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Karachi, Tue November 29, 2016

SIALKOT

SALEEM AWAN

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he Customs Collectorate Appraisement wing collected Rs 1,022 .88 million under the head of duty and taxes from August to October 2016. Principal Appraiser Abdul Hameed told Customs Today that Collector Sialkot Ahmed Reza Khan, taking keen interest in revenue collection, instructed all the

departments to increase revenue collections under all heads in order to strengthen the national economy.

He said that under the supervision of Collector Reza, the Customs Appraisement collected Rs 780 million as sales tax, Rs 122.88 million in the shape of customs duty and Rs 120.2 million under the head of income tax during the period. He said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has not yet assigned target of revenue collection target

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to MCC Sialkot. The principal appraiser added that the appraising department got permission from the collector to send notices to defaulter of taxes and duties. The defaulters will have to face stern action after November 30, 2016 if they failed to clear outstanding dues. Deputy Collector Waheed Anwar Abro showed satisfaction over the collection of revenue, adding that handsome amount of duty/taxes will be collected in ongoing month of November.

Inquiry against clearance of vehicles under amnesty scheme in full swing

ASO seizes cloth, soaps and LCDs wor th Rs 5 million

OPEC makes last-ditch bid to save oil deal as tensions grow

Customs Preventive posts 3pc growth in duty, taxes during four months

Sarwat Tahira directs audit of import data of M/s Aryan International

The FBR has decided to finalise the inquiry, which is being carried out in connection | SEE pAgE 02 |

The ASO seized foreign origin smuggled goods, including cloth, soaps and LCDs | SEE pAgE 03 |

OPEC was trying on Monday to rescue a deal to limit oil output as tensions grew | SEE pAgE 04 |

The Collectorate of Customs Preventive has collected Rs 8,593 million revenue | SEE pAgE 14 |

Chief Collector SarwatTahira has directed collector Islamabad to conduct an audit | SEE pAgE 16 |

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Customs Valuation issues reference values for glass tubing Tuesday, November 29, 2016

KARACHI: Directorate General of Customs Valuation has issued the reference values for glass tubing of a kind used for the manufacture of ampoules.

The directorate general has initiated an exercise to develop database values for different items wherein it has been observed that declarations are wide range and do not correctly reflect values of the items as traded’ ink the market.

During the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it has been observed that glass tubing of a kind used for the manufacture of ampoules falling under PCT Headings 7002.3910 is being assessed at different values and certain transactions are on very low side.

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inquiry against clearance of vehicles under amnesty scheme in full swing

SIALKOT

KARACHI

SALEEM AWAN ShEikhu

S r khAN

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ssistant Collector and Incharge of Anti-Smuggling Organization of Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Sialkot Chaudhary Fahad Bashir has decided to monitor weekly performance of the organization to make it more efficient. Talking to Customs Today, he said that he would review the strategies adopted by officials to curb smuggling in the Gujranwala region. He said that he observed the performance of superintendents, deputy superintendents and inspectors of the ASO. Meanwhile, the officials of the ASO have been directed to discuss the matters directly with the assistant collector instead of writing letters to the headquarters. The Incharge ASO will monitor the performance of ASO Sialkot, Gujranwala, Gujrat and others areas to improve the anti-smuggling activities in the region. However, ASO officials have been deputed at main points in the jurisdiction to hold the smuggled items and vehicles. He said that the monitoring of ASO is already in progress but the higher authorities of Custom Department has instructed that the Inchage ASO should make monitoring every week then I decided to compliance of instructions of Higher authorities of department.

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he Federal Board of Revenue-FBR has decided to Rinalise the inquiry, which is being carried out in connection with the clearance of vehicles during amnesty scheme, it is learnt here.

The sources informed Customs Today that he FBR Chairman Nisar Mohammad Khan, through a letter to Chief Collector Appraisement South Abdul Rashid Shaikh, has asked him to complete the inquiry into the clearance of vehicles and submit a detailed report at the end of this month. Sources said that the FBR has told the ofRicials to Rix the responsibility so that legal action should be taken against them.

Reacting upon the directives issued by the FBR, the Chief Collector Appraisement South was called upon a meeting of the Collectors of all three Rield formations.

The Chief Collector Appraisement South Abdul Rashid Shaikh has asked the Collectors of Appraisement West, Customs Appraisement (East) and Port Qasim to expedite the investigation into the following cases.

The collectors were briefed the Chief Collector Appraisement South about the ongoing investigation into the matter and stated that 80 percent investigation has been completed and soon a Rinal list in this re-

fahad Bashir decides to monitor weekly performance of ASo

gard would be prepared and submitted. It is pertinent to mention here that most of the vehicles under amnesty schemes were cleared from Appraisement West and Appraisement East. Meanwhile, Collector Customs Appraisement West Dr Farid Iqbal Qureshi held a meeting of the ofRicers of the Appraising Intelligence Branch (AIB). The meeting was attended by additional collectors,

deputy collectors and assistant collectors. During the meeting, the Collector Dr Farid Iqbal asked the ofRicials to detect tax evasion and mis-decalaration cases. The collector further asked the ofRicers to serve show-cause notices on those importers who were allegedly involved in tax evasion. The ofRicers while brieRing Collector Dr Farid Iqbal about the performance of AIB in-

formed that they have already been served around 30 show-cause notices (SCN) to the unscrupulous elements during the last 45 days, adding that further scrutiny about the cleared consignments is being underway. The Collector Dr Farid Iqbal Qureshi asked the ofRicers to keep more vigilant eye over the post clearance consignments, so that revenue collection could be enhanced.

3rd week: ihc hears several cases, reserves verdict in one T

ISLAMABAD

NAEEM uLLAh tAriQ www.customsbulletin.com

he Islamabad High Court held hearing of several tax matters during third week of November and disposed of a case Riled by M/s Pakistan Mobile Communication Limited, besides reserving verdict in M/s Mustehkam Cement Limited’s case.

Through both cases, the appellants had challenged show cause no-

tices for recovery of various outstanding taxes. A single bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq heard the matters. M/s Pakistan Mobile Communication Limited has challenged show cause notice, dated June 14, 2016 for the tax year 2010, issued by the Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU), Islamabad. Justice Aamer Farooq disposed of the case by directing the LTU to decide appellant’s application within seven days and submit report before the bench. The bench also barred the LTU from re-

covering any outstanding tax amount under the disputed show cause notice. The Pakistan Mobile Communication had been issued the notices under provisions of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 stating reassessing the given discount and sales commission. The company had availed a discount of Rs 3.074 billion and sales commission of Rs 5.86 billion. Hearing another similar case, the bench reserved the decision on it. M/s Mustehkam Cement Limited had Riled case challenging tax notice

of Rs 3.396 billion. The company through the submission had challenged the notice.

It had prayed the court to direct LTU not to recover the said amount and abstain from any coercive action in this regard. It also asked the court to suspend the operation of the impugned order issued by the tax authority till the decision of appeal pending with the LTU. During third week of November, two different benches of IHC also adjourned hearing of couple

of important tax matters, filed against FBR and Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue.

Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the cases Riled by M/s Punjab Oil Mills against notice for recovery of federal excise duty. The bench adjourned hearing after hearing initial arguments.

Another bench, comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, heard a case Riled by M/s Acro Spinning and Waving Mills Limited.

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Sost Dry Port collects Rs4.19b from July to November 14 ISLAMABAD: Model Customs Collectorate Gilgit Baltistan’s (GB) Sost Dry port cleared 839 containers during July to 14th November financial year 2016-17 in the head of import collected Rs4.19 billion. GB Customs told Customs today that during first 4 and half month of financial year 2016-17 the dry port cleared not as much of containers but import figure has increased by 45% due to quantity of products. While in previous year 2015-16 during same period GB cleared 920 containers head of import value of Rs1.724 billion. Sources said that up to 14th November of current financial year GB cleared 149 containers head of import value amounting Rs551.702 million as for as during same period financial year 2016-17.

Tuesday November 29, 2016

National

khushab customs intelligence seizes almond, truck worth rs 4m

ASo seizes cloth, soaps and LcDs worth rs 5 million

FAISALABAD

NAEEM ShEikh

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he Customs Intelligence field investigation unit ( FIU ), Khushab has seized smuggled almond and Hino Truck worth Rs 4 million involving duty and taxes to the tune of Rs 1.851 million during a successful raid. The intelligence team intercepted a Hino truck bearing Registration No SEA-558 near Dullayawal MM Road, Bhakkar. The officials checked the vehicle and recovered 127 bags of almond without shell. The team asked the driver namely as Moosa khan son of Rasool khan to show documents regarding legal import of the items. He provided a receipt No 899 issued by New Mushtaq Balochistan Goods Transport Company showing Abdullah as sender and Qari Talagang as recipient.

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fBr to ‘investigate’ 562 importers over tax evasion ISLAMABAD

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he Federal Board of Revenue’s intelligence wing has brought around 562 commercial importers under scrutiny over alleged sales tax evasion and ordered investigation against them. The Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation-Inland Revenue has also recommended recovery action against the importers, which are mostly from Faisalabad, to the relevant Regional Tax Office (RTO).

The intelligence wing detected a number of persons who were liable to be charged, with extra tax at 2 per cent as required under Chapter XIII of the Sales Tax Special Procedure Rules, 2007. An exhaustive exercise carried out by investigation team detected 244 importers of specified goods whose import value exceeded Rs 500,000 and were liable to pay extra tax at 2 per cent at import stage.

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ISLAMABAD

tAriQ DErYA

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he Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) seized foreign origin smuggled goods, including cloth, soaps and LCDs worth Rs 5 million recovered from a passenger bus of “Nishe Bus Service” during action. According to details, the ASO staff received information through Islamabad Customs Collector Arslan Subuctageen that a passenger bus bearing Registration No. LWC-8706 is coming from Peshawar and going to Lahore carrying smuggled goods. After getting the information, the ASO team established a picket at Motorway 1 (M1) near Brahama Bahtar interchange and intercepted the said passenger bus after long chasing with help of motorways police.

During checking, the ofRicials found huge quantity of foreign origin fabric weighing 1100 kilogramme and 303 cartons of Dove soap and 11 LCDs of 42 and 32 inches from the bus. The ofRicials conRiscated the items after the owner failed to show documents regarding legal import of the items.

A smuggler named Attaullah resident of Peshawar was arrested during the raid, while driver of the bus Rled from the scene when ASO squad intercepted the vehicle. FIR has been lagged against alleged smuggler and case has been forward to Investigation and Prosecution (I&P)

department for further action.

The ASO team comprising Deputy Superintend Rana Shakeel, Inspector Asif and other sepoys participated in the raid. Meanwhile, Customs Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) Islamabad team has seized a huge quantity of smuggled goods from a passenger bus. The ASO squad intercepted a passenger bus bearing registration no MIB 9999 near Tarnol Interchange and recovered smuggled goods.

During checking, the officials found huge quantity of foreign origin fabric weighing 1100 kilogramme and 303 cartons of Dove soap and 11 LcDs of 42 and 32 inches from the bus. the officials confiscated the items after the owner failed to show documents regarding legal import of the items

Multan customs transfers nine employees

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MULTAN

iMrAN ALi

www.customsbulletin.com irector General Customs Intelligence and Investigation has transferred nine employees from Multan Range OfRice.

According to details, Customs Intelligence and Investigation is running through massive scale reshufRling to curb smuggling in the jurisdiction. Director General Customs Intelligence and Investigation Shaukat Ali relocated employees in

all ofRices for improvement of their performance. Customs Intelligence and Investigation has transferred six inspectors and three sepoys from Multan Range OfRice in various places through notiRication. Inspector Sheikh Muhammad Arshad has been transferred from Sadiqabad to Multan. Inspector Chaudhary Muhammad Muneer and Inspector Muhammad Umer were performing their responsibilities in Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan Range OfRice.

Both inspectors have been reassigned their responsibilities to Sadiqabad from Multan.

Two Inspectors Rana Anwar and Farzand Ali transferred from Multan to Dera Ghazi Khan region for their assigned responsibilities through notiRication. Inspector Ilyas Gujjar transferred from Dera Ghazi Khan to Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan Range OfRice.

Sepoy Muhammad Naveed has been transferred from Multan ofRice to Sadiqabad ofRice for his duties.

Deputy Collector Shahid Jan told Customs Today that the bus was coming from Peshawar and was going to Rawalpindi when the staff asked the owner to show the goods veriRication certiRicate.

The Customs staff checked and found that document were not valid and the goods were 100 percent smuggled. The staff seized the goods according to Customs Act 1969 and brought the same to State Warehouse.

Sialkot customs bags rs 2.8m at gpo he Model Customs Collectorate Sialkot collected around Rs 2.8 million in wake of duty/taxes levied on cargo booked through the General Post Office (GPO), Sialkot, from August to October 2016. The Sialkot Customs collected Rs 1.867 million as duty/taxes during the same period of the last year 2015-16. Officials said that the customs has appointed special teams at the Sialkot.

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Fish exports increase 14% in four months Tuesday November 29, 2016

Business

ISLAMABAD: The exports of fish and fish preparations from the country witnessed increase of 13.87 percent during the first four months of the current fiscal year, compared to the corresponding period of last year. The exports of fish and fish preparations from the country were witnessed at $114.787 million in July-October (2016-17), compared to the exports of $100.809 million during July-October (201516), according to the latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). In terms of quantity, the fish trade increased by 22.93 percent by growing from the exports of 37,443 metric tons last year to 45,188 metric tons during the current fiscal year.

opEc makes last-ditch bid to save oil deal KARACHI

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PEC was trying on Monday to rescue a deal to limit oil output as tensions grew among the producer group and nonOPEC member Russia, with top exporter Saudi Arabia saying markets would rebalance even without an agreement. OPEC experts started a meeting in Vienna at 0900 GMT (4:00 a.m. ET) and were due to make recommendations to their ministers on how exactly the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries should reduce production when it meets on Nov. 30.

Meanwhile, the Algerian and

tDAp making efforts to facilitate traders SIALKOT

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Venezuelan oil ministers were to travel to Moscow on Monday and Tuesday in a Rinal attempt to persuade Russia to take part in cuts instead of merely freezing output, which has reached new highs in the

ADB approves $325 million loan for power projects in kp, punjab

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rade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive Officer SM Munir on Saturday said the authority is making adequate efforts to facilitate the business community. Addressing members of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), he said the TDAP would extend full cooperation and support to the business community to participate in international fairs and exhibitions with an aim to introduce Pakistan made products in different countries.

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past year. In September, OPEC, which accounts for a third of global oil production, agreed to cap output at around 32.5-33.0 million barrels per day versus the current 33.64 million bpd to prop up oil

prices, which have more than halved since mid-2014. The meeting on Nov. 30 was expected to rubber-stamp that deal, with Russia and some other non-OPEC producers such as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan also contributing. But doubts emerged in recent weeks as OPEC's No.2 and 3 producers, Iraq and Iran, expressed reservations about the mechanics of output reductions and Saudi Arabia voiced concern about Russia's willingness to cut. On Friday, OPEC canceled an experts meeting with non-OPEC producers scheduled for Nov. 28 after Saudi Arabia said the organization needed to sort out its differences Rirst. Over the weekend, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said oil markets would rebalance even without an output-limiting pact.

ISLAMABAD

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he Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $325million loan to provide electricity to off-grid communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab. The Board of Directors of the Manila-based lender approved the loan to enhance Pakistan’s energy security by helping install clean energy sources and improve people’s access to electricity in two of the

country’s provinces, according to an ofRicial handout.

It is the second loan the ADB approved in less than 24 hours, bringing fresh approvals to $525 million.

Unlike the previous loan of $200 million that will be used for budget Rinancing, the fresh borrowings have been obtained for project implementation. The ADB approved the loan under the Access to Clean Energy Investment Programme. France is also expected to contribute $78.6 million for this programme.

It will be implemented over a period of 10 years and will support

the provincial governments of KP and Punjab to achieve increased access to sustainable and more reliable electricity services for vulnerable communities. However, the disbursements are linked with achieving the agreed results aimed at ensuring provision of energy to those remote and rural areas that are outside of the reach of the national power grid. The main beneRiciaries will be the off-grid communities who live in far-Rlung rural areas, where socioeconomic indicators are relatively lower than in the rest of the country.

pakistan to become hub of trade, commerce through cpEc: Boris LAHORE

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ritish Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson Friday said that Pakistan was becoming a hub of trade and commerce due to the revolutionary initiative of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He was addressing the students and faculty members of the Government College University Lahore here. Boris Johnson said, “The British High Commission in Islamabad is one of our biggest diplomatic missions in the world while the UK aid programme in Pakistan is the biggest in the world, totalling 375 million Pounds this year.” He said that no fewer than 1.2 million Britons had Pakistani heritage among them were Members of Parliament, hugely successful sportsmen, popstars, journalists, scientists, scholars and business people. The Foreign Secretary said, “Monuments in so many Pakistani cities serve as permanent reminders of the British contribution and people can see it in the architecture, in the cricket that unites our country and the whole of South Asia.” He said, “In trading terms, Pakistan embraces the geographical heart of Asia where India, with over a billion people, lies only 15 miles away, to the West are Afghanistan and Iran.

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NAB files reference against 7 officials of Sindh Education Dept HYDERABAD

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he National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has Riled a reference in the accountability court in which seven former ofRicers of the Sindh Education Department have been accused for allegedly making illegal appointments.

According to the reference, the ofRicials illegally appointed 440

teaching and non-teaching staff on the non-gazetted posts in the Education Department Matiari in 2012, causing the exchequer a loss of Rs 136.44 million.

The NAB has booked the ofRicials under section 9-A and section 10 of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, which are punishable with a maximum of 14 years imprisonment after conviction.

The ex regional director schools Hyderabad (BPS-19) Shamsuddin

Dal, ex district education ofRicer Matiari (BPS-19) Ataullah Bhutto, ex DEO elementary Matiari (BPS-19) SaRia Ameer Arbab and 2 BPS-18 and as many BPS-17 ofRicers have been nominated.

According to the reference, Dal in his capacity of chairman District Recruitment Committee (DRC) advertised posts in April, 2012, but without specifying the number of vacancies.The reference claims that the DRC did not check the answer

sheets or called the candidates for their interviews. Dal allegedly approved appointments of all 440 candidates on non-gazetted teaching and non-teaching posts which included 259 teachers. Bhutto is accused for providing wrong information of vacant posts in the Matiari to the DRc’s chairman. He also signed the 4 merit lists containing names of 440 candidates after completion of the process while also modifying the original job orders of 108 candi-

dates, the reference claims. SaRia Arbab allegedly supervised the written test but she is accused of failing to ensure assessment of the answer sheets. Deputy secretary Education and Literacy (BPS-18) Abdul Azeem Khan is accused for countersigning the 4 merit lists and for giving directives to the Additional District accounts OfRicer Matiari (BPS-18) Bashir Ahmed Qureshi, another accused in the reference, to release salaries of all the appointees.

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LAHORE M hAYAt www.customsbulletin.com he Customs Central Region has collected Rs 595 million as withholding tax during the Rirst 15 days of November in Rinancial year 2016-17.

As per details, Customs Appraisement Lahore collected Rs 228 million withholding tax during 15 day of November. Similarly, Customs Preventive Lahore collected Rs 360 million withholding tax during the period under review. The Collectorate of Multan collected Rs 3 million withholding tax during the period under review. The Collectorate of Customs Faisalabad has collected Rs 3.74 million withholding tax during the period of Rinancial year 2016-17.

Overall the Central Region collected total duty and taxes from all the four Collectrates worth Rs 595 million during the Rirst Rifteen days of November of Rinancial year 20161-17.

The Central Region has been assigned Rs 1467 million withholding tax revenue collection target against the target of Rs 733 million assigned during the same period last Rinancial year. Sources said that the collectors of all the four Collectorate directed to use all available resources to meet the current Rinancial year’s revenue collection target. The ofRice of the chief collector has also been monitoring all the collection from all the four collectorates on daily basis. Sources said that all the four collectorates adopted a comprehensive policy to collect more revenue to meet the assigned revenue collection target.

Meanwhile, Customs Central Region has col-

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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

lected Rs 5,715 million in wake of all duty and taxes during the Rirst 15 days of November 2016. As per the details, the Lahore Customs Appraisement collected Rs 2,192 million during the said period, while Lahore Customs Preventive generated Rs 1,170 million as duty/taxes.

The Model Customs Collectorate, Multan collected Rs 1507 million under the head of duty and taxes during the period under review. The Faisalabad Customs collected Rs 843 million, which is 99 percent additional collection when compared to the previous year’s collection. The central region has been assigned Rs 13435 million revenue targets in wake of duty and taxes which are almost double than the last year target of Rs 6717 million. Sources said that all the collectors under region have been putting maximum efforts to attain as much revenue as they can achieve Rinancial year 2016-17 target and for the reason from top to bottom every ofRicial is putting hectic efforts to achieve the goal. On the other hand, Customs Central Region Chief Collector Samaira Nazir has also been personally monitoring the collection of all the four collectorates. It may be mentioned here that the region collected Rs 38.57 billion as duty and taxes during Rirst four months of Rinical year 2016-17. The Lahore Customs Appraisement collected Rs 19,145 million; the Customs Preventive collected Rs 8,593 million during the four months. Similarly, the Multan Customs collected Rs 7,891 million, while the Faisalabad Customs collected Rs 2,941 million as duty and taxes during the said period.

Meanwhile, The Customs Central Region has collected Rs 193 million on account of federal

excise duty (FED) during the Rirst four months of Rinancial year 2016-17.

As per details, collectorate of Customs Appraisement collected Rs 34 million on account of federal excise duty during Rirst four months of the period under review while the collectorate of Customs Preventive collected Rs 101 million federal excise duty during the four months Rinancial year 2016-17. Similarly, collectorate of Customs Multan collected Rs 57 million federal excise duty during the Rirst four months of the current Rinancial year 2016-17.

en as be h n o i n l re g entra millio 7 6 4 th e c 1 tion ed rs collec n e g i u s n s a 733 x reve of rs t ng ta i e d g l r o me he ta withh inst t the sa a g g n a i r t ed du t a rg e year ssign a n ncial o a i n i f mill d last perio

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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

New Saudi visa regime for businessmen

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ccording to newspaper reports, the Saudi Arabian government has decided to offer new visa regime for Pakistani businessmen, showing a clear shift of its vision about the country from a major labour supplier to a major business investor. A big chunk of the Pakistani investors is already focusing on new investment opportunities in various parts of the world, including the United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Kenya, Singapore and Malaysia since the government introduced imprudent business and trade policies.

Instead of attracting foreign investment, the local investors have begun to transfer their capital to other countries with attractive business opportunities. Now the Saudi government is eying on the Pakistani capital and is ready to grant two-year multiple visas to the Pakistani businessmen who are members of the chamber of commerce and industry. The Saudi envoy has held a meeting with the chief of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and expressed the desire of his government to enhance business to business cooperation with Pakistani counterparts. The unfortunate part of the Pakistani policy is that the officials go extra mile to entertain Arab princes and offer them free license to kill precious birds for sport. They easily compromise the honour and dignity of the country without tinge of conscience and it brings shame and disgrace to the nation. The Arab Sheikhs are also involved in immoral activities and have no respect for Pakistanis. When the apex court of the country banned the hunting of precious and endangered species, the government managed to reverse the decision, allowing the Arab Sheikhs and princes to freely violate the laws of the land.

The government officials have failed to set up a respectable coordination with Arab officials, businessmen and even the with their governments. Pakistan, which offers them defense, labour and investment, is still regarded as the land of poor and thankless people. Thousands of Pakistanis have been robbed of their businesses in Saudi Arabia by their sponsors and they had to return to the country with empty hands. The offer of the Saudi envoy should not be taken as generosity from any sense and commonsense must prevail to strike business deals with Saudi business community.

Want of economic stability T

LAHORE

Dr AftAB AfZAL

www.customstoday.com

he economic stability is elusive in Pakistan as reports from national and international organizations are Rilled with controversies and disparities. The economy should be immune to political implications as policies are devised and implemented after thorough deliberations in many organs of the government. In Pakistan, policies are devised, revised and implemented without any apparent reviews, and the result proves a zero sum game at the end.

Political stability is always taken as prerequisite for economic growth, but contribution of many other factors could not be ignored.

In case of Pakistan the economy is under pressure due to energy crisis, regional instability and lack of vision on the part of the government functionaries. The policies in the country are operated on the hackneyed path of colonial era and end in smoke. Imprudent policies through ordinances have disRigured the shape of tax system and all other related Rields of business and economy. The industrial sector is facing slump and exports are falling. As a result, the trade deRicit have crossed $23 billion during the last Riscal year. The government is left with only one option: that is to take loans from international Rinancial organizations. According to the newspaper reports, the government is coming up with a new loan programme with Interna-

tional Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group for $500 million in the name of Pakistan Development Fund Limited. The company was set up with Saudi contribution of $1.5 billion after the government offered it 20 percent equity stake. That is short term measure but long term effects. A process of negotiations between IFC and the Finance Ministry has been going on for the last six months without taking parliament into the conRidence. The future generation are made hostage to the funding agencies and the nation is listening to rosy words about improvement in the economy. In this case, a complex arrangement is being made with 20 percent stakes of Pakistan, 40 percent stakes of the company and

40 percent stakes would be offered to other stakeholders which could be Chinese or Qatari Rinancial institutions. It is yet to be seen who will have dominance in administrative affairs of the company and what change it will bring to the economy to ensure Rinancial stability in the country. The growing volume of loans and growing burden of liabilities in a situation where major industrial and business concern are incurring billions of dollars annual losses, how economy will show any sign of improvement is a million dollar question. One can only pray for the nation and the economy as the political leadership has miserably failed to claim success in any discipline of the administrative, industrial or Rinancial sectors.

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Russia expects GDP growth of 1% in 2017 MOSCOW: Russia expects economic growth to continue from this year to the next, with increases in GDP, income and consumer demand, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said Friday.

Although insufficient for the Russian economy, any growth is a welcome development following GDP declines of 0.6 percent to 0.7 percent expected by the end of 2016, Shuvalov said at the Russia-Singapore business forum.

Next year could see renewed growth in population earnings and consumer demand in Russia, Igor Shuvalov said. “Falling incomes are over. We hope that next year this will be a trend for all sections of society, that earnings will grow. And consumer demand should revive next year,” Shuvalov said at the Russia-Singapore business forum.

Lcci appllauds start of trade activities under cpEc LAHORE

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he Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday congratulated the nation, President of China Xi Jingping, Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Rahil Sharif and Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong for operationalisation of Gwadar Port and opening of trade activities at under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “The departure of the trade fleet convoy at Gwadar Port is by no means the end of the journey, but a new beginning of an epoch and Pakistani government should cash this opportunity to the maximum,” LCCI President Abdul Basit, Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa, Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan and Executive Committee Members said in a statement here Monday. “The LCCI also felicitates the entire nation for this great success that is bound to make

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Pakistan a developed country,” they said.

The LCCI office-bearers said that business community is very excited at this moment as the dream of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has come true and the country has taken a giant leap towards economic stability. They said that Pakistani nation is gratified to China for taking keen interest in economic development of Pakistan and safeguarding its interests. “This is the first time that Pakistan and China have jointly handled a trade fleet and also the first time that a large number of trading goods have been exported through Gwadar Port”, the LCCI office-bearers said. They said that joint and cordial efforts of Pakistani and Chinese governments and Pakistan armed forces have attributed to the success of this mega project that is delivering benefits to all the people of Pakistan.

Tuesday November 29, 2016

Chambers

high rate of taxes cause economic stagnation: Lcci T

LAHORE

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here is a dire need to adopt better tax policies and to lower the tax rates in Pakistan as high rate of taxes cause economic stagnation. Well-consulted Tax reforms would help us grow faster and broaden the tax net.

This was crux of the speeches delivered at a seminar on “Viability of Flat Taxation in Pakistan”, organized by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) on Saturday. The LCCI President Abdul Basit, Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan, Member FBR Rehmatullah Khn, Secretary Exise & Taxation Dr. Ahmad Bilal, President Lahore Tax Bar Association Farhan Shahzad, Usman Azmat from Punjab Finance Department, Commissioner Inland Revenue, LTU Lahore Ch. Muhammad Tariq, President Gujranwala Chamber Saeed Ahmed, Senior Vice President Abdul Rauf, Sajid Manzoor from Sheikhupura Chamber, Commissioner RTO Lahore Aftab Alam, Dr. Nasir Ghauri from Corporate RTO Lahore, Commissioner Inland Revenue, IR-LTU

Lahore Hamid Ateeq Sarwar, Omer Zaheer, Muhammad Jameel from Pakistan Tax Bar Association, former LCCI Vice Presidents Kashif Anwar, Shafqat Saeed Piracha, Akber Sheikh from Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan, Awais Saeed Piracha, Kamal Mahmood Amjad Mian, Rizwan Akhter Shamsi, Muhammad Abrar and Ikram ul Haq were the noted speakers.

There was a consensus among the most of the experts that as compared to traditional tax system, a Rlat tax is

extremely simple. They said that many economies are attracted to the idea of Rlat tax because traditional taxation system caused reduction in economic growth. A Rlat taxation system would help faster economic growth and reduce the complexities.

The LCCI President Abdul Basit said that objectives of the seminar is to initiate a debate on the need of having low, Rlat, predictable and broadbased taxes, mainly administered through efRicient tax apparatus.

These features will automatically cre-

fcci shows concerns over non-supply of gas to industrial unit

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FAISALABAD

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aisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) President Engineer Muhammad Saeed Sheikh has expressed concern over gas closure for industrial units from November 15 and demanded that as per previous practice the minimum life saving quota be allocated for the textile processing units during the current winter season. Commenting on the complaints lodged to FCCI against gas closure, he said that gas is the most important fuel for the processing industry and without it not even a single yard of cloth could be processed. He said that SNGPL has announced gas closure without taking the stake holders into conRidence.

He said that sudden closure will not only foment unemployment but also affect the national exports that has already recorded 11 percent decline during 1st quarter of this Riscal. He said that the business community was constantly demanding that before taking such drastic measures the government and its allied departments should consult the concerned quarters but they have continued the practice of making unilateral decisions. He said that such decisions despite of its importance or urgency could create distrust among the business community which is also detrimental to the national economy. Engineer Muhammad Saeed Sheikh claimed that with consultation, we could easily resolve the problematic issues in according to the ground realities. Moreover, such mutual deci-

sions are also imperative for the political sanctity and stability of the government that had claimed last year that the industrial sector will get uninterrupted gas from this year, he added. He further said that last year after comprehensive deliberations it was decided that minimum life saving quota will be allowed which helped industrial sector to run its wheel and honor its foreign commitments in time. He made a humble appeal to the Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources to immediately intervene and direct SNGPL to provide gas to the industrial units from the system instead of directing them to purchase costly RLNG.

ate incentives for full compliance which will result in sustained economic growth. It is a well-established fact that the existing tax system in our country has certain structural and operational weaknesses. He said that these shortcomings play their role in dispiriting taxpayers who have to follow cumbersome tax processes and bear rigid attitude of taxation machinery. Resultantly, the tax net is not broadening and present taxpayers are forced to endure extra burden of taxes.

icci welcomes start of chinese trade convoys through cpEc he Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has welcomed the start of Chinese trade convoys to Pakistan which arrived at Grawadr through the western route of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) carrying Chinese goods for export to the Middle East and Africa and termed it a positive development for the economy of our country. Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that CPEC was considered a game-changer for Pakistan as it would create opportunities for progress and prosperity in the region, especially for Balochistan. He said CEPC would make Gwadar a hub of trade activities and help in removing poverty from this less developed area by creating many new jobs for the local people.—CB Report

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FBR to transfer officers from Sialkot in December Tuesday November 29, 2016

National cctV cameras at Wagah border need overhauling LAHORE

M iMrAN MEhAr

www.customsbulletin.com

SIALKOT: A plan is underway to transfer officers of grade 16 to 19 from the Model Customs Collectorate, Sialkot by the mid of the next month, December 2016.

Sources told Customs Today that the higher authorities of the department were preparing a list of the officers, who are going to be transferred from the region, adding that list will be forwarded to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Nisar Mohammad Khan during first week of December for approval. The FBR would issue notification after receiving the list and consulting with Customs member and other authorities.

customs Adjudication sets priorities for expediting process: imran ch T

ISLAMABAD

losed-circuit cameras installed at Wagah boder are out of order which could be caused of security risk for land trade route between Pakistan and India. There are 16 cameras installed at the trade route for surveillance but over 7 cameras are not working properly. On contact with security officials of Wagah border, it was informed that to keep check and balance and other maintenance in this regard is the responsibility of Pakistan Customs. They added that Pakistan Rangers-Punjab has written a letter to Punjab government and Pakistan Customs to change or repair these cameras. It is pertinent to mention here that Wagah border is a main trade route between Pakistan and India as well sensitive route where tight security and vigilance is required to monitor crossing of shipments. Earlier in 2014, more than 60 people were died and 100 injured in a suicide blast at Wagah border.

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customs unearths rs 1.877m tax evasion at port Qasim he Customs Intelligence has unearthed duty/taxes evasion of Rs 1.877 million in import of used items from Hong Kong. The Directorate General of Customs Intelligence has served notice to M/s Shahbaz Traders for mis-declaring quantity and weight of imported goods. The authorities have also blocked the consignment at Port Qasim, which was re-examined at QICT. As a result of the re-examination, misdeclaration of quantity/weights of certain items i.e. new copper cable (5,450kg as against declared/assessed 2,000kg), new lead acid batteries (1,900kg as against assessed 700kg), new coffee machines(144 pcs as against 25 pcs), new earphones (1,850 pcs as against 1,500 pcs).—CB Report

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he Customs Adjudication has set its priorities under which all pending cases will be decided by the end of December, while delaying tactics adopted by the lawyers will be discouraged to make the process speedy.

Islamabad Customs Adjudication Additional Collector Imran Chaudhary stated this while talking to Customs Today during an interview. He added that the cases would not be scheduled for on the desire of lawyers as policy to delay the cases have been Rinished. He said that defendants could represent their cases themselves without taking assistance of legal experts, adding that all decision were made on merit following the customs laws.

After settling the pending cases, a system will be launched for hearing of cases on a daily basis, he said, adding that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been sent suggestion to improve the adjudication system. The department was also facing shortage of funds.

The Peshawar camp office sent 37 cases involving Rs 66.3 million duty/taxes, including 22 seizure cases and 15 contravention cases during two previous months, he said, adding that the Customs Intelligence and FC sent the cases of smuggled vehicles, cloth, foreign

currency and miscellaneous items.

Around Rs 40.5 million were involved in 22 seizes cases in the shape of duty/taxes, while Rs 26.34 million duty/taxes were involved in 15 contravention cases, he informed. Talking about his jurisdictions, he said that a case of worth over Rs 1 million came under his authority, adding that the adjudication was currently facing shortage of staff that affected the performance negatively.

He said that the board should concentrate on the issue of shortage of staff. It is difficult to run the affairs of a collectorate with a superintendent and few employees, he highlighted, adding that more officers should be deputed on the post of deputy collector at adjudication to expedite the process and bring transparency.

torkham customs collects rs 2875.78m C

ISLAMABAD

tAriQ DErYA

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ustoms Torkham Station collected Rs2875.78 million including all duty and taxes during current Rinancial year from 1st July to 22nd November 201617. According to details, Customs Station Torkham collected revenue of Rs28.09 million under the head of customs duty. The station also collected Rs 28.09 million under the head of miscellaneous taxes during above said period.

Sources said that Customs Torkham Station showed good performance during above said period but collected less revenue due to tension on PakistanAfghanistan international border.

Sources said that Torkham Station collected Rs2.98 million revenue under the head of regulatory duty on imports and also collected revenue head of edition duty surcharge amounting to Rs.28.98 million, sources adding that in this way Torkham Station collected total Customs duty including above

all taxes, surcharges and duties amounting Rs.1088.42 million.

Sources said that from July to 22nd November FY16-17 the Torkham Station collected Rs79.61 million revenue under the head of sales tax and collected

Rs.513.56 million collected revenue under the head of sales tax on imports a.

It is also told that during said period the Torkham Station collected revenue on head of additional income tax (AIT) amount-

ing to Rs.906.40 million while Torkham Station collected revenue under the head of AIT exports amounting to Rs.287.79 million in this way Torkham Station collected total AIT amounting Rs.1194.19 million.

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FIA recovers illegal passports in Sialkot, three agents held SIALKOT: A Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) team has raided the regional passport office in Narowal and arrested three agents after recovering illegal passports.

The FIA also recovered several challans, tokens and data forms from the possession of the suspects, said FIA Divisional Deputy Director Khalid Anees. The arrested agents were identified as Yousaf, Zaheer Ahmed and Abdul Ghafur. FIA has sent the accused behind the bars after registering separate cases against them. Earlier in 2016, the FIA carried out two raids and arrested three travel agents involved in human smuggling and seized 118 passports, CNICs and fake documents. The first raid was carried out at a recruitment office located at Chandni Chowk and arrested two persons involved in human smuggling.

Enhanced transparency ensured in fBr: haroon Akhtar ISLAMABAD

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pecial Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan has said that business-friendly policies of the government had resulted in rapid economic development and the country would achieve growth rate of six percent by the general elections to be held in 2018. “Low tax-to-GDP ratio is hampering development and we are trying our best for improvement as enhanced transparency has been ensured in the FBR”, he added. He was speaking to the business community at the newly-constructed building of Fed-

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eration of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) here. FBR Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan, FPCCI President Abdul Rauf Alam and others were also present on the occasion. Haroon Akhtar said that US is super power because of a good tax system while Europe is considered developed due to good taxation therefore Pakistani business community should also discharge obligation so that Pakistan could develop with a fast pace.

He said that a lot of incidents of tax evasion were being reported but “we opt for legal action in very few cases and those who pay tax after detection face no action at all”. The business-friendly government is collecting tax on onefourth of the real value of property while a number of sectors including fertilizer have been given tax breaks which has resulted in good growth, he informed. He said that all the international institutions continue to praise our economic policies, private sector offtake has multiplied, interest rates are at the lowest while lenders like Asian Development Bank is ready to provide loan on less than two percent which indicate its confidence on Pakistani policies.

Tuesday November 29, 2016

National

Ltu Zone-i collects 56pc more revenue during Q1: T ADc Jibran Masroor

reference values of welded steel wheel rim issued

KARACHI

WAQAr AhMED ANSAri www.customsbulletin.com

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LAHORE

MuhAMMAD NAWAZ www.customsbulletin.com

he revenue collections by the Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) has increased due to change in rates in cement sector . Commercial banks and cement sector are key contributors of the Large Taxpayers Unit and national economy. LTUZone-I always showed outstanding performance and exceeded targets every year. These views were expressed by Additional Commissioner Audit, Zone-I, Large Taxpayers Unit Jibran Masroor during an exclusive interview with Customs Today. He said that during the Rirst quarter of the current Rinancial year, the Zone-I has collected 56 percent more revenues as compared to the collections of the previous year.

Answering a question, Jibran Masroor said: “Due to the change in rate from Rive prevent to one rupees per kilogram for cement sector, LTU revenue collection has exceeded from Rs 400 million to Rs 1.2 billion from July 2016.” Talking about the jurisdictions of LTU, Jibran said that zone-I deals with the 131 enter-

prises for tax collections. The major sectors are banks, cement, textile, hotel and restaurants, electronic manufacturing and others. He said that LTU collected taxes from Rive educational institutions that include Beacon House, Lahore Grammar School, Punjab Group of Colleges and others. Additional commissioner said that banks are the major source of tax collection and at least ten banks and insurance companies falls under the jurisdiction of LTU which includes Muslim Commercial

Bank (MCB), Allied Bank Limited (ABL), Bank of Punjab (BOP), Soneri Bank and others from where LTU collect taxes and generate revenue.

Talking about the procedure Jabran told Customs Today that banks earns more proRits and are paying taxes. He said that LTU collect taxes which are deducted by the banks as withholding tax (WHT) and other deductions on cash withdrawals. He said that LTU takes this procedure according to Section 230-A of Income Tax Ordinance.

he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has issued the reference values for welded steel wheel rim (other than alloy) for motorcycle. The directorate general has initiated an exercise to develop database values for different items wherein it has been observed that declarations are wide range and do not correctly reflect values of the items as traded in the international market. During the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it has been observed that welded steel wheel Rim (other than alloy) for motorcycle falling under PCT Headings 8714.1020 are being assessed at different values and certain transactions are on very low side. The directorate general, after carefully examining the clearance data, also conducted market inquiries to verify the authenticity of declarations. Online prices were also obtained to corroborate the findings of the market surveys. This office, therefore, has found the customs values of welded steel wheel Rim (other than alloy) for motorcycle of Thailand origin at $2.30 per kilogramme. These values are, however, for reference/guidance only and final assessment may please be made after considering other factors which have bearing on the customs value.

collector fahad Bashir chairs meeting on WeBoc

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SIALKOT

SALEEM AWAN ShEikhu www.customsbulletin.com

ssistant Collector of Model Customs Collectorate, Sialktot Chaudhary Fahad Bashir chaired a meeting of the customs ofRicials on Wednesday evening.

Customs ofRicials told Customs Today that Chairman Sialkot Dry Port Khawar Anwar Khawaja, President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry Majid Raza Bhutta and others participated in the meeting.

Collector Ahmed Reza Khan presided over the meeting.

The matters discussed in the meeting included temporary im-

ports cleared in WeBOC and exported in One Customs caused problems for manufacturers. He said that the problems forced the business community to shift to Karachi where import and export are carried out in WeBOC. The Export transshipment (TP) of Less Container Load cargo is routed through other airports in Pakistan.

He said that load is not more than 2 to 2.5 tons so it has to be transported through smaller vehicles such as Hino Trucks with mounted boxes. He said that the stufRing cargo into containers and transporting is not economically feasible while conveyances with permanently mounted boxes are regis-

tered with customs preventive, Karachi. Collector said that the current nomenclature is serial wise and If it changed to match labeling of containers of shipping lines, it can be accommodated in WeBOC system. Ahmed Raza vowed that the consolidation of cargo by destination is not possible at SDPT since cargo volume by destinations is less than container load. The most exporters from Sialkot fall in SMESmall Medium Enterprises sector so export cargo cannot be expected to wait till a Full Container Load (FCL) by destination is achieved. Collector said that this causes unnecessary delays leading to higher freight costs and demurrage thus increas-

ing the cost of doing business through SDPT. The fast track cargo has to be moved once load increases between 3 and 4 tons which is again less than a container load. Since cargo cannot be kept waiting due to urgency of shipment so smaller conveyances have to be used he added.

He said that the transshipment GD amendment is not allowed for imports which mean that cargo clearance has to be effected through One Customs. He said that LCL cargo processing provides better clearance coverage since more cargo is examined physically so LCL cargo processing should be encouraged in place of consolidation for Full Container Load (FCL).

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Hyundai has exported 4.4 mln Accents Tuesday November 29, 2016

World

SEOUL: The Accent, a Hyundai Motor subcompact car, was the most exported model for the carmaker since it began its export business 40 years ago. Hyundai Motor, the nation’s No. 1 carmaker, said Friday that the Accent sold 4.4 million units in the overseas market since 1994. The Accent was born in 1994 and became a steady seller in the domestic and overseas markets for its high fuel efficiency and compact size. The second-most exported model was the Avante. Also known as the Elantra in the overseas market, Hyundai has exported an accumulated 4.2 million autos so far. The model was launched in 1990 and currently is Hyundai Motor’s best-selling car in Korea. The Tucson, a sports-utility vehicle, came in third with accumulated exports of 2.1 million.

Saudi customs seizes philippine-flagged vessel shoes stuffed with pills busted over goods smuggling JEDDAH

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MANILA

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he Wallace Line sea patrol led by the North Sulawesi Customs and Excise Directorate General arrested a PhilippineRlagged vessel as it allegedly attempted to smuggle goods into the province. “The vessel was caught at the end of October. On account of several reasons, such as completing our investigation and coordination with the Philippine Consulate General, we were only able to inform the public of the arrest today,” said Agus Amiwijaya, the head of the investigation and legal measure division at the directorate general, in a press conference on Thursday.

He further said the foreign vessel, identiRied as the Rod Race machine vessel, and its crew members were arrested while it was in Sangihe regency waters in North Sulawesi.

Belarus pVc imports drop 16.5% in Jan-Sept mports of unmixed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) into Belarus decreased to 18,500 tonnes in the first nine months of 2016, a fall of 16.5% year on year, according to MRC DataScope.

According to the Statistics Committee of Belarus, local converters increased their purchases of PVC in September, when imports rose to 3,200 tonnes, compared with 2,600 tonnes in August. Lower imports in August were a result of limited export quotas for Russian producers, who are the key suppliers of the resin in the Republic of Belarus. Demand for PVC in Belarus decreased to 18,500 tonnes in January – September 2016, compared with 22,200 tonnes a year earlier, due to a fall in export sales of finished products. Market of profile-moulded products decreased to 9,800 tonnes in January-September 2016.—CB Report

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“They departed from General Santos, southern Philippines, to Tinakareng, Sangihe. The vessel carried Rive crew members and goods they would smuggle,” said Agus. After an examination, ofRicers reportedly found that none of the goods

had proper customs documents.

They comprised 708 bottles of Carlo Rossi wine, 60 bottles of Tanduay Rhum, 27 boxes of cattle supplements, 2,556 bottles of Coca Cola, 4,716 bottles of supplement drinks and 60 cans of juice.

turkish president slams high interest rates

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resident Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday people in Turkey paid some of the world’s highest interest rates, something which had to change in order to achieve high growth. “Turkey’s real interest rate is among the highest in the world. That makes me very uncomfortable… We need to change that,” he told the signing ceremony of a strategic cooperation agreement between Turkey’s Borsa Istanbul and the Islamic Development Bank

Group (IDB). He said the overnight interest rate reached 7,500 percent after Turkey’s economic crisis of 2001. “Some years tax revenues could not cover the interest payment,” he added. Erdogan recalled how Turkish lenders reduced interest rates in order to boost growth as the country needed to grow above Rive percent in order to provide employment to working-age citizens.

The Turkish Central Bank’s board will meet Thursday.—CB Report

he custom ofRicers in Jeddah Islamic Port foiled an attempt to smuggle 257,000 Captagon pills found hidden inside a port shipping container for women’s shoes. The general manager of the Jeddah Islamic Port Customs Abdullah al-Falay said that women’s shoes shipping arrived at the port, and when the custom ofRicers proceeded with the usual custom routine, they discovered the Captagon pills hidden in the container.

Captagon is one of several brand names for the drug compound fenethylline hydrochloride. The pills stimulate the central nervous system, increasing alertness, boosting concentration and physical performance, and providing a feeling of well-being. Falay added that the pills where hidden inside the cavities of

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the shoes, but the watchful vigilance of the customs ofRicers terminated the scheme. Meanwhile, Speakers at the fourth Saudi Trade Finance Summit called for providing new governments guarantees to boost the funds offered to the small and medium size enterprises. The speakers noted that there is a move toward supporting such investments to go in line with the Saudi Transformation Plan which opts to make these SMEs account for 35% of the GDP. SMEs can help diversify the economy, contribute the GDP and provide jobs to locals, the speakers agreed. Keynote speaker Iyad Tardi, chief Rinancial ofRicer at Bahra Cables, said there are a number of challenges that face SMEs in the kingdom, on top of which is Rinancing, bureaucracy, accounting and human resources challenges as well as lack of opportunities for internationalization among other local labor challenges. He noted that 27 percent of the SMEs operate in the commercial sector while 12 are in industrial.

customs seize drugs sent in mail

rugs smugglers are using food and health products as a cover for mailing drugs into China, Shanghai Customs said on Friday.

This year, customs ofRicials have seized more than 70 kilograms of drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines, from 25 mail packages. Ten of the seized packages contained marijuana and were hidden in gift boxes of American ginseng and cereal, ofRicials said.

In a recent bust on October 25, customs ofRicials found nearly 1.4 kilograms of marijuana in three packages all mailed by the same person to China. Meanwhile, The 59-year-

old suspect admitted that he was paid MOP 200 (€23.4) to transport the wines to Macau’s inner city ferry terminal, from where the wines were planned to be shipped to Wanchai in nearby Hong Kong. The man could face a MOP 50,000 (€5,900) penalty if convicted. No details have been revealed yet about the buyer behind these illegal bottles, and no comment about the case was made from the department when reached by phone, saying the investigation is still ongoing. Based on images from Macau Customs Department’ ofRicial website, the wines appear to be from Penfolds’ Bin series.—CB Report

iran, ukraine to promote banking cooperation

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TEHRAN

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ollowing the implementation of the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran’s banking system has managed to promote ties with various countries including Ukraine, says a Central Bank of Iran ofRicial. In the

post-sanctions era, Iran has opened brokerage accounts in India, China, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Turkey and many European countries, including Germany, Italy, Austria, Holland and the Switzerland, said CBI Deputy for Foreign Currency Affairs Gholam-Ali Kamyab in a joint Iran-Ukraine banking meeting on Thursday. The meeting attended by the two countries’ deputy heads of central banks for foreign cur-

rency affairs and representatives of Iranian and Ukrainian banks was held in the premises of the CBI. After removal of sanctions, all banking operations including opening accounts and transferring funds between the Iranian and foreign banks have been possible without any limitations, Kamyab told the gathering. Underlining the need for promoting efRicient banking ties for enhancement of commercial

exchanges, he said that Iranian banks have so far established over 614 brokerage ties with 230 international banks. Referring to the level of IranUkraine commercial exchanges, he said that based on Rigures released by the Trade Development Organization, average annual trade exchanges between the two countries stood at 321 million dollars over the past ten years until the end of 2016.

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Reference values of safety pin issued KARACHI: The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has issued the reference values for safety pin made of iron and steel. The directorate general has initiated an exercise to develop database values for different items wherein it has been observed that declarations are wide range and do not correctly reflect values of the items as traded in the international market. During the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it has been observed that safety pin made of iron and steel falling under PCT Headings 7319.4000 are being assessed at different values and certain transactions are, on very low side. The directorate general, after carefully examining the clearance data, also conducted market inquiries to verify the authenticity of declarations.

Lhc seeks reply of housing Ministry in fBr employee’s case

Tuesday November 29, 2016

National

peshawar customs earns rs 20m through auction

customs impounds toyota crown worth rs 2.8m ISLAMABAD

LAHORE

MuhAMMAD NAWAZ

tAriQ DErYA

www.customsbulletin.com

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he Lahore High Court (LHC) has summoned senior officers of the Ministry of Housing and Works in a case pertaining to the suspension of the allotment of an apartment to an employee of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). LHC Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah heard the application field by Tariq Khursheed, lower division clerk of the FBR. During the hearing, the counsel for the appellant said his client went on leave to offer Haj three years ago.

During his absence, the officers of the Ministry of Housing and Works allotted his apartment to Javaid Ahmed, an officer of the National Saving Center, and the appellant’s family lost their home.

He added more, the appellant is a poor man and leaving in a rental home from last three years but he cannot afford the burden of rent. He said that the court decided the case in year 2013 in favour of the appellant but the ministry did not hand over the apartment to the house.

ustoms Collectorate car cell impounded a non-duty paid Toyota Crown Royal Saloon car worth Rs 2.8 million. The vehicle was seized from Rawalpindi. Sources told Customs Today that the anti-smuggling car cell received information through collector office that a non-duty paid vehicle bearing registration number AAU-993 ICT Islamabad was roaming on roads with fake documentation. In pursuance of the information, the car cell reached Kashmiri Bazaar Rawalpindi where the custom staff intercepted Crown Royal Saloon car model 2005. After interception of the vehicle, the squad asked the owner to produce legal documents of the possession of the vehicle but the owner failed to show any relevant documents. After scrutiny of documents it was revealed that the owner of the vehicle is operating car on fake documents. Customs car cell Superintendent Chaudhary Safdar and other supporting staff impounded the vehicle under Customs Act 1969 and the documents of vehicle have been sent for further examination to Customs Investigation and Prosecution departments. The sources said that FBR has issued special instructions to customs department to take effective measures against smugglers and owners of non duty paid vehicles.

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Multan customs fiu impounds crane from Sadiqabad ustoms Intelligence and Investigation Multan Range Office has impounded a foreign origin crane due to import policy violation from Sadiqabad region. According to details, the Customs Intelligence received information that non-customs paid construction machinery will be shifted from Sadiqabad. The Customs Intelligence and Investigation formed a special team led by Superintendent Zahid Raza to monitor the smugglers. The Field Intelligence Unit of Customs Sadiqabad started checking the vehicles and goods to prevent smuggling from the route. The Customs Intelligence and Investigation also started searching of smuggled goods in the surrounding areas of Sadiqabad check post.—Imran Ali

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ISLAMABAD

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odel Customs Collectorate, Peshawar collected Rs 20.06 million through cuction of conRiscated smuggled goods that was held from November 10 to 15, 2016.

According to details, the customs presented vehicles, cloth, TVs, tea, cosmetics and other items for the auction. Deputy Collector Muhammad Zakir and other ofRicials of auction cell supervised the auction

process following the directions of Collector Qurban Ali. During July 2016, the customs earned Rs 13.780 million through auction of different type of vehicle and conRiscated goods. It generated Rs 19.951 million through auction of conRiscated items during August 2016. The Peshawar Customs deposited Rs 35.856 million to national exchequer after earning huge amount through auction of impounded vehicles and goods during September 2016. It earned Rs 17.07 million through auction of conRiscated item s during October 2016. OfRicials said that transparency has been maintained during the process, adding

that all items and vehicle were sold for suitable price. Islamabad ASO Performance: The Anti smuggling Organization seized goods and vehicles worth Rs 9.144 million during second week of November 2016. According to details, the ASO impounded three vehicles worth Rs 2 million, which were being used for smuggling, besides impounding two non-duty paid vehicles worth Rs 4.314 million during the said period.

It seized 1300 kilogramme of foreign origin fabric worth Rs 676,200, 11460kg food grain worth Rs 1.164 million, tyres and tubes worth Rs 44,310 and 1350 cartons of cigarettes worth Rs 945,000.

Shc seeks reply from customs in used tyres case

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M BiLAL

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday issued notices to the tax authorities and deputy attorney general of Pakistan on a petition Riled by M/s Brothers Recycling Unit, seeking release of its consignment of used tyres, which was held by the customs authorities subject to obtain approval from the climate change division.

While hearing the case, a twomember bench, comprising Justice Irfan Sadat Khan and Justice Muhammad Humayun Khan, also directed them to file their respective comments till November 30, 2016.

Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that his client is an importer of used/ scrap tires, which are used in raw material for pyrolysis plant. The petitioner had imported numbers of containers of similar nature and same were released through goods declara-

tion till dated September 27, 2016.

According to the petitioner, however, staff of the customs authorities raised an objection on September 28, 2016 and refused to release 8 containers and directing the petitioner to obtain approval from the climate change division Islamabad.

The counsel for the importer further argued that petitioner was in compliance with all the requisite requirements for import of used tyres; therefore, no need further requirements.

Citing Ministry of Environment Protection Agency sectretary, Customs Port Qasim collector, Customs Appraisement deputy collector and additional collector as respondents, the petitioner pleaded the court may declare that act of the respondents is illegal and mala Ride and court may direct the respondents to release the consignment immediately without further delay as the petitioner has fulRilled all the requirement under the law of import used/scrap tyres.

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FIA arrests human trafficker Tuesday November 29, 2016

Lahore

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested human trafficker during an operation against human smugglers.

The FIA’s anti-human trafficking cell following information conducted raid and arrested an accused, Zohaib Ali, who was involved in sending people abroad on fake documents.

The agency registered a case against the accused under sections of human smuggling and fraud with citizens. The accused had looted millions of rupees by deceiving the people in guise of sending them abroad. The FIA also recovered passports, currency and fake documents from his possession.

Number of complaints were registered against these accuses in this regard.

Lhc disposes of application against appointment of ir judicial member

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LAHORE

MuhAMMAD NAWAZ www.customsbulletin.com

he Lahore High Court (LHC) has disposed of an application against the appointment of Inland Revenue Appellate Tribunal Judicial Member Qamarul Haq Bhatti.

According to details, LHC Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah heard the case Riled by a petitioner, Mian Khalid. The counsel for the appellant argued before the court that the posting of the judicial member has been made directly by crossing the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), adding that appointing authorities did not advertise the post in the newspaper. He further said that appointment is against the law and LHC should declare the appointment of member null and void.

On the other side, Deputy Attorney General Mirza Nasar Baig ar-

prA bags rs 660m in four months from gujranwala he Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) recovered Rs 660 million during first four months of running fiscal year 2016-17 in Gujranwala region. It has set tax revenue recovery target of Rs 1.2 billion for Gujranwala region for the fiscal year 2016-17. The PRA tax applies on 62 different services including the contractors of different provincial government departments, food men, marriage halls catering and telecom services, officials said. They said that the Punjab government had levied 16 percent PRA tax on the services of the contractors of the provincial government departments, but after successful negotiations with the Punjab government, the ratio of tax has been reduced to only 1 percent from 16 percent from October 1st, 2016. Meanwhile, The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has decided to broaden its network in Faisalabad and has shortlisted 70 restaurants to bring them.—M Imran Mehar

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gued before the court that the appointment has been made following the Income Tax Ordinance and it is not illegal and against the law.

According to the ordinance, the government has authority to appoint any lawyer, who fulRills the requirements for prescribed post, as judicial member, he added.

After hearing the arguments from both sides, the LHC disposed of the application against the appointment of member judicial. Customs Appellate Tribunal: The Customs Appellate Tribunal division bench-II comprising Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Technical Member Imran Tariq heard 12 cases and adjourned all the cases till next date of hearing. The Customs Appellate Tribunal adjourned 12 cases including Pak Port International versus customs Lahore, Bico Iron and steel versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Multan.

customs preventive posts 3pc growth in duty, tax collection

LAHORE

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M hAYAt

www.customsbulletin.com he Collectorate of Customs Preventive has collected Rs 8,593 million revenue, including all duty, taxes and excluding Rs 151 million rebate, during the Rirst four months of the current Rinancial

customs Appellate tribunal adjourns hearing of 11 cases

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he Customs Appellate Tribunal division bench-II comprising Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Technical Member Imran Tariq heard 11 cases and adjourned all the cases till next date of hearing. The Customs Appellate Tribunal adjourned 11 cases including Muhammad Aamir versus Customs Lahore, Excel Pakistan versus Customs Faisalabad, Jan Muhammad versus Customs Lahore and Sky International versus Customs Lahore. On Wednesday, Customs Appellate Tribunal heard cases,

including Customs Faisalabad versus Muhammad Ahmed, Crescent Textile versus Customs Lahore, Muhammad Umer versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Multan. Furthermore, Tribunal heard Crescent Textile versus Customs Lahore, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad versus Shakoor, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Multan versus Abdul Ghani, Muhammad Shahban versus Customs Faisalabad and Muhammad Iqbal versus Customs Lahore.—Muhammad Nawaz

year 2016-17.

Sources told Customs Today that the Collectorate collected Rs 2,496 million under the head of customs duty and Rs 64 million additional revenue by registering 3 percent growth as compared to the same period of the last Rinancial year 201516. The Collectorate collected Rs 3,559 on account of sales taxes dur-

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ing the period under review against Rs 4,039 million during the same period of the last Rinancial year.

The Collectoarte collected Rs 221 million under the head of sales tax (valuation addition tax) during the period under review against the collection of Rs 201 million collected during the same period last Rinancial year. The Collectorate also collected excise and taxation duty (FED) of Rs 101 million during the Rirst four months of the period under review while Rs 42 million were collected on account of FED during the same period last Rinancial year 2015-16.

On the other hand the Collectorate collected Rs 2365 million on account of income tax during the four month during the period under review.

The collectorate collected Rs 8593 million including all the taxes during the period under review against the collection of Rs 9229 million during the four month of last Rinancial year.

customs court hears 11 cases

he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling heard 11 cases on Thursday and adjourned for next dates. As per details, 11 cases of different types, including post arrest bail plea moved

by Muazzam Ali and Azhar Fareed, were scheduled for the day, which have been adjourned until the next hearing. The court also adjourned bail plea of Muhammad Ilyas who is already on judicial remand until the next hearing. The cases of Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Jhelum were scheduled for the day. Customs Court also proceeded on cases of Behram Khan, Ashraf Bhatti and Muhammad

Asghar for their attendance in the court in different allegation and cases. Customs Court also recorded statements in a case against Shaukat Ali. Cases of narcotics, tax evasion and smuggling were scheduled for the day, the court has proceeded and adjourned number of them for the next week. Meanwhile, The Special Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling heard nine cases on Wednesday and adjourned all for the next dates. As per details, nine cases of different types, including post arrest bail plea moved by Muhammad Mumtaz Khan was also scheduled for the day.—M Imran Mehar

customs court extends judicial remand of gold smuggler

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LAHORE

M iMrAN MEhAr

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he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has extended the judicial remand of an accused who is allegedly involved in smuggling of gold, diamond and precious watches for another 14 days.

Earlier, the court had sent the accused

to jail in on a fourteen days judicial remand. Customs Investigation and Prosecution team had presented an investigation challan against the couple. As per detail, customs authorities deputed at Allama Iqbal International Airport recovered smuggled diamonds, 2.5 kilograms of gold and eight watches of Rado brand worth Rs 15 million from a passengers, Rana Muhammad RaRique who was travel-

ling from Sharjah to Lahore. After arresting them, the customs investigation team presented them before the court and got their physical remand for interrogation. However, the hearing of the case has also been adjourned until next week. Meanwhile, The Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling adjourned the hearing of mobile phones’ smuggling case. Earlier, the court had ap-

proved extension in judicial remand of an accused who was arrested by the customs authorities from Allama Iqbal International Airport while making an attempt to smuggle cell phones from China to Lahore. The Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) team of Lahore Customs had presented the accused Naveed Bhatti before the special court and asked for his physical remand of Rive days.

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Govt to prioritise development of five Mindanao ports WASHINGTON: The government will give utmost priority in developing five ports in Mindanao to accommodate more traffic and help further boost the country’s output. Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago said over the weekend his group has created a Port Infrastructure Development Plan, which identified five priority ports for modernization, namely, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Iloilo and Zamboanga.

These are considered international gateways as of this writing. “We are developing these ports, as these handle majority of our import and export product not only within Asean but also worldwide,” Santiago said. He added that his group will use the Asean Ports Association (APA) Meeting on November 15 and 16 as an avenue to promote these ports.

ports of Los Angeles and oakland reach new volume gains argo volumes at the Port of Los Angeles increased nearly 16 percent in October compared to the same period last year, marking the busiest month ever at a Western Hemisphere container port, according to data collected by the American Association of Port Authorities. Total volumes registered at 814,574 Twenty-Foot Equivalents (TEUs), eclipsing the previous record of 800,063 TEUs at the Port of Los Angeles in October 2006. October imports increased 16.4 percent to 417,311 TEUs. Exports jumped 23.3 percent to 166,406 TEUs. Along with a 18.3 percent surge in empty containers, overall October container volumes were 814,574 TEUs. With

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total cargo volumes through the first 10 months of 2016 at 7,182,682 TEUs, it represents an increase of 5.25 percent compared to the same period in 2015. Meanwhile, the Port of Oakland reports that its export volume reached a three-year high in October, soaring 20 percent over 2015 totals. The port reported today that it shipped the equivalent of 89,473 export containers last month.

That was the most since Oct. 2013, the port said, and the fourth-largest monthly total in its history. The figures cap a yearlong rally that has lifted Oakland exports 10 percent above 2015 volume year-to-date.

They re-enforce the Port’s position as one of the top export gateways in the U.S. “Increased export volume is nothing new – we’ve reported gains in nine of the first 10 months of the year,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. —CB Report

Ports & Shipping

kattupalli port cargo volume rises 220% WASHINGTON

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&T Kattupalli Port, run by the Adani group, has posted 220 per cent increase in its container volume during the Rirst six months of 2016-17. The Kattupalli port cashed in on the congestion issue that is plaguing Chennai Port which reported a 2.5 per cent decline during the same period. From April to September 2016, L&T Kattupalli Port handled 1.80 lakh twenty-foot equivalent units of containers (TEUs) against 56,450 TEUs for the same period last year. The company ofRicials attributed the volume increase to introduction of new services.

“We have added four new vessel services this year namely, Maersk Line’s Colombo Salalah Shuttle service which shifted from Chennai Port to Kattupalli completely in April,” said a senior port ofRicial. “In addition to this, the other services we are handling are the Chennai Colombo Gulf service operated by Evergreen Line

and Simatech, MD1 – Singapore Port Klang feeder operated by BTL, Wanhai and OOCL and ACS service operated by HMM Line. “We have got six weekly vessel calls connecting coastal ports and global transshipment ports thereby acting as an ideal gateway for the domestic and Exim trade in this region,” the ofRicial said. Adani group’s is expected to give a tough competition to Chennai Port in the coming days once Adani’s new container terminal at Kamarajar Port will be commissioned in the next few months. With this, the total cargo

handling capacity of Adani group at Kamarajar Port and Kattupalli Port will touch 2.8 lakh TEUs per annum.

Meanwhile, Chennai Port has announced waiver of port rail charges for three months to ease congestion on road and increase rail share of container trafRic between Chennai and Bengaluru. Chennai Port has decided to extend waiver of port rail charges (haulage at Rs.125 per TEU and terminal handling charges of Rs.22.97 per tonne) to Container Corporation of India for their container train operations on this sector.

Tuesday November 29, 2016

Abu Dhabi ports, Emiroll sign $120m plant deal bu Dhabi Ports and Emirates Aluminium Rolling (Emiroll) have signed a $120m deal to set up a manufacturing plant, the Port’s authority announced on Monday. The new plant, located in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad), will produce 65,000 tonnes of aluminium coils per annum, including 45,000 tonnes of cold-rolled and 20,000 tonnes of hot-rolled aluminium. Production will be used in the application of downstream industries, such as automotive body parts, roller-shutters, garage castings, container trays, cans and aerosols. The 83,554.58sqm plant is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2017, Gulf News reported. Mana Al Mulla, CEO of Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi said: “In 2015, the UAE was ranked the world’s fourth largest aluminium producer, accounting for over 50 per cent of the Gulf region’s aluminium output. “We are proud to have played a role in facilitating the production of such a valuable metal that is in high demand across the globe.” —CB Report

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georgia’s ports have big economic impact on gwinnett

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WASHINGTON

cuStoMS BuLLEtiN rEport www.customsbulletin.com

he Port of Savannah and the autoport at Brunswick may be far enough away from Gwinnett County that they would seem like they have no local impact, but there are 25,144 people who would say otherwise. That’s the number of full- and part-time jobs that Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director GrifRith Lynch said exist in Gwinnett County because of the authority and the cargo that passes through the state’s ports and heads inland.

Lynch said the port’s economic impact in the county during a presentation to the Gwinnett Chamber at the InRinite Energy Forum on Wednesday. More than 37,000 20foot equivalent units of cargo move through the county, he said. “(The Georgia Ports Authority) is not an asset that belongs to Savannah or

Brunswick,” Lynch said. “It belongs to the entire state of Georgia.”

Awareness of the Port of Savannah’s importance to the rest of the state has grown in recent years in light of expansion of the Panama Canal to accommodate the larger Panamax cargo ships. Lynch said those ships previously had to go through the Suez Canal, resulting in Savannah being the last port of call, after New York City and Norfolk, Va., for ships arriving in the U.S. Now that the Panama Canal can handle the ships as well, Savannah has a chance to be a Rirst port of call for imports coming in on the Panamax ships and therefore see more cargo pass through the area, Lynch said. That’s already lead to increases in cargo moving through the port, he said.

Meanwhile, Atlantic Canada’s largest port is preparing for the arrival of even larger container and cruise ships. “We are working to de-

velop a (master) plan that will allow the Port of Halifax to berth and service two ultra-class vessels simultaneously,” says Paul MacIsaac, senior vice president, Halifax Port Authority. “We believe future container port growth will be concentrated among those ports which have that ability.”

Port of Halifax trafRic is 16.1 per cent year-to-date. Ocean Alliance has started bringing larger vessels to Halterm and the G6 Alliance has added calls and larger vessels at the Ceres terminal, MacIsaac said. The port’s Fairview Cove Container Terminal is operated by Ceres-Halifax while the South End Container Terminal is operated by Halterm. Halterm Container Terminal Ltd. is owned and operated by the Macquarie Group. Halifax has been preparing for the arrival of what MacIsaac calls “big ships” (with the capacity to carry 7,500 20-foot

equivalent unit containers) for several years. Next up are ultra-class vessels that can carry 10,000 such containers. “Halifax is in an excellent position to accept those vessels because of our deep harbour, our uncongested port, our. . .rail networks, our excellent partnerships and our experienced labour.”

NYK Line subsidiary NYK Ports and Macquarie Infrastructure Partners III announced this week it had purchased a 20-per-cent share in Maher Terminals, which operates a terminal in the New York and New Jersey. CMA CGM Tage, which last called in Halifax Oct. 1 is the biggest yet to dock here, with a capacity of 9,365 TEU. The 8,749 TEU Hapag-Lloyd Budapest Express, has called at Ceres. Halifax also welcomed its largest cruise vessel, the 4,180-passenger Royal Caribbean International Anthem of the Seas, he said.

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Sargodha ASO seizes 778kg foreign origin sofa cloth FAISALABAD: The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), Sargodha, has seized foreign origin sofa cloth in different colours worth Rs 933,600 involving duty/taxes amounting to the tune of Rs 235,360.

Deputy Collector Muhammad Rizwan Khan received information that smuggled items were being supplied from Lahore to Sargodha on which he formed a team. The ASO team reached the place pointed out by the informer and found that 17 rolls of cloth were laying on the side of the road in front of 786 Super Star Goods Forwarding Agency.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Sarwat tahira habib directs audit of import data of M/s Aryan international ISLAMABAD tAriQ DErYA

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hief Collector North Sarwat Tahira Habib has directed collector Islamabad to conduct an audit of the imports by M/s Aryan International Associates and Shaheen Traders Rawalpindi during Rinancial years 2015 and 2016. Sources told Customs Today that Chief Collector had received a complaint by M/s Goodwill Clearing and Forwarding Company LLC, informing that how M/s Aryan International Associate and Shaheen Traders had mis-declared the value of the goods.

Sources said that M/s Goodwill mentioned in their complain that the consignment number AWB # 072-67765795 of February 27, 2016, in which consignee Aryan International Associates purchased goods from Dubai under local purchase invoice worth AED 945,000. It added the consignee mis-declared the value as AED 305,000.

In another consignment no AWB# 072-67951240 dated 25-042016 Aryan International purchased goods amounting to AED 1,559,000 but showed declared

value at AED 311,000, sources said.

It is also said that in third consignment M/s Aryan International Associates and Shaheen Traders showed AED 155,000 against the ac-

tual invoice value of AED 645,000.

Sources said that petitioner M/s Goodwill attached all the Dubai local purchase invoices in which the consignee had declared the value. On

the other hand, M/s Goodwill will also provide all the original local purchase references for due process. The sources said that these types of companies causing huge

loss to national exchequer and now the Customs ofRicials will take the proper action against the said company and will recover the actual customs duty from them.

tax evasion: Shc seeks remarks from M/s Bismillah industry KARACHI

M BiLAL

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the management of M/s Bismillah Industry and Member Judicial-II, Customs Appellate Tribunal Karachi to Rile their respective para-wise comments on an appeal Riled by Collector Customs Collectorate Port Qasim, challenged impugned order of the

Custom Appellant Tribunal in a case of evasion of duty and taxes of Rs 7, 321, 958.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Irfan Sadaat Khan and Justice Muhammad Humayun Khan was hearing the appeal.

Earlier, counsel for the applicant stated that respondent M/s Bismillah Industry imported a consignment which was declared to contain “zinc coated alloy steel sheets in coils of secondary quality” from Germany and Riled goods declaration dated December 13, 2014. According to the applicant, however, during the examination, imported goods were

found as GP steel sheets secondary quality/ non alloy, therefore, it was revealed that the said importer is involved in evasion of short-levied duty and taxes amounting to Rs. 7, 321, 958, therefore, show cause notice was issued to the said importer. Being aggrieved said importer Riled an appeal before the Customs Appellate Tribunal which was allowed and suspended the proceedings of customs department. Citing M/s Bismillah Industry and the Member Judicial-II Customs Appellate Tribunal Karachi as respondents, applicant pleaded the court to suspend impugned order of the tribunal and restore the order

of applicant. Meanwhile, A two-member bench, comprising Justice Irfan Sadat Khan and Justice Muhammad Humayun Khan will hear custom and income tax related cases including those which were Riled by Trading Corporation of Pakistan (Private) Limited vs Naveed Hussain Shah, Director DGIandI-FBR vs Member (Judicial-I) and another, Khursheed Zaheer Siddiqui vs Muhammad Idrees and others, Collector of Customs vs M/s Huawei Technologies Pakistan (Private) Limited and another, Director DGIandI-FBR vs Customs Appellate Tribunal Bench-II and another Collector of Customs VS M/s

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

Muhammad Naseem and another Collector of Customs VS M/s Aliz International, Collector of Customs vs Syed Muhammad and others, Director DGIandI-FBR VS Arif Mehmood and others, Director (Enforcement) DGIandI-FBR VS M/s Jaweed Gift Centre and another, M/s Dewan Salman Fibre Ltd vs Collector of Customs and others, Collector of Customs vs RA International, Wakil Ahmed Qureshi Advocate vs Sindh Bar Council and others, Suleman Lallani and another vs Asif Mannan and others, Muhammad Arif Qasmani vs Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited.