Thursday, 26 October 2017

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Karachi, Thu October 26, 2017

ISLAMABAD

M FAIZAN

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman has taken serious notice of the smuggling of Iranian petroleum products, including petrol and diesel via Quetta to Karachi and other parts of the country. In this regard, the chairman has directed Member Customs Zahid Khokhar for stern action against suspects. According to the

FBR sources, a report regarding the smuggling of Iranian petroleum has been submitted before the chairman and it has revealed that a maUia is involved in this crime and Iranian products are being smuggled in connivance with some black sheep in customs and other law and enforcement agencies.

It has been explained in report these petroleum products travelled via Iranian borders to Quetta and Karachi and nobody stop the vehicles loaded with petrol and diesel on the way, while on the

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route many check post has been established. The loaded vehicles rarely intercepted in Hyderabad by the customs authority, in recent past days around more than 2,60,000 liter petrol and diesel was seized. Member Customs Muhammad Zahid Khokhar on the direction of chairman FBR has directed to the Quetta Collectorate to take effective measure to stop the smuggling of Iranian petroleum products with cooperation and help of Customs intelligence and other law and enforcement agencies.

Truck loaded with 4,100 kg of US non-fat dry milk impounded by ASO

PCA detects tax evasion of Rs 3.26m

by M/s Sofia Paint

Customs Intelligence seizes NDP clothes, spare parts, tyres

G o v t f ul l y c o m m i t t e d t o f i g h t h u m a n , d ru g t ra f f i c k i n g : A h s a n

Customs Preventive Sukkur confiscates 379 mobiles & 150 sacks of accessories

ASO seized 4,100 kilogram of smuggling American non-fat dry milk cargo in transit | See pAge 02 |

PCA has detected evasion of duties/taxes of 3.26 million by M/s Sofia Paint | See pAge 03 |

Customs I&I has foiled an attempt to smuggle non-duty paid used tyres | See pAge 04 |

Ahsan said the govt was fully committed to fighting human traďŹƒcking | See pAge 14 |

ASO Sukkur, has seized foreign origin NDP 379 smuggling mobile-phone | See pAge 16 |

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Customs Tribunal rejects petition filed by model Ayyan Ali Thursday, October 26, 2017

ISLAMABAD: Customs Appellate Tribunal has dismissed Ayyan Ali’s petition for non-prosecution after the appellant failed to take part in tribunal’s proceedings despite issuance of multiple notices.

Earlier the tribunal had imposed a fine of Rs 14,000 on Ayyan Ali for not taking part in proceedings of cases at the tribunal despite several notices.

The tribunal’s division bench comprising Chairman, Justice (r) Manzoor Hussain and Ziauddin Wazir dismissed Ali’s cases filed before the tribunal. The bench had time and again issued notices to Ayyan Ali and her counsel Latif Khosa.

Islamabad

truck loaded with 4,100 kg of uS non-fat dry milk impounded by ASo Islamabad

ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report

tArIQ DerYA

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he Federal Board of Revenue has assigned Rs3537.84million of all duties and taxes to the Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad for second quarter Financial Year 2017-18. According to details given by Collector Dr. Saeed Khan Jadoon of the Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad that Customs Collectorate of Islamabad is expected to meet its allocated revenue collection targets under all the heads during 2nd Quarter (October to December) FY17-18 as it has already exceeded the revenue collection target during the 1st Quarter of FY17-18. The Islamabad Collectorate has been earmarked the collection target of Rs1508.60million under the head of Customs Duty for 2nd Quarter FY17-18 whereas it has been allocated the revenue collection target of Rs1204.39million of Sales Tax (ST) for above said period.

The FBR has assigned the collection of Rs117.29million to the Collector MCC Islamabad under the head of Federal Excise Duty (FED) for 2nd Quarter FY17-18 whereas it was earmarked the revenue target of Rs707.56million of Withholding Tax (WHT) for 2nd Quarter.

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he Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization Islamabad seized 4,100 kilogram of smuggling American non-fat dry milk cargo in transit to Afghanistan via Karachi port. The seized transit smuggling milk was taken into possession on GT Road Rawat.

According to details given by Superintendent Abdul Malak while providing details to Customs Today that, on tip-off, Collector Dr. Saeed Khan Jadoon, Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad, ordered the ASO Islamabad to set up a picket on GT Road near Rawat.

The team intercepted a Bedford truck bearing registration No: C9180 Peshawar. The ASO impounded the offending vehicle and found a huge quantity of dairy American spray processed Grade “A” non-fat dry milk.

After the interception, the ASO staff asked the possessors to show any proof that seized milk is not smuggling one. The possessors showed the documents which comprised of details that the loaded dry milk is the cargo in transit to Afghanistan via Karachi Port.

After the conUirmation regarding the above said details, the ASO impounded 4,100 kilogram of dry milk along with an offending vehicle and shifted the seized goods to State

Mcc Islamabad expected to meet 2nd quarter target of rs3537.84m

Ware House (SWH). The value of the seized goods is Rs1.76million while the worth of the offending vehicle is Rs0.8million. The customs staff, taking part in the action, comprised Inspector Asif Mehmood, Inspector Farrukh Mehmood and other supporting staff. An FIR has been lodged under the Customs ACT-1969.

Meanwhile, The Customs Islamabad Dry Port earned surplus

amount of Rs17.94million during the initial 15 days of Financial Year 2017-18 under the head of Customs Duty against the same period of Financial Year 2016-17. According to details explained by sources of Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad that, during initial 15 days of Financial Year (FY) 2017-18, the Islamabad Dry Port (IDP) collected Rs113.30million as Customs

Duty (CD) while it did Rs95.46million of CD during the same period of October FY16-17. The IDP was allocated a proportional target for initial 15 days amounting to Rs118.16million as CD while it faced Rs5.00million of shortfall against the earmarked proportional target. The IDP received Rs113.30million of CD for said period against the assigned target for initial 15 days.

Ihc adjourns hearing of customs cases filed against FBr

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ISLAMABAD

NAeeM uLLAh tArIQ www.customsbulletin.com

he Islamabad High Court (IHC) benches held hearing of various customs cases during second week of October involving Uield ofUices of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

In this regard, the IHC bench comprising Justice Shaukat Aziz and Justice Mohsin Akhtar dated in office the hearing of M/s

Pakhtoon’s customs case and directed parties to provide record pertaining to the case prior to the next date of hearing. The appellant had filed the case against Collectorate of Customs, Islamabad. The bench also directed FBR field office, MCC and the appellant to submit record on the case in order to assist the court. Justice Aziz’s single bench also heard another customs case filed against MCC by Ehsan ur Rehman. Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Has-

san relisted a customs reference for hearing. IHC bench issued directives in this regard while hearing a case against Customs Appellate Tribunal. M Zubair, the appellant had challenged tribunal’s decision before the bench. Meanwhile, the bench dated in office hearing of M/s Dancom Pakistan’s case. M/s Dancom Pakistan had filed the case challenging an announcement made by the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR)-through which it had sustained decision an-

nounced by the department’s adjudication pertaining to the show cause notice to M/s Dancom Pakistan for outstanding tax recovery.

Through both the references, M/s Dancom Pakistan had named chief commissioner Inland Revenue, LTU, assistant commissioner Inland Revenue Withholding, LTU, commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals), LTU, and Federation of Pakistan through the chairman of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as respondent in the case.

Show-cause notices had been issued for the tax year 2016 under the head of income tax under sections of income tax ordinance, 2001. M/s Dancom Pakistan had prayed the court to direct LTU not to recover the said amount and abstain from any coercive action in this regard.

The petitioner had prayed the court that impugned notices issued by the tax authority may kindly be suspended till the decisions of appeal pending before the LTU.

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Two arrested over corruption charges SARGODHA: Anti Corruption Establishment (ACE) police have arrested two people including police constable over corruption charges.

ACE authorities said that complainant Abid Mehmood of Chak 104/SB informed the Director ACE Asim Raza that constable Sohail Ikraam was demanding Rs. 6000 for clearing his vehicle’s challan.

On the direction of Director ACE the Circle Officer Muhammad Tariq Malik along with Civil Judge Aqeel Choudhary conducted raid and arrested constable Sohail Ikraam red-handed and middleman Usman taking bribe money.

customs preventive foils money laundering bid at karachi airport

Thursday October 26, 2017

Karachi

pcA detects tax evasion of rs 3.26 million by M/s Sofia paint

KARACHI

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ustoms Preventive team has foiled a money laundering bid after taking an action at Karachi airport. According to the details, the staff of the Pakistan Customs Preventive deputed at the departure lounge of the Jinnah International Airport intercepted a citizen and asked for the checking of travel documents as well as the luggage. During the physical search of the passenger named Murtaza, a huge quantity of foreign currency was recovered. The passenger Murtaza was travelling from Karachi to Dubai through flight no FZ332 by Dubai Airline. The source informed Customs Today that the passenger was carrying 150,000 UAE Dirham as well as Saudi Riyal 25,000 that worth Rs 3 million.

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Appraisement west collects rs 23.27 million KARACHI

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ustoms Collectorate of Appraisement West has generated Rs 23.27 million under the head of customs duty, sales tax, income tax and federal exercise duty during 14 days of October.

Sources told Customs Today that Customs Appraisement West collected Rs 7.85 million under the head of customs duty, Rs 5.89 million under the head of sales tax, Rs 5.55 million under the head of income tax and Rs 3.98 million as federal excise duty during first 14 days of the current month of fiscal year 2017-18.

It is necessary to mention here that Customs Collectorate of Appraisement West has generated Rs 9.564 million under the head of customs duty, sales tax, income tax and federal exercise duty during first six days of October Rs 3.16 million under the head of customs duty, Rs 2.344 million under the head of sales tax, Rs 2.16 million.

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KARACHI

wAQAr AhMeD ANSArI www.customsbulletin.com

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irectorate of Customs’ Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected evasion of duties/taxes of 3.26 million by M/s SoUia Paint, it is learnt.

The ofUicial sources told Customs Today that M/s SoUia Paint imported two consignment of paint chemicals under PCT Heading 3208.9090 and cleared the same from Port Qasim, Karachi vide GDs No KS-50566 on August 7, 2016, by paying customs duty at 12.5 percent after claiming beneUit of SRO 659/2007.

However, the subject goods are correctly classifiable under PCT 3208.2090 attracting customs duty at 20 percent and income tax at 9 percent. Thus, by way of mis-declaration of classification, M/s Sofia Paint evaded/short paid 3.26 million. Therefore, the importer, has violated the provisions of Section 32 (1) (2) & (3A) of the Customs Act, 1969, Section 3, 6 & 7 read with Section 34 of the Sales Tax Act 1990 and Section 148 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 punishable under clauses (1), and 14 of Section 156(1) of the Customs Act 1969, Section 33(5) of the Sales Tax Act 1990 and Section 148 & 182 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and section 7A of the Sales Tax Act 1990 read with chapter X of the Sales Tax Special Procedure Rules 2007(special procedures for payment of

sales tax by the importers) and under relevant provisions of Income Tax Ordinance 2001. Accordingly, an audit observation was issued to M/s Sofia Paint for explaining and clarifying as to on what basis they have avoided/ evaded the livable duty and taxes.

The importer, however, failed to come up with any tangible evidence and explanation and was also unable to refute the charges leveled by the department.

therefore, the importer, has violated the provisions of Section 32 (1) (2) & (3A) of the customs Act, 1969, Section 3, 6 & 7 read with Section 34 of the Sales tax Act 1990 and Section 148 of Income tax ordinance 2001 punishable under clauses (1), and 14 of Section 156(1) of the customs Act 1969

Adjudication-II recovers rs 2.86m from M/s Safina

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KARACHI

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he Customs Adjudication-II has recovered Rs2.86million from M/s Safina Enterprises. The company was found involved in the tax evasion.

Sources told reporter that Collector Customs AdjudicationII Javed sent a show-cause notice to M/s Safina Enterprises for allegedly causing the govern-

ment a loss of Rs2.86million by way of mis-declaration of classification. M/s Safina Enterprises imported a consignment of used refrigerator Compressors and its parts which were cleared by mis-declaring the classification under Pakistan Custom Tariff (PCT) from Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT). They allegedly availed undue and inadmissible benefit as well as exemption of Sales Tax. It is pertinent to mention

here that M/s Safina Enterprises itself has imported identical/same items under correct PCT heading 2547.5877.

Apart from it, all other importers of refrigerator Compressors and its parts have either been declared by the importers or assessed by the collectorates.

It is necessary to mention here that Tahir Qureshi has been posted Collector, Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication-II).

Meanwhile, Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Director Nadeem Memon has shown excellent performance and detected three new cases of tax evasions involving Rs 9.98 million in first 10 days of October. Sources told Customs Today that Directorate of Post Clearance Audit, headed by Director Nadeem Memon, uncovered cases pertaining to short payment of customs duty and sales tax and withholding tax.

excise police recovers 19kg heroin he Excise police has recovered of 19 kg of heroin from a truck and arrested an accused from Werdic Pump in District Kashmore. The Excise Police team led by Inspector Shamas Uddin Chachar during snap checking at Werdic Pump recovered 19 kg heroin from the hidden cavities of a truck bearing registration number C-2442 and arrested the accused, said.

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Importers set to draw out strategy against smuggling Thursday October 26, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: Pakistan FMCG Importers Association (PFIA) is going to hold an important business meeting on ‘FMCG an emerging sector’ at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) on October 19 to discuss the issues especially smuggling being faced by this sector in Pakistan.

LCCI President Malik Tahir Javed and Association’s Patron-in-Chief Naseem Chawala will be the chief guests while former president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Anjum Nisar and former SVP LCCI Irfan Iqbal Sheikh will be the guest speakers.

customs court adjourns hearing of rs 6m mobile phones smuggling case LAHORE

M IMrAN MehAr

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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has adjourned the hearing of a mobile phones smuggling case until next Friday.

Earlier, the court approved the post arrest bail pleas of the accused. The accused, Abdul Waheed and Agha Wali, were arrested by the customs authorities from Hall Road.

Earlier, the customs court approved their post arrest bail pleas and ordered to release them. Bail pleas of the accused were approved by the customs judge Tahir Sabir against cash guarantee of Rs 500,000 each. On Thursday, during proceeding of the case the

court orders the investigation team to complete the challan as soon as possible so that the court could reach a conclusion.

Earlier the Customs Intelligence and Investigation team produced them before the customs court for getting their physical remand to investigate more on the issue.

Both of the accused Agha Wali and Abdul Waheed were supplying these mobile phones worth Rs 6 million to some traders of Hall Road which is a big mobile phones market in Lahore, even in Punjab.

Customs has registered a case against the accused and launched investigation as well after confiscating the cell phones that they were trying to smuggle. Worth of the cell phones was more than Rs6 million.

Customs authorities had registered a case against him under Pakistan Customs Act 1969.

customs I&I seizes NDp goods from Quetta express LAHORE

M hAYAt

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team of Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) has foiled an attempt to smuggle non-duty paid used tyres and auto parts through Quetta Express train.

Sources told Customs Today that Director Customs Intelligence Rubab Sikandar received information that a huge quantity of nonduty paid goods and tyres are being transported from Quetta to other cities through Quetta Express. After receiving the tip off, she constituted a team under the supervision of Deputy Director Usman Tariq. The customs team also included Superintendent Saleemullah Khan, Intelligence OfUicer ZulUiqar Ali Dogar and Agha Sultan Haider.

When Quetta Express reached La-

FBr attaches bank accounts of M/s ‘tax incentives helped economic kiran traders, M/s Jp plastic pvt Ltd activities to grow’ he Federal Board of Revenue was defaulter of income tax for the year ax incentives and steady increase in development spending helped boost economic activities, this was stated

by State Bank of Pakistan in a report on the State of Pakistan’s Economy for the fiscal year 2016-17. However, the report says that the fiscal deficit increased to 5.8 percent of GDP in FY17 compared to 4.6 percent in FY16. Though inflation trended upward, it continued to be well anchored and remained lower than the target for the third consecutive year in FY17. The average CPI inflation rose to 4.2 percent during FY17 after falling to 2.9 percent in FY16. The report also highlights the main challenges that need to be addressed to sustain the current pace of expansion in the economy while keeping inflation low and stable going forward. It particularly emphasizes on containing unnecessary imports and expanding export base in order to keep current account deficit at manageable level. –CB Report

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has freeze bank accounts of a renowned company M/s Kiran Traders Private Limited. FBR has also recovered Rs1.5 million from bank accounts of above mentioned company.

Sources told Customs Today that FBR has attached bank accounts of M/s Kiran Traders Limited in Allied Bank Civic Center Kareem Block branch of Allama Iqbal Town on Friday and recovered Rs 1.5 million as well in the wake of income tax. M/s Kiran Traders

f 2012 and 2013 and was defaulter of Rs 30 million, The company was not paying any attention to submit their tax even after getting many notices.

On other hand the Federal Board of Revenue has freeze bank accounts of M/s JP Plastic Private Limited. JP Plastic is defaulter of Rs 19 million. According to details available to Customs Today through reliable source, the Federal Board of Revenue has served many notices on the JP Plastic to pay its due tax many times. –CB Report

hore Railway Station, the customs team checked the bogies no: 38 and 40. During the checking process the customs team recovered a huge quantity of non-duty paid used clothes, tyres and other goods. The market value of recovered items is Rs 4 million. During initial investigations, it was revealed that all the nonduty paid goods were booked by the

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name of Rehmatullah, Qurban Ali and ZulUiqar Ali. It is necessary to mention here that Director Customs Intelligence Rubab Sikandar directed all anti smuggling squads to use all available resources to curb smuggling attempts in the region and due to their effective policy there is marginable decrease is being witnessed in the smuggling attempts in the region.

customs tribunal hears eight cases he Customs Appellate Tribunal heard 10 cases on and adjourned all the cases to different dates. According to the details, division bench-II comprises Omer Arshed Hakeem, Member Judicial and Imran Tariq, Member Technical, heard eight cases, including Directorate Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore versus Imran Hardware, Customs Lahore versus Creative Electronics, Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore versus Ahmed International, Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore versus Toy Centre.

The same bench heard cases Muhammad Asgher versus Customs Lahore, Cotton Craft versus Customs Lahore, Raja Intisar versus Customs Lahore and Muhammad Sadiq versus customs Lahore. Similarly, the same bench heard eight cases on Wednesday including M/s Elite Enterprises versus Customs Lahore, M. Ali Constructions versus customs Lahore, Khalid, Mehmood versus Customs Faisalabad, Sale Tech versus Customs Lahore. Furthermore the same bench heard M/s Hina Brokely versus Customs Lahore, Marine World versus Customs. –CB Report

customs recovers alcohol, mobile accessories from Lahore Airport

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LAHORE

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he customs team deputed at Allama Iqbal have conUiscated 8 alcohol bottles from passengers travelling via different Ulights during raids during different operations. Sources told Customs Today that the ofUicers conducted opera-

tions in different Ulights from different countries. Flights were coming from Dubai to Lahore, Turkey to Lahore, Jeddah to Lahore and Muscat to Lahore. Customs took action in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Ulights, Turkish Airways, Gulf Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines.

During actions in these Ulights customs staff recovered 8 bottles of alcohol. Customs allowed all pas-

sengers to go after conUiscation of alcohol bottles from their possession.

Customs has also conUiscated 2 LED of 32 inches and 46 inches from two passengers. Dozens of cell phones, wireless sets and mobile accessories were also recovered from Lahore airport.

The security ofUicers have launched an investigation into the matter. Customs has started strict

checking of the luggage of the passengers specially coming from European countries. Smuggling attempts are being foiled by the customs authorities. Number of attempts of smuggling of mobile accessories and other relevant items has foiled by the customs.

Customs has conUiscated all the recovered alcohol bottles and has started investigation.

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he Collector Customs at Customs House Peshawar visited the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday to give hearing to the problems of the industrialists of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Collector Customs was received by President of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry at his ofUice. Collector Customs Gul Rahman was also accompanied by high-ups of the Customs Department.

A number of industrialists were present at the meeting in order to inform the Collector of the problems faced by the businessmen for the growth of trade and industry in the KP province.

The traders informed the Collector that increase in Regulatory Duty will further decrease the exports of the KP province to Afghanistan which is a moment to think for the Federal Board of Revenue. The President of the SCCI welcomed the Customs ofUicials and said it has been a auspicious occasion for the growth of the industry as a large economic development is going to come to Pakistan. The Collector was informed by the SCCI

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Thursday, October 26, 2017

President about the situation of importers/exporters and transporters.

The traders told Collector that the border trade with Afghanistan is completely closed due to which they are facing losses of millions each day since Afghan authorities don’t allow Pakistani trucks to cross the border. The Collector Customs was informed that 90 percent of exports are done with Afghanistan which will fall due to strict policies of the Federal Board of Revenue. Collector Gul Rahman said the Customs House Peshawar has nothing to do with the increase of Regulatory Duty and it is the work of the FBR. He added that the FBR has said it will reconsider the option of increase in the RD. Replying to a question that smuggling of NDP goods in Peshawar is more rampant than other cities of the country which not only causes the treasury a big loss but also defames the trading community. The collector was also informed that unlike other provinces, the AntiNarcotics Force in KP province disturbs the transporters during travel from

Karachi to Khyber for which the Customs Department needs to inquire from the ANF about the state of affairs. Collector Gul Rahman assured the business community of addressing the problems of the importers/exporters and industrialists of the KP province.

in crease n i t a h id t her tor sa ill furt w collec y t u D the kp atory rts of regul o p x e ich is a se the an wh t s i decrea n a al h Feder to Afg e e h c t n i r v o pro hink f nt to t e enue m o m of rev d r a o B

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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

Issue of macroeconomic risks

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sking the Pakistani government to address current risks, the World Bank has agreed to support economic reforms to achieve the development goals. Pakistan has been facing various economic issues for the last many years and needs to exploit human capital development, achieve macroeconomic stability, enhance renewable energy and involve private sector in infrastructure projects. However, it is difficult to understand how the bank reneged from its earlier remarks on external financing of $31 billion in its recent South Asia Economic Focus report.

The bank, on one hand, not only praised the government for stabilizing its economy over the past four years, but also appreciated it for achieving 10-year high growth of 5.3 percent during the financial year 2016-17. But on another, the bank expressed concern over the headwinds in the external sector and a rising fiscal deficit which could put hard earned macroeconomic stability at risk. This is the issue haunting the government which would need external financing of around $17 billion or up to 6 percent of gross domestic product during the financial year 2018 to deal with current account deficit and debt payments.The figure, $17 billion, is $1 billion less than what the Ministry of Finance had projected for the current fiscal year. Earlier, the government had shown a fierce reaction after the World Bank had projected the external financing needs of the country at $31 billion for this fiscal year to cover the current account deficit and debt payments. The lending agency has rectified its mistake after holding meeting with a Pakistani delegation in New York but the economists believe the rectification by the bank will not change the ground realities.The bank, in the biannual report ‘South Asia Economic Focus’, had remarked that the country’s external sector was facing instability and foreign currency reserves were also insufficient to deal with import bill.

Pakistan is facing multiple problems one of which is undue pressure from the new administration of the United States.

Terrorist activities are again picking up and the economic progress has been facing resistance due to political chaos.

gSp plus status and exports I

LAHORE

Dr AFtAB AFZAL

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n 2013, the grant of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status to Pakistan by the European Union was seen as the big achievement of Nawaz Sharif after he assumed powers as the prime minister. However, the country could not avail full benefits of the duty free access and the scheme is reportedly ending this year. At the time, 406 members of the European Parliament had supported Pakistan, allowing 20 percent of Pakistani exports to enter the EU market at zero tariff and 70 percent at preferential rates. No doubt the Pakistani exporters had achieved

laurels in the world trade in the past and the award of the GSP Plus status was a show of confidence of the international community in the standard and quality of the Pakistani products.

However, four years later, the move apparently ended in fiasco.

Now it is time for the government to determine the causes of its failure as to why the business community had not been able to take full benefits of the scheme.

The fate of other bilateral trade agreements between Pakistan and the European Union also hangs in balance.

According to the advice of the selected experts, which met the other day, a joint effort by all the stakeholders is required to as-

certain and resolve the problems being faced by the exporters.

There is a need to start concerted efforts to determine key factors which are required to push up growth and avail the benefits of Small and Medium Enterprises to create export surplus. The first problem faced by the exporters is their inability to diversify their products and keep up international standards by using modern techniques and machines. The shortage of electricity is still haunting the industry and there is a lack of coordination between the official machinery and the business community. Mistrust between the two sides prevails and no effort has been made to fill the gap.

The business community complains the government is in no a mood to consult them during the formulation of relevant policies.

Alleged corruption in the taxation system is no more a secret and revision of tax laws is need of the hour.

The businessmen want early release of duty drawback claims and effective policy initiatives to increase the export volume. The prime minister is currently on a visit to attend the moot of D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation in Turkey. It is hoped the ofUicials will also discuss the issue of the renewal of the GSP status after he returns to the country and would take effective measures to get beneUit from the scheme.

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IDP Customs generates additional revenue against previous year during 15 days ISLAMABAD: The Customs Islamabad Dry Port earned surplus amount of Rs17.94million during the initial 15 days of Financial Year 2017-18 under the head of Customs Duty against the same period of Financial Year 2016-17. According to details explained by sources of Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad that, during initial 15 days of Financial Year (FY) 2017-18, the Islamabad Dry Port (IDP) collected Rs113.30million as Customs Duty (CD) while it did Rs95.46million of CD during the same period of October FY16-17. The IDP was allocated a proportional target for initial 15 days amounting to Rs118.16million as CD while it faced Rs5.00million of shortfall against the earmarked proportional target. The IDP received Rs113.30million of CD for said period against the assigned target for initial 15 days.

FBr fixes 30 to 50 pc regulatory duties on sports products

Thursday October 26, 2017

National

customs Quetta impounds three NDp luxury vehicles & spare-parts on tip-off

ISLAMABAD

tArIQ DerYA

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he Federal Board of Revenue has levied regulatory duty on import of various sports products, ranging from 30 percent to 50 percent. According to FBR, the regulatory duty of articles and equipments for table tennis has been fixed at 50 per cent, lawn tenis rackets, whether or not strung 50 per cent, badminton rackets 50 per cent, squash rackets 50 percent and lawn tennis balls 50 per cent. The regulatory duty on footballs and soccer balls would be 30 per cent, footballs (other than leather) 30 percent, cricket balls 50 per cent, hokey balls 50 per cent, polo balls, 50 per cent, squash balls 50 per cent, table tennis balls 50

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per cent, punching balls 50 per cent and badminton shuttle cocks 50 per cent. Similarly, the board fixed import duty on volley balls at 50 per cent, basket balls 50 percent, hand balls 50 per cent, and rugby balls 50 per cent.

The regulatory duty on cricket bats would be 30 per cent, cricket wickets 30 per cent, cricket pads 30 per cent, hokey sticks 30 per cent and polo sticks 30 per cent. In total, the board issued a list of 731 items to impose regulatory duty on import of such goods. The board abolished all the previous SROs through which regulatory duties were imposed and issued SRO 1035(I)/2017 on Tuesday to implement the regulatory duty, which ranges from 2 to -80 percent. The regulatory duty of live poultry would be 10%, fish frozen 25%, milk and cream 25 per cent, yogurt 20 percent, butter 20%, cheese 20 percent, figs 20 per cent and pineapples 20 per cent.

ISLAMABAD

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cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

he Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigations Quetta took into possession three non-duty-paid luxury vehicles and different parts of vehicles worth Rs9.50million.

The sources told reporter that Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation Quetta Irfan Javed received an actionable tip-off that some smugglers are trying to smuggle three non-duty-paid luxury vehicles, chesses, radiators and other items from Quetta into Karachi.

He immediately constituted a raiding team. The team enhanced the vigilance on the Quetta Highway Road and started a search operation of vehicles. During the search, the team intercepted a container truck with registration No: KS-5663, which was heading out of city.

During the checking, the customs team recovered three non-duty-paid luxury vehicles and one land cruiser, Uive chesses of different vehicles, over 50 pieces of radiators, electronic wires and other items valued

at Rs9.50million. Three persons, including a driver, were arrested and an FIR was registered against smugglers who were later identiUied as

Driver Salahuddin of Peshawar, Hassan Khan of Peshawar and the third one was unidentiUied. Sources told reporter that the Customs Intelli-

gence and Investigations Quetta conUiscated different goods worth Rs13.76million during the month of September.

SBp says St collection from poL products declines KARACHI

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tate Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has said that the collection of sales tax from petroleum products sharply declined by 17.7 percent in fiscal year 2016-17.

In its annual report on State of Economy, the central bank said that during FY17 the government absorbed most of the increase in international oil prices (which had bottomed out by Q3-FY16) by reducing the sales tax on POL products. “While some upward adjustments to the tax rates has been made, for full-year FY17, the sales tax collection from POL declined sharply by 17.7 percent to Rs 226.6 billion, from Rs 275.3 billion in FY16,” the SBP said.

The SBP said that though POL

product prices have been deregulated since 2011, when oil refineries and marketing companies were allowed to fix and announce ex-refinery and ex-depot prices of POL products (including motor spirit, HOBC, light diesel oil, and jet fuels).

Yet, the government has a considerable control over the fixing of retail prices through changes in sales tax rates.10 The ex-refinery or ex-depot prices of POL products for regular consumers consists of ex-refinery import parity price or PSO weighted average cost of purchases, inland freight equalization margin (IFEM), distribution margin of oil marketing companies, dealer’s commission, petroleum levy (PL) and general sales tax on depot price.

The government separately notifies the sales tax rates for POL

products at varying rates. For example, sales tax on the motor spirit was 20 percent on June 30 2017, while the same was levied at the rate of 14.5 percent and 33.5 percent on HOBC and HSD. Moreover, the government keeps changing the sales tax rates over time, depending on its policy and/or revenue objectives. For example, to provide relief to low income segments, sales tax rate on kerosene and LDO was brought down, from almost 30 percent in August 2015, to zero by December 2016.

Besides sales tax, the government can also indirectly influence POL product prices through adjustment in the petroleum levy.

The petroleum levy, which was originally designed to finance development and up gradation activities of the petroleum sector, had been used actively in the past to fi-

nance the fiscal deficit, and it continues to contribute significantly to the exchequer; in FY17, it yielded revenues of almost Rs 167 billion. The IFEM, which is supposed to maintain equalized prices at the 29 depots located across the country, can also be employed to influence retail prices.

More recently, the government has used the sales tax on POL products more actively to keep domestic retail prices stable. During FY16, when international oil prices were declining, the government raised sales tax rates on POL products instead of fully passing-on the impact of lower international prices to domestic consumers. As a result, collection from POL increased to Rs 275 billion, raising its contribution to 40.3 percent in overall domestic sales tax collection during FY16.

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Khalid Javed assumes charge as Commissioner-IR (OPS) (BTB) Thursday October 26, 2017

National Afzal assigned to look after accounts, budget-related work of Adjudication

ISLAMABAD: Khalid Javed, a BS-19 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has assumed charge as Commissioner-IR (OPS) (BTB).

Khalid, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No. 2761-IR-I/2017, dated 03.10.2017, took the charge of the post of Commissioner-IR (OPS) (BTB), Islamabad with effect from October 5.

Yasmeen Fatima assumes charge as commissioner-Ir

ISLAMABAD

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ISLAMABAD

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fzal Mahmood, a Cost Accountant (BS-18), has been assigned to look after accounts & budgetrelated work of the Collectorate of Customs Adjudication, Lahore. The officer, presently posted at Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Lahore, was assigned to look after Accounts & Budget-related work of the Collectorate of Customs Adjudication, Lahore in addition to his own duties with immediate effect and until further orders.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Saeed, Chief Accounts officer, has been assigned to look after accounts & budget-related work of the Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement (East), Karachi.

The officer, presently posted at Model Customs Collectorate of Exports, Custom House, Karachi, was given assigned to look after accounts & budget-related work in addition to his own duties with effect from October 17, 2017 and until further orders.

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Qasim assumes charge as Dc at Appraisement east uhammad Qasim Khokhar, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-18, has assumed the charge as Deputy Collector. The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No. 2429-C-II/2017 dated 30.08.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Second Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad with effect from September 5 and took the charge of the post of Deputy Collector at Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement (East), Karachi on the same date. Meanwhile, Muhammad Shahid, a Private Secretary, has been promoted to BS-18 with immediate effect. If the officer is drawing performance allowance, he will continue to draw the same after upgradation to BS18, said the notification. –CB Report

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asmeen Fatima, a BS-20 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has assumed charge as Commissioner-IR. The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No. 2761-IR-I/2017, dated 03.10.2017, took the charge of the post of Commissioner-IR, BTB, Lahore with effect from October 4.

Meanwhile, Tariq Iqbal, a BS-18 ofUicer of Inland Revenue Service, has assumed the charge as Deputy Commissioner-IR. The ofUicer, in pursuance of Board’s NotiUication No.2628-IR-I/2017 dated 20-092017, took the charge of the post of Deputy Commissioner-IR at Regional Tax OfUice, Islamabad with effect from October 5.

Sialkot customs allocated rs2116.1m target for FY2017-18 T

SIALKOT

ZAFAr MALIk

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he Federal Board of Revenue has assigned Model Customs Collectorate Sialkot the revenue collection target of Rs2116.1 million as Customs Duty, Rs328.75 million of Sales Tax and Rs135.21 million as Withholding Tax (WHT) for Financial Year 2017-18.

According to details given by Abdul Rauf, Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Sialkot, that the collectorate has been allocated the revenue collection target for Uirst quarter (July to September) FY17-18 amounting to Rs1129.83million under the head of Customs Duty (CD) while earmarked Rs69.05million of Sales Tax (ST) and did Rs30.30.17million as Withholding Tax (WHT).

The collector told CT that Samberial (Sialkot) collectorate set a

revenue target for 2nd-Quarter (October to December) FY17-18 as it did Rs1256.90million of CD, Rs66.49million as ST while it was done target of Rs31.85million of

WHT for 2nd-Quarter FY17-18.

The Federal Board of Revenue assigned revenue target for 3rdQuarter (January to March) FY17-18 of Rs430.50million of

CD to the collectorate while allocated Rs97.36million as ST and the collectorate of Samberial has been earmarked Rs38.52million under head of WHT.

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Mazhar Iqbal takes charge as Addl Commissioner-IR (BTB) ISLAMABAD: Mazhar Iqbal, a BS-19 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has taken charge as Additional Commissioner-IR. The officer, pursuing the Board’s Notification No. 2761-IR-I/2017, dated 03.10.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Additional Director, Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation (Inland Revenue), Islamabad with effect from October 5 and took the charge of the post of Additional Commissioner-IR (BTB), Islamabad on the same date.

No power loadshedding by october 2018: Abid Sher Ali KARACHI

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he government is fully committed to honoring its promise to eliminate power loadshedding by 2018 while the process to make it cheaper will start this year. State Minister for Water and Power urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to release the sales tax refunds and customs rebates, which is creating enormous cash problem for the value-added sector. He said this while addressing the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA), Southern Zone Community Faisalabad. He said the power production has been increased from 13,500 to 17,000 mega watts due to hectic efforts of the government while another 8,000 to 10,000 mega watts of electricity will

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also be added to the system in October 2018, which will be sufficient to meet the country’s needs. He said that, during the period of previous government, 18 to 20-hour loadshedding had crippled the life of a common man while the industrial sectors were also protesting on the roads. The previous government did not spend even a single penny on the transmission system. He further said the Sahiwal Coal Power Plant will be completed in May. Similarly, work is also in progress on Thar Coal Power Plants. These power plants will use indigenous coal to produce cheaper electricity. He told businessmen that another three power projects are also under construction in Bhikhi, Baloki and Hawaili Bahadar Shah. These plants will generate total 3,600 megawatts of power. He also offered Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA), Southern Zone, to arrange a delegation to personally visit these projects, which is going to play a major role in the total elimination of loadshedding.

National

customs impounds vehicles & goods of worth rs.20m under garb of vegetables

customs tribunal orders to re-access polypropylene Metalized Film LAHORE

SAJID NAwAZ

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ustoms Appellate Tribunal has ordered to re- accessed the impugned order in appeal filed by M/s L&S against the Collector of Customs (Appeals) and Deputy Collector of Customs (Imports). According to the details of case, the appellate is importer of waste and scrape of Polypropylene Metalized Film which were seized by Customs Department.

The same matter was adjudicated by the additional collector customs collectorate who passed the order that the goods are confiscated out rightly. Being aggrieved from the order the appellant had filed the case before the collector of Customs (Appeals) who after hearing the parties arguments directed the department to re assessed the Polypropylene Metalized Film against value of Rs8.124 million determined by the committee constituted by the collector Faisalabad. The appellant has filed the present appeal before the Customs Appellate Tribunal on the grounds that appellant contented that respondent department assessed Polypropylene Metalized Film at $2015/kg on the basis of some valuation rulin.

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MULTAN

IMrAN ALI

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ollectorate of Customs team seized two Mazda trucks loaded with smuggled vehicles and miscellaneous goods of worth Rs.20 million during their antismuggling operation.

Multan Customs Collector Saud Imran Ahmad received credible information from their source, that smuggled goods and vehicles have been entered in the Multan region and they will be transported to other city.

Collector Customs formed special team of Anti-Smuggling Organization team including Superintendent Habib ur Rehman, Inspector Aziz ur Rehman, Inspector Rana Mujtaba Noon, Inspector Ghulam Asghar and others to carry out antismuggling operation against them on the basis of intelligence to foil their attempt of smuggling.

Customs anti-smuggling teams intercepted two loaded Hino Mazda trucks having registration numbers of TKZ-246/Quetta and JV3484/Sindh which were loaded with smuggled vehicles including cigarettes, ready-made garments, blan-

Thursday October 26, 2017

kets, carpets, jerseys, rugs and others.

Seized trucks have concealed the non-customs paid vehicles and goods under huge quantity of CauliUlower.

During the preliminary investigation of Multan Customs they found that smugglers were trying to smuggle said goods and vehicles under the garb of vegetables and they were coming from Lora Lai Baluchistan and their destination was Faisalabad.

During the anti-smuggling operation of Multan Customs, local police were also called to avoid any resistances from accused. Anti-smuggling squad

successfully captured Hino Mazda trucks which were loaded with Toyota Premio and Toyota Corolla X and miscellaneous goods of worth Rs.20 million during their action. Multan Custom teams arrested four accused Khaliq Dad, Muhammad Anwar, Muhammad Qasim and Izzat ullah in charge of smuggling during their action. Multan Customs has also lodged criminal case against arrested smugglers and four days physical remand has been granted by Customs Judge to Multan Customs against the accused for further investigation.

LtBA asks FBr to provide relief to widows, pensioners

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LAHORE

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he Lahore Tax Bar Association (LTBA) has requested the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to withdraw the clariUication issued through the Circular No.06 of 2017.

In a letter sent to the Secretary Income Tax ClariUication, FBR, the LTBA stated that under section 7B of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, a tax shall be imposed on every person other than a company, who receives a proUit on debt from any person mentioned in clause (a) to (d ) of sub-section (I) of section 151. It added that this portion of section 7B, inserted by Fi-

nance Act 2015, unambiguously showed that it covered only such proUit on debt that was mentioned in clause (a) to (d) of sub-section (I) of section 151 of the Ordinance. In the case of Bahbood Saving CertiUicates and Pensioner’s BeneUit account only section 151(I) (a) is relevant in this case. However, the said circular has ignored the clause (36A), Part IV of Second Schedule to the Ordinance, which reads as under: “The provisions of clause (a) of sub-section (I) of section 151 shall not apply in respect of any amount paid as yield or proUit on investment in Bahhood Saving CertiUicate or Pensioner’s BeneUit Account.” The LTBA said that it was clear

from above that for proUit/income from Bahbood Saving CertiUicate and Pensioner’s BeneUit Account, section 151 (1) (a) of the Ordinance has no implication. Since these two instruments have been taken out from the scope of section 7B of the Ordinance, the same cannot be subjected to tax as per table in Division IIIA of Part 1 of First Schedule to Ordinance where three slabs have been provided. It said that the correct position was that income from Bahbood Saving CertiUicate and Pensioner’s BeneUit Account came under section 39 (income from other source). Since it is income from other source, the reduced rate provided under clause

(6) of Part-Ill of Second Schedule to the Ordinance is applicable which reads as under: “The tax payable under clause (c) of sub-section (I) of section 39, in respect of any amount paid as yield or profit on investment in Bahbood Saving Certificate or Pensioner’s Benefit Account shall not exceed 10% of such profit.

Therefore, income from Bahbood Saving Certificate and Pensioner’s Benefit Account falls in section 39 but not section 7B of the Ordinance. Furthermore, the letter said that due to inadvertent oversight, clause (36A) of Part IV of Second Schedule to the Ordinance escaped the attention of FBR.

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World Customs

Ireland finds cash for some tax cuts

DUBLIN: Ireland’s finance minister sought to raise more than 800 million euros in extra revenue in a budget yesterday to give taxpayers a “modest” break and help tackle a housing crisis. He also sought to balance the state’s books for the first time in a decade.

Ireland started reversing years of savage spending cuts and tax hikes in 2014 – about the time its economy began to rebound sharply from a deep financial crisis. In the event, he boosted the budget package to 1.2 billion euros from the mere 350 million available chiefly through a four percentage point increase in stamp duty on commercial property, ensuring income tax cuts will not go into one pocket and come out the other.

Thursday October 26, 2017

hk customs recovers gold from Dubai’s electronics trade hit Dh134.5b in 6 months car arriving from Shenzhen DUBAI

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HONG KONG

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n a suspected smuggling bust presumably accompanied by shouts of “jackpot,” Hong Kong customs ofUicers yesterday seized 15 gold bars from a driver attempting to enter from the mainland. The 15 kilogram haul valued at HK$5 million (US$640,400) was discovered during an inspection of a private vehicle that entered the Lok Ma Chau checkpoint from Shenzhen, according to customs department statement.

Officers arrested the car’s 55year-old driver, who faces up to seven years in prison and a maximum fine of HK$2 million (US$256,000) if found to have been smuggling the golden goods.

The investigation is ongoing, customs said. The bust comes less than a month after a Hong Kong

Inflation in oman at 1.60% man’s year-on-year inflation, based on the consumer price index for September 2017 touched 1.60 per cent, driven by a rise in transport cost, furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, according to the data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The major cause of the inflation was a 3.45 per cent rise in furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance in September this year, compared with the same period of 2016. The transport segment witnessed a 3.24 per cent rise in prices in September 2017, compared with the same period last year and the education sector increased by 2.84 per cent in September this year from September 2016. The foods and non-alcoholic beverages sub-segment rose by 1.80 per cent, while that of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels witnessed a 1.47 pc rise. –CB Report

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airline stewardess was arrested in Tokyo for allegedly smuggling gold bars on a flight to the Japanese capital. From July 2015 to June 2016, Japan reported 294 instances of smuggled gold worth a total of HK$42 million. Almost half 45 percent originated in Hong

Kong, according to the Standard.

Yesterday’s seizure, meanwhile, is half the size of a similar bust about a year ago, when 30 gold bars, worth HK$11 million (US$1.4 million), were seized at the Bay Control point from a car entering from Shenzhen.

Bank of Ireland’s Bannigan moves on from private banking unit

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eteran banker Gabriel Bannigan has stepped down from his role as head of Bank of Ireland Private after the lender shifted responsibility for the business to Seán Ó Murchú, head of Bank of Ireland Life. It is understood that Mr Bannigan is in line for another senior position as details about the full extent of the merging of the Private Bank with the rest of the group emerge. Bank of Ireland conUirmed

that it has recently completed what it described as a “series of corporate alignment improvements” across its Wealth platform including the appointment of Seán Ó Murchú as director of Wealth Distribution. The changes come as the new Bank of Ireland CEO Francesca McDonagh, who took over the reins from Richie Boucher earlier this month, considers a fresh strategic course for the group. –CB Report

ubai a leading business hub in the region – saw a signiUicant jump in its electronics and information technology trade in the Uirst half of this year.

OfUicial records show that the emirate’s electronics trade reached Dh134.5 billion in the Uirst six months of 2017. These amounted to Dh86.8 billion for imports against Dh47.7 billion for exports and re-exports. Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman & CEO and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said Dubai plays a pivotal role in sustaining and developing the information technology sector.

“Dubai has succeeded in keeping abreast with the technology sector and implementing advanced technologies to sustain and support eco-

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nomic development in line with the directives of the prudent leadership.” Among the most advanced applications and services adopted are Mirsal-2, the electronic declaration system integrated into Dubai Trade’s uniUied portal, and the Smart Risk Engine which reveals suspected goods and counterfeit products, he explained. “Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority provides advanced logistic services, including ‘LogiGate Transport’ and ‘LogiGate Warehousing’, to manage land transportation and warehousing bookings – both accessible online and on smart phones.” Bin Sulayem said China topped the list of Dubai trade partners with Dh53.3 billion in imports, followed by Vietnam (Dh14.4 billion), US (Dh2.3 billion), South Korea (Dh2.14 billion), and Japan (Dh1.64 billion). “As for exports and re-exports, Saudi Arabia was on top hitting Dh9.5 billion, followed by Iraq (Dh3.86 billion), Kuwait (Dh2.7 billion), Egypt (Dh2.22 billion), and the US (Dh1.4 billion).”

keppel’s Q3 profit rises 29%

ingapore-listed conglomerate Keppel Corp reported a 29 per cent rise in its third-quarter proUit as contributions from its property division and sale of investments helped offset weak performance at its offshore and marine (O&M) business.

Keppel, whose businesses include rig building, property development and infrastructure operations, said net proUit for the quarter ended Sept.

30 was S$291 million, compared with S$225 million a year ago. Earnings per share was 16 Singapore cents, up from 12.4 Singapore cents. Thirdquarter group revenue rose 11 per

cent to S$158 million, with all divisions except O&M having registered higher revenues. This is the Uirst yearon-year increase in quarterly revenues for the conglomerate since Q4, 2014, when a collapse in oil prices sparked off the start of a prolonged downturn for the O&M sector. The group also witnessed the Uirst yearon-year increase in its quarterly operating proUit in Q3 FY17. Operating proUit for the quarter rose 75 per cent to S$324 million. Meanwhile, Singapore retail sales in August rose 3.5 per cent from a year ago, continuing its positive year-on-year growth seen in previous months. –CB Report

Animal skin smuggling racket busted, three held

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KHATMANDU

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he Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) here busted an animal skin smuggling racket and arrested three persons while trying to smuggle the skin of an endangered clouded leopard. The trio, including one from neighbouring

Meghalaya, was nabbed while they were on their way to an agent from Manipur to sell the skin. The sleuths, who nabbed them from the Noonmati area near the Guwahati Refinery revealed that the skin was brought from somewhere in the North Garo Hills in Meghalaya. The three were identified as Rignarius B Sanga from Atiabari in North Garo hills district, Dipen Deka from

Nalbari and Md Abdus Salam from Gauripur in Dhubri district. The operation was led by KK Sarma, assistant director, WCCB here. While Deka is a driver, Salam is a mason and both have been staying at a rented house in the Jyotinagar area.

A WCCB official said, “Sanga brought the skin, believed to be of a young clouded leopard, from someone who had killed it almost

two years back. Then he befriended the two others and the trio decided to sell the skin to an agent from Manipur.” He added that the trio had fixed the deal and planned to sell the skin at Rs 5 lakh. However, the agent and at least three others are still at large and operation is on to nab them. Preliminary investigation revealed that the leopard skin has bullet marks.

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Shipping activity at Port Qasim KARACHI: Four ships C.V MSC Bilbao, C.V MSC Mars, C.V New Ark and M.T Maistros carrying containers and 55,000 tonnes Diesel oil were arranged berthing at Qasim International Container Terminal and FOTCO Oil Terminal respectively during last 24 hours, said a report issued by Port Qasim Authority (PQA) here on Tuesday.

Berth occupancy was maintained at the port at 47% on Monday where a total of eight ships namely MSC Bilbao, MSC Mars, New Ark, Iifa, Epic Sardinia, Gas Log Santiago, Gas Esco and Maistros were occupied at PQA berths to load/offload Containers, Coal, LNG, LPG and Diesel oil respectively.

Adani group seeks ApMt’s Indian port concessions dani Group is pursuing a bid on terminal concessions owned by APMT at the ports of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Gujarat Pipava. “Adani Ports is the only bidder for APMT India, and it is very positive about the deal,” a key Adani executive told JOC.com, requesting anonymity. Adani Group operates a clutch of marine facilities in India, including the country’s biggest non-government cargo terminal at Mundra. It has been searching for acquisitions to cement its position in the container segment and APMT deal, if it materializes, would mark the private giant’s entry into the country’s top public harbor. The official also said APMT’s move to exit India ties in with its global strategy of concentrating on “long-term core assets,” which has already led to its Zeebrugge terminal in Belgium being sold to Cosco Shipping Ports Ltd. The global operator’s Indian interests include a 73 percent share-

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holding in its flagship Gateway Terminals India (GTI) at JNPT and a 43 percent stake in Pipavav, a minor multipurpose harbor located about 150 nautical miles from JNPT. APMT spokesman Tom Boyd previously told JOC.com that the company would not comment on rumors and speculation. “In the normal course of business, APM Terminals’ strategy is to continuously review and optimize its existing global portfolio as well as explore new investment opportunities.

We are always looking at opportunities to grow the business and improve shareholder value.” Local media reports previously cited JSW Group as the other potential contender for APMT India, but industry sources told JOC.com that the Mumbai-headquartered company has no such interest and that it is weighing a proposal to participate in JNPT’s special economic zone. –CB Report

Ports & Shipping

ports of Seattle, tacoma face chassis shortage

cargo volumes rise at ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach ontainer volumes surged in August to near-record levels at the Port of Los Angeles, according to data released Port officials said last month marked the second busiest month in its 110-year history with cargo movement increasing 6.1 percent for the month of August year-overyear. “We are grateful to our terminal operators, labor force, supply chain stakeholders and our cargo owners for the record-breaking container volume trend we have been experiencing over the past 20 months,” Port of L.A. Executive Director Gene Seroka said in a statement. Imports increased 5.1 percent to 432,479 20-foot-equivalents (TEUs) and exports rose 4 percent to 159,197 TEUs, including a 9.2 increase in empty containers. Overall August container volumes were 847,857 TEUs, port officials said. For neighboring Port of Long Beach, a total of 692,375 TEUs were processed for the month of August, an 8 percent increase compared to the same period last year. –CB Report

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WASHINGTON

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ruck drivers are facing a shortage of chassis to haul 40- and 45-foot containers from the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, according to The Northwest Seaport Alliance. Port ofUicials in Washington sent out a notice to the trucking community Oct. 2 to urge drivers to quickly return chassis to avoid a crippling shortage in the coming weeks. “As we enter the peak season for both imports and exports, The Northwest Seaport Alliance asks for empty containers to be returned as quickly as possible,” the notice stated. Trac Intermodal — operator of the PaciUic Northwest Pool — reported that 93% of the chassis were in use as of the last week of September. About 6,000 chassis are available in the PaciUic Northwest Pool. Trac Intermodal CEO Keith Lovetro told Transport Topics that normal utilization is around 85%. “We’ve turned on all

Thursday October 26, 2017

the repair capacity we can Uind in the market. We have the chassis mechanics working overtime to keep the out-of-service levels as low as possible,” he said. “We’ve also brought in about 400 additional 40and 45-foot chassis, and we still have another 100 that we’ve targeted to move from other locations to the Seattle and Tacoma markets.”

The Northwest Seaport Alliance believes one reason for the shortage is the growth in transloading.

Instead of putting an international container on a train, cargo owners are asking to condense three inter-

national containers into two 53-foot domestic containers. Although the process is more efUicient, according to supply chain experts, transloading requires additional handling to deconsolidate the cargo and slows down the turnover rate.“The 40-foot chassis are in such high demand due to the growth in transloading and they’re getting stuck at the distribution centers right now,” alliance spokeswoman Tara Mattina said. “In some cases, they have so many at their distribution center that the container is still sitting on a chassis until the transloading is complete.

Sister port Mou signed in taipei WASHINGTON

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olomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) has ofUicially signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port of Kaohsiung in Taiwan last month. The MOU was sealed on September 25 by the Chief Executive OfUicer (CEO) of the Solomon Islands Ports Authority Eranda Kotelewala and the vicepresident and CEO of Kaohsiung Port, Taiwan International Ports Corp Shao-Liang Chen. It was witnessed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Minister David Lee, SIPA Chairman Billy Titiulu and SIPA Directors Johnny Sy and Humphrey Tura.

SIPA CEO Kotelawala told Solomon Star yesterday that this was a historic achievement for the country’s leading SOE. “This is the

Uirst sister port MoU with one of the largest ports in the world,” he said.

He said that the MoU sets out areas for corporation between the two ports. “This MoU will promote and develop greater understanding, friendship, and trade opportunities between the Port of Kaohsiung and the ports of Honiara and Noro.

“Through this sister port relationship, the Port of Kaohsiung and the Port of Honiara mutually agree to conduct exchanges of information and personnel related to port development, administration and operations in order to enhance mutual understanding,” Mr Kotelawala said.

The SIPA CEO said the beneUits expected from MoU are the enhancement of the traditional friendship between the Republic of China and Solomon Islands and fostering of greater mutual prosperity and growth by the sharing of information and ideas regarding port plan-

ning, infrastructure and technology.

Meanwhile, Mr Kotelawala reiterated to the nation that under his management, SIPA made a lot of improvement and he is committed to take the SOE to newer heights under its reforms. “The situation is now different and we are strengthening everything possible way to safeguard the company and improve the business. SIPA is now moving ahead and more development is expected. he US ports that closed ahead of Hurricane Irma’s landfall are preparing to reopen, but with fuel stores low, many still without power, and roads and rail lines in disrepair, it will be days before shippers see supply chains in Florida and the Southeast totally restored. Already, analysts and transportation providers say the storm, which followed hot on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, could have lasting impacts on truck rates

and capacity through January 2018.

“It’s not just the Southeast,” Mark Montague, industry pricing analyst at DAT Solutions, said Monday.

“There’s kind of a flow throughout the country. The prior week Chicago to Denver (spot truck pricing) was up. This last week we saw Chicago to Buffalo was up.” The six major ports, stretching from Miami to Charleston, that suspended operations during the weekend handle one out of every six containers entering and leaving North America, as well as significant volumes of petroleum, diesel, and jet fuel that supply other modes of transportation in the region. Restocking fuel, in the short term, will be a priority throughout the region. “Hurricane Harvey is still sending ripples throughout the (US) market,” Daniel Cullen, vice president of advisory services at Breakthrough Fuels, said Monday.

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SBP suspends license of a Money Exchange KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) ha `suspended, with immediate effect, the license of M/s Al-Hameed International Money Exchange (Pvt.) Limited for the period of three months i.e. from October 24, 2017 to January 24, 2018 on account of violations of State Bank’s rules and regulations’.

This was announced in a statement of the SBP issued here on Tuesday. It further stated that `the said exchange company, its Head Office and branches have been debarred from undertaking any kind of business during the suspension period’.

Thursday October 26, 2017

Business

‘govt committed to fight human, drug trafficking’ ISLAMABAD

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inister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal said the government was fully committed to Uighting human trafUicking and drug smuggling through effective steps.He was speaking at the launch of the annual report on Human TrafUicking and Migrant Smuggling by United Nations OfUice on Drugs and Crime here.

The minister said human trafUicking must be seen in a broader context and “we need to identify all the problems and factors associated with the problem of human trafUicking.” There were different “push and

Jatoi to inaugurate wBDc Swat PESHAWAR

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pull factors” and conUlict, extreme poverty and unemployment among youth were some of causes of trafUicking of humans, he noted.

People were more vulnerable and insecure when political crises

ptA directed to test 5g tech before its commercial availability

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ederal Minister for Industries and Production Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi will inaugurate the Women Business Development Centre (WBDC), Swat in Mingora. The WBDC Swat is a PSDPs project and is being implemented by Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The main objective of the project is to support the female entrepreneurs of Swat and to provide them a platform for launching their own businesses.

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erupt and the environment was not safe, he added. He said it was fundamental right of everybody to enjoy freedom and peace, adding conUlicts were spreading in the world and “we must redouble our efforts

to ensure peace and security for everybody”. The minister said situation in Afghanistan was the major cause of instability in the region. He urged the international community to not point Uingers at Pakistan and look at the broader historical context in which the whole situation unfolded in the past decades. Other countries shared responsibility with Pakistan for the situation that emerged during the Afghan war, due to the consequences of the collapse of Soviet Union and destruction of the Berlin Wall, he added. After the end of war in Afghanistan, the western powers left the region and Pakistan had to bear the burden of 3.5 million Afghan refugees and the poorest of the poor people were left with a lot of weapons which only caused terrorism, he explained.

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KARACHI

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akistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has been directed to initiate the 5G tests in the market before the technology is commercially available after 2020.

A spokesperson of the Ministry told APP on Monday that the federal cabinet has approved the launch of 5G technology in the country. It has has directed PTA to conduct initial tests for 5G. Minister for IT and Telecom Ms.

Anusha Rehman has announced the launching of 5G services in Pakistan before 2020 on several occasions.

With this development, Pakistan will become one of the few countries who will test 5G quite early. 3G and 4G subscribers in Pakistan are growing rapidly and this proves the development of nation in terms of digital connectivity. 3G and 4G users have crossed the mark of 44 million in just three years which is a precedent for other countries in Asia-PaciUic region.

The PTA informed the federal cabinet that Telecom Policy of 2015 has provided a professional approach to

adopt futuristic technologies in the country. Testing and trial of new technology will also begin with rapid pace in order to make it available for commercial use. International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will approve 5G standards in 2019. Under these merits, tests and trials for 5G technology will be conducted all over the globe. The IT and Telecom Division of Government has also submitted a summary of the decision by Supreme Court which clariUies the policy directives for installation of futuristic technologies, especially 5G wireless network in the country.

‘out of pocket expenses not excluded services’ MULTAN

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he Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) directed listed companies to electronically file annual and quarterly financial statements. The SECP has issued circular number 24 of 2017 According to the SECP circular, pursuant to the provisions of section 223(7) of Companies Act, 2017 (the “Act”), a listed company shall, besides filing hard copies of its annual audited financial statements, auditor’s report, director’s report and chairman’s review report, send electronically a copy of the annual financial statements together with the aforesaid reports to the Commission. In terms of section 237(2) of the Act, every listed company shall electronically transmit its quarterly financial statements to the Commission. The Commission has designated email address financial.statements@secp.gov.pk for the electronic transmission of annual and quarterly financial statements.

The companies are required to transmit the financial statements in PDF as well as MS Excel format to the designated email address. The email address as reported by a company in its annual report ie Form A/ B shall be treated as official email address of the company.

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ApBF rejects recently imposed regulatory duty LAHORE

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he All Pakistan Business Forum has rejected the imposition of additional regulatory duty on import, saying the government neither can impose any duty nor enhance taxes without the approval of the parliament.

The regulatory duty was imposed by the government on 731 items in-

cluding industry raw material without taking the business community on board who are the real stakeholders. APBF president Ibrahim Qureshi said that this is not the right way to curtail trade deUicit, rather it is just a mini-budget announced in half way of the Uinancial year. He said that the government should not have enhanced the import duty on industry raw material and inputs for manufacturing of local products as it would cause further dip in exports

due to rise in production cost.

Ibrahim Qureshi said that the APBF had been calling for consultation before imposition of such duty but authorities did not bother to approach the stakeholders in this regard and imposed the decision unilaterally.

He said that imposition of additional regulatory duty on various essentials is nothing else but to encourage smuggling of goods like chemicals and tyres that is already damaging the economic base of the country.

He said that additional regulatory duty will increase the prices of even necessary raw materials and other essentials for the trade and industry. He said that the APBF always supports reduction of luxurious item’s imports but also demands that imports of those raw materials and goods should not be hampered that are not being manufactured in the country.

Ibrahim Qureshi said that the decision shows lack of planning on the

part of the policy-makers, creating problems for business activities and putting extra burden on the masses.

He said the additional regulatory duty on several eatable items including fruits and vegetables would increase import bill, widening trade deUicit further instead of controlling import. Terming it an unwise decision, which would unleash a new wave of inUlation in the country, he said the move will affect growth of business activities.

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Russian economy overcomes stagnation MOSCOW: The Russian economy has overcome stagnation and its recovery is sustainable, President Vladimir Putin said at the investment forum. “Such a representation level [of foreign investors at the forum] once again underlines high interest in modern Russia and its potential and shows mutual aspiration for dialog and cooperation, which is a key condition for establishment and development of business ties and search for promising areas for capital investments. Russia particularly unveils such opportunities for cooperation now, when our economy has overcome stagnation and its recovery is sustainable. More than two thousand guests from over 60 countries attend the forum, the Russian president said. Among them are prominent investors, chief executives of Russian and foreign majors and experts in finance and investments.

FccI hails suspension of major condition of Sro1125(I)/2011

Thursday October 26, 2017

Chambers

IccI resents up to 50pc hike in rD on eatable and other items

KARACHI

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he Businessmen Panel (BMP) of FPCCI has asked for immediate restructuring of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), with equal attention towards a clear trade promotion policy aimed at introducing local products in the international markets.

Khawaja Shahzeb Akram, Mian Usman Zulfiqar and Ahmad Jawad in a joint statement said there was also an urgency to fill the vacant post of TDAP’s chief executive officer who must necessarily be a full time and competent professional so that TDAP may deliver in strengthening and expanding national exports on sound and long term basis.

“There is dire need for effective and long term business plans to boost our ex-

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ports,” said the senior businessmen reiterating that the mandate of TDAP is to execute the trade policy in accordance to international demand without any compromise to trade interests of the country.

In addition to a pro-active and innovative marketing approach, the BMP members said aggressive stance is also needed for export growth through interaction and coordination among all relevant stakeholders. “Focus must be to promote business image of Pakistan through value addition to products and services offered to world markets by exporters pertaining to private as well as public sector companies,” they said. Registering their concern about the current situation, in particular context of GSP plus status granted by European Union to the country some time ago, they said efficient and professional handling of TDAP could help address the situation on strong and efficient lines.

ISLAMABAD

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he Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has resented the move of the government to impose regulatory duty on import of 36 new items and raise RD on 240 existing items to curtail trade deUicit and termed it an unwise decision as it would unleash a new wave of inUlation in the country, affect growth of business activities and bring more miseries to the common man. Sheikh Amir Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that announcing mini-budget in almost half way of the Uinancial year shows lack of planning on the part of the policymakers because such unexpected measures create problems for business activities and put more burden on the general public. He said regulatory duty has been increased up to 50 percent on many eatable items including fruits and vegetables that would put extra burden on the common man apart from affecting business activities and stressed that government should re-

view hike in RD, especially on eatable items. He urged that government should not enhance RD on imported items that were being used as raw material/inputs for manufacturing of local products as hike in RD on such items would cause further dip in our exports.

He said that instead of enhancing regulatory duty on imports to curb trade deUicit, government should focus on addressing the key issues of

exporters to facilitate the growth of exports. He said our exports have declined by almost 20 percent since 2013-14, after attaining the peak level of 25 billion US dollars, but government remained inactive to arrest the declining trend in exports. He said Pakistan mostly depended on textiles for exports while exports of other items including agriculture and SMEs have taken a big hit during the last many years. It showed that no tangi-

Dubai chamber to target African business DUBAI

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s the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry will work with Expo 2020 Dubai, the region will witness collaboration between Dubai and African businesses at the fourth Global Business Forum (GBF) during the African summit.

During the forum held from November 1 to 2, Dubai Chamber and Expo 2020 Dubai will team up to initiate new channels of communication and cooperation between African and UAE companies. The theme ‘Next Generation Africa’ will be the main theme for GBF Africa in which will provide a perfect platform for Expo 2020 Dubai to emphasize its mission, key initiatives and projects, as well as the expansion of opportunities offered by the

World Expo to African companies.

Meanwhile, The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) is looking to work more closely with Brazil and to bring Brazilian executives to the Global Business Forum on Latin America (GBF Latin America) next February in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. The DCCI’s International Offices director, Omar Abdulaziz Khan, discussed the subject with C-suite executives at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce this Monday (18) in São Paulo. Khan was welcomed by the Arab Chamber’s president Rubens Hannun, CEO Michel Alaby, International Relations vice presidente Osmar Chohfi and Market Intelligence and Commercial departments director Tamer Mansour. The DCCI executive called upon the Chamber to bring a Brazilian delegation to the

forum next year – a 1,000 people are expected to attend, most of them CEOs. GBF Latin America is designed to identify the drivers of growth in Latin America and to Uind global and regional allies and opportunities for Latin American companies in Dubai and the Middle East that can support their growth. The forum’s organizers believe governments and businesses across Latin America are rethinking their strategies, redeUining their role in the global economy, streamlining the private sector and exploring new markets. This view of constantly and rapidly changing economies around the world is in line with the DCCI’s strategy of setting up ofUices in several countries, so it can Uind out more about different parts of the world and keep track of local events. The DCCI opened an ofUice in São Paulo last April.

ble efforts were made to broaden and diversify the export base due to which our imports have gone up and exports have come down. ICCI President stressed that government should reduce taxes on manufacturing inputs, take strong measures to ensure easy availability of credit to the private sector from commercial banks and address key issues of SMEs that would help in promoting exports and reducing trade deUicit.

SccI for setting up Support Industry in Sialkot resident Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Zahid Latif Malik has stressed the need for setting up “Support Industry” to facilitate industrial sector of the country. He said that in order to cope with future challenges of industrial sector, the government should encourage the businessmen and investors to invest in Support industry which would ultimately lead to import substitution especially raw material used by the local industry. He said that export sector of the country heavily relied on import of raw materials especially from China for further value addition and re-exports, adding that the practice adds to the cost of doing business and was a major contributor towards the increasing import bill of the country. –CB Report

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Deputy Collector Adjudication Saima hears 17 cases of smuggling FAISALABAD: The Customs Adjudication Deputy Collector Saima Ayaz conducted hearing of 17 cases related to smuggling and tax evasion.

Sources told Customs Today, that nine cases were forwarded by Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) Mianwali against Fazal ur Rehman, Javid Iqbal, Ansar Ali, Ghulab Khan, Nisar Ahmed and others.

Three cases were submitted by ASO Sargodha against Arif ullah, Abdul Ghaffar, and Iqbal Ali who are allegedly involved in usmuggling of diesel oil sofa cloth and Land Cruiser body case.

Thursday, October 26, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

customs preventive Sukkur confiscates 379 mobiles & 150 sacks of accessories HYDERABAD ASLAM ANJuM QureShI www.customsbulletin.com

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), Customs Preventive Sukkur, has seized foreign origin non-dutypaid 379 smuggling mobile-phone sets of different brands, 150 sacks of contraband mobile phone batteries, mobile chargers and hand frees valued at Rs1.7million involving duties and taxes amounting to Rs627000 during an action near customs check-post Jacobabad of Larkana-Sukkur division some five days ago.

Following the strict guidelines

by MCC Hyderabad Customs Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq, the ASO team carried out various antismuggling activities to protect the national exchequer and inflation.

The team, headed by Additional Collector Customs MCC Hyderabad Dr Aamer Nawaz Hamid, constituted a raiding party comprising of In-charge Aziz Katpar, some Inspectors and sepoys and a driver who participated in the action.

The team intercepted a public transport vehicle near customs check-post Jacobabad-Sukkur division and recovered abovemen-

tioned foreign origin non-duty-paid 379 smuggling mobile-phone sets of different brands, 150 sacks of contraband mobile-phone batteries, mobile chargers and hand-frees

valued at Rs1.7million involving duties and taxes of Rs 627000 Before the recovery, officials asked the driver to produce any legal document about the possession of the

items but he was unable to do so therefore the consignments were impounded.

A case was registered and an investigation also started. Officials

said that Hyderabad Customs Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq had directed that effective measures be taken for preventing the smuggling in the region.

Quetta fares better with rs82m collection of all duties and taxes QUETTA

tArIQ DerYA

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he Model Customs Collectorate Quetta earned surplus revenue of Rs82.00million against the proportional assigned revenue collection target as all duties and taxes during the 1st to 10h October Financial Year 2017-18.

The Quetta Customs was allocated Rs416million under all

the heads for first 10 days of October FY17-18 while it earned Rs498.00million under all the heads of duties and taxes.

According to details given by newly appointed Collector Ashraf Ali of the Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Quetta that, during initial 10 days of October FY1718, the Collectorate of Quetta reflected acceptable performance against the assigned proportional targets under all the heads.

The Quetta Collectorate was earmarked a proportional target of Rs204.00million for first 10 days of October FY17-18 under the

head of Customs Duty while it received Rs226.00million with a surplus collection of Rs22.00million against the target.

The Collector of Quetta told CT that, during above said period, the MCC Quetta generated Rs196.00million as Sales Tax (ST) against the earmarked revenue collection target of Rs150.00million whereas it did surplus revenue during initial 10 days of October FY17-18 with an amount of Rs46.00million against the allocated target under the same head.

He said the Quetta Collectorate collected Rs11.00million of Federal Excise Duty (FED) against the earmarked proportional target of Rs7.3million. In

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

this way, the MCC Quetta got revenue with surplus amount of Rs3.7million against the assigned target of FED for initial 10 days of October FY17-18.

Ashraf Ali further told CT that, during above said period, the Quetta Customs earned Rs87.00million against a proportional target of Rs75.6million as Withholding Tax (WHT) against an allocated proportional revenue target of 10 days of October FY17-18. The collectorate received surplus revenue of Rs11.4million against above earmarked target.