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Karachi, Sat November 4, 2017

HYDERABAD

ASLAM ANJUM

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he Customs Intelligence Hyderabad has confiscated foreign origin Non-Duty-Paid smuggling television remotes worth Rs03million involving duties and taxes of Rs673823 during a crackdown launched in the last week of October 2017-18 on Bypass Hyderabad.

Sources told Customs Today that I&I Hyderabad, on the strict in-

structions of Directorate General Customs Intelligence & Investigation Director Shuakat Ali and I&I Hyderabad Region Director, took effective measures to arrest the smuggling in the region.

Director Hyderabad Region received a tip-off about the smuggling of foreign origin Non-DutyPaid television remotes.

He advised the superintendent to use all available resources to foil the attempt. The team, under the supervision of Superintendent Hyderabad, wilayat Ali, comprised Intelligence OfPicers ShaPiq Ali, Muhammad

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Anees, Sepoys Sikander Ali, Ghayas Ahmed Sarif, Aslam Chohan, drivers and other staff.

The team started checking of the vehicles near Bypass Hyderabad.

During the checking, I&I team intercepted a vehicle and recovered foreign origin Non-Duty-Paid smuggling television remotes.

The customs team asked the driver of the vehicle to show the legal documents regarding the possession and transportation of abovementioned items, but he failed to provide the required documents.

The customs team impounded the goods.

Customs Intelligence recovers Big quantity of imported TV remotes

‘Customs impounds vehicles,goods worth Rs259m in four months of FY2017-18’

Multan Customs seized Smuggled goods worth Rs43.516m in October

Customs generates N829.5m in 6 months in Sokoto

North Region earns Rs540.91m more duties & taxes during 30 days

Hyderabad has confiscated foreign origin NDP smuggling television remotes | SEE PAGE 01 |

Collector Ashraf said that growth in the revenue collection during first quarter i | SEE PAGE 02 |

ASO has seized smuggled good and vehicles of worth Rs43.516 million | SEE PAGE 05 |

NCS Command in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara says it has generated N829.5m | SEE PAGE 07 |

The Customs North Region received an extra revenue of Rs540.91million | SEE PAGE 08 |

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Federal govt spending over Rs7b to improve electricity system in KP Saturday, November 4, 2017

National

ISLAMABAD: The federal government is spending more than seven billion rupees on improvement of electricity system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

An official of Peshawar Electric Supply Company talking to Radio Pakistan said that the government has initiated work on one hundred and fifty-one electricity projects in the province.

The projects include lying of new transmission lines, repair of transformers and up gradation of different grid stations.

‘Customs impounds vehicles, goods worth Rs259m in four months of FY2017-18’

PESHAWAR

QUETTA

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TARIQ DERYA

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hief Secretary KP, Muhammad Azam Khan took serious notice of current procedure of vehicle registration of Excise and Taxation (E&T) Department KP and directed the concerned authorities to prepare a viable and efficient procedure based on Information Technology. The use of IT would help facilitate the masses and ensure accurate and early registration of the new vehicles. The Excise & Taxation Department was asked to present their proposal in this regard within a week to the government positively, so that after approval of the same it would be implemented immediately in larger public interest. After studying the present process of vehicle registration thoroughly, the chief secretary noted that the clients were compelled to visit different offices time and again and then can get the registration for the new vehicle in at least six months.

He added the process was not only time consuming for the clients but also a cause of tension and uncertainty in their mind. The chief secretary stressed for the utilization of modern technology, E-System and up dated knowledge aiming to facilitate the public and increase confidence over the government departments.

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ollector of Customs Collectorate Ashraf Ali said that growth in the revenue collection during Pirst quarter is rePlection of better enforcement activities in Baluchistan.

Due to effective administrative measures taken by Collectorate of Quetta various seizure cases of non duty paid vehicles, cigarette, scrap, live animals, fertilizer and narcotics worth Rs. 259 million have been registered during the Pirst four months of current Financial Year 2017-18. During an exclusive interview with Customs Today Collector Ashraf Ali urged the authorities to ensure quality assessment control on misuse of exemptions, maintaining transparency and facilitation of the genuine trade and taxpayers.

He also praised the role of Quetta and Chman Chamber of Commerce and Industry , clearing and forwarding agents for their contribution in the revenue collection.

Talking about Pirst 15 days of October FY17-18 Ashraf Ali said that the MCC generated additional revenue of Rs186.00 million under head of all duties and taxes against the allocated revenue collection target for Pirst 15 days of October Financial Year 2017-18 . The Collectorate collected Rs810 million under all the heads during 15 days of Oc-

CS takes serious notice of E&T vehicles registration

tober FY 2017-18 while it was assigned Rs624.00 million of target for said period under all the heads.

According to details given by Ashraf Ali during initial 15 days of October, the Collectorate earned Rs330.00 million of customs duty (CD) against the target of Rs.273.5 million. The collector told Customs Today that the MCC Quetta allocated a target of Rs547.00 million under the head of customs duty for the whole month of October Fiscal Year 2017-18. During the above

said period, the Collectorate of Quetta collected Rs.323.00 million of sales tax against the assigned target of Rs.226.00 million from 1st to 15th of October FY17-18. The Collectorate was earmarked the revenue collection target of Rs.452.00 million under the same head for the whole current month. During the Pirst 15 days of October FY17-18, the Collectorate of Quetta generated Rs16.00million of federal excise duty (FED) against the assigned target of Rs11 million. The

Collectorate of Quetta was allocated target of Rs22.00 million as FED for the whole month of October FY201718. The Quetta Collectorate received Rs141.00 million during initial 15 days of October FY 17-18 under the head of withholding tax (WHT) while it was earmarked a proportional target of Rs113.5 million under the head of WHT whereas the Collectorate of Quetta was assigned Rs227.00million of WHT for the whole month of October FY17-18.

PSO imported 367,919,495 MMBTU LNG till to date T

ISLAMABAD

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he Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has so far imported around 367,919,495 Million British Thermal Unit (MMBTU) of LiquePied Natural Gas (LNG) to meet the country’s growing energy needs.

“The commodity is being imported from Qatar under the Government to Government arrangement. However, the PSO has also

received LNG from different sources including Nigeria, United Kingdom, Spain, Equatorial Guinea, Australia, Trinidad and Netherlands through competitive bidding,” ofPicial sources told APP. Answering a question, they informed that as per Article 3.1 (d) of LNG Policy 2011 no licence was required for import of the LNG. However, licence is mandatory for marketing, filling, transportation and distribution of LNG under the provision of LNG Rules 2007 of

OGRA, they added.

Replying to another question, the sources said at present, Pive cargoes carrying around 140,000 cubic meters LNG, which translated into 500 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) gas, were being imported from Qatar on a monthly basis.

“This, on an annual basis, is around 3.75 million ton per annum (MTPA), whereas another 0.75 MTPA LNG is imported through term tender arrangement which is not origin specific. Thus a total of

4.5 MTPA LNG is being imported currently in the country,” the sources said.

Answering a question, they said the PSO signed a 15-year agreement with Qatargas Company in February 2016, under the government to government arrangement.

The deal doing wonders when the imported gas fed industries, CNG stations, gas-Pired power generation plants and fertilizer sector, giving an impetus to economic activities in the country.

“The country had no option other than to import gas whether it is LNG or through Iran-Pakistan and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-India gas pipeline projects as the country’s existing reserves are depleting and there is no major Pind since long,” the sources said.

They expressed conPidence that the LNG import would prove to be a game-changer for Pakistan because it was considered an essential part of the energy mix needs of emerging economies.

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Saturday, November 4, 2017

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MULTAN IMRAN ALI www.customsbulletin.com

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization of Customs Collectorate Multan has seized smuggled good and vehicles of worth Rs43.516 million in various anti-smuggling activities during October. The Anti-Smuggling Organisation has registered 16 seizure cases in different actions carried out during the month of October against smuggled goods. Anti-Smuggling Organization teams impounded 16 foreign origin smuggled /non customs paid vehicles from jurisdiction during the month of October. The impounded vehicles were made of numerous designs and latest models seized by Anti-Smuggling Organization in different actions.

The seized vehicle includes Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Corolla X, Toyota Corolla G, Toyota Hilux Surf,

Suzuki Jimmy jeep, Hino Mazda truck, Toyota Vitz, Toyota Corolla X, Toyota Premio and others. The value of the seized non-duty paid smuggled vehicles is worth almost Rs.31.106 million during October.

During various actions of Anti-smuggling Organization, eight seized various vehicles were tampered and others were found non–tampered and non-customs paid during their action. Anti-Smuggling Organization conducted majority of anti-smuggling operations in Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan districts.

Customs Collectorate has also seized the Indian origin Gutka, Pan Parag One to One brand and other miscellaneous goods during their actions. The worth of the seized miscellaneous goods is almost Rs.12.41 million during their anti-smuggling activities in the jurisdiction. The Customs Collectorate has forwarded several seizure cases to the

Customs Adjudication after conclusion of their interrogation for legal proceedings.

Anti-Smuggling Organization is taking all measures to curb smuggling in the region .The Customs Collectorate is taking stern action against smugglers without any discrimination to curb smuggling from the jurisdiction.

Multan customs has successfully seized the various smuggled vehicles and goods of valuing Rs43.516. million due to their effective enforcement in the region during October.

Collector Saud Imran Ahmad has directed Anti-Smuggling squad to remain vigilant over the movement of smuggled goods and non-customs paid vehicles in the region.

ion anizat g r O g lin eign mugg 16 for d Anti-S e d n s impou custom n o n / teams led ion smugg risdic t u j m origin o s fr ober ehicle of Oc t h t paid v n o the m during

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EDITORIAL

Issue of budget deficit

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he government is confronting the issue of budget deficit which has risen to 5.8 percent of the gross domestic product, indicating that the financial health of the country is returning to the same position as it was in 2013 when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz took over the office. The budget deficit indicates the financial condition of a country where expenditures exceed its revenue. The term is generally used to refer to the government spending rather than the spending by business or individual, but can be applied to all of these entities. Incidentally, the budget deficit has already reached Rs1,864 billion mark.The deficit grew by 5.8 percent of the GDP mere in July and August during the current fiscal year against the prescribed limit of four percent which is kept through an amendment in Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation (FRDL) Act of 2005. The amendment was passed by the National Assembly without any debate as no member raised any objection against it.The situation is going from bad to worse due to political instability in the country as no one will be ready to take responsibility of the situation in the new setup.

According to experts, the figures of the budgets in federal and provincial level during the last financial year put fiscal deficit at 6.1 percent, which is the highest during the last four years of the PML-N government.

The government is likely to incur budget deficit of over 8 percent this year, but it has apparently no magic wand to narrow the gap between income and expenditure.The total debt of the country reached Rs22.2 trillion during 2016-17 from to Rs14.8 trillion in 2013 and may reach Rs25 trillion. At least Rs400 billion circular debt has not been included in the budget deficit of 5.8 percent in fiscal year 2016-17. Another Rs250 billion under the head of sales tax refunds has been withheld and the exporters are filing cases against the department concerned for their release. Economists believe the National Assembly was presented misleading figures to put the budget deficit at 4.3 percent in 2016-17 despite the fact the later figures put the deficit at 5.8 percent of the GDP.The rising fiscal deficit and huge debt burden are widening gap between the investment and savings, creating current account deficit.

Economy of heavy loans A

LAHORE

DR AFTAB AFZAL

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ccording to news reports, the debt volume is piling up and has reached an alarming stage. The government has already added new debt of $796.8 million to its portfolio during the first quarter of the current fiscal year while it is ready to borrow another $2 billion to finance the development projects.The government is planning to generate this money by floating Euro and Sukuk bonds in the international capital markets and the official policymakers are looking for loans and grants from every possible external source without realizing that the coming genera-

tions will have to reap what they are sowing. Ironically, the borrowings are made for short-term economic gains rather than devising long term policies for the development of industry and trade. At least $458 million, out of the $796.8 million,had been acquired from a consortium of both foreign and domestic commercial banks for budgetary support. The rest of the money was committed by the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation under the Islamic finance system. The total external debt has swelled to 67.2 percent of the gross domestic product and no one knows when the government will apply brakes and will stops obtaining further loans.

As a result of the falling exports, the trade deficit has reached $32.4 billion, and the government has recently imposed duty on hundreds of ‘luxury goods’ to arrest the imports in the country. Experts believe the local industry has been burdened with unreasonable taxes which has increased the cost of production and curtailed the ability of the local manufacturers to compete in the international market. The government will have to give tax holidays to local and foreign investors and create a business friendly environment to stimulate the industrial sector.The more business opportunities meant more revenues for the government cof-

fers. The government needs a heavy amount to finance and maintain the administrative affairs and instead of generating income by boosting economic activities, it wants to acquire it through duties and taxes. A report issued by the World Bank puts Pakistan at 144 among 190 countries of the world in terms of institutional support to do business. It also reveals the fact that the government needs to revise its policies to create conducive environment for the development of business in the country.

So far, the government should shun its habit of turning toward international financial institutions for obtaining loans on heavy markup rates.

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S. Korea’s passenger car exports soar 30.1% in Q3 Saturday November 4, 2017

World

SEJONG: Overseas sales of South Korea-made passenger cars soared 30.1 percent in the third quarter of this year on the back of recovering global demand, customs data showed Thursday.

The total value of passenger car exports reached US$9.4 billion during the July-September period, up from $7.2 billion tallied a year earlier, according to the data by the Korea Customs Service (KCS). The third quarter figure marks the second straight quarter of numbers moving up, after a nearly 3 percent drop in the January-March period. Imports also rose 8.3 percent on-year to $2.2 billion over the same period. The number of exported cars jumped 20.9 percent on-year to 622,000 units during the threemonth period, while 69,000 units were imported, up 14.5 percent from a year ago.

Customs generates N829.5m in 6 months in Sokoto

Dutch man arrested with 2 liters cannabis oil on Bali AMSTERDAM

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ABUJA

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he Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Command in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara says it has generated N829.5 million between May and October. The command’s Comptroller, Mr Nasiru Ahmad, who said this at a news conference in Sokoto on Wednesday, added that it also seized 39 vehicles worth N83.6 million paid duty value. Ahmad, who assumed duty in April, said “the command made 103 seizures with combined duty paid value of N161.3 million, including the 39 vehicles intercepted.

He said that 23 arrests were made in October alone.

The other seizures, he said, were 552 bags of 50kg rice, 129 bags of 25Kg rice, 976 Jerry cans of cooking oil, 209 bales of second hand clothes in addition to two pieces of elephant

Philippines, Russia sign two military deals housands of assault rifles and helmets were among the military gear Russia donated to the Philippines in a bid to widen its arms market in Southeast Asia at a time when Manila is seeking to diversify weapons systems, officials said. Manila received about 5,000 Kalashnikov rifles, 5,000 steel helmets, about a million rounds of ammunition for the rifles and 20 army trucks in a ceremony attended by President Rodrigo Duterte, who also toured one of five visiting Russian warships. The gift came a day after Russia and the Philippines signed two military pacts, including a sales contract with Rosoboronexport, a state-owned vendor of Russian defense equipment.

“We are looking at acquiring some equipment for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, but there are no specifics yet,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. –CB Report

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tusk valued at N14.4 million. Ahmad said N829.6 million was realised within the period against N1.1 billion received last year with 22.9 per cent dePicit. He attributed the dePicit to government ban on importation of rice and vehicle through land borders. He added that the command collected export duties from Dangote

and Sokoto Cement that were transporting the commodity to neighbouring countries. The comptroller said the command had 11 approved borders with about 600 kilometres stretching from Sabon-Birni in Sokoto State to Maje and Lolo in Kebbi which allowed smugglers to use porous areas, especially during dry season.

Thai Oct CPI to hold steady, factory output growth slightly slower

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hailand’s headline inPlation is expected to be little changed in October and still below the central bank’s target range, while September factory output growth slowed, a Reuters poll showed, giving policymakers room to keep monetary policy loose. The median forecast of 13 economists was for the headline consumer price index (CPI) in October to rise 0.82 percent from a year earlier. In September, it was

up 0.86 percent. The Bank of Thailand forecasts 2017 headline inPlation of 0.6 percent, below its target range of 1-4 percent. But it expects inPlation to return to the band by the middle of 2018. It next reviews policy on Nov. 8, and most analysts expect no change for the rest of 2017.

According to the poll, the core inPlation rate, which strips out energy and fresh food prices, was 0.58 percent in October. –CB Report

37-year-old Dutch man was arrested on Bali with 2 liters of cannabis oil in his possession. He was arrested in Batu Belig, immediately after taking possession of the cannabis oil, RTL Nieuws reports.

The suspect has been living in a villa in Batu Belig, a town north of Kuta, for two years, according to the broadcaster. He was under surveillance by the Indonesian authorities for some time. The Dutch man has not yet been charged.

People caught with drugs in their possession in Indonesia face significant punishments. The death penalty can be imposed on people caught smuggling large amounts of drugs into the country.

Meanwhile, Industry experts have indicated the boom-time for

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refuse-derived fuel (RDF) exports could be over, following Pigures released by the Environment Agency (EA) showing a potential slowdown in the overseas market.

Between January and August this year, exports of RDF and other associated material from England was down by nearly 17,000 tonnes to just over 2.1 million tonnes, compared with the same period in 2016.

This supports suggestions that the rapid growth in RDF exports over recent years is easing. From England and Wales, exports stood at around a quarter of a million tonnes in 2011 compared with just under three million tonnes in 2015.

Keith Riley, a partner at EnergyGap, said Pinding export capacity was “becoming increasingly more difPicult”, despite continued upward growth in the quantity of RDF sent abroad. He said landPill bans in the Netherlands and Germany, competitive imports from eastern Europe and low electricity prices in northern Europe were factors.

China’s pork, chicken imports decline hina imported 920,508 tonnes of pork valued at USD 1.7 billion in the first nine months of 2017, down 28.0% and 34.1% respectively from a year earlier, said the China Customs. Meanwhile, China’s domestic pork production rose 0.7% to 37.2 million tonnes, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The nation’s frozen chicken imports also fell sharply in the nine months, down 23.4% at 329,657 tonnes. However, imports of beef and mutton products maintained growths, rising 14.7% and 2.9%,

respectively, to 502,887 tonnes and 187,812 tonnes.

Meanwhile, China’s tax revenue rose 10.6 percent to 9.92 trillion yuan ($1.5 trillion) in the first three quarters of this year, official data showed Friday. The growth was higher than the 8.9 percent recorded in the first half of the year, according to figures from the State Administration of Taxation. The authority attributed the strong tax revenue growth primarily to steady and sound economic growth during the period thanks to the effects of the country’s macroeconomic policies. –CB Report

Business consortium to invest $1 billion in Africa

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CAPE TOWN

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Consortium of international business leaders was investing $1 billion in the South African and larger African economies, the lead investor ambassador Harold Doley jr announced yesterday. Doley made the

unexpected announcement at the Business Report Ignite breakfast yesterday morning. The event in Cape Town followed Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba’s Mid-Term Budget Policy Statement delivered in Parliament on Wednesday. The $1bn (about R14bn) investment will primarily be in technology, as a platform for diverse development, and education and agri-busi-

ness. Africa has the most arable land in the world and has more people under 35 than any other continent. Addressing Gigaba, Doley said: “I am going to tell you something you will seldom hear: We want to come here and pay taxes; we want to make money so we can help you with your deficit.”

The SA Revenue Service has previously said South Africa’s cumula-

tive deficit for 2017 is R17.08bn compared to R83.28bn deficit in 2016. The National Treasury has slashed the country’s growth outlook by nearly half to 0.7 percent from the 1.3 percent predicted in February. Doley said young Africans could unlock the door to economic prosperity if they were given the keys – capital, education and expertise.

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FIA apprehends three notorious human smugglers SIALKOT: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested three notorious human traffickers named Yasir Taj Din Butt (Islampura-Daska), Muhammad Khalid (Naikapura-Sialkot) and Younas Nawab Din (Baddo Malhi-Narowal) during an ongoing crackdown on human traffickers, their agents and sub-agents in Sialkot region.

Khalid Anees (FIA Divisional Deputy Director) told CT that the accused have been sending the local innocent people abroad illegally after getting big amounts from them.

Saturday, November 4, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

North Region earns Rs540.91 million more duties & taxes during 30 days ISLAMABAD TARIQ DERYA

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he Customs North Region received an extra revenue of Rs540.91million as all duties and taxes against an allocated proportional revenue collection target of 30 days of October Financial Year 2017-18.

The North Region was assigned a revenue collection target of Rs3182.60million while it earned Rs3723.51million under all the heads during above said period.

According to details explained by sources of the North Region, which comprises Collectorates of Islamabad, Peshawar, Sialkot and Gilgit-Baltistan, that the Collectorate of Islamabad was earmarked a proportional revenue collection target under all the heads for 30 days of October FY17-18 of Rs958.88million while it collected Rs1563.85million under the same head. Sources added that the Islamabad Collectorate generated an extra revenue of Rs604.97million against the assigned proportional target for 30 days of October FY17-18.

The Collectorate of Peshawar got Rs1989.33million under all the

heads during the first 30 days of October against an allocated proportional target of Rs1970.41million. The Collectorate of Peshawar surpassed an assigned proportional revenue target of Rs18.92million under all the heads

during 30 days of October FY1718. The Customs Collectorate Sambrial received Rs-264.38million during 30 days of October FY1718 under all the heads against the earmarked target of Rs-113.23million of all taxes while the Sambrial

generated extra revenue of Rs151.15million during said period under all the heads.

The sources told CT that, during 30 days of October FY17-18, the Collectorate of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) got Rs434.71million under

all the heads against the assigned revenue target of Rs336.54million. The GB showed a shortfall of Rs98.17million against an earmarked proportional revenue collection target for 30 days of October FY17-18.

IBI assets grow by 16.6%, deposits expand by 17.7 % ISLAMABAD

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he Islamic Banking Industry (IBI) continued its growth momentum and witnessed 16.6 percent expansion in assets while its deposits increased by 17.7 percent during the Fiscal year 2017, according to latest ofPicial data. During the Piscal year 2017, the IBI assets reached to Rs2,035

billion while the deposits of the industry touched Rs1,720 billion Pigure, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data.

“During FY17, the Islamic Banking Industry (IBI) continued its growth momentum, recording improvement in all key performance indicators,” the report said.

The IBI share in overall banking assets and deposits also increased from 11.4 percent and 13.2 percent during the Piscal year2016 to 11.6 percent and 13.7 percent respectively during FY2017.

The IBA also witnessed improvement in the Pinancing to de-

posit ratio (FDR) as these stood at 56.8 percent markedly surpassing the FDR of conventional banking industry, which stood at 48.7 percent as at end June 2017.

This points to more focus of Islamic banking institutions on core banking business as compared to their conventional counterparts, the report said adding that the growth of the industry and its growing market share in overall banking industry seemed promising in view of its shorter history as compared to the long established conventional banking.

In terms of outreach, the Is-

lamic banking industry had further strengthened its presence across the country, it added.

During the year, 21 Islamic banking institutions (5 full-Pledged Islamic banks and 16 conventional banks having Islamic banking branches) were operating in the country. During the period under review, Burj Bank Limited was merged into AlBaraka Bank (Pakistan) Limited, owing to which the number of IBIs adjusted at 21.

Branch network of IBI reached to 2,320 branches spread across 110 districts of the country as of June 30, 2017. The consistent positive

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growth of the Islamic banking industry among others could also be attributed to the supportive policy and regulatory environment being promoted by SBP. The SBP efforts and initiatives for promotion and growth of Islamic banking had national and international recognition, it added.

The government has taken many initiatives to promote Islamic banking it said adding that the initiatives included formulation of a high level Steering Committee which had submitted its report on promotion of Islamic Banking.