Wednesday, 8 November 2017

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hief Collector Customs, Central, Lahore Zeba Hai Azhar on Monday presided over a meeting of the collectors and ofQicers of the Central Region and discussed successful achievement of assigned revenue targets.

The Chief Collector Customs congratulated her team on this unprecedented growth in respect of revenue collec-

tion and hoped that the Central Region would witness similar success in coming months.

The Custom Central Region has successfully surpassed its revenue collection target set for the month of October 2017. According to details, the Central Region was assigned revenue target of Rs 13,640.35 million in respect of all duty and taxes for the month of October, 2017 and its collection stood at Rs 15,159.54 million which was 11 percent excess to the assigned target and 34 percent

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excess of the targets achieved in October 2016, last year.

It is also important to mention here that Federal Board of Revenue assigned revenue collection target for customs duty for the month of October, 2017 was Rs 4,896.71 million, whereas Rs 5,361.35 million were collected showing an increase of Rs 464.64 millions which is 9 percent excess from the allocated target and 54 percent excess of customs duty (CD) collected during the month of October 2016 last year.

Exports Section Islamabad generates Rs2171.35 million

Appraisement East detects tax evasion of Rs 6.88m by M/s Ghani Plastic

ASO impounds NDP Vitz, Toyota Corolla from Shera Kot, Iqbal Town

Sharjeel Memon challenges arrest in NAB court

Customs ASO Faisalabad impounds smuggling Hilux vehicle

The Exports Section of the MCC fetched exports of Rs2171.35million | See pAge 02 |

The Customs Appraisement East has unearthed tax evasion of Rs 6.88m | See pAge 03 |

Customs ASO has impounded two NDP vehicle including Vitz | See pAge 04 |

Sharjeel Inam challenged his detention in an accountability court in Karachi | See pAge 14 |

ASO Faisalabad took into possession a NDP Toyota Hilux Surf worth Rs1.5m | See pAge 16 |

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ATIR adjourns hearing of tax matters challenging notices in fourth week Wednesday, November 8, 2017

ISLAMABAD: The Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) dated in office further proceedings of tax matters after issuing notices while hearing cases about outstanding taxes during fourth week of October.

Account Member Dr Ghulam Mujtaba Bhatti heard the cases out of which M/s Pak Telecom Mobile Limited had also filed a matter.

According to details, M/s Pak Telecom Mobile Limited had challenged recovery of issued to it in head of outstanding income tax by the LTU, Islamabad.

Islamabad

exports Section islamabad generates rs2171.35 million

fST seeks reply on complaints filed by fBr employees ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

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he Exports Section of the Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad fetched exports of Rs2171.35million including One Customs and WeBOC system during 29 days of October Financial Year 2017-18. According to details given by sources of Exports Section that performance has been satisfactory during the first 29 days of October Financial Year (FY) 2017-18. During said period, the Exports Section of the Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad obtained exports of Rs377.126million via One Customs whereas the Exports Section made exports worth Rs1894.227million via WeBOC System.

The sources told Customs Today that the Exports Section Islamabad processed 342 Goods Declarations (GDs) via One Customs while the Exports Section cleared 2697 GDs via WeBOC system during 1st to 29th of October FY17-18.

Sources told CT that, during the month of September FY17-18, the Exports Section posted 38.17% growth with extra value of Rs860million against the corresponding FY16-17. Sources added that, during September FY17-18, the Exports Section did worth Rs3112.14million of business while it earned Rs2252.33million

ederal Service Tribunal bench comprising Members Ishtiaq Ahmed and Dr Nazir Saeed directed the Federal Board of Revenue to submit reply in cases of ‘special allowance’ and ‘implementation’ filed by employees of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) during fourth week of October. The bench heard arguments on case of special allowance filed by Muhammad Boota and cases filed by M Waheed, Anjum Rasheed, Sardar Ali and Muhammad Ferozuddin. Federal Service Tribunal on Friday directed parties to conclude arguments on next date of hearing in complaints challenging administrative measures taken by the board concerning to its employees services. Muhammad Waheed had filed his case in 2016. He had submitted a case seeking interim relief. This bench also heard recently filed case by Sardar Ali. Ali had filed a case about seniority and had complained about board’s reckless conduct about this. He had prayed the tribunal to direct the board on the issue. Muhammad Ferozuddin, another appellant, had filed an Implementation matter which was pending before the tribunal since 2014.

of business during the same period of FY16-17. During the month of August FY17-18, the Exports Section showed 53.20% of growth against the same period of previous FY16-17. During above said period, the Exports Section earned Rs2635.21million of business during August FY17-18 while it generated exports of Rs1720.00million during FY16-17. The Exports Section earned extra exports of

Rs915million during FY17-18 against the same period of last August FY16-17.

Meanwhile, Smuggling of contraband items via Motorway is a serious issue which is affecting the state, business community and the society adversely. The Motorway and Highway Police are not cooperating with the Customs Department even when Customs Department wants to intercept some secret information based

vehicles carrying smuggled goods on the Motorway or Highway. According to details given by sources that, after the imposition of Regulatory Duty (RD) to discourage imports, the possibility of smuggling goods via Motorway and Highway will increase. Sources added that the estimated loss to the national exchequer due to smuggling on Motorway and GT Road is almost Rs1.00 to Rs2.00billion per month.

iHc issues notices on plea filed by M/s pakistan Mobiles

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ISLAMABAD

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he Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to M/s Pakistan Mobiles Communication Limited and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in a customs matter Qiled by the former.

A single bench of the IHC comprising Justice Athar Minallah was supposed to hear the matter but hearing was rescheduled with no-

tices to the appellant and respondents in the case.

The bench also dated in office hearing on an income tax matter filed by the same appellant i.e.

M/s Pakistan Mobiles Communication Limited. The company had filed the reference in which the company had challenged a show cause notice issued by the Large Taxpayers Unit, Islamabad. The appellant had challenged the act of recovery of said amount by Commissioner Inland Revenue of

Large Taxpayer’s Unit, Islamabad.

ATIR was also made respondent

in the case as the tribunal had sustained departmental decision re-

garding issuance of show cause notice and demand of recovery of outstanding tax amount in head of federal excise duty. M/s Pakistan Mobiles Communication Limited had prayed the court that FBR office had issued a recovery notice to the company which did not hold lawful grounds. The appellant had prayed the court to declare the act as illegal and without any lawful authority and an interim stay may be granted against recovery proceedings.

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SHC to hear case vehicle detention case on Nov 13 KARACHI: Sindh High Court to hear a case pertaining to detention of a vehicle converted from a transit mixture into a dumper truck on Nov 13.

The bench was hearing a constitution petition filed by Eastern Construction Company. Ms Dil Khurram Shaheen advocate appearing for the petitioner submitted that the vehicle in dispute was imported as per import policy order. She further submitted that Collector Hyderabad vacated show cause issued to the petitioner in view of judgment dated April 04, 2017 in an identical petition by the instant petitioner.

nAB arrests Dy commissioner-ir over fake rs700m ST refunds

Wednesday November 8, 2017

Karachi

Appraisement east detects tax evasion by M/s ghani plastics

KARACHI

M B rAnA

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ational Accountability Bureau (NAB) has arrested Deputy Commissioner of Regional Tax office-III FBR Karachi from District Tharparkar over the charge of sanctioning fake sales tax refunds of around Rs 700 million. The detained Deputy Commissioner of Regional Tax office-III FBR Karachi namely Rauf Abdul Nasir was taken into custody from District Tharparkar. The accused, Rauf, was nominated in an investigation regarding illegal sales tax refunds and he has been charged for sanctioning fake sales tax refunds to the business firms that never existed.

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court awards jail term to accused in tax evasion case KARACHI

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he Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi convicted till rising of the court and Rs 2,00,000 fine to suspect namely Muhammad Ali, who was booked in a case of evasion of duty and taxes to the tune of Rs5.62 million.

During the hearing, counsel for the suspect and customs department completed their arguments and after their arguments, court announced judgment that “after evaluation of evidence available on record court has reached to the conclusion that said suspect was found guilty of the offence, convict him till rising of the court and fine Rs2,00,000, if fine is not paid by the accused person than he shall suffer further 6 six months imprisonment in Central Jail Karachi”. According to the prosecution, case was registered for violation of under section 32 (1) 32 (2) 32A, 79 (1) 80 & 192 of the Customs Act 1969 punishable under

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KARACHI

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he Customs Collectorate of Appraisement East has unearthed tax evasion of Rs 6.88 million in the clearance of plastic items imported by M/s Ghani Plastics and Kitchen Accessories.

Source told Customs Today that the Collector Appraisement East Ashad Jawad directed the R&D section to verify the post clearance consignments of the importer M/s Ghani Plastics and Kitchen Accessories. During the scrutiny, it was found that the said importer willfully used Green Channel in the clearance of two consignments of imported plastic items and caused a loss of Rs 6.88 million to the national exchequer in terms of duty and taxes. The sources further informed that a recovery notice has been sent to the importer. The R&D sources said that the importer has also assured that it will deposit the evaded amount of Rs 6.88 during within seven days.

Earlier Customs Collectorate of Appraisement East has unearthed tax evasion of Rs 12.56 million in the clearance of electronics items imported by M/s Farooq Traders.

Meanwhile, The Customs Adjudication-II has issued eight show cause notices and four Qinal notices during the Qirst 26 days of October and recovered Rs 9.9 million.

Sources told Customs Today that

the Customs Adjudication-II sent a Qinal notice to a defaulter company, M/s Shehroz Garments, while it recovered Rs 2.78 million from M/s Alam Associates.

Sources said that M/s Shehroz Gaments, was found involved in the tax evasion. The company imported hard buckrum and shirts cotton pieces in the month of August and used wrong PCT heading.

After careful investigations, the Customs Adjudication-II sent the

During the scrutiny, it was found that the said importer willfully used green channel in the clearance of two consignments of imported plastic items and caused a loss of rs 6.88 million to the national exchequer in terms of duty and taxes

SHc adjourns hearing of case against lodging fir

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) adjourned hearing of constitutional petition Qiled by m/S Faras Combine Marketing Company Pvt Ltd for quashment of FIR lodged against it alleging imported kerosene oil in the garb of white spirit. A twomember bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omer Sial was hearing the petition. Earlier,

counsel for the petitioner stated that it is an import and trading petrochemicals and allied products, such regards imported from Seychelles a consignment 1979.795 metric ton of white spirit and Qiled goods declaration (GD) according with law.

According to the petitioner, he was shocked when he was informed by the ofQicials of the customs department that FIR was lodged against it by customs authorities, wherein, it was alleged that the petitioner in a garb of white spirit had

imported kerosene oil which falls in import control policy and violation of customs’ policy. He argued that allegations of the customs department are baseless and he imported white spirit after fulQilling all requirements.

Citing Secretary Revenue Division, Director Customs Enforcement Directorate General Intelligence and Investigation-FBR and seizing/ investigation ofQicer of the department as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare the act of the respondents as illegal, mala Qide and arbitrary.

final notice to the company, asking it to clear the outstanding amount of Rs 3.36 million.

Sources told that another company M/s Alam Associates cleared a consignment of different kind of aluminum sheets and roll on 12th August 2017 and evaded tax amount of Rs 2.78 million, after investigations.

Customs Adjudication sent a show cause notice on September 9 but the company failed to clear the outstanding tax amount.

fBr workshop on e-filing of iT returns ederal Board of Revenue in collaboration with Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry conducted a workshop for the business community on “How to File Income Tax Returns and Wealth Statements Electronically”The workshop, held at the Federation House, was attended by business persons from various sectors.

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Customs Court awards jail term, impose penalty on gold smuggler Wednesday November 8, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: The Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has awarded one year imprisonment and imposed a penalty of Rs 2 million in a case of gold smuggling from Britain to Lahore.

Accused Shoaib Muneer was arrested by the customs authorities at Lahore airport while he was trying to smuggle huge quantity of gold which was hidden in the secret parts of his luggage. Worth of the recovered gold is Rs 16 million almost. He got bail from the court and arrested again after rejection of bail plea. On other hand on Thursday numbers of cases were scheduled for hearing before the customs court which were rescheduled for new dates.

court approves 14-day judicial remand of two currency smugglers LAHORE

M iMrAn MeHAr

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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has granted the 14-day judicial remands of two accused involved in currency smuggling and sent them to prison.

Earlier, the Pakistan Customs Preventive Department has foiled a bid to smuggle a big quantity of foreign currencies abroad and arrested both culprits at the Lahore Airport. The customs sources said that, during the baggage search of two Bangkok-bound passengers at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, some $25,000 was recovered. The officials confiscated the recovered foreign currency and

Dc Adjudication issues ono no.07/17 eputy Collector Customs Adjudication Shahzad Liaquat Ranjha has issued Order-in-Original (ONO) No. 07/2017. Brief facts of the case as reported by the Anti-Smuggling Organization team intercepted foreign origin cloth lying near Railway Sation Lahore. On query a person standing near the said cloth introduced himself as Jan Mohammad son of Rashid Khan claimed the ownership of the said cloth. Thereafter, the examination of the said cloth was conducted in presence of the said owner . During search the ASO team recovered foreign origin fabrics assorted type, assorted colors of 22 bundles. On demand the said owner or any other person failed to provide any documentary evidence or otherwise in support of lawful import or legal possession of the above said recovered cloth. –CB Report

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apprehended both accused who are being interrogated.

The culprits identified as Muhammad Shehzad, a resident of Kasur, and Atif, a resident of Lahore, were involved in the smuggling. DC Customs Naveed-ulRehman Bhagvi took action against the accused.

Sources told the Customs Today that the held accused were allegedly involved in currency smuggling with a gang of money laundering.

This gang belongs to Hall Road of Lahore which is a famous market of mobiles and computers.

The Customs Investigation and Prosecution on Monday got their physical remand. The court also ordered the investigation team to present them before the court on Wednesday for further prosecution. Customs court sent them to jail for judicial trial.

customs ASo impounds nDp Vitz, Toyota from iqbal Town

LAHORE

M HAYAT

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ollectorate of Customs Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has im-

Tribunal Appellate Tribunal rejects appeal filed by M/s faheem Traders

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ustoms Appellate Tribunal has rejected the appeal Qiled by the M/s Faheem Traders against the Collector of Customs (Appeals) and Deputy Collector of Customs Lahore.

Imran Tariq, Member Technical bench-II heard the arguments from complainant and respondent in details and decided the case with remarks that tribunal is agreed with the written comments Qiled by the deputy collector IV on behalf of respondent.

After the consideration of all record we Qind that there is no merit in ap-

peal therefore not accepted. As per brief history of case, M/s Faheem Traders was imported a consignment of plastic tooth brushes with caps from China and sought clearance with vide GD No HC-425 through Customs Clearance Agent M/s Ifran & Sons.

During the course of audit, department found some discrepancies in the duties and taxes and charged Rs8,58,943 on the importer who aggrieved from the order and challenge the department ruling before the learned collector of customs. –CB Report

pounded two non customs paid vehicle including Vitz and a Toyota Corolla worth Rs over 2 million.

The customs ofQicial sources told Customs Today that Collector Customs Preventive Faiz Ahmad received credible information about some non duty paid vehicles which are plyed on road without any legal

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documents.

After receiving the information Collector Faiz Ahmad constituted different anti smuggling squads. The team established main checking points on entry and exit points of the city. During patrolling ASO team intercepted a Vitz car worth Rs 1.5 near Shera Kot and impounded the same as owner of the vehicle failed to produce any legal documents against the Vitz car AAA/ 692. The sources said that the car was being played by the owner M. Jamil.

Sources told the ASO team intercepted another vehicle Toyota Corolla modeling 1994 and impounded the same for the owner failed to produce any legal documents. The sources said that the vehicle was being driven by on Agha Khuram who is a resident of Iqbal Town. The value of the vehicle has been estimated at Rs 0.6 million. The customs authorties registering a case have started further investigations.

custote Tribunal hears 24 cases he Customs Appellate Tribunal (single & double) bench heard 24 cases. And adjourned all the cases to different dates. According to the details, the division bench-II comprising chairman Justice (r) Malik Manzoor Hussain, Chairman and Member Technical Imran Tariq, heard 14 cases, including Muhammad Nadeem versus Customs Multan, Khawaja Muhammad Younis versus Customs Faisalabad, Haji Muhammad Aslam versus Customs Lahore, Bashir Ahmed versus Customs Lahore, Additional Director Intelligence and Investigation Multan versus Naseer

Ahmed. The same bench heard a case of Collector Customs Multan versus Muhammad Sulman, Collector Customs Multan versus Green House, Additional Director FBR Multan versus S.M Food Maker, Zulifqar Ali Anjum versus Customs Faisalabad, Shahid Khan versus Customs Faisalabad, Rehmat Ali versus Customs Faisalabad and Global Business Traders versus Customs Faisalabad. The single bench-II comprising Omer Arshed Hakeem Member Judicial Directorate Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore versus G.S Corporation, Aqsa Traders versus customs Faisalabad. –CB Report

fTo adjourns hearing of refund appeal filed by M/s iqbal Butt

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LAHORE

SAJiD nAwAZ

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he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has postponed the hearing of a case Qiled by Muhammad Iqbal Butt against the Regional Tax OfQice (RTO), Gujranwala, until the next hearing.

According to details, FTO Advisor

Mian Munawar Ghafoor heard the Complaint Number 420L/IT(324)591/2017 in which the counsel for the appellant argued that the RTO had failed to release the sales tax refund of the last two years claimed by the company.

He said the RTO collected excessive tax from Iqbal Butt from the last two years. He approached the commissioner concerned many times for

issuance of refunds but the RTO ofQicials did not pay refunds even after the passage of reasonable time.

At the end, the company decided to approach the FTO seeking interference in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the RTO to clear refund claims. The counsel further said the RTO should refund the excessive collection in the wake of taxes by the end of Qinancial year but

the situation is quite otherwise. Delay in issuance of refunds put burden on taxpayers, he said, adding the RTO Sargodha should audit cases and release extra amount collected from the taxpayers. After hearing arguments from both sides, Advisor Mian Munawar Ghafoor adjourned the hearing of case until next date for further hearing and directed the parties to appear on said date to present arguments.

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he MCC Hyderabad State Ware House deposited Rs14million into the national exchequer. The amount was collected through auctions and duty/taxes during 31 days of October 2017-18. These goods were seized by the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) on the instructions of Hyderabad Collector, Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq, under the supervision of Additional Collector Dr Aamer Nawaz Hamid.

The collectorate has released the impounded consignments of different brands’ cigarettes, vehicles, HSD Iranian diesel and other items after receiving the taxable duties and taxes during the month of October 2017-18.

Through auctions and following all duties and taxes including customs duty, import duty, sale proceed and Qine and penalties, Motamar Alam-E-Islami (MI) deposited Rs1.6million sale taxes, Rs01.7million federal excise duty, duty on import goods, FED and advance income tax and duty of Rs05million earned from conQiscated items including cigarettes

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Wednesday, November 8, 2017

and non-duty-paid vehicles during October 2017-18. Deputy Collector Basit Hussain’s team comprised Superintendent Nadeem Ahmed Usmani, State Warehouse In-Charge Inspectors and Hawaldar and staff. MCC Hyderabad Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq and Additional Collector Dr Aamer Nawaz Hamid have appreciated the performance of the team. Meanwhile, The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), Customs Preventive Sukkur, has taken into possession foreign origin nonduty-paid 84 sacks of Iran made jerseys with sillies and 145 sacks of jerseys without sillies priced at Rs610000 involving duties and taxes of Rs318725 during an action on a customs check-post Jacobabad of Sukkur Division during October 2017-18.

Hyderabad Customs Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq received a tip-off about the smuggling of foreign origin items. He immediately formed a raiding party under the supervision of Additional Collector Amir Nawaz Hamid.

The team raided the area of railway station Shikarpur, Sukkur Division, and recovered the abovementioned items. The ofQicials asked the driver to show the documents regarding the legal import and lawful posses-

sion of the recovered articles, but he could not produce the same.

So the ofQicials conQiscated the items under the customs bylaws besides impounding the vehicle being used for smuggling. The seized items have been deposited into Sukkur Warehouse while a case has been submitted to the Customs Adjudication for further proceedings.

The customs will present the said items for auction provided the case is decided in favor of the department. The ASO team, consisting of Deputy Collector Basit Hussain some Inspectors and other staff, participated in the action carried out against the smuggling. OfQicials said that efforts are being expedited to arrest the smuggling in the region. The surveillance has also been enhanced on roads to keep an eye on the smuggling of non-duty-paid goods and vehicles.

r, has Sukku e v i t n igin eve ign or ms pr e o r t s o f u ASo, c ession s with jersey o poss t e n i d a n out an m take s with s of ir y k e c s r a e s j 4 ing cks of nDp 8 involv 145 sa 0 d 0 n 0 a 0 n sillies t rs61 ring a 25 du iced a r 7 p 8 1 s 3 e i s sill s of r -post d taxe check n s a s m e o i t ring us dut ion du on a c s i n v i o i D t r ac Sukku ad of b 7-18 a b o Jac er 201 octob

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eDiToriAL

Meeting tax collection target

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ccording to the provisional figures compiled by the Federal Board of Revenue, only 580,000 individuals and companies have filed their annual income tax returns by the expiry of an extended deadline. In a situation where tax to GDP ratio in Pakistan is already the lowest in the region, the shrinking tax base should be a matter of concern for the policymakers. Reports suggest that the collections also fell short of meeting the target by Rs40 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year. The low tax collection is not the failure of the FBR, but the mechanism due to which the number of tax returns is not compatible with the number of potential taxpayers in the country. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar took various steps to enhance tax base, but ended up in enhancing tax ratios by tightening the noose around the neck of the individuals and companies that were already registered as taxpayers. The tax base cannot be enhanced by issuing royal decrees or orders, but devising a proper mechanism to automatically bring the potential taxpayers under the tax net.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has also adopted the hackneyed path of his predecessors and declared that the broadening of the tax base is his foremost priority without giving guideline or a practical shape to the tax collection system.

However, the number of tax returns filed until October 31 stood at 580,000 whereas September 30 was the original date for filing tax returns for individuals, association of persons and companies.The finance minister had extended the deadline for one month to match the last year’s performance.

At least 4.3 million people are registered taxpayers, but the FBR has no mechanism to ascertain how many of them are actually drawing the taxable income. Many individuals or companies take tax number to fulfill certain requirements for the government contracts and are never been able to get taxable income. At least 1.21 million individuals and companies had filed income tax returns last year. However, it is not clear how many businesses have been closed down and how many individuals have left the country. Without access to the financial transactions of taxpayers or potential taxpayers, sending across the board notices will only open the floodgates of corruption.

new world Bank report I

LAHORE

Dr AfTAB AfZAL

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n its ‘Doing Business 2018’ report, the World Bank has ranked Pakistan at 147th out of 190 countries, clearly showing the fact that the country lags far behind its regional competitors in attracting foreign direct investment. The government introduced four business reforms in 2017, which are to facilitate the registration of new businesses, transfer of commercial property and promotion of cross border trade. The reports notes that Pakistan is in the list of South Asian countries which introduced at least 20 business reforms during last year whereas a total of 127

reforms have been enacted in the region during the last 15 years.

Out of four major business reforms, one deals with starting a new business and replaces the need for obtaining a digital signature for a company with a less costly personal identiQication number and the facility is available both in Lahore and Karachi.The government has ensure transparency in the land registration process in Karachi by publishing online fee schedule and the list of documents which are required for completing any property registration. The country has increased the protection of minority investors by making it easier to sue directors in case of prejudicial transactions with in-

terested parties. This facility is also available in Lahore and Karachi. The government has also developed a new container terminal and enhanced its customs platform for electronic document submission to facilitate import and exportin the two cities.

According to the report covering the regional proQile of South Asian countries, Pakistan ranked 172nd in paying taxes;171st in across border trading;156th in enforcing contracts; 82nd in resolving insolvency; 20th in protecting minority investors; 105th in getting credit; 170th in registering property; 167th in getting electricity; 141st in dealing with construction permits; 142nd in starting business and 147th in

business environment. The major focus of reforms in South Asia is in the area of protecting minority investors and took measures to protect the minority shareholders. Ironically, the South Asia is the only region which failed to represent in top 50 ranking of the world for ease of doing business. But India is one of the 10 economies which has improved in the most of the areas measured by the doing business report. Pakistan needs capacity building of the ofQicials sitting in the key positions, who are responsible for implementation of the reforms. Any reform can be rendered useless when implementing authorities are incapable of grasping the situation.

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Customs Court awards jail term to suspect involved in tax evasion KARACHI: The Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi convicted till rising of the court and Rs 2,00,000 fine to suspect namely Muhammad Ali, who was booked in a case of evasion of duty and taxes to the tune of Rs5.62 million.

During the hearing, counsel for the suspect and customs department completed their arguments and after their arguments, court announced judgment that “after evaluation of evidence available on record court has reached to the conclusion that said suspect was found guilty of the offence, convict him till rising of the court and fine Rs2,00,000, if fine is not paid by the accused person than he shall suffer further 6 six months imprisonment in Central Jail Karachi”.

nAB, fBr arrest nTS chief in leaked test papers case

Wednesday November 8, 2017

National

port Qasim customs serves contravention report over tax evasion

ISLAMABAD

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he National Accountability Bureau (NAB), along with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials, raided two offices of the National Testing Service (NTS) in Islamabad on Monday and arrested its CEO Air Commodore (r) Dr Sherzada Khan and four other employees. The NAB team and FBR officials, also seized several documents after examining records at the two offices. Besides Dr Sherzada, four other NTS employees including the administration incharge were arrested in the raids.

NAB chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal had ordered an inquiry into NTS – an entity that conducts tests for induction into the government sector – on account of alleged embezzlement and question papers being leaked before the testing dates for monetary gains. The decision was made after

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KARACHI

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ort Qasim Customs has served a contravention report on M/s K.M Steel Mills for attempting to evade duty and taxes through mis-declaration of the imported goods in terms of description, quantity, classification and value.

According to the details, M.s K.M Steel Mills imported a consignment said to contain iron and steel remeltable scrap and filed GD through their agent M/s Rauf Brothers. The status of importer is green channel. However, in order to check as to whether the importer has correctly paid the legitimate amount of duty and taxes, the GD was selected for scrutiny and referred to examination. The system randomly selected three containers for physical examination and revealed huge mis-declaration in description of the goods, the rest 22 containers of the consignment was also examined.

The importer in connivance with clearing agent has deliberately misdeclared the description and classi-

Qication of the imported goods and had this act of fraud gone undetected, the exchequer would have suffered a loss of Rs23.59 million.

All the containers have been seized and contravention report has been served on importer. Sources said MCC Port Qasim has approached

Chief collector Abdul Rasheed Sheikh seeking permission to lodge an FIR against the accused importer and clearing agent.

Sop introduced in Mcc for file-opening & maintenance the anti-corruption watchdog received a number of complaints from candidates ranging from papers being compromised before the tests, procedural irregularities in the hiring process, and other corrupt practices in the NTS. A day later, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also constituted a five-member inquiry committee to investigate allegations of irregularities in the entry test for medical colleges and universities’ conducted on October 22 through the NTS following widespread protests by candidates in the province. Although, NTS has become a major testing authority over the last few years, there are more and more questions being raised in the parliament about its roles and legal position.

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he new standard operating Procedure (SOP) has been adopted in the Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad for Qileopening and maintenance while it has also been directed that a proper “File Opening Register” shall be maintained at all the headquarters’ branches and sections and at all the Qield formations.

According to details explained by sources of Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad that there is no proper file numbering allotted to maintain the file whereas Acting Additional Collector Headquarters Shahid Jan has directed that file number shall be allotted to each file according to the file heading and subject dealt by

the branch/section and station.

The sources said by giving examples that the administration section of the collectorate has some of the following main subject codes i.e. 01Transfer/Posting, 02-Training, 03OfQice Orders and 04-Explanations.

The sources informed CT that all the Qiles, relating to the transferposting, should be entertained un-

der the main headline 01-each Qile opened under main heading will be given a separate serial number e.g Qile dealing with transfer of ACs/DCs may be given Serial No.01 and the Qile dealing with transfer-posting of superintendents as serial No.02.

The sources explained that Qile number should also include a distinguishing 3-Alphabets Code that

denotes the section/branch/station which the Qile will belong to Adm for Administration Section, LDG does belong to Legal Division and GL will be used for General Branch.

The year in which the Qile is opened should be indicated by giving the example. The sources further told CT that the code list will be enclosed as (Annex-A), the year in which the Qile is opened should also be indicated thus C.No.01 (01) Admin/2017 will mean that the Qile is the Qirst in the series opened by the Administration Section in 2017.

Moreover, the Qiles already opened and functional should be allotted a new Qile number in above pattern and the said exercise should be completed by the 15th of November 2017. The Qile opening register should be checked at least once a week by the In-Charge of the section/branch/station.

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Appraising officer Ikram to retire on Dec 20 Wednesday November 8, 2017

National Syed imran takes charge as Addl collector at port Qasim exports

ISLAMABAD: Muhammad Ikram Khan, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS16, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation.

The officer, posted as Appraising Officer at Model Customs Collectorate (Preventive), Karachi, will stand retired from the government service on December 20.

farrukh assigned additional charge of commissioner-ir (okara Zone)

ISLAMABAD

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ISLAMABAD

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yed Imran Sajjad Bukhari, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-19, has assumed charge as Additional Collector. The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No.2876-C-I/2017, dated 12.10.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Additional Director (BS-19), Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi with effect from October 16 and took charge of the post of Additional Collector (BS-19), Model Customs Collectorate of Exports, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Karachi on the same date. Meanwhile, Mirza Mubashir Baig, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-20, has assumed charge as Director, Directorate of Post Clearance Audit, Lahore. The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No.2876-C-I/2017, dated 12.10.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Collector, Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication), Faisalabad.

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narjes Shaheen assumes charge as Second Secretary arjes Shaheen Ali Khan, an officer of Inland Revenue Service (BS-18 on acting charge basis) has assumed charge as Second Secretary. The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No.2239-IRV/2016 dated 02-09-2016, took the charge of the post of Second Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad on October 16. Meanwhile, Ihsan Ullah, a BS-18 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has taken the charge as Additional Commissioner-IR (OPS). The officer, pursuing the Board’s Notification No.2883-IRI/2017 dated 16-10-2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Secretary (Mgt-IR-II&V), Federal Board of Revenue. –CB Report

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uhammad Farrukh Majid, an Inland Revenue Service ofQicer of BS-19, has been assigned the additional charge of the posts of Commissioner-IR (OPS) (Okara Zone) and CommissionerIR (OPS) (IP/TFD/HRM), Regional Tax OfQice Sahiwal. The ofQicer, presently posted as CommissionerIR (OPS) (Sahiwal Zone), Regional Tax OfQice, Sahiwal, was given the additional charge of above-said posts with immediate effect till the posting of a regular incumbent.

Meanwhile, Ihsan Ullah, a BS-18 ofQicer of Inland Revenue Service, has taken the charge as Additional Commissioner-IR (OPS).

The ofQicer, pursuing the Board’s

NotiQication No.2883-IR-I/2017 dated 16-10-2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Secretary (Mgt-

IR-II&V), Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad with effect from October 18 and assumed the charge

of the post of Additional Commissioner-IR (OPS), Regional Tax OfQice, Rawalpindi on the same date.

Mcc Hyderabad SwH deposits rs14m into treasury earned thru auctions, taxes T

HYDERABAD

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he MCC Hyderabad State Ware House deposited Rs14million into the national exchequer. The amount was collected through auctions and duty/taxes during 31 days of October 2017-18. These goods were seized by the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) on the instructions of Hyderabad Collector, Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq, under the supervision of Additional Collector Dr Aamer Nawaz Hamid.

The collectorate has released the impounded consignments of different brands’ cigarettes, vehicles, HSD Iranian diesel and other items after receiving the taxable duties and taxes during the month of October 2017-18.

Through auctions and following all duties and taxes including cus-

toms duty, import duty, sale proceed and Qine and penalties, Motamar Alam-E-Islami (MI) deposited Rs1.6million sale taxes, Rs01.7million federal excise duty, duty on im-

port goods, FED and advance income tax and duty of Rs05million earned from conQiscated items including cigarettes and non-dutypaid vehicles during October 2017-

18. Deputy Collector Basit Hussain’s team comprised Superintendent Nadeem Ahmed Usmani, State Warehouse In-Charge Inspectors and Hawaldar and staff.

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FTO adjourns case filed by M/S Progressive Weavers until next date FAISALABAD: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Advisor has adjourned the hearing of a case filed by M/s Progressive Weavers against the Corporate Zone of Regional Tax Office (RTO) Faisalabad until the next hearing.

According to the details, FTO Advisor Haji Irshad Ahmed Ali heard the case in which counsel for the appellant argued that the RTO Faisalabad Corporate Zone had failed to release the sales tax refunds of the previous year claimed by the company.

He said the RTO collected excessive tax from M/s Progressive Weavers for the last year two years. He approached the commissioner concerned many times for issuance of refunds. But the RTO officials did not pay refunds even after the passage of reasonable time.

Multan customs cancel auction of nDp goods & vehicles MULTAN

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he Customs Collectorate and Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation have cancelled the monthly auction of confiscated non-duty paid vehicles and miscellaneous goods. As per details, MCC Multan and Directorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation has made plan to auction of confiscated goods and non-customs paid vehicles in the last week of October. The auction has been cancelled due to availability of fewer confiscated vehicles and goods lying in the State ware House of Multan Customs and Directorate Office. Customs Adjudication is authorized to decide any seizure case in 120 days

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after issuance of show cause notice to respondents in the cases. Confiscated vehicles are main attraction for the bidders in the auction. Huge numbers of seizure cases are still under adjudication in the Customs Adjudication Multan Camp Office.

Multan Customs Collectorate has only three confiscated vehicles and miscellaneous goods. On the other side Customs Intelligence and Investigation has also only one confiscated vehicle available for auction.

Confiscated vehicles needs legal procedure because few owners filed review appeal in their seizure cases and these confiscated vehicles are not disposed until the final decision of court to overcome any complication. Auction of confiscated vehicles and goods generate handsome revenue for the Customs Collectorate and Directorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation.

National

faisalabad customs collects rs789.36 million in three weeks of october

Mcc islamabad generates rs464.93 million revenue ISLAMABAD

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he Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad earned extra revenue with Rs464.93million of all duties and taxes during the 1st to 25th of October Financial Year 2017-18 against the assigned proportional (1st to 25th October FY17-18) revenue target under all the tax heads. According to details explained by Collector Dr. Saeed Khan Jadoon of Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad that all the customs stations, working under the jurisdiction of MCC Islamabad, showed satisfactory performance during above said period. The Collectorate of Islamabad generated Rs1263.99million as all taxes during initial 25 days of October FY17-18 while the Collectorate of Islamabad was allocated a proportional target of Rs799.06million under all the heads. The MCC Islamabad received revenue of Rs793.66million during the same period of corresponding FY1617. The Collector MCC Islamabad told CT that, during initial 25 days, the Collectorate earned Rs427.6million as Customs Duty (CD) against the allocated revenue target of Rs375.06million of CD.

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FAISALABAD

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he Customs Collectorate collected revenue of Rs 789.36 million against the assigned target of Rs906.30 million during three weeks of October of Financial Year 2017-18 under the head of all duties and taxes.

Assistant Collector Shah Samad Hamadani told Customs Today, that during the above said period the Customs Appraisement collected revenue of Rs 159.44 million against assigned target of Rs 183.06 million.

Sales tax revenue of Rs 618.91 million were collected against Rs 710.60 million and revenue of Rs 10.95 million was collected under the head of withholding tax (WHT) while under the head of federal excise duty (FED) Rs0.06 million were collected. Assistant Collector Shah Smad Hamadani said that the Collector Muhammad Sadiq has also assured the exporters that their customs related issues will be resolved on priority basis while Customs Collectorate is striving hard to ensure early clearance of all the consignment arrived at dry port Faisalabad for clearance.

Wednesday November 8, 2017

Meanwhile, The Customs Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) has confiscated a Honda Reborn car worth Rs20,00,000 involving duty and taxes Rs9,50,000 during road checking.

According to the details, ASO team intercepted a vehicle Honda

Reborn bearing registration no: LEA-9720 model 2009 near Nazimabad and demanded the documents regarding the legal import and lawful possession of the vehicle.

But the driver namely Haji Muhammad Saeed could not produce the required documents.

customs Appellate Tribunal hears cases filed against fBr

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ISLAMABAD

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ustoms Appellate Tribunal heard several customs matters involving Qield ofQices of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) during fourth week of October.

Member Ziauddin Wazir heard majority cases and dated in ofQice the hearing of customs cases Qiled

by M Awais, Assistant collector Collectorate of Customs, Islamabad, M/s Universal Gateway, M/s New Ehsan Enterprises and M/s Pepsi Cola International.

M Awais and M/s Pepsi Cola International had Qiled cases against

Model Collectorate of Customs, Islamabad. M/s Universal Gateway and M/s New Ehsan Enterprises had submitted cases against Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigations, Islamabad.

Earlier, a bench of tribunal had heard and dated in ofQice hearing of Khurram Zafer Nazeer Ahmed, and M/s Musa Ghee International, M/s Waseem Autos and M/s Nisar Traders’ cases.

M/s Waseem Autos and M/s Nisar Traders had Qiled cases against Collectorate of Customs and Directorate General of Investigation and Intelligence, Islamabad.

The bench had dated in office

hearing on cases filed b M/s Parts & Parts, M/s Chief Autos, M/s Aman Elahi, M/s Kohinoor Traders, M/s Saleem Silk Centre, M/s Five Star Trading, M/s Pakistan Royal Group and M/s Nayatel Private Limited, M/s Degicell & others, M/s Kohinoor Chemical, Mirza Muhammad Majid, M/s Fazal Razaq, M/s Fazal Ur Rehman and Gul Rehman & others. The appellants had filed cases against Directorate General of Investigation and Intelligence, Islamabad and Model Collectorate of Customs, Islamabad. The bench also adjourned proceedings on on a case seeking release of seized mobile phones.

The appellant, M Younas, through the case had challenged an announcement made by adjudication of Collectorate of Customs, Islamabad about seizure of mobile phones.

The bench had disposed of the matter after initial arguments. At least six mobile phones Qirst conQiscated by the customs authorities at Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad.

The petitioner had brought the mobiles into Pakistan through airport which MCC had declared illegal and in violation of regulations adopted for carrying mobiles phone in luggage.

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World Customs

Iran H1 hand-woven carpet exports up 13%

TEHRAN: More than $150 million worth of hand-woven carpets were exported from Iran during the first half of the current Iranian year (March 21-Sept. 22), registering a 13% rise compared with the corresponding period of last year, the head of Iran’s National Carpet Center said. “We are looking to add new markets, including China, South Africa as well as Chile and Brazil in South America, to the existing ones. The Chinese market is very significant for us in that the country was itself one of our biggest rivals and now is among our top 20 customers of the product,” Hamid Kargar was also quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency.

Wednesday November 8, 2017

nogales cBp officers seize drugs worth an estimated $840,000

Saudi bank Samba’s quarterly profit falls 2.5% DUBAI

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NOGALES

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ast week four people were arrested by Customs and Border Protection OfQicers at the Port of Nogales, after they attempted to smuggle drugs across the border into the U.S. The Qirst two incidents occurred at the Dennis DeConcini crossing when a CBP canine alerted to vehicles about the possibility of drugs. The Qirst happened in the morning when a woman from Eloy was pulled for secondary inspection of her GMC SUV. CBP ofQicers discovered nearly 133 pounds of marijuana hidden throughout the vehicle. The drugs were worth an estimated $66,000.

Later Friday afternoon a couple from Mexico were stopped for additional inspection. CBP ofQicers searched the Hyundai SUV and found 120 pounds of methamphet-

BoJ can’t exit stimulus when inflation below 1% he Bank of Japan likely won’t be able to exit its massive stimulus programme while inflation is hovering below 1 percent, Takatoshi Ito, an academic who is a potential candidate to become the next BOJ governor, said.

“What’s important is for inflation to accelerate, which would give (the BOJ) quite some flexibility in guiding monetary policy,” Ito, a Columbia University professor, told a seminar in Tokyo. The BOJ has already laid the groundwork for normalising monetary policy by revamping its policy framework last September and gradually slowing its bond purchases, though raising its yield targets would be some time away, he said. “While inflation is hovering below 1 percent, it would be hard for the BOJ to exit (from ultra-loose monetary policy),” said Ito, who is considered a candidate to succeed BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda. –CB Report

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amine, worth an estimated $360,000 hidden in the spare tire compartment. A third incident happened on Sunday morning, Oct. 29, also at the Dennis DeConcini crossing. OfQicers searched a Dodge Caravan, driven by a 42-year-old woman from Mexico and found more than 36 pounds of cocaine hid-

den in the quarter panel. According to CBP the drugs were worth an estimated $413,000. The four were arrested and face charges for narcotics smuggling, they were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. CBP seized the drugs and the vehicles.

Turkish central bank aims to bring inflation down to 7% by end-2018

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urkey’s central bank aims to bring inQlation down to 7 percent by the end of 2018 and gradually to 5 percent after that, it said in a quarterly inQlation report on Wednesday. It said recent data indicated strong economic activity, but current elevated levels of inQlation and the core inQlation outlook continue to pose risks on pricing behaviour. The bank said its tight monetary policy stance would be

maintained decisively until the outlook displays signiQicant improvement and becomes consistent with targets. If necessary, further monetary tightening will be delivered, it said. Meanwhile, Following the embargo on Qatar led by Saudi Arabia and imposed by four Gulf states in early June, Turkey’s exports to the country increased 90 percent, adding a new link to emerging TurkishQatari economic relations. –CB Report

audi Arabia’s third-largest bank by assets, Samba Financial Group, reported a 2.5 percent drop in third-quarter net profit, blaming rising credit costs and other expenses. Net profit of 1.31 billion riyals ($349 million) in the three months to Sept. 30 was down from 1.34 billion riyals in the same period a year earlier, the bank said in a bourse statement. Three analysts polled by Reuters had on average forecast the bank would make a quarterly net profit of 1.27 billion riyals. Earlier on Wednesday, Saudi lender Alawwal Bank reported a 38.1 percent rise in third-quarter net profit to 363 million riyals as impairments eased, while Banque Saudi Fransi said its profit fell 0.9 percent to

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1.00 billion riyals as operating expenses rose. Samba attributed its drop in profit to a 2.7 percent rise in total operating expenses as credit costs and other expenses rose. Total operating income slipped by 0.7 percent as fees declined for banking services, exchange income and net special commission income.

Saudi banks have for more than three years felt the fallout from weaker oil prices as the government embarked on an austerity drive in a bid to fill a budget shortfall. But analysts expect banks’ performance in the coming quarters to improve gradually, aided by a pickup in liquidity and lower funding costs thanks to a loosening in public spending and international sovereign debt issuance. Samba’s loans and advances at the end September stood at 120.7 billion riyals, sliding 7 percent on the same point of 2016, while deposits dropped 4.2 percent to 166.7 billion riyals over the same period.

iran foreign trade up 6.2% ran’s non-oil foreign trade during the Qirst seven months of the current Qiscal year (started March 21) stood at $52.52 billion, indicating a 6.2% rise compared to last year’s corresponding period. According to the latest report by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, non-oil exports during the period hit 68.05 million tons worth $24.71 billion, indicating a 2.17% decline in value year on year. Non-oil imports amounted to 19.93 million tons worth $27.81 billion, up 14.89% in value YOY. Increased imports of basic goods, auto parts, cars and capital goods are the main reasons be-

hind the rise in imports. Gas condensates ($4.11 billion), liqueQied propane ($809 million), polyethylene ($750 million), light crude oil, excluding gasoline ($725 million), and methanol ($661 million) were the main exported commodities. Imports mainly included rice ($1 billion), Qield corn ($882 million), auto parts ($738 million), vehicles of engine displacement between 1500cc and 2000cc ($625 million) and soybean ($536 million). China was the main customer of Iranian products during the seven-month period, as Iran exported $5.02 billion worth of goods to the Asian country. –CB Report

french passport ties with uk as fourth-most useful

A PARIS

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French passport has been named as the fourth mostuseful in the world in a new report, on a par with passports from United Kingdom and Spain; lagging behind those from Singapore and Germany. The Singa-

porean passport knocked Germany’s off its usual top spot in the world rankings thanks to the 159 countries to which it now allows travel without a visa compared to Germany’s 158. Sweden and South Korea took joint third place just behind, with 157 countries, reports FranceInfo today, following the publication of the 2017 Global Passport Power

Rank report from the financial advice company, Arton Capital.

Denmark was joint fourth, along with the UK, France, Finland, Italy, Spain, Norway, and Japan, all of whom allow travel to 156 countries without a visa.

In contrast, the United States passport allows non-visa travel to just 154 countries, knocking it down to the sixth place overall,

alongside Malaysia, Ireland, and Canada. Perhaps unsurprisingly, an Afghanistan passport was deemed the least-useful, with just 22 countries accessible without a visa. Syria was also near the bottom with just 29 accessible countries, just ahead of Iraq and Pakistan, which allow visa-free travel to just 26 countries in total.

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Ports of Cork, Dublin resume operations WASHINGTON: Ireland’s ports of Cork and Dublin have fully resumed operations following disruption due to Storm Ophelia. A spokesperson for the Port of Cork said that full shipping movements resumed at 0600 hrs on after the port suspended all of this activity as well as cargo operations until the hurricane’s strength had eased. The port made the decision to halt operations based on the issuing of a severe weather warning nationally – its RED level being the highest possible level on the scale. The storm disrupted ship and quayside operations at the port’s Tivoli container terminal and Ringaskiddy deepwater berth, as well as affecting gate operations in Tivoli.

ppA says holiday season port congestion unlikely this year ongestion at the Manila ports would be highly unlikely during the holiday season, with yard utilization expected to hover below the optimum level. Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago said yard utilization rate is expected to hover around 55 percent to 60 percent until after the Christmas season.

“With a combined average quay crane productivity of the three terminals at 26 moves per hour per crane, barring any major development, we can guarantee a congestion-free Manila ports at any given time,” he said. Even the anticipated tight security measures brought about by the meeting of the Asean heads of states in the middle of November, which is expected to disrupt the vessel and transport delivery

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movements, is not expected to make a significant dent in congesting the Manila ports. Also, the decision of the Bureau of Customs to temporarily shut down its Green Lane operations, as well as subjecting the majority of imported cargoes to inspection, is not expected to disrupt the smooth flow of goods to and from the terminals. Currently, productivity at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), the Manila South Harbor (MSH) and the Manila North Port (MNP) continue to be strong and no slowdown is expected even with the Christmas rush. Currently, the combined yard utilization at the two international Manila ports MICT and MSH is at 60.12 percent, or about 20 percent below the optimum level of 80 percent. –CB Report

Ports & Shipping

port of Brunswick aiming for 1.4m car handling capacity

coSco Shipping ports reports throughput growth in all regions in Sep OSCO Shipping Ports posted an 18.3 percent increase in monthly terminal throughput for September 2017 compared to the same period a year prior, according to recent data from the terminal operator arm of China’s COSCO Shipping. Total TEUs in September increased from 6.5 million TEUs to 7.7 million TEUs yearover-year, and year-to-date volumes jumped 13.5 percent compared to the same period last year. The volume increases were driven primarily by overseas investments and home-based markets such as the Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta regions, COSCO Ports said. COSCO Shipping Ports’ overseas terminals saw monthly throughput rise 47 percent to 1.5 million TEUs from the previous September 1 million TEUs. Volumes at Kumport in Turkey, in which COSCO Ports has a partial stake, spiked 121.7 percent, and at European terminals in Antwerp and Zeebrugge volumes rose substantially at 39.6 percent and 48.1 percent, respectively. –CB Report

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WASHINGTON

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he Port of Brunswick – the second largest roll-on/rolloff (ro-ro) facility in the United States – now has an annual capacity of 800,000 vehicles, said Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Executive Director Griff Lynch at the annual State of the Ports address on Thursday. GPA has increased auto processing capacity at Colonel’s Island Terminal by 50 percent over the past 12 months, all of which has been absorbed by processors and manufacturers, said Lynch. The roro terminal has expanded from 60,000 spaces in 2016 to 90,000 spaces today for a total capacity of 800,000 cars annually. Auto processors Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, Mercedes and International Auto Processors have absorbed the additional space.

The three processors have also added 200 acres to the south side of the ro-ro facility, bringing auto pro-

Wednesday November 8, 2017

cessing space to 600 acres, according to GPA. “Since last year, we’ve been implementing an aggressive growth plan, enabling GPA and our auto processing partners to win new customers and capture greater market share,” Lynch stated. “Last year, we told you we would be implementing an infrastructure investment philosophy we’ve used at Savannah’s container operation for years now,” said GPA Board Chairman Jimmy Allgood.

“That philosophy is to maintain capacity above current demand. Investing for the future has enabled the GPA to take on new customers and handle greater than expected container growth without congestion or capacity worries. We anticipate the same beneQits for the auto trade here in Brunswick.” Future plans for Brunswick will allow the movement, processing and storage of 1.4 million vehicles annually.

port of Tauranga says fY profit to rise as much as 10% WASHINGTON

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ort of Tauranga forecast 2018 profit will rise as much as 10 per cent, saying it expects a strong pick-up in freight volumes in the first quarter to continue. New Zealand’s biggest port company expects full-year earnings to be $88 million-to-$92m, up from $83.4m in 2017, chief executive Mark Cairns told shareholders at their annual meeting in Tauranga today. That comes after “a very strong start to the year” with total trade up 15 per cent, Cairns said. Log volumes rose 13 per cent in the first quarter, container numbers climbed 26 percent and transshipped containers soared 87 per cent, evidence of Port of Tauranga’s consolidation as New

Zealand’s hub port, he said. Net profit in the first quarter rose 15 per cent. “We expect cargo and earnings growth to continue” and “we still have ample headroom to handle increasing volumes,” Cairns said.

Port of Tauranga recorded a 10 per cent gain in total trade to 22.2 million tonnes in 2017 and handled a record 1.08 million containers, up about 14 per cent from 2016 levels. Over the past six years, it has captured 55 per cent of the nation’s international cargo volume growth, more than four times its nearest rival. Last year it completed a five-year, $350m capital spending programme that included preparations for bigger ships including dredging shipping lanes and adding cranes, straddle carriers and tugs, expanding its wharf and marshalling areas. Mergers

between global container shippers including Maersk Line’s acquisition of Hamburg Sud and CMA CGM’s purchaser of Singapore-based APL will accelerate the use of larger ships visiting New Zealand, says Port of Tauranga chair David Pilkington. “We strongly believe that the move to larger vessels will only be accelerated, rather than hindered, by any restructuring,” Pilkington said. “We are extremely gratified by the almost instantaneous pay off from our expansion programme of the past six years. We invested with the knowledge that bigger ships offer significant benefits to importers and exporters as well as the environment.”

Maersk, the world’s biggest container line, agreed to buy Hamburg Sud for US$4 billion (NZ$5.6b) while France’s CMA CGM acquired APL for US$2.4b

and this month announced the purchase of a majority holding in Soframa Unilines. The deals are expected to reduce overcapacity in the sector and help lift container lines climb out of a severe downturn. CEO Cairns also pointed to the volume of rail traffic flowing between Auckland and Tauranga. Over the past two years, the number of trains on the route climbed to 78 a week from 54 and “we have recently increased the number of trains to 86 per week, to handle the increasing volumes.” Port of Tauranga shares rose 0.2 per cent to $4.40 and have gained 15 per cent this year. The company operates New Zealand’s most productive container terminal, with productivity which is 59 per cent higher than the average of Australian ports, based on Ministry of Transport figures.

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FIA arrests 388 ‘human-traffickers’ in October SIALKOT: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested 388 alleged humantraffickers including 15 proclaimed offenders (POs), and 274 accused deported from different countries during October 2017.

FIA Divisional Deputy Director Khalid Anees said that, the Agency recovered Rs23.3 million from the accused, which they had taken from people for sending them abroad illegally.

Wednesday November 8, 2017

Business

Sharjeel challenges arrest in nAB court KARACHI

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ormer Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon challenged his detention in an accountability court in Karachi in Rs 5.75 billion corruption case. Memon was presented before the court along with other suspects in a corruption case pertaining to the award of advertisements at exorbitant rates through the abuse of his power.

In a petition submitted by the PPP leader, he adopted stance that his arrest warrants were not issued on October 23, therefore; the detention should be declared illegal and

nAB to complete investigation soon KARACHI

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hairman, National Accountability Bureau, Justice (Retd) Javed Iqbal on Monday said investigation against former Chief Minister Balochsitan, Aslam Raesani for allegedly abusing power and having assets beyond income would be completed soon. In a press release issued here by the Bureau , he said, the investigation against former Federal Minister for Communications, Arbab Alamgir Khan and former Adviser to Prime Minister, Asma Arbab Alamgir Khan would also be completed.

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unlawful conQinement.

During the hearing, NAB submitted evidence in the court against Sharjeel Memon that was comprised of thousands of pages and dozens of volumes. Memon’s lawyer ac-

cused the NAB of telling lies as they arrested his client inside Sindh High Court. Sharjeel’s counsel further argued before the court that the place of his client’s arrest has been wrongly quoted: It is mentioned as

‘Shahrah-e-Iraq’ on Musheernama though the arrest was made within the limits of the Sindh High Court.

Sharjeel’s counsels plead the court to declare his arrest and detention illegal. They moved a separate application over it.

Accusing NAB of misstating facts to the Court Sharjeel’s lawyer asked the Court to take action. He also accused NAB of misstating the order of the Sindh High Court.

Opposing Sharjeel’s plea the NAB prosecutor told the Court that non-bailable warrants were issued in this case and they were temporarily suspended after the Sindh High Court granted interim bail.

However, after the expiry of the bail the warrants were restored after which Sharjeel and 10 other suspects were arrested.

Shujaat, pervaiz elahi appear before nAB, Dar’s sons skip summons F

ISLAMABAD

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ormer prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and his cousin former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi appeared before National Accountability Bureau (NAB) investigators in a graft case for possessing assets beyond their known sources of income.

The duo recorded their statements in the graft case before three-member NAB team.

The anti-corruption watchdog’s

Lahore chapter had issued notices to Chaudhry brothers to appear before its investigators along with the details of their assets.

Chaudhry brothers were summoned in a case pertaining to misuse of their authorities, framed against them back in 2000 before they joined hands with former military ruler General Pervez Musharaf.

Talking to press after appearing before the NAB team, former Punjab CM Elahi said that he has assured the anti-graft body of appearing before its investigators. He said his family was booked in as many as 135 cases

during the PPP government and such cases were not new for him. He vowed to face the case against him while stating that he is not scared of investigation. “I [had] faced three murder cases in my political life made with a malicious intent,” he further said. It merits mentioning here that before joining General (retd) Musharaf’s govenment in early 2000, both cousins were associated with Sharif’s ruling party PML-N. Shujaat had brieQly assumed the ofQice for Prime Minister in 2004 while Elahi served as the Chief Minister of Punjab from 2002 to 2007.

nAB has two approvers ready for Sharif cases ISLAMABAD

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AB has started working to turn two persons into approvers against the Sharif family and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the ongoing accountability cases. Sources said that Javed Kayani and Saeed Ahmad are on the verge of becoming approvers. One official even revealed that they had both already agreed. Issues relating to approvers are at the discretion of the NAB chairman. One of them has already admitted before the Panama Papers case Joint Investigation Team (JIT) that he opened and operated ‘benami’ accounts – bank accounts in names of people not identified as beneficiaries – for money laundering on the direction of his uncle, who is a close friend of Nawaz Sharif. The JIT probing the Sharif family’s offshore assets and alleged corruption claims that the PM and his family were the actual beneficiaries of these fictitious accounts and fraudulent transactions.

During its probe, the JIT had interrogated All Pakistan Sugar Mills Association Chairman Javed Kayani, who voluntarily admitted that in the 1990s he opened benami accounts for fraudulent transactions, acquiring loans, and transferring money into foreign banks.

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e-commerce policy being formulated to promote digital trade ISLAMABAD

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he government is working on formulating licensing requirements for establishing and operating e-commerce businesses in the country.

The e-commerce in Pakistan is currently at an initial stage. Past few years have seen a rising trend of domestic online shopping and in this

regard Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications and Ministry of Commerce are working to formulate national ECommerce Policy Framework for digital trade in the country.

The parameters of a legal framework for regularization of the sector include enactment of national law on consumer protection specifying rights, obligations, liabilities and penalties for both sellers and Consumers and also enactment of Pri-

vacy and Data Protection Laws including provisions for e-transaction to enable and e-contracts.

The other parameters are amendments in Foreign Exchange Regulations of State Bank of Pakistan to facilitate cross border electronic transactions, establishment of dispute resolution mechanism for e-commerce and formulating on of licensing requirements for establishing and operating e-commerce businesses. When contacted, ofQicial

sources on Monday highlighted steps being taken for promotion of e-commerce and online shopping in the country and said two national workshops and several meetings of Working Groups have been held so far to sensitize the relevant stakeholders on formulation of tire said framework. Recommendations of Working Groups would form basis for national E-Commerce Policy Framework. Moreover, the sources said State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)

has issued various regulations to provide such protection while rules for payment system operators and payment service providers under Payment Systems and Electronic Fund Transfers Act- 2007 have been framed. The sources said currently, the mechanism in place to provide protection to consumers include Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 while Electronic Transaction Ordinance, 2002 provides for recognition and facilitation.

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KPWCCI to attend trade fair PESHAWAR: A sixteen members delegation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KPWCCI) have reached Karachi to attend Pakistan International Trade Fair arranged by Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

The KPWCCI was led by Chairperson, Fitrat Ilyas Bilour alongwith President Fauzia Inayat, Senior Vice President, Rabeel Riaz and Vice President Rukhsana Nadir and others. The business communities of 20 countries were taking participation in the exhibition.

Lcci chief demands total withdrawal of rD LAHORE

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Wednesday November 8, 2017

Chambers

uLc to extend support for welfare of poor and needy segments of society

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resident of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry Malik Tahir Javaid has once again called for total withdrawal of Regulatory Duty regime. While talking to the paliamentarians in National Assembly in over three hour long meeting, the LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid said that Regulatory Duty is nothing else but death knell for all sectors of economy. The Parliamentarians including Chairman NA Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue & Economic Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Saeed Ahmed Khan Manais, Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan, Sheikh Fayyaz ud Din, Syed Naveed Qamar, Dr. Nafisa Shah, Syed Mustafa Mehmud and Asad Umer, endorsed the LCCI President’s stance on

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Regulatory Duties. Former LCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar was also present on the occasion. Malik Tahir Javaid was of the view that the Regulatory Duty regime will not only destroy the exporting sector but will also hit the manufacturing sector hard as a number of raw materials have been subjected to new Regulatory Duty. He said that new Regulatory Duty regime would be hardly doing any service to the economy. Federal Board of Revenue should totally withdraw the recently imposed Regulatory Duty otherwise its destruction would be beyoned the imaginations. He said that since various imported raw materials are being used in the local industries for manufacturing and exporting of goods therefore Regulatory Duty on these important inputs would add to the miseries of export-oriented industries. Resultantly, he said, exports would be continued to sink.

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irst two meetings of Ultimate Lions Club (ULC) provided us an opportunity to fully stir up its members and dig out their potential and aptitude in addition to identifying the sectors in which they could yield best results for the welfare of the poor and needy segments of the society. On the basis of this analysis a comprehensive road map will be Qinalized and submitted in next general body meeting of ULC paving way to implement the same with the active support of its enthusiastic members.

Addressing the second General Body Meeting of ULC, President Engineer Ahmed Hassan said that in according to this road map, proper funding and technical assistance along with administrative support will be extending to the various committees working in the health, education environment and sports sectors. “I want to undertake this task in a well organized manner so that the efforts of ULC could be disseminated to the down trodden in

according to the spirit of Lionism”, he added. He said that the social welfare sector has a very broad spectrum and we must prioritize our projects to make our efforts productive, fruitful and result oriented.

He identiQied the issue of portable water as one of the core problem of this era and said that he has a targeted approach to provide portable water initially to the 5,000 students of Vocational Training Institutes in collaboration with Engi-

neer Muhammad Saeed Sheikh Former President Faisalabad Chamber Of Commerce & Industry (FCCI).

He said that free medical camps in these schools could also be arranged in addition to providing Vitamin D and Calcium to malnourished students.

“Similarly toilet blocks could also be provided in these schools while priority will be given to the girl institutes”, he added. Engineer Ahmad Hassan expressed concern over increasing pollution in the country. He speciQically

‘pakistan will take full advantage of cpec’ FAISALABAD

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hina Pakistan Economic Corridor is an opportunity as well as challenges. The challenges are very visible but business community has to dig out the opportunities to make it favorable for Pakistan, said Sheikh Farooq Yousaf Senior Vice President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI). He was addressing the participants of 24th Mid Career Management Course “of the National Institute of Management (NIM) Islamabad.

He identiQied three points needed to face the CPEC related challenges and said that tariff rationalization is imperative to make our exportable surplus competitive regionally and internationally.

He said that 60% of our youth is below the age of 35 years, which must be trained in different skills to enhance the productivity and quality of our products. The skilled man power could also be exported to other countries as expatriate Pakistani’s are already sending huge remittance that have played a major role in bridging the gap between imports and exports. He also mentioned that we should adopt a comprehensive educational policy to allocate only 20% for the conventional while remaining 80% should be spent on vocational training so that need based education could be imparted to the burgeoning youth.

Regarding third point, he said that we must conserve our industry by lunching joint ventured tagged with technology transfer. “We must impose condition to employ 80% Pakistani in any foreign industry with a

clear focus on technology transfer”, he added Responding to the questions raise by the participants of the Mid career course, Former President FCCI Engineer Rizwan Ashraf said that the business community is contributing its due role for the fulQillment of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). “Apart from contributing heavy taxes and duties etc for social security, EOBI, they are also helping Government during major national calamities. He said that during last earthquake, the FCCI sent 80 trucks of relief goods where as Lahore could manage only 8 trucks. “The FCCI also has a separate disaster management committee to work during such disasters”, he added. He said that there are two partners to complete the job of CSR, we are contributing heavy taxes but the delivery of services on the part of Government is very poor.

mentioned River Ravi that has been turned into a drain. He said that we will conduct a study to identify measures for minimize its ill impacts on health, irrigation and environment.

Regarding the tests of Hepatitis, Diabetes etc, he said that it is a good gesture that industrialists are taking keen interest in the health of their workers. He said that they could provide testing kits to health committee to start this work from Chenab Engineering and Kausar Processing.

progressive group seeks extension in filing of iT returns rogressive Group, a representative platform of traders and industrialists, has urged the Finance Ministry and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to extend the date for filing of income tax returns till December 31. In a statement, Progressive Group’s President Khalid Usman, Abdul Wadood Alvi and others said that extension in date of tax returns filing will facilitate the business community and will also help the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) meeting its revenue targets. They said that businessmen remained busy in the elections of trade bodies besides tackling a number of issues including lack of awareness about the FBR online systems. –CB Report

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Mianwali ASO takes into possession six-wheeler Hino cylinder machine FAISALABAD: The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Mianwali has impounded a non-customs-paid used Hino six-wheeler cylinder machine. The market value of the machine is Rs4.2million involving customs duty and taxes of Rs2.2million.

Sources told Customs Today that Assistant Collector ASO Mianwali Shah Samad Hamadani received secret information regarding the smuggling of the machine.

Assistant Collector constituted a raiding team comprising Superintendent Chaudhary Muhammad Sardar, Azhar Hussain Jafri, Amir Mumtaz Bajwa (inspectors), Muhammad Ashraf, Havaldar and Muhammad Amin, Muhammad Abdullah.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

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customs ASo faisalabad impounds smuggling Hilux vehicle FAISALABAD nAeeM SHeikH

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Faisalabad took into possession a non-duty-paid Toyota Hilux Surf worth Rs1.5million involving customs duty and taxes of Rs750000. Sources told Customs Today that, following an actionable tip-off received through Collector Muhammad Sadiq, the ASO team intercepted Hilux Surf with registration No: WAA-059, Model 1993. The person on driving seat named Shahid Nadeem son of Shokat Ali, a resident of tehsil Jaranwala, tried to run away but failed. During the checking, it was revealed that the vehicle was brought into the country without payment of customs duty and taxes.

So the ASO team impounded the vehicle under Section 2(S) read with SRO 566(1)2005 read with Section 3 (1) 3 of the Import and Export Control Act-1950 punishable under Section 156(1)90 of the Customs Act-1969 read with SRO 499(I)/2009 dated 13.06.2009 after the completion of all the legal formalities.

Appointment of governor SBp: iHc issues notices to respondents ISLAMABAD

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he Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to Secretary Finance Division and Tariq Bajwa in a plea challenging his appointment as Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Justice Miangul Hassan Aurengzeb also sought reply from the respondents within a month while hearing a plea moved by 23

Senators through their counsel Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa. During the course of proceedings, Mr Khosa alleged that the appointment of Tariq Bajwa as Governor SBP dated 7 July 2017 was unlawful and void ab-initio and liable to be set aside.

He alleged that selection of the best person for the job with right qualiQication and experience had been ignored in the present case.

Though no qualiQication criteria was laid down in the SBP act but his function and duties as per section 9A and other provisions of SBP act required educational qualiQication

and practical experience and competence in concerned Qield, he added.

He requested the bench to refrain Mr Tariq from performing duties and function under SBP act with Imme-

diate effect and order to return facilities and beneQits enjoyed by him. He pleaded to seek directions for government to appoint new Governor SBP following the constitutional pro-

Published by M S Raza O# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Road Karachi, Printed by (Ibne Hassan Oset Printing Press, Shop No. 33 to 36 , Hockey Stadium, Karachi).

vision laid down by the Supreme Court in PLD 2016 SC 808 and criterion laid down in PLD 2012 Supreme Court 132 and in other ceses. 23 Senators who were approached IHC were Sanator Taj Haider, leader of the PPP, Islam Uddin Sheikh, Farhat Ullah Babar, Karim Ahmed Khawaja, Sassi Palijo, Saher Kamran, Saeed Ulhassan, Liaqat Khan Taraqap, Yousif Baloch, Hari Ram, Khalida Perveen, Ahmed Hassan, Gian Chand, Mutaza Wahab, Azam Sawati, Tahir Hussain Mushahid, Mauman Wazir, Khushbakht Shujat, Baz M Khan, Nighat Mirza, Farooq H Niak, Saleem Mandviwala, Ilyas Bilour.