

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Saudi hotel firm invests in Greece RIYADH: Saudi group Somewhere Hotels is about to officially enter the Greek hotel market, which will also mark its European debut. Kathimerini understands that the group, with two units already in Dubai and another two in Saudi Arabia, is poised to open its fifth in Vouliagmeni on Athens’s souther coast.

The unit will be a boutique hotel operating under the name Somewhere Vouliagmeni. The five-star hotel will have a capacity for 11 luxury suites following the renovation of an existing building and it is expected to go into operation in mid-April.

Somewhere Hotels penetrated the local market as a stakeholder last year after securing control of the company that owns the luxurious Eden Beach Resort complex on the 47th kilometer of the Athens-Sounio road, near Anavyssos.

govt to sign five more Lng agreements with Qatar: Abbasi he government has announced to sign five more liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreements with Qatar in coming days.

Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, addressing the members of Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), said that the new LNG supply agreements would help fulfil national energy needs and put the country on path of progress.

Abbasi said that the country was heading towards ‘charter of economy’, which would ensure continuity

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of economic policies. He disclosed that gas would be supplied to all fertilizer factories during the current year, adding that this decision was taken to meet the domestic demand.

He added that it would also help the country save precious foreign exchange and cut fertilizer import. He announced that now domestic LPG gas cylinder would be available at Rs700/800 in winter. He said that we have established a new company “Pakistan Energy” which would sign PSA with IPPs and industries.

Khaqan Abbasi said past three governments made five attempts over the ten years to import LNG, but they failed in adopting integrated approach where LNG terminal developer was also LNG supplier. He said the PML-N government resorted to un-bundled approach and the LNG terminal development was separated from LNG procurement, thus succeeding to provide the country with its first LNG-based gas within 20 months of its tenure. The minister said LNG was a game changer and the 400 mmcfd LNG terminal would add five per cent to the country’s primary energy mix.—CB Report

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Chambers

Lcci holds awareness seminar on Voluntary Tax compliance Scheme V

LAHORE

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oluntary Tax Compliance Scheme (VTCS) is a golden chance to come into tax net.

This is a business friendly initiative of the government and all circles should adopt “Pirst understand and then react” policy.

This was upshot of the speeches delivered at an awareness seminar on “Voluntary Tax Compliance Scheme” organized by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). LCCI former vice president Kashif Anwar, who has the expertise on the scheme, was the chief guest while the LCCI Vice President Nasir Saeed, Executive Committee Members Kamal Mahmood Amjad Mian, Khawaja Khawar Rasheed, representatives of trade and industrial associations and business community took part in a proactive awareness session.

LCCI Vice President Nasir Saeed said that scheme has been launched after a long discussion and consultation with the stakeholders. It would bring the huge capital in circulation that is a must for industrial

extension, to generate new employment opportunities and to boost trade and economic activities.

He said that VTCS is a giant leap towards expansion of tax net. He said that Pakistan needs resources for health, education and infrastructure projects and it is possible only through bringing untaxed sectors into the tax net. Nasir Saeed said that Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif and MNA Pervez Ma-

lik deserve appreciation for being bridge between the private sector and the government.

Former vice president Kashif Anwar said that scheme is not compulsory, it is voluntary and if any trader does not want to avail, he could Pile normal return. This is for individuals, Association of Persons (AOPs) and wholesaler or dealer who is not registered before availing the benePit of VTCS. He said that this

fBr urged to cut federal excise duty on cement

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KARACHI

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he cement manufacturers have asked the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to decrease federal excise duty (FED) stepwise to zero on cement.

In the budget proposal sent to FBR Chairman Muhammad Ali Tabba, the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) chairman stated that the cement industry is subject to FED at the rate of 5% of retail price and general sales tax (GST) at the rate of 17% of maximum retail price. These taxes come to around Rs 100 per bag.

“This incidence of high taxation encourages evasion and negatively impacts consumption. The abolishment of excise duty not only eliminates tax evasion but also enhances cement consumption at reduced

is for genuine businessmen who could not declare their capital because of any reason. They can declare now without any problem. He said that this is not for manufacturers, importers, sales tax registered persons either trader individual or AOP, dealer, distributor or wholesaler and sectors in services industry. He said this is working capital whitening scheme and not assets whitening scheme.

Sialkot business community wants expo centre in city he local business community is considering establishing expo centre in this export-oriented city.

Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) sources told APP Sunday that efforts were being made for obtaining sufficient funds from Export Development Fund (EDF) for the execution of Expo Centre. The basic concept of setting up Expo Centre was to hold national and international trade exhibitions and fairs as well as single country exhibition.

The government would provide sufficient funds, out of EDF, for the establishment of Expo centre, sources added.

Local business tycoons are making strenuous efforts for launching its own Sial Airline.—CB Report

T price,” he added.

He said that certain services are being taxed under independent provincial sales tax laws, which are in vogue in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Such services are still taxable under both the Federal Excise Act 2005 as well

as under provincial sales tax laws, which are tantamount to double taxation. “It is recommended that FED on all services rendered in Sindh, KP or Punjab may be abolished as it would eliminate double taxation and reduce cost of doing business,” he added.

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Sales of forex narrow in February Wednesday March 23, 2016

World

BEIJING: CHINESE banks continued to see net foreign exchange sales in February, but the volume has kept narrowing in a sign of easing capital outflows.

Chinese lenders bought US$93.7 billion worth of foreign currency last month and sold US$127.7 billion, resulting in a net sale of US$33.9 billion, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange said in a statement yesterday. Although the data marked an eighth straight month of deficit, it has narrowed sharply from the US$193 billion seen in January and US$229.7 billion in December. “The data showed China’s cross-border capital outflow pressure has eased significantly,” the regulator commented in a separate statement. It is expecting cross-border capital flow to be basically stable in the near future as global financial markets.

uS customs seizes meth worth $2 million PHARR

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S Customs and Border Protection, OfPice of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge seized $1,900,000 worth Meth seized by OFO OfPicers at the Pharr International Bridgeof alleged methamphetamine and arrested a Minnesota man in connection with the failed drug smuggling attempt.

“This was dePinitely a true example of how being able to analyze all the information presented along with our ofPicers’ tenacity and persistence, allows CBP to accomplish notable seizures like this,” said Port Director Efrain Solis Jr., Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. The seizure occurred on March 8, at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge after a CBP ofPicer encountered a 26-year-old man from St.

uk police seize suspected cannabis worth £400,000 wo people aged in their 30s have been arrested on suspicion of a number of drugs and money laundering offences after police seized £400,000 of suspected cannabis. Police seized £200,000 worth of suspected cannabis and arrested the man after a car was stopped on the M2 around midday on Friday. Properties were searched at Shore Road, Belfast and in Newtownards as part of the investigation. A further £200k worth of the drug was seized separately in Antrim. Both seizures are being investigated to establish the existence of any links. A man and woman have been arrested. Detective Inspector Andy Dunlop from Reactive and Organised Crime Branch said: “This was initially great work by our district colleagues and officers from our Operational Support Department who reacted quickly to information received from the community.—CB Report

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Paul, Minnesota driving a tan 1990 Fleetwood recreational vehicle (RV).

After referring the vehicle for further inspection and utilizing all available resources, including a canine team, ofPicers discovered nearly 96 pounds of alleged bulk methamphetamine hidden within the RV. CBP OFO seized the narcotics, the vehicle and arrested the traveler who was turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation. Meanwhile, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ofPicers assigned at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge seized a load of alleged methamphetamine hidden within a grey 2012 Nissan Juke. “I congratulate our CBP ofPicers for their diligence and dedication which led to the seizure of these narcotics,” said Port Director Petra Horne, Brownsville Port of Entry. Packages containing 103 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP ofPicers at Brownsville Port of EntryThe seizure took place on Monday.

Hk customs seizes 2.1kg cocaine disguised as sweets

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man was arrested at the Hong Kong airport on Saturday after customs found 2.1 kilos of suspected cocaine disguised as sweets in his carry-on

Malaysia customs expects to collect rM 52 billion in taxes

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he Royal Malaysian Customs Department is conPident of collecting RM52 billion in tax revenue this year as targeted by the government in the 2016 Budget. Its directorgeneral, Khazali Ahmad, said the department was undertaking initiatives to improve the tax collection system for the convenience of taxpayers. Out of the total, RM39 billion was expected to come from the Goods and Services Tax (GST), he told a press conference at the 17th WCO Asia/PaciPic Regional Heads of Customs Administration

Conference (RHCA) here today. “We will also step up our surveillance of traders and taxpayers through stringent enforcement. “In the current situation, we need to step up efforts to ensure the target is achieved. The forecast is based on our calculations. We don’t simply put up a Pigure,” he added.

Earlier in his speech, Khazali hoped the forum could be a proper platform for the department to learn about current and future technology that could be utilised to deliver effective and efPicient service.—CB Report

luggage. The man, who is 29 and claimed to be unemployed, was en route to Hanoi, Vietnam from Johannesburg, South Africa via Dubai, UAE, according to a government statement here the other day.

Customs officials intercepted him while patrolling the transit area at the airport, and found six candy boxes inside a plastic bag he was carrying.

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After an “in-depth examination”, officers found 110 pellets of suspected cocaine wrapped in sweet wrappers inside the boxes, totalling 2.1 kilos with an estimated street worth of HKD2.3 million.

These treats are definitely out of most (but not all) kids’ pocketmoney budget.

The man was charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug and is scheduled to appear at Tsuen Wan Magistrates’ Courts today. The maximum penalty for trafficking in a dangerous drug is life imprisonment and a fine of HKD5 million.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong Customs concluded a two-day territorywide anti-piracy operation yesterday and seized more than 14,000 suspected pirated optical discs worth about $500,000 from three shops during the operation. Customs officers recently suspected that a few shops in Mong Kok and Wan Chai had engaged in the sale of pirated optical discs.

retail sales bounce back in January y almost equal measure, Canada’s retail sector has been both good and not-so-good in recent months. Now, it appears shoppers are back in a good mood.

Consumers rebooted their spending at the start of 2016, making up for the 2.1-per-cent loss in retail purchases in December with a matching increase in buying during January a positive sign that shoppers are helping to get the overall economy on track for what could be healthy Pirst-quarter growth.

In fact, the 2.1-per-cent overall rebound in January retail sales marked the single-strongest growth

pace since March 2010, when it reached 2.6 per cent surprising given that most economists had forecast a gain of just 0.6 per cent for the month. The biggest retail gains in January came in the auto sector, where vehicle and parts dealers saw a 4.8-per-cent jump in sales a turnaround from a 3.1-percent decline in December, but still managing increases in three of the past four months, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday. “Traditionally, the winter months are challenging months on which to base predictions for the entire year.—CB Report

ireland tourism revenue up to €4.2 billion

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record 8.6 million people visited Ireland from overseas last year, marking an “exceptional” year for Irish tourism.

The total revenue for the Irish tourism sector in 2015 was €4.2 billion while spending by overseas

visitors – excluding aircraft fares – rose by 18.6 per cent compared with 2014. The number of holidaymakers visiting Ireland rose by 20.4 per cent in 2016, while their spending rose 27.8 per cent when compared with the previous year.

Minister for Tourism Paschal Donohoe hailed 2015 as an exceptional year for the sector and said the State was working towards fur-

ther growing the number of visitors and associated revenue in 2016.

“Of course this being St Patrick’s week, Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening initiative is taking place across the world at a time when many people are planning their holidays, giving Ireland an unparalleled platform to encourage people to pay us a visit’,” said Mr Donohoe following the release of the latest num-

bers. Under the recently published Tourism Action Plan, the Minister hopes to see €5 billion in overseas tourism revenue by 2025.

He also hopes to create 250,000 jobs in the sector with 10 million visits to Ireland in the next decade.

The latest data from the Central Statistics OfPice reveal that visitors from abroad spent a total of 61 million nights in the country.

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Sagamore presents Port Covington plans to BDC WASHINGTON: While a majority of the money comes from private investment, federal, state and city money will be needed to make the Port Covington project a reality. Under Armour founder Kevin Plank said he is ready to take on the tremendous project and is even running television ads about it. Plank’s development company, Sagamore Development, presented a number of proposals, plans and the price tag.

Baltimore Development Corp. President and CEO Bill Cole paid close attention to Sagamore’s presentation and said he was intrigued by the numbers and the funding.

“This is a critically important project and a tremendous opportunity for the city of Baltimore,” Cole said.

Auto imports continue to surge at port of Baltimore he port of Baltimore’s business as the nation’s No. 1 point of entry for automobiles continued to boom in 2015 as the number of cars shipped through its public terminals surged 20 percent to yet another record. Shippers imported 399,618 cars last year, up from 331,746 in 2014, the Maryland Port Administration announced Wednesday. Overall, 753,265 vehicles were moved through the port, the highest volume among U.S. ports for the fifth consecutive year. The port also broke a record for shipping containers, handling 523,848 shipping containers, up 8 percent from the previous record set in 2014, but general cargo tonnage dipped slightly to 9.6 million tons from last year’s record of 9.7 million tons. General cargo includes containers, cars and socalled break-bulk cargo. “The port of Baltimore is one of the nation’s busiest ports, as well as one of Maryland’s

Ports & Shipping

eu aims to simplify state support for ports

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WASHINGTON

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leading economic engines,” Governor Larry Hogan said in a statement.

The port began receiving weekly container shipments from international shipping giant Maersk Line last year, and it signed a new 30-year contract with Wallenius Wilhelmson Logistics, a major vehicle and farm and construction equipment shipper. “In addition to welcoming the world’s largest container shipping company and signing another giant to a long-term contract, over the last year, the port set numerous records proving again that Maryland is truly open for business,” Hogan said. Overall, Baltimore saw 32.4 million tons of international cargo valued at approximately $51.1 billion cross the docks of its public and private marine terminals last year.—CB Report

he Commission has asked for feedback on the extension of general block exemption regulation (GBER) to cover ports and airports, as part of the state aid modernisation (SAM) initiative, the Commission said.

SAM is designed to make it easier to grant aid that “contributes to a

more dynamic and competitive single market”, and the existing GBER allows EU countries to grant some aid without applying for authorisation. This “cuts red tape for projects that are unlikely to distort competition and allows for well-dePined projects to go ahead as fast as possible. It also allows the Commission to focus its efforts on more distortive types of aid”, the Commission said. The new proposal on ports and airports follows 33 state aid decisions on ports and 54 on airports, the Commission said. The

provisions ensure that aid can only be granted for transport-related investments and does not go beyond what is needed to make the investment happen, while taking into account future revenue from the investment, it said. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “Ports and airports are key infrastructure for economic growth and regional development. Our proposals aim at facilitating unproblematic public investments in ports and airports that can create jobs.

Wednesday March 23, 2016

Subic, Virginia port authorities forge alliance he port authorities of Subic Bay and Virginia inked a cooperation agreement at a Virginia facility on March 5, the Philippine Embassy reported. The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Virginia Port Authority (VPA) established an Alliance of Cooperation a ceremony held at the Virginia International Gateway Terminal in Portsmouth, Virginia. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Roberto V. Garcia, SBMA chairman and administrator; and John F. Reinhart, VPA CEO and executive director. The MOU calls for information sharing to generate new business by promoting the all-water route between the Subic Bay Freeport and The Port of Virginia. The Alliance will also explore joint marketing efforts, share nonconfidential data that may be useful for developing the bilateral relationship of the ports, exchange relevant market studies explore opportunities for jointor cross-training seminars and transfer technical or technological capabilities.

Garcia underscored the MOU’s importance to deepening the Philippines-US economic relationship. Held hoped the MOU would allow the two ports to share best practices with each other and lead to job creation, tax space and the economic well-being of the communities outside the gates of the two ports. At a meeting organized by the Virginia Beach Economic Development Office after the signing ceremony.—CB Report

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foreign trade falls ‘to ease after March’: Moc

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eclines in China’s foreign trade will ease after the Pirst quarter, but conditions will remain severe and complex this year, the Ministry of Commerce predicted here the other day.

Weak trading activities in the Pirst two months of the year were affected by the Spring Festival holiday, which had disrupted the trade performance, ministry spokesman

Shen Danyang said.

Saying that the decline will ease after March, Shen added, “China’s trade conditions this year will remain complex, compared with 2015, as international commodity prices keep falling and demand for goods in both developed and developing economies remains weak.”

China’s exports in dollar-denominated terms were more than 25 percent lower year-on-year in February. This was a worsening of the 11.2 percent decline in January and the sharpest drop since May 2009,

according to the General Administration of Customs.

But Shen said, “We are prudently optimistic about foreign trade this year. “We are conPident of keeping the same growth rate in foreign trade this year as last, based on growth mode transformation and restructuring.” China recorded a 7 percent drop in foreign trade last year. It did not set an exact growth target for foreign trade in this year’s Government Work Report.

Shen said the decline in the nation’s export growth rate was far

lower than that of other major economies including the United States, Canada, Japan, Brazil and India during the Pirst two months of this year. Eager to attract more foreign investment to put the country’s economic growth on a Pirmer footing, Shen said the ministry will introduce six measures this year. These will include further loosening the requirement for foreign investment in service sectors such as education, Pinance and culture, and optimizing the administrative system to enhance work efPiciency.

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Customs, IT chiefs assigned task to handle social media matters ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) assigned task to Customs chief and IT chief to handle the social media matters. This job will be part of their service. It is learnt that both the chiefs will be responsible for FRB’s website and its official pages on Twitter and Facebook, the social interactive sites. FBR had launched its Twitter and Facebook pages last year and it has grabbed hundreds of relevant online traffic. The people who want to get information by FBR; they can send their queries through Facebook and Twitter regarding the tax matters.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

customs intelligence seizes non-duty paid Land cruiser, Mazda bus LAHORE M HAYAT

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he Customs Intelligence and Intelligence has detained a non-customs paid V8 Land Cruiser near Fortress Stadium, sources told Customs Today here.

According to the sources, the Customs authorities on secret information chased a Land Cruiser which was driven out of Gymkhana Club. The team chased the vehicle and detained after conPirming that the vehicle was non-customs paid.

Meanwhile, in another raid the Customs authorities seized a Mazda bus loaded with non-customs paid items from Band Road. Sources said that the operations were undertaken on the instructions of Director Saud Imran under the supervisor of Superintendent Rauf Farooqi.

Meanwhile, The Customs Intelligence and Investigation anti-smuggling team has seized smuggled LEDs, DVDs worth millions of rupees from Zatoon Plaza, Hall Road. Sources told Customs Today that the Customs authorities, on secret information, under took the operation and seized 114 cartons of illegally imported LEDs, DVDs of international brands.

The sources said that the ASO team raided when the cartons were being

unloaded. The total value of the LEDS and DVDs is determined at Rs 3. 6

million. The customs ofPicials have started investigations from Yasin, a

commission agent to reach the main sources, it was added.

govt decides to upgrade chaman, Torkham transit trade terminal PESHAWAR

nADir kHAn

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he government has decided to upgrade Chaman and Torkham transit trade terminal by providing state of the art facilities at the cost of millions of rupees, funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB).

OfPicial sources said that the terminal under one roof will consist of the Pakistan Custom, the

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), immigration and NADRA ofPices which will facilitate the movement of goods and traveller across the borders. The work on this terminal will start in July 2016 with the help of the Frontier Works Organization. The ofPicials have started negotiation with various tribes of Landi Kotal and Torkham to acquire land of 700 kanal for this purpose. In this connection various organizations like USAID and ADB has also completed their survey to estimate the total cost of the project. This terminal will have also facilities of export and import

yard where transporters will be provided easy opportunity to wait for their turn and custom clearance. The tribes have been agreed to provide land for this purpose while funds already allocated under ADB program to make the project successful one.

It is merit to mention that the state of the art terminal at Torkham border was a long awaited demand of the business community and transporters which will help facilitate the importers and exporters.

Meanwhile, The Model Custom Collectorate collected Rs 13.831

billion as duty and taxes during the last eight months (July-February) of the ongoing Pinancial year 2015-16, surpassing the Rs 12.189 billion collected during the same period of the last year.

The Peshawar Customs under the head of customs duty collected Rs4.985 billion against Rs 4.047 billion collected last year and surpassed it by Rs 937.8 million, showing 23.17 percent positive growth. In term of sales tax on import, it generated Rs 3.249 billion against Rs 3.592 billion collected during last year and registered 9.53 percent decrease, as it col-

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lected Rs 342.37 million less revenue than last year.

In wake of sales tax levied as federal excise duty on palm oil, the collectorate collected Rs 1.524 billion during eight months of current Piscal year showing 21.61 percent negative growth over last year when it had collected Rs 1.944 billion. The collectorate generated Rs 474.55 million in wake of sales tax value addition on commercial importers against the previous year’s collection of Rs 471.53 million with total difference of Rs 3.02 million showing 0.64 percent growth.