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Vol 1 Issue No. 240

Karachi, Fri November 20, 2015

LAHORE

M HAYAT

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he Customs Preventive has conOiscated seven kilogram of gold from a passenger at the Allama Iqbal International Airport here on Wednesday.

Sources said that on tipoff received by Collector of Customs Mukarram Jah Ansari, Deputy Collector Sumair Mustansar Tarar and Superintendent Imtiaz Ahmad Khan intercepted a passenger namely Muhammad

Price Rs. 14.00

Rizwan son of Hadayatullah, a resident of Kot Khawaja Saeed, Lahore and recovered 600-tola gold from his possession. It is said that the gold is valued at Rs 30 million the passenger was coming from Dubai by Emirates Olight EK-622. The sources said that it is investigated that the passenger was a carrier and professional who smuggle gold for money from one country to another.

It is reported that case registered arresting the passenger and the special Judge Customs has remanded the accused person for three days into the custody of customs authorities.

PCA directs M/s International Fancy Light to pay evaded tax of Rs 2.8m

DG Customs Imtiaz Ahmed Khan praises performance of Multan region

Khawaja Asif again shifts responsibility to former rulers

PM for first time approves appointment of FBR members

SCCI formulates special committee to help earthquake victims

The Directorate of PCA has detected tax evasion to the tune of Rs 2.8 million | See pAge 02 |

Imtiaz Ahmed Khan , the newly DG of Customs Intelligence I and I, has praised. | See pAge 03 |

Taking refuge under the auditor general’s report, which is yet to be made | See pAge 04 |

For the first-time in the history of FBR, any PM has approved the transfer of members | See pAge 12 |

SCCI has formulated a special committee headed by Dr. Khurram | See pAge 09 |

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FBR submits list of corrupt officials to NAB Friday, November 20, 2015

National

KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has finalized a list of corrupt officials and submitted it to NAB authorities for action.

Sources told Customs Today that FBR recently dismissed 10 corrupt officials from their services, while inquiries are still underway against others.

Sources said that FBR dismissed three auditors six months ago while FBR submitted the names of eight persons to NAB for an inquiry against them.

Sources said that FBR authorities are determined to eliminate corruption from the grass roots level in FBR.

pcA directs M/s international fancy Light to pay evaded tax of rs 2.8m

KARACHI

KARACHI

MuHAMMAD YouSAf

AfTAB cHAnnA

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he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling on Wednesday summoned a report from the investigation officer on an application seeking to return seized smart phones and other electronic gadgets.

Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi had taken up an application filed by Danish Muhammad Younis. The court also imposed a penalty of Rs 100, 000 on him after he had pleaded guilty to smuggling of electronic gadgets into the country.

In the application, he requested the court to order the customs authorities to return the seized electronic gadgets since the case against him had already been disposed of.

According to the prosecution, on October 30 the staff of Model Collectorate of Customs (Preventive) seized 72 smart phones and some iPads worth over a million from the luggage of passenger Danish at international arrival lounge of Jinnah International Airport Karachi.

Danish was caught when he knowingly concealed the goods and opted for green channel a customs route specified for passengers having nothing to declare.

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he Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected tax evasion to the tune of Rs 2.8 million by M/s International Fancy Light through availing undue beneOits of customs concessions on import of electronic items. The PCA on scrutiny/audit of import data, found that the company imported ‘LED lights, LED strip light in rolls for solar use, which are without converter/driver of the corresponding quantity of LED lights under PCT heading 9405.1090 as declared on invoice and claimed certain exemptions.

The exemptions are allowed to items with dedicated use of renewable source of energy, which includes solar and wind power resources only. The examination staff at the time of examination did not conOirm that LED Lights are for solar use as declared in the invoice. The bill of lading available scanned in the system also describe the description as “lighting Oixture and Oittings parts”. As the LED lights are not for solar use as declared these are not covered under the claimed notiOication. Rather these are operative at 240 volts used in Pakistan produced by hydra / fuel based power. It is an undeniable proof that the imported goods are not meant

Juge faiz summons report on seizing of mobile phones, electronic gadgets

for work/operate with the renewable energy sources like solar energy or wind energy. Therefore, the concessions under the claimed notiOications are not available to the subject imports. Therefore, M/s International Fancy Light, Lahore, has been instructed to pay evaded

amount of Rs2.8 million.

Meanwhile, M/s Feroze 1888 Mills Limited reportedly evaded around Rs 6 million duties, taxes on import of LED streetlights, LED Oloodlight etc. The detection has been caught by the Directorate of Post Clearance Audit Karachi and

audit observation is also issued. According to sources, during scrutiny of import data, it is found that M/s Feroze 1888 Mills Limited imported T8 LED tube, LED bulb, LED Oloodlight 100-W, LED streetlights etc through MCC Appraisement West by claiming beneOits of Fifth Schedule.

Model Ayyan Ali finally indicted in currency smuggling case RAWALPINDI

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special customs court in Rawalpindi on Thursday finally indicted model Ayyan Ali in the currency smuggling case, over eight months after her initial arrest from the airport with an undeclared

half-a-million dollars in cash.

Ayyan Ali was arrested from Islamabad’s Benazir Bhutto International Airport on March 14 with USD 500,000 and was accused of attempting to illegally take this amount outside the country.

Eight months after her arrest, the court of Rana Aftab Ahmed Khan has now finally indicted Ayyan, who pleads not guilty to the charges. The court has summoned prosecution witnesses on December 8 to record their statements.

Ayyan’s lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa maintains that no proof of currency smuggling has been found during interrogation and that Ayyan, while carrying the currency, had yet not attained the boarding pass and was going to leave after handing over the money to her brother. The highprofile case has been feverishly followed by the Pakistani media due to Ayyan’s celebrity status and alleged political connections.

Meanwhile, Customs authori-

ties seeks written reply from Emirates Airlines in connection with super model Ayyan Ali case. Ayyan Ali was arrested by Customs authorities when she was trying to board on a Emirates Airlines flight which was bound for Dubai.

Sources told Customs Today that after if Emirates authorities confirmed that Ayyan Ali reserved a seat in Emirates Airlines then they will definitely get a solid evidence against her. Customs authorities are confident that during

next hearing of the case against Ayyan Ali she will be properly inducted in the money laundering case. It is pertinent to mention here that if defense counsels of Ayyan Ali will not present in the court to defend her then court will have to postpone their hearing.

Customs authorities are of the view that defense counsels of Ayyan Ali will use delaying tactics in this case and will try to seek fresh date for hearing of the case against their client.

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Customs Appellate Tribunal reserves verdict in TCS case ISLAMABAD: A division bench of the Customs Appellate Tribunal has reserved its decision in a case involving illegal sale of mobile phones, etc allegedly by TCS (Private) Limited.

The division bench comprised its Chairman Ghulam Murtaza Bhatti and former Member Technical, Khalid Mehmood, which heard the case and reserved its decision. TCS (Private) Limited approached the tribunal against Directorate General Intelligence and Investigation (DG I&I). TCS had challenged actions taken by DG I&I against its (company’s) abstruse presentation of imported items to the department. Appellant and respondent, both had made arguments on the case during different hearings heal at Islamabad office.

fBr forms teams to arrest sugar mill’s owner, others in tax evasion case of rs 1b

Friday November 20, 2015

National

customs intelligence Dg imtiaz hails Multan region’s performance

LAHORE

MuHAMMAD nAwAZ www.customsbulletin.com

he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has constituted teams to arrest Riaz Qadir Butt and five others in tax evasion case of over Rs 1 billion. According to the details, a Customs Court had already announced Riaz Qadir Butt and five others as proclaimed offenders. The FBR, Investigation and Prosecution (I and P) zone has registered a case against the former president of sugar mills owners association Punjab zone Riaz Qadir Butt and other directors namely Muhammad Irshad Butt, Abdul Manan, Awais Butt and Abdur Rashid Butt.

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fiA unearths illegal gateway exchange, nabs one in Sialkot SIALKOT

ZAfAr MALik

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he Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has unearthed an illegal gateway exchange in village Tarigari near Gujranwala and arrested a suspect.

According to details, FIA Deputy Director Gujranwala region Ch. Khalid Anees told Customs Today that accused Nadeem and Muzamal had establish a mini exchange and a 150-foot tower there and its range was 70 kilometers.

As per details, they had provided 7,000 connections to Internet subscribers of neighbouring villages Ahamed Nagar, Rasul Nagar, Nandipur, Aroop, Rahwali, Nizampur and Buttraanwali of Gujranwala. FIA Deputy Director added that the FIA had arrested accused Nadeem while Muzamal fled away from the scene.

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MULTAN

SAJiD BASHir

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mtiaz Ahmed Khan, the newly appointed Director General (DG) of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I and I), has praised the performance of Multan region in respect of controlling smuggling in the South Punjab. He urged the ofOicials to put their best efforts to break the organized networks of smugglers. He expressed his views during his address to combined meeting to directors and additional directors of different regions in Punjab.

He further said that ofOicials should have to target the high value contraband items and luxurious cars instead of conOiscating the old cars to show mere formality. He emphasized that the ofOicials should do their best to create cracks in the organized networks of smugglers.

OfOicials should not harass the ordinary people but their aim should be to seize the high value targets to curb the menace of smuggling from Pakistan, he added.

DG has also reviewed the performance of the Customs Intelligence for the Oiscal year of 2014-15 alongwith the Oirst four months of the current Oiscal year 2015-16 during the meeting.

Meanwhile, After taking charge of Director General of Customs Intelligence and Intelligence, Imtiaz Ahmed Khan has directed the ofOi-

cers and ofOicials to perform their duties honestly as corrupt elements will not be tolerated in the department. He has also demanded the list of reputable ofOicers in the department. He would visit the directorates of Customs Intelligence in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar and other cities in order to review their performance and issue further directions. Khan has also urged the intelligence ofOicials to adopt effective strategies to contain the smug-

Director general imtiaz Ahmed khan says officials would have to target the high-value contraband items and luxurious cars instead of confiscating old cars to show mere formality.

fBr to launch reforms, checking system in customs KARACHI

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched a reform and rechecking system in the Customs Department.

Sources of FBR told Customs Today that the main objective of the reform programme is to curb cor-

ruption and make tax collection system transparent. The FBR has issued directions to the ofOicials of grade 17 to 21 to further improve their performance. Sources said that 100 numbers will be given to ofOi-

cials who will show outstanding performance.

According to these reforms it is duty of Collector to pinpoint those employees who save skins of their corrupt colleagues. Collector will also suggest measures to improve the performance of staff and will send report to FBR authorities in Islamabad. Collector will also make it sure that ofOicials have minimum connection with traders community, as it will help a lot to make tax system transparent.

gling and illegal trade that was damaging the national economy and local markets.

He also directed them to keep an eye on smuggling through roads, besides developing coordination with other law enforcement agencies to discourage the smuggling in country. To curb smuggling, he also sought suggestions from ofOicials, while the approved recommendations will be implemented in the Oield, he added.

Multan customs seizes two non-duty paid LeDs akistan Customs staff deployed at Multan Airport confiscated two non-customs paid LED TVs from two passengers of the flights coming from Jeddah and Doha to Multan International Airport here on Tuesday. It is reported that the Customs Airport Staff seized two non-duty paid LEDs from the possession of two passengers.—CB Report

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Roadmap helped achieve economic stabilisation: Dar Friday, November 20, 2015

Business

KARACHI: The government’s roadmap has pulled the country back from near default and led the economy to achieve stabilisation, said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday. He was addressing members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).“Many countries including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are now keen on investing in Pakistan, particularly in petro-chemicals, refineries and other energy sectors,” he said.“The $46 billion Chinese investment in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a strong indicator of confidence in Pakistan’s economy and its potentials,” Dar said.

kSe-100 index plunges 40 points closing at 33908 level KARACHI

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arachi Stock Exchange (KSE) 100 index closed lower on Thursday having 33908.44 points with a negative of 40.82 and volume of 48,586,980 shares.

High and Low were 34003.29 and 33900.22 respectively. Total volume traded in the market was 189,775,730 shares with 340 total traded companies out of which 162

Shahbaz orders end to child labour in 30 days

were up 157 were down and 25 were unchanged.

Commercial banks were the top traded sector with total traded volume of 58,155,100 shares. It was followed by reOinery with a total traded volume of 16,810,900 shares.

The three top traded companies were Silk Bank Ltd with a volume of 44,854,500 and price per share of 1.95 (0.31), Byco Petroleum with a volume 9,030,500 of price per share of 24.96 (0.18), Ist.Capital Sec.Corp with a volume 7,790,000 of price per share of 4.24 (0.92). The top three advancers were Hinopak Motor with price per share 1196.39 (56.97), Col-

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unjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif yesterday announced Rs20 lakh compensation for the dead and Rs 10 lakh for the disabled in the factory collapse at Sundar Industrial Estate. The compensation amount would be paid by owners of the factory. The chief minister said this while holding a meeting following a visit to the site where multi-storey factory.

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KARACHI

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ISLAMABAD

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aking refuge under the auditor general’s report, which is yet to be made public, Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif yesterday forcefully struck back to the reports unearthing grave irregularities in the 425MW Nandipur combined cycle thermal power plant. “Yes, it is true

he government needs to look into the reasons for a 13.42% decline in exports in the first four months of fiscal year 2015-16, said Pakistan Apparel Forum Chairman and Value Added Textile Forum Chief Coordinator Muhammad Jawed Bilwani.

Pakistan’s overall exports during July-October declined by 13.42% compared to the same period of last fiscal year. Whereas, exports of major competitors, Bangladesh and Vietnam, rose 4.95% and 9.20% respectively, Bilwani said in a statement issued on Monday.

During this period, exports of China and Sri Lanka decreased negligibly by 2.50% and 4.50% respectively.

These figures point out that the government is not consulting the industry representatives, he added. In the last fiscal year 201415, overall exports had also declined by approximately 5%.

Bilwani asserted that the major reason for the persistent decline in exports is the high cost of inputs tariff of gas, electricity, water and raw material prices in comparison to the neighbouring countries.

T gate PalmoXD with price per share of 1486.18 (36.18) and Highnoon (Lab) per share of 407.23 (17.34). The top three decliners were RaOhan Maize

with price per share of 9563.13 (435.87), Wyeth Pak Ltd with price per share of 2320.00 (80.00) and Bata (Pak) XD share of 2925.00 (74.99).

nandipur plant: kh Asif blames former rulers for unnecessary delay

LAHORE

govt needs to look into 13.42% export decline in Q1 of 2015-16

that FOTP (furnace oil treatment plant) is under capacity, and this has been admitted by the contractor, who is ready to remove the shortcoming, but the project is well within the approved cost of Rs 58.416 billion. As of today the actual expenditure on the project stands at Rs 51 billion,” Khawaja Asif told media men at a hurried press conference.

He was referring to the undercapacity furnace oil treatment plant, which cannot store fuel to run the project at its full capacity. Asif in an effort to address each charge against

his ministry, step by step, tried to answer the long list of charges including escalating costs, inefOiciency of the plant, blacklisted contractor, and so on. The work on the project commenced in October 2008 with completion date of April 2011. The Ministry of Finance issued guarantees in October 2009, but due to the condition to avail foreign loans, they had to be approved by the Ministry of Law, which issued its opinion on 19-10-2011, and that is the actual reason for delay, Asif explained quickly shifting the blame of the delay on to previous governments.

nADrA prepares software for balloting of cDA plots ISLAMABAD

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he Capital Development Authority (CDA) has announced to use a computer software for balloting of plots.

The software was prepared by the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra), which would heldp ensure transparency in the process. The software was demon-

strated in the presence of Chairman CDA Maroof Afzal, Member Administration and Estate, Amer Ali Ahmed and officers of Information Technology Directorate of CDA and Nadra.

During the demonstration of the software, the technical capabilities and working of the software were examined. The software would be used in future for balloting of plots to ensure utmost transparency in the process.

Expressing satisfaction over the successful test demonstration of the software, Chairman CDA, Maroof Afzal said that during the balloting of plots in the past, people from different walks of life had expressed their concern over the transparency in balloting of plots, therefore, Nadra was contacted for preparation of a latest software for ensuring transparency in balloting of plots. He said that preparation of the latest and comprehensive soft-

ware in a limited time shows the tremendous professional abilities of information technology experts.

He said that Nadra would also collaborate with CDA for computerization of record starting with that of Estate Management Directorate.

The record of the Revenue, property tax and other related directorates would also be computerized to facilitate the people and compilation of consolidated data.

Member Administration and Es-

tate, Amer Ali Ahmed apprised the meeting that CDA is also taking steps for further up-gradation of One Window, adding that overall system at One Window Operation Directorate would be computerized for provision of latest facilities to the citizens. With the computerization of One-Window Operation Directorate, record of the owners property would be safe and interference of employees would also be reduced, he added.

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KARACHI

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ederal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar seems optimistic on more recovery of taxes by the efforts of the newly appointed team of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) under the leadership of FBR Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan. ”The new FBR chairman and the members have been appointed purely on merit and I hope they will deliver as per expectations and contribute towards the betterment of country’s economy,” Ishaq Dar said at launch of Islamic Index at Karachi Stock Exchange on Wednesday.

“Chairman FBR Nisar Muhammad Khan is an honest ofOicer while Customs members, Inland Revenue Policy (IR-Policy) member, IR-Operations member and Admin member were also seasoned ofOicers and this new team would bring further improvement in the affairs of FBR”, the minister added and lauded the efforts of outgoing FBR Chairman Tariq Bajwa.

In the tenure of Tariq Bajwa as chairman FBR, the overall revenue collection was surged by 33 percent while more than 200,000 new taxpayers have been brought under the tax net, Ishaq Dar added.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar visited the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) on Wednesday where he presided over the opening bell ceremony to cele-

brate launching of All Shares Islamic Index. The Index was developed by a panel of experts representing State Bank of Pakistan, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Mutual Funds Association of Pakistan, Meezan Bank Limited and Karachi Stock Exchange.

The Finance Minister was received by the Chairman KSE, Muneer Kamal, Ashraf Mehmood Wathra, Governor, State Bank of Pakistan, Zafar-ul-Haq Hijazi, Chairman, SECP, Saeed Ahmed, Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan, Nisar Mohammad Khan, Chairman FBR, Senior Members and Management of Karachi Stock Exchange were also present on the occasion.

While speaking on the occasion, the Finance Minister appreciated on launching of Islamic Index and said that the launch of Pakistan’s Oirst All Share Islamic Index of Pakistan is a Oirst step towards long and sustained development of Islamic capital markets. He further said the size of Islamic Oinancial market had crossed threshold of 1.6 trillion dollars, he assured his fullest support in the development and introduction of Islamic Financial System and he stressed upon the listing of SUKUKs at Stock Exchange.

Zafar-ul-Haq H his speech, hig of good gover of the key are on. He explain ing governanc the Pa porat it to p i

f Mo visit e pres bell la

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Hijazi, Chairman SECP in ghlighted the importance rnance and called it one eas the SECP is focusing ned that for strengthence, the SECP is reforming Pakistan Institute of Corte Governance to enable play a national level role in promoting ethical and governance practices for the corporate sector.

inister ar M e c n a n i f ishaq D ock d a m m a oh hi St c a r a k e ted th e where he exchang er the opening sided ov ny to celebrate l ceremog of All Shares aunchinmic index. isla

Friday, November 20, 2015

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

eDiToriAL

cement export

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t a time the Pakistani cement industry is facing a declining trend and is losing its competitiveness in the world market, the smuggling of Iranian cement has increased in the country while South Africa has slapped anti-dumping duty ranging from 15 percent to 68 percent on the Pakistani cement import.

On the home front, the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association has appealed to the government to give incentives to the sector to increase exports and to compete with Iran and India in the international market. The Ministry of Commerce has also decided to challenge South Africa’s decision to impose preliminary anti-dumping duty on the import of Pakistani cement in the World Trade Organization. Earlier in May this year, South Africa had imposed the anti-dumping duty on the import of Pakistani cement apparently to save the indigenous industry.

The decision of the South African government seems to be inconsistent with several provisions of the WTO agreement. The production capacity of cement in the country has touched 45.620 million tons per annum, but domestic demand is confined to 28.206 million tons or total utilization of capacity by 61.82 percent only, leaving a surplus of 17.414 million tons unutilized, which is available for exports. During 2011-2012, Pakistan exported 4.727 million tons cement to Afghanistan, but the volume has decreased to 2.873 million tons in 2014-15. Now the Commerce Ministry has decided to persuade the WTO for the settlement of the dispute as according to it, the mechanism followed by South African authorities does not reflect the true analysis of the situation. Earlier, the South African authorities spent four years to investigate the matter, but failed to properly examine the evidence and factors which are hurting its local industry. Pakistan is facing the same situation with regard to Iran as dumping of Iranian cement continues in Balochistan, but the government has failed to find real causes of this trend. If Pakistan wants fair opportunity for Pakistani cement exporters to defend their case, the government should also look into the smuggling of the Iranian cement and rationalize the imposition of taxes and duties on the local industry. The Pakistani representative to the WTO has written to his South African counterpart in Geneva to discuss the issue. As a matter of fact, every country has the right to protect local industry.

Sales tax enigma A

LAHORE

Dr AfTAB AfZAL

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mid growing resentment among the industrialists on the rising cost of doing business, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is working on a proposal to bring the standard rate of sales tax from 17 percent to a single digit in consultation with international donor agencies. The involvement of the lenders in the financial and policy matters of the country indicates a bitter reality that how far this nation is independent in its decision-making.

According to the business community, the imposition of sales tax is a trap to steal away

their profit in legal manners and a hindrance in the growth of the country’s exports. The imposition of sales tax at 2 percent on exports was a bad decision of the PPP government, but the PML-N government made it worse despite opposing the step at the initial stage.

The world statistics show that the cost of doing business is rising in Pakistan, as irrational steps have adversely affected the country’s exports, which have declined by 13.42 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

According to the world exports statistics, Bangladesh exports have grown by five percent and Vietnam by 9.20 percent during the same period. The gov-

ernment had made calls claims that it would bring the exports to $50 billion after getting concessions from the European Union, but it could not compete even Bangladesh and Vietnam on the export front.

It seems the ruling elite is working on a specific agenda to halt the increase of export volume to benefit its coteries as overall exports showed a decline of 5 percent during the last fiscal year. Apart from imposition of hefty sales tax, high tariff of gas and electricity has increased the cost of production, making it difficult for the Pakistani exporters to compete in the world market.

According to an official of a business organization, the government has blocked the huge liq-

uidity of the exporters under sales tax refund, DLTL and customs rebate claims. He blamed the government for misusing the tax money on day to day expenses at the cost of national economy.

At a time the government was unable to refund 2 percent sales tax, how it will refund when it is increased to 50 percent is a million dollar question.

The tax money is public money and it requires to be used on public welfare.

Trade and industry are the main sources of income and if business is affected, the generation of money will be affected.

The government must come with concrete measures to salvage the industry from collapse.

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Sialkot Chamber of Commerce celebrates Iqbal Day SIALKOT: President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Maj (Rtd) Mansur Ahmed has said that the teachings of Allama Iqbal are like a beacon of light to maintain tolerance, peace and stability in the society. He said that youth of the nation should transform themselves into Iqbal’s philosophy and strive for self reliance within own resources and emphasized austerity envisioned by Allama Iqbal. He stated this while addressing the participants of speeches and Kalam-e-Iqbal competitions held at the SCCI Auditorium here today in connection with the Iqbal’s Birthday. SCCI President revealed that Allama Muhammad Iqbal was one of the great men of Islam and Pakistan, who dreamt for Pakistan, where brotherhood, social and economic justice would prevail.

“We must create a society according to the vision of great poet, who gave the idea of separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent where they can practice their Islamic values and culture,” he urged.

Secret of economic progress lies in strengthening of institutions: Lcci resident of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Sheikh Muhammad Arshad has said that secret of economic progress and prosperity lies in strengthening of institutions, consistency in policies and public-private partnership.

LCCI President was talking to the 110-participant of National Security

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& War Course 2016 from National Defence University on Tuesday. The LCCI Senior Vice President Almas Hyder, Vice President Nasir Saeed and Executive Committee Members also spoke on the occasion. LCCI officebearers spoke at length on various economic issues and also threw light on the ways and means to tackle the internal and external economic challenges being faced by the country.

Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said that no country around the globe can every achieve its aims and objectives until and unless it has a strong system backed by strong institutions as weak institutions bound to expose a country or a state to all types of problems including economic and social.

“Strong institutional framework ensures business friendly atmosphere, encourages local investors to put their money in new ventures and also brings much-needed foreign investment in the country, the LCCI President said. Giving a detailed briefing on LCCI role in policy making, the LCCI President said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry is not only working as bridge between the government and business community but is also playing its due role for promotion of trade and industry in the country.—CB Report

Friday November 20, 2015

Chambers

Scci formulates special committee to help earthquake victims S

SIALKOT

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ialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has formulated a special committee headed by Dr. Khurram Anwar Khawaja (former SCCI) president to generate maximum donations for the help of the devastating earthquake victims of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. SCCI President Maj (Rtd) Mansur Ahmed told the newsmen that the SCCI has set a target of Rs. 10 million donations for the earthquake victims, approximately 50,000 affected families there.

He said that the heavily affected remote isolated communities of these areas are currently facing harsh winter, where approximately 5,000 families are affected with full or partial damage to their homes, on October 26, 2015.

In winter conditions, most of the families living without shelter are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and are looking for help. As the areas are sensitive, Government has restricted access for the international donors to those areas and only few Pakistani NGOs have been

allowed to work for rehabilitation of the communities, SCCI President added. SCCI President urged the Sialkot based traders, industrialists and exporters to donate generously for this noble cause to conduct relief measures in earthquake affected Northern areas of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Dr. Khurram Anwar Khawaja (former SCCI President)

had donated Rs.1 million from his family for this noble cause.

Meanwhile, President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Maj (Rtd) Mansur Ahmed has said that the teachings of Allama Iqbal are like a beacon of light to maintain tolerance, peace and stability in the society. He said that youth of the nation should trans-

romania eyes to boost trade with pakistan

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ISLAMABAD

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omania wanted to make signiOicant increase in volume of trade with Pakistan which was a big consumer market and Romanian mission would play positive role in bringing both countries even closer, observed H.E. Emilian Ion, Ambassador of Romania while speaking at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).

He said many Pakistani products including ready-made garments, bed sheets, towels, socks, napkins, cotton yarn, leather products, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments and others have great potential in Romania and Pakistani exporters should step up efforts to increase export of these products to Romania. He said his Embassy wanted to establish sustainable business linkages between

the private sectors of both countries so that businessmen could interact and explore all untapped areas of mutual collaboration.

He said Pakistani students have good chance to get quality education in Romania at affordable cost and more cooperation in education Oield would further improve bilateral relations between the two countries. He said ICCI should form a delegation for Romania and his Embassy would provide all required facilitation to make its visit productive and meaningful.

Speaking at the occasion, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Romania was an important member of European Union and Pakistan wanted to further strengthen its cooperation with Romania to get enhanced access to EU market. He said production cost in Pakistan was quite low as compared

to many other countries and stressed that Romanian investors should explore investment and joint ventures in Pakistan in textiles and other sectors. He identiOied agriculture, textiles, marble, information technology, energy, industries, engineering, housing and construction as potential areas of mutual cooperation between Pakistan and Romania and stressed that both countries should encourage frequent exchange of business delegations to explore and develop business partnerships.

Sheikh Pervez Ahmed, Senior Vice President and Sheikh Abdul Waheed, Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Romania was far below the desired level and emphasized that governments of both countries should fully patronize businessmen to improve bilateral trade and economic relations.

form themselves into Iqbal’s philosophy and strive for self reliance within own resources and emphasized austerity envisioned by Allama Iqbal. He stated this while addressing the participants of speeches and Kalam-e-Iqbal competitions held at the SCCI Auditorium here today in connection with the Iqbal’s Birthday.

Malta for setting up commonwealth chamber of commerce he Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry will be using the Commonwealth Business Forum to call for the creation of a Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce. This would bring together chambers of commerce and business federations from across the association in a bid to facilitate business and investment collaboration. “The pan-continental association would work on the same lines of similar organisations such as Eurochambres and Ascame, which have successfully worked towards the improvement of businesses conditions across regions and facilitating access to new markets.—CB Report

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US crude oil falls under $40 per barrel Friday November 20, 2015

World

NEW YORK: US crude oil fell below $40 a barrel for the first time since August as rising inventories in the world’s largest oil consumers heightened concerns over the deepening global glut.

The US Energy Information Administration reported inventories rose by 252,000 barrels last week to 487.3m barrels, edging them closer towards the record level of 490.9m hit in April.

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Singapore’s cnB seizes drugs worth more than S$158,000

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Bahrain customs’ delegation for 13th gcc customs union meeting in riyadh ustoms Affairs President, World Customs Organization Deputy Chairman and Regional Representative for North Africa, Near and Middle East, Shaikh Mohammad bin Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, has led Bahrain’s Customs Affairs delegation to the 13th GCC Customs Union Authority meeting held yesterday in Riyadh.

The meeting discussed mechanisms of direct automatic transfer of customs duties and the results of a study on improving the performance at the government ports. It also discussed joining the International Road Transport (TIR) Convention. The delegation also comprised Director of Land Ports, Director of Customs Planning and Policies, in addition to a number of Customs officials.—CB Report

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ive suspects, including a suspected drug syndicate leader, were arrested and drugs worth more than S$158,000 were seized during an operation conducted by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on Wednesday.

According to a press release on Wednesday, CNB said its ofOicers were deployed in the vicinity of Kembangan, where a local drug trafOicker was believed to be waiting for a fresh consignment of drugs. They then trailed the suspected trafOicker, 57, after he boarded the car driven by a 37-year-old Malaysian suspected to be a drug courier.

When he alighted, the ofOicers arrested the Singaporean and recovered about 1.36kg of heroin and 1kg of cannabis from a paper bag he was holding. He had a further 200g of heroin, 120g of cannabis, 146 Ec-

uS customs seizes $81k in drugs at port of naco

stasy tablets, nine Erimin-5 tablets and a “small amount” of Ice on him, a further search revealed. They also found about S$2,600 in cash on him.

CNB ofOicers then raided the 57year-old’s hideout in Siglap Road and arrested a 35-year-old female Singaporean, who is suspected to be a drug abuser and had about 5g of Ice on her. About 110g of ketamine and some methadone were also recovered from the unit, the CNB

added. Seperately, another group of ofOicers followed the Malaysian drug courier to Jurong, where he was arrested after alighting from the car.

Cash of more than S$5,000 and some Malaysian currency was recovered from him, CNB said. Follow-up investigations also led to the capture of a suspected drug syndicate leader, 28, in Tampines. He is believed to be coordinating drug consignments for local drug trafOickers.

customs seizes foreign currency hidden inside false bottom

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businessman from Weligama attempting to smuggle foreign currency valued at Rs. 66 million hidden inside a false bottom in his baggage was arrested by customs ofOicials at the Mattala International Airport yesterday. The 35- year- old male had arrived at the Mattala Airport to board a Olight to a middle eastern country, according to Customs Media Spokesman Lesley Gamini. OfOicers found US $184,750, Euros 183,400, British Pounds 16,660, Kuwait Dinar

2690, Saudi Riyal 77,500, Qatar Riyal 16,000, UAE Dirham 11,900, Danish Kroner 67,000, Swiss Francs 1200 and Oman Riyal 1125 in his possession. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Customs has detected a shipping container Oilled with cigarettes amounting to Rs. 355 million. The 40-foot container had been listed as containing chest freezers. Customs ofOicials said that the consignment of 10.77 million cigarettes had been imported from Dubai.—CB Report

S Customs and Border Protection ofOicers arrested three Mexican nationals during the weekend for alleged attempts to smuggle more than 16 pounds of methamphetamine and nearly 64 pounds of marijuana through the Port of Naco.

On Nov. 14, ofOicers referred Francisco Javier Guerrero-Mendez, 24, and his 22-year-old passenger, Samuel Gosvanny Sabori-Fernandez, both of Cananea, Sonora, Mexico, for further inspection of their Isuzu Rodeo. During the inspection, ofOicers discovered more than 16 pounds of meth, value at more than $49,000, in a pair of coolers in the back of the vehicle.CBP ofOicers at the Port of Naco seized 64 pounds of marijuana that was hidden throughout a Fiat Sedan referred for further inspection.

The day before, ofOicers selected Anna Laura Nunez de Rodriguez, 39,

a legal resident living in Hereford, Arizona, for further inspection of her Fiat sedan. After a CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to drugs and ofOicers found multiple packages of marijuana throughout the vehicle, worth nearly $32,000.

OfOicers seized the drugs and vehicles, and referred all subjects to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

Meanwhile, The US Border Patrol’s Search, Trauma and Rescue Team recently completed joint training with the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Ranger Air Unit. The Arizona Department of Public Safety trains along with elements from the Tucson Sector BORSTAR Team Both teams have extensive search and rescue experience in southern Arizona and have worked together for years. AZDPS provides BORSTAR an insertion and extraction capability via helicopter, which greatly increases the safety and overall success of their missions.

Sri Lanka customs seizes container filled with cigarettes worth rs 355m

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ri Lanka Customs has detected a shipping amounting to Rs. 355 million.

The 40-foot container had been listed as containing chest freezers.

Customs ofOicials said that the consignment of 10.77 million cigarettes had been imported from Dubai.

The container had been imported allegedly in the name of an Indian national residing at an address in Nugegoda. However, Customs ofOicials said this address was found to be a false one and there was no such person living there.

The revenue loss to the State as a result of non-payment of Customs duty on the consignment of cigarettes is Rs.300 million, it was further disclosed.

Meanwhile, The Sri Lankans government plans to introduce a new protective label for locally manufactured or imported liquor varieties to control illegal liquor entering the market. As the government has imposed a larger tax for liquor, illegal bottled liquor seem to be entering the market, according to the government. —CB Report

uS police arrest man for attempted human smuggling

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suspect is behind bars accused of trying to smuggle undocumented immigrants into the United States.

Around two Wednesday morning police tried stopping a suspicious vehicle by Poggenpohl and Davis.

When the driver refused to stop, a chase began.

At 1500 Main, the driver of the vehicle, a 2005 white, Jeep Cherokee lost control and struck an AEP utility pole. The four passengers in the vehicle quickly left the scene, but were later found by authorities and identiOied as undocumented immigrants. The driver identiOied as Gilberto Flores Garza ran away, but

police caught him.

He was arrested and charged with four counts of human smuggling, evading arrest in a vehicle and evading arrest. On Wednesday morning at about 2:04 am, Laredo Police Department ofOicers attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle

by Poggenpohl and Davis. The vehicle refused to stop, and a chase ensued. The vehicle went south on

Davis, then turned west and headed south on Main. The vehicle was a white 2005 Jeep Cherokee, and struck an AEP utility pole at 1500 Main. This pole was broken, and the weight on the wires knocked down a second utility pole. After striking the utility pole, the vehicle crashed into the front walkway steps of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church at 1600 Main.

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South Korea oil shipments from Iran rise 83.4% in Oct TEHRAN: South Korea’s crude oil shipments from Iran rose 83.4 percent in October from a year ago, helping the imports in the first ten months of 2015 up 0.4 percent, although the 10-month purchase still met sanction requirements over Tehran’s nuclear programme. The world’s fifth-largest crude importer brought 519,620 tonnes of Iranian crude in October, or 122,865 barrels per day (bpd), compared with 283,287 tonnes, a year ago, preliminary data from its customs office showed on Sunday. Under the July 14 accord with the United States and other countries, Iran must dismantle large parts.

ports need to expand to cope with bigger container ships ur ports are being warned they will need to expand in order to keep up with the worldwide trend towards using larger container ships. A new Westpac report shows the average container ship heading to New Zealand will be more than 50percent bigger by 2030.

Industrial Economist, David Norman, says there are going to be bigger vessels, and more of them wanting to dock in New Zealand – and that will ultimately save us money.

“You can see cost savings per container of up to 50 percent, as you move through the size classes of vessel, and this is why there’s that pressure to move toward larger vessels.”

He says ports will have to make a pretty big decision now, so they can cope later.

“Probably we’ll have a few larger ports making those investments, and the smaller ports will have to engage in tie-ups with those larger ports through coastal shipping or other arrangements.”—CB Report

Ports & Shipping

Friday November 20, 2015

georgia, S carolina to develop terminal in Jasper county

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Azerbaijan’s oil exports fall 0.4% in Jan-oct zerbaijan’s oil exports edged down 0.4 percent in January through October compared with a year earlier, driven by a decline in oil production, a source at the State Customs Committee said on Wednesday.

Azerbaijan exported 28.1 million tonnes of oil in the first 10 months of this year. Exports of oil via Russia through the Baku-Novorossiisk pipeline amounted to 1.1 million tonnes in the period, up from 848,519 tonnes a year earlier, the source said.

Exports through the Baku-Supsa pipeline via Georgia declined to 3.54 million tonnes from 3.56 million, while exports through Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan via Georgia and Turkey.—CB Report

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t’s been in the works for years, but we’re now one step closer to a new seaport terminal on the Savannah River.

Monday, the Georgia and South Carolina Ports Authorities signed a joint venture agreement to develop the terminal in Jasper County.

The plan has always been for the terminal to be jointly owned and operated by the two authorities, but Monday’s agreement gives an ofOicial green light to move forward

with the project and to Oigure out the details of its development.

“Overall this is very signiOicant, not only to South Carolina and Georgia, but the entire east coast in terms of economic impact and also job creation,” said Martin Sauls, IV, Vice Chairman of the Jasper County Council. “You’re looking at thousands of jobs, a multi-billion dollar port, so this is going to change the complete face of the entire southeast.” The agreement establishes the framework for future decisions on how the terminal will be managed, how proOits will be shared, and other operational details.

According to the head of the Georgia Ports Authority, the ports in Savannah and Charleston are only

getting busier — and this new terminal would alleviate future issues when they reach capacity.

“This is really the solution and commitment to provide the region room for continued port growth for probably the next century or so,” said Curtis Foltz, Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority.

The terminal would have other beneOits, too. Right now, ships that come into the port of Savannah dock at the Garden City Terminal.

The Jasper Ocean Terminal will be downriver, 13 miles closer to the ocean.

“In the shipping business, time is money. So location, location, location. This certainly Oits the bill for that,” said Sauls, IV.

ports face monthly drop in steel imports from 2015 onthly steel imports dropped from 4.4 million tons at the beginning of 2015 to 2.83 million tons as of September 1. SMU asked ports around the country to comment on what they are seeing in relation to import levels and warehoused inventory.

The Port of Los Angeles reports steel imports (breakbulk and slab) of 1.3 million metric tons (1.43 million tons) from January through October 2015. The forecast for 2015 is 1.5-1.7 million metric tons, substantially below the 2014 total of 2.96 million tonnes. Import restrictions on coils have contributed to a softening of the market, according to officials at Los Angeles. The largest steel shipment of the year was from Korea and China in August, in which 40,000 metric tons of coil were offloaded from one ship. Warehouses are full due to low import rates for steel products from China. “The low commodity prices, will give you some room to keep products in inventory for some time,” said a spokesperson for the Port of Los Angeles. Steel imports at the Port of Houston Authority dropped from 621,000 tons in September 2014 to just 252,000 tons in September 2015, a decrease of 59 percent after a record year in 2014. The decrease in imports to Houston was attributed to the downturn in the energy industry and related weakness in demand for steel pipe.—CB Report

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canadian factory shipments decline sharply in Sept

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anadian factory shipments declined sharply in September because of lower motor vehicle and energy sales, raising questions about the pace of Canada’s economic recovery.

Manufacturing sales in Canada fell 1.5% from a month earlier to 51.08 billion Canadian dollars ($38.35 billion), Statistics Canada said on Monday. Expectations were

for a 0.2% increase in September, according to economists at Royal Bank of Canada.

The August data were revised to indicate sales fell 0.6%, compared with an earlier estimate of a 0.2% decline. Sales volumes, which economists use to gauge the level of economic activity, fell 1.6% in September. “Obviously the headline and some of the details are weaker than expected and frankly are a disappointment,” said Doug Porter, an economist at BMO Capital Markets.

Mr. Porter said the report will

fuel concerns that Canada’s gross domestic product contracted in September after three consecutive months of growth, although he still expects that the third quarter will be positive. “It does raise some serious questions about the economy’s underlying momentum,” Mr. Porter said. Canada’s economy shrank for two consecutive quarters during the Oirst half of 2015, as sharply lower oil prices dragged down business investment and the Canadian dollar. The Bank of Canada expects a return to growth in the second half

of the year, which it says will be led by nonresource exports.

On a year-over-year basis, Canadian factory sales were down 2.9%.

Factory shipments in September fell in 13 of the 21 industries tracked, led by a 10.3% decline in the motor vehicle industry, the largest monthly drop since February.

Sales in the petroleum and coal product industry shrank 7.1%, largely reOlecting maintenance shutdowns that were more extensive this year than usual, Statistics Canada said.

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Customs Court hears 26 cases on Wednesday LAHORE: The Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling heard 26 important cases on Wednesday and issued necessary orders and directions on many cases.

On Wednesday, in the court of Chaudary Ameer Muhamamd Khan, a total of 26 cases were scheduled for hearing, including nine prearrest bail pleas of accused persons Muhammad Asghar versus state, Muhammad Shahzad, Haseeb Ali, Darya Khan and Fiaz Ahmad. The court extended bail pleas for new dates.

Friday, November 20, 2015

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

pM nawaz for first time approves appointment of fBr members ISLAMABAD M fAiZAn

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or the Oirst-time in the history of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), any Prime Minister has approved the transfer of members of the Board as earlier PM only approved the appointment of the chairman.

Earlier, the FBR chairman always selected his team members. Now, transfer and posting of key ofOicials in FBR is considered to be more important as it has been made by PM, while the sources said that new FBR Chairman Nisar Muhammad was consulted before the transfers and postings. The sources told Customs Today that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had decided to assign the task as chairman to Member Customs Nisar Muhammad Khan after consultation with former chairman Tariq Bajwa. It is important to mention here that new chairman is an ofOicer of BS-21 and his appointment at this designation was not possible due to the presence of BS-22 ofOicers including outgoing Inland Revenue Policy (IR-Policy) Member Shahid Hussain Asad and IR-Operations Member Muhammad Ashraf Khan. It may also

be mentioned here that senior ofOicials do not like to continue work under the leadership of their juniors;

therefore, they prefer to be transferred or retired. However, Chairman Nisar wanted that both ofOicials

should continue their work. Outgoing Member Administration Shahid Hussain Jatoi had merged himself

with secretariat group so he has been transferred to Karachi as Memberin-Charge, federal ombudsman.

SHc seeks reply from customs over seizure of light diesel oil KARACHI

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday directed the Pakistan Customs’ Intelligence and Investigation to explain why a litigant’s 25,000 liters of light diesel oil was seized.

Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, who headed a division bench, gave these directions while hearing a petition Oiled by Mubasher Hassan,

a partner of M/s Pearl Enterprises, who petitioned the court against the customs authorities for allegedly seizing his lawfully purchased diesel.

Ismat Mehdi, the counsel for the petitioner, submitted that her client had purchased oil from Pak Arab ReOinery and others for its onward sale in Punjab and Sindh province. He has also storage facility for 50,000 liters of oil in the city’s Korangi area.

She told the judges that the petitioner is doing a legal business, however, the customs authorities raided his storage facility and

seized 25,000 liters of LDO in the garb of smuggled Iranian oil. He argued that her client submitted to the authorities the invoices regarding purchase of the LDO but they seized the oil. The petitioner prayed to the court to declare that the action taken by the authorities on October 2, 2015 by conducting raid on the petitioner’s godown and subsequent conOiscation of lawfully purchased LDO is illegal.

The court was further requested to order an inquiry into illegal and unwarranted raid.

Meanwhile, The Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-

Smuggling on Wednesday indicted the accused persons in a case pertaining to issuance of fake sale tax invoices of more than Rs 1 billion.

The judge read out the charges against the accused which they denied and resolved to contest the case. According to the ofOicials of Intelligence and Investigation Department of Inland Revenue, Karachi, the suspects Arshad Ali Khan, Javed Anwar Khan, Tauseef and Rashid Ali Khan issued invoices in the name of bogus companies, claiming over Rs 1 billion from the sales tax department.

An FIR was registered against

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them in January 2015. Accused Arshad Ali Khan and Tousif Ahmad are in judicial custody, however, Jawed Anwar have been released on bail. Rashid Ali Khan is still at large. Arshad Ali Khan, who claimed to be proprietor of Kotila Corporation, along with his other accomplices fraudulently issued fake sales tax invoices. Later, the ofOicials found that the original proprietor of Kotila Corporation, Noor Mohammad, expired in February 2007 and the tax department was also intimated about cancellation of sales tax registration of the Oirm.