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Karachi, Fri Oct 26, 2018

ISLAMABAD

SHAHID MINHAS

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inance Ministry asked Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to submit detailed report of beneTiciary of Tax Amnesty Scheme 2018, it is learnt here.

OfTicial sources told Customs Today that Finance Ministry has directed FBR to submit separate details of national and international beneTi-

ciaries of Tax Amnesty Scheme 2018.

Meanwhile, it is also directed regarding how much of concessional tax are paid and announced for the national and international assets-holders, sourced added.

Sources also added that Tinance ministry also sought detailed report regarding how much assets are declared by the international and national assets-holders and how much are paid to national exchequer under the Tax Amnesty Scheme.

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FBR has also been directed by Finance Ministry regarding the international and national assets-holder separately who are submitted due tax challan; however, they can’t declare that properties for which they submitted the taxes while also provide details report regarding the 3,661 people who have Tiled declaration draft under amnesty scheme 2018 and also generated payment slip ID; however, these people didn’t pay the taxes till due date, sources added.

FBR Chairman to conduct weekly meeting to review pending tax cases

Customs Exports submits challan against M/s First Way Link Traders

Collector Jamil Nasir transfers three customs superintendents

Customs players will join national teams soon: Zahid Khokhar

I&I impounds three trucks loaded with Afghani apples worth Rs11.5m

FBRChairmanhastakennoticeoftax-related issues pending within the departments | See pAge 02 |

Customs Court issued non bail-able warrants against absconding suspects | See pAge 03 |

CustomsAppraisementissuedanotification to transfer three superintendents | See pAge 04 |

Member Customs Zahid has said that the Customsdepartmentisalsoplayingvitalrole | See pAge 11 |

I&Iteamseizedthreetrucksfullofsmuggled Afghani fresh apples worth Rs11.5 m | See pAge 16 |

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Customs court issues non-bailable arrest warrant for Ayyan Ali Friday, October 26, 2018

RAWALPINDI: A Customs court in Rawalpindi issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for model Ayyan Ali, who missed 33 hearings in a currency smuggling case. Due to the judges of the Customs court being on holiday, the hearing was held by duty judge Raja Ghazanfar. During the hearing, the model’s lawyer said that Ali is unwell, which is why she can’t appear before the court.

Customs prosecutor Ameen Feroz said that these people always make excuses and waste the court’s time.

Islamabad

fBr chairman to conduct weekly meeting to review pending tax cases

fBr reduces cost of revenue collection from 0.74pc to 0.71pc ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

SHAHID MINHAS

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) successfully reduced cost of the revenue collection from 0.74% to 0.71% by managing healthy growth in the tax collection, it is learnt here. Official sources told Customs Today that in Pakistan, the cost of collection in year 2007-08 was 0.89% where it was reduced to 0.83% in years 2008-09 while cost of collection in Pakistan was recorded at 0.87% in years 2009-10, sources added. It was remained at 0.89% and 0.74% in the last eight years. Sources added that expenditure of FBR is also going down with the passage of time and it is a good omen that expenditure of the revenue body in the country has reduced in the last two years.

Moreover, the cost of collection is practically small in the country as compared to many developing countries; however, lack of logistics, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient investment in human resource development are the key elements hindering further growth in revenues, sources added. It is important to mention here that the cost of collection is the expenditure incurred on collection of federal taxes relative to federal tax receipts.

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www.customsbulletin.com ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Jahanzeb Khan has taken notice of tax-related issues pending within the departments due to time consuming written communications, it is learnt here.

According to ofTicial sources, Chairman Jahanzeb Khan decided to call coordination meeting in order to expedite pending tax-related issues within the departments and to avoid time consuming written communications among the departments. The chairman also decided to conduct the weekly meeting of the departmental heads to accelerate the decision-making process on the tax-related matters where the meeting will be headed by the FBR chairman himself, sources added.

Sources further added the FBR chairman will review the weekly performance of each department and will also discuss the coordination among the departments.

The chairman will also review the tax-related issues and will issue the order on the spot during the meeting to avoid any delay in decision making. Source also said that departments can also put on the table any summary or issue which is urgent and pending for approval and participants will discuss and decide during the meeting about the

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approval or rejection of summary or any issue, sources added.

Meanwhile, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs210 billion of revenue till October 22 against the assigned target of Rs300 billion for October 2018, it is learnt here. OfTicial sources told Customs Today that FBR

collected at least Rs90 billion within 8 days of October to achieve the assigned target. However, FBR failed to achieve its Tirst quarter target and could collect only Rs836 billion in taxes as compared to set target of Rs851 billion, highlighting the need for a complete but urgent revamp of

the tax machinery. Sources added that the government assigned target of Rs4,435 billion to FBR for 2018-19; however, the trend shows that FBR will face tough time to achieve the assigned target and government may have to revise the revenue target for the current Fiscal Year.

I&I seeking cancellation of bail granted to gM of M/s redco textile

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ISLAMABAD

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) ofTicials on Tuesday Tiled a petition in Islamabad High Court seeking cancellation of bail granted to M/s Redco General Manager Irfan Siddiqui. The special judge of Customs and Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court had granted bail to Siddiqui, who was arrested

while serving as Director-General of M/s Redco Textile Mills from where several Qatari luxury vehicles were recovered, against surety bonds of Rs100,000. The petition requested the court to cancel his bail as well as approve physical remand of the customs ofTicials as part of their investigation into the case of illegal luxury vehicles.

Customs Intelligence ofTicials on Monday recovered three more Qatari luxury vehicles from a farmhouse belonging to former senator

Saifur Rehman, a close aide of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The recovered vehicles were brought to the country under diplomatic immunity, ofTicials said as they relocated the vehicles to Customs headquarters. As many as 26 Qatari luxury vehicles have been recovered till date. The Director General of Customs Intelligence and Investigations has also ordered ofTicials concerned of the four provinces, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan to take unauthorized vehicles into custody.

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Court sends suspect lady to jail booked in mobile phones smuggling case KARACHI: The Customs Court sent suspect lady namely Seema Rauf wife of Abdul Rauf to Central Jail Karachi on judicial remand, who was booked in a case of attempting to smuggled non-duty paid foreign origin mobile phones and memory cards valuing to Rs5,809,413. Investigation officer produced the above mentioned lady before the court and informed that on credible information the above mentioned lady was intercepted at International Arrival Hall, JIAP, who arrived from Dubai by M/s Emirate Airline’s flight no: EK-608 and she was asked to search her body and luggage.

SHc seeks comments on petition filed by M/s o.S. corporation

Friday October 26, 2018

Karachi

customs exports submits challan against M/s first way Link traders

KARACHI

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

he SHC directed customs officials and deputy attorney general to make sure filing of their comments on a constitutional petition filed

by M/s O.S. Corporation against disputed valuation of prime quality hotdipped galvanized steel coils imported from China. Order came on while the hearing of petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, heard the matter for next date of hearing. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner has imported a consignment to contain prime quality hot-dipped galvanized steel coils from China vide letter of credit and other shipping documents including mills test certificate.

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court approves bail of appraiser involved in smuggling KARACHI

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he Customs Court granted post-arrest bail to suspect namely Muhammad Shahid Murad, Appraiser, Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Customs House Karachi, who was booked in a case of attempting to smuggle nonduty paid 209,540 kilograms betel nuts.

Counsel for the accused moved bail petition and argued that his client is innocent and was falsely implicated in this case, who is ready to face trial and giving assurance to the court for appearance on each and every date of hearing; therefore, court may grant him bail. After hearing, court granted him bail and directed him to appear before the court on next date of hearing. According to the First Information Report (FIR), credible information was received that importer M/s Sualeha Textile Industries and others were involved in a scam of illegal import of betel nuts in collusion with the clearing agents.

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KARACHI

M.B. rANA

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he Customs Court issued non bail-able warrants against absconding suspects namely Afaq Ahmed, proprietor of M/s First Way Link Traders, Asim Jadoon, partner/ owner of M/s International Cargo Leaders, Haji Juma Gul, Shah Wali, owners of goods exported against fake Form E Nazimuddin, Supplier of all fake Form E and others, who were booked in a case of mega tax evasion Rs376,775,114.

Investigation officer of Customs Collectorate of Exports has submitted interim charge sheet against the above mentioned suspects and others and informed the court that during the investigation, it was revealed that importers have submitted fake and fabricated Form-Es, meaning thereby that the foreign exchange amounting to $3,345,380 (Rs376,775,114) was not remitted in the country, despite that goods have been exported, hence the exporter with the collusion/ help of clearing agent have hoodwinked customs by submitting fake documents. He argued that suspects namely Muhammad Qasim Kazi, Export Manager of M/s Kazi Corporation, Muhammad Nadeem Suleman Khel, Muhammad Akhtar, representative of M/s Faster Line Business and Asmatullah, owner of the goods are arrested and on judi-

cial custody, however, including Afaq Ahmed and others are still absconders in this case, after the hearing, court taken interim challan into court record and issued non bail-able warrants against above mentioned absconding suspects. Case was registered against above mentioned suspects have violated the provisions of Section 16, 32 (1), 32 (1), 32 (2), 32A, 131, 192 & 209 of Customs Act, 1969 ppragraph-3, 16 & 17 of Export Policy

case was registered against suspects have violated the provisions of Section 16, 32 (1), 32 (1), 32 (2), 32A, 131, 192 & 209 of customs Act, 1969 ppragraph-3, 16 & 17 of export policy

Appraisement east redistributes work amongst Acs

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KARACHI

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

he Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement (East), Karachi on Saturday redistributed work amongst Assistant/Deputy Collectors as mentioned against their names with immediate effect and till further orders. Deputy Collector Muhammad Ali Malik, awaiting posting, has been posted at Headquarters, Group-VI,

R&D, MIS-II, CPF. Deputy Collector Riaz Hussain, awaiting posting, has been posted at Group-VII, Audit (External SAPT). Deputy Collector Muhammad Rizwan, working at Group-VI, Law I, FTO-I, MIS-II, has been posted at Examination & Auction at SAPT. Deputy Collector Sohaib Anwer Hashmi will look after Laboratory, DTRE, Facilitation & Coordination, Recovery, Recovery OfTicer, Railway Dryport. Deputy Collector Syed Talha Salman has been posted at Examination & Auction at

PICT. Deputy Collector Arslan Majeed Rana will start working at Examination & Auction at East Wharf & Pak Shaheen, Timber Pond TPX, Inter Port Movement. Deputy Collector Faizan Badar has been posted at Group-IV, MIS-I, Adjudication (DC Level). Assistant Collector Syed Muhammad Raza Naqvi, will work with Group-II, One Customs, Securities Section, PRV Cell, DR for the cases before Chairman, Appellate Tribunal, Secretary ClassiTication Committee, FTA Cell.

Order 2016 read with Section 3 of the Imports & Exports Control Act, 1950 further read with Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947, punishable under Clauses 1, 9, 14, 14-A, 77 & 77 & 86 of Sub Section 1 of Section 156 of the Customs Act, 1969 Paragraph-17 of Export Policy Order-2016 further read with Section-5 of the Imports and Exports Control Act, 1950, further read with the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947.

pak rupee recovers against dollar he Pakistani currency recovered against the US dollar and closed buoyant in open market. As per the local money market, the dollar lost Rs2.25 in open market for buying at Rs131.50 and for selling at Rs132.50. The local currency remained firm against dollar in interbank for buying at Rs133.50 and for selling at Rs133.70.

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Container loaded with cosmetics slips from truck on Jail Road Friday October 26, 2018

Lahore

LAHORE: Deputy Collector Customs Collectorate of Preventive T-10, Railway Station Naveedur Rehman Bugvi distributed work among appraising officers and office superintendent.

According to the notification Appraising Officer Naveed Iqbal Cheema will also perform his duties in import appraisement and external/internal audit. Appraising Officer Sidra Nayyer Zaidi who is currently on training course will perform her duties in import/export appraisement, law and internal audit department.

‘revenue can only be generated through strong taxation system’ LAHORE

SAJID NAwAZ

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ax system should be made a part of curriculum to create awareness and to educate each and every citizen of Pakistan about the importance of Tiling of tax returns and payment of tax liability.

These views were expressed by Commissioner Inland Revenue, Information Processing and Taxpayers Facilitation Zone Fiza Batool during an exclusive interview with Customs Today. She said that tax revenue is a backbone of any country because no nation can survive without solid economy and income can be generated only through a strong taxation system in the country. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is striving hard to expand tax net but FBR could only succeed when

LHc summons collector Jameel in contempt case ahore High Court (LHC) summoned Collector Customs Appraisement Jameel Nasir and additional collector with record on non compliance of court order in release of goods to M/s Fort Marketing Services. The appeal was filed by the M/s Ford Marketing Services before the Lahore High Court on the grounds that goods were seized by the customs team and case was proceeded before the Customs Appellate Tribunal where appellant win the case and the tribunal ordered to the Customs to release but Customs authorities are not releasing the goods confiscated by him. According to the counsel of appellant Shafqat Chohan Justice Furrukh Irfan ordered customs authorities to release the goods to the owner as per order passed by the court. Counsel added that after the court order customs officer release the goods to owner conditionally instead of unconditionally as per court order and customs authorities take bank guarantee on release of goods. –CB Report

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every segment of society plays vital role in tax payment. So the education of each and every segment like businessmen, teachers, students and government ofTicers is necessary in this regard, she said. Commissioner Inland Revenue said that as focal person on tax returns, she is working hard with her team and conducting seminars, corner meetings and is delivering lectures in the educational institutions on taxation system and Tiling of tax returns. Fiza said she holds seminar in Pakistan Railways Headquarters, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and delivers lecture in Punjab University to aware and educate the government employees and businessmen and to educate the teachers and students about payment of tax liability. Talking to Customs Today, she highlighted there are more beneTits to become Tilers but unfortunately our society is not aware about the importance of taxes.

collector Jamil Nasir transfers three customs superintendents LAHORE

M HAYAt

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ollectorate of Customs Appraisement Collector Jamil Nasir Khan issued a notiTication to transfer three superintendents with immediate effect and until further orders.

According to notiTication Superintendent Muhammad Nasir Minhas, currently performing his duties at Land Freight Unit (LFU) Wagha and Railway Station T-10, transferred to Customs Investigation Prosecution (I&P) branch.

Superintendent Mazhar Abbas Shah, currently posted at Customs (TrafTic) Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIP), transferred to Land Freight Unit Wagha and Railway Station T-10, while Superintendent Arshad Mehmood transferred from Air Freight Unit of Allama Iqbal Interna-

customs I&I recovers non-duty paid tyres, vehicle

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irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&) foiled an attempt to smuggle huge quantity of non-customs paid tyres near Shaukat Khanum Hospital. Sources told Customs Today, that during routine patrolling, Customs I&I team intercepted two Suzuki Pick-Ups and recovered huge quantity of non-customs paid tyres. During initial investigations drivers of both vehicles failed to provide any legal documents regarding import and transportation

of tyres. Upon their failure customs I&I team seized the tyres and vehicles. They told that they were going to deliver these tyres to Nila Gumbad. The market value of seized tyres is Rs6,00,000. Sources told that during another operation Customs Intelligence and Investigation team impounded a Honda Civic car.

The vehicle was being driven by Mrs. Tariq Malik who is an advocate of Lahore High Court. Upon asking she failed to provide legal documents of the vehicle. –CB Report

tional Airport to Airport (TrafTic) branch. The notiTication further stated that all the above-said ofTicials stand relieved from their duties from 25.10.2018 with the direction to report at their new place of posting.

Meanwhile, Collectorate of Customs Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) recovered huge quantity of non-customs paid goods from a godown inside Mochi Gate.

Sources told Customs Today that Additional Collector Tayyaba Kiyani received information that huge quan-

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tity of smuggled goods is dumped in a godown situated inside Mochi Gate so made a team to raid the area. The team recovered Ratna tobacco, amla, naswar, cigarettes, zafrani tobacco, Milano, Marlboro, Dunhill, Benson & Hedges packs. The market value of seized goods is Rs70 million. Customs anti-smuggling squad asked the persons who were present on the spot to produce legal documents regarding storage and import of these goods but they failed to provide any relevant legal documents.

wapda, fBr organise seminar on tax issues apda authorities have organised a seminar at Wapda House for educating and facilitating its employees to obtain National Tax Number (NTN), Tile the tax return and the beneTits of being Tiler versus non-Tiler.

The seminar was a part of FBR’s campaign to create awareness about taxpaying. The seminar, which was organised in collaboration with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), was attended by ofTicers of Grade 18 and above. The Commissioner Inland Revenue, Regional Tax OfTice (RTO-II) Lahore, Fiza Batool,

conducted a comprehensive presentation on procedure of Tiling returns and its beneTits. She informed the participants that non-Tilers could be probed for 10 years while Tilers could be required for Tive years’ expenditures. The commissioner also emphasised the need for educating the employees regarding the demerits of being a non-Tiler after the implementation of the differential tax scheme, in which nonTilers are charged a higher rate of tax on various transactions such as bank withdrawals, purchase of cars and property, etc. –CB Report

Dc AIIAp Ittrat Hussain issues new roaster for superintendents

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ISLAMABAD

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

eputy Collector Customs (TrafTic) Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIAP) Syed Ittrat Hussain issued new roaster for superintendents and inspectors.

According to new roaster all superintendents, deputy superintend-

ents and inspectors are directed to wear proper uniform with name emblems. While the staff members are asked to maintain highest degree of punctuality and regularity and should arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of their shift.

The shift being relieved will not leave their duty till the next shift is arrived to take their place.

No inspector from gates shall be

allowed to work in the departure or arrival halls without approval of the AC/DC in charge. Any deviance shall be viewed very seriously and disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against the delinquent ofTicer. Any repeated incident shall entail similar action against superintendents.

It is the duty of the superintendents arrivals to ensure rummaging, patrolling of aircrafts and keep physical

presence at the gates and report the same to the DC in charge. It is the responsibility of both superintendents (arrival & departure) to brief the deputy collector, Allama Iqbal International Airport (TrafTic) regarding any absence in their shift. At the time of start of shift they would ensure the attendance of each individual in their shift including staff posted at the gates.

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Friday, October 26, 2018

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ISLAMABAD M fAIZAN www.customsbulletin.com

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uring a successful operation, Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) seized smuggled goods worth Rs189 million from Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ). According to details, Director General Shaukat Ali had received information to the effect that standard/prime quality paper products were being smuggled from Karachi Export Processing Zone to tariff area under the garb of “recovered and upgraded items from waste/scrap”.

On tip-off, Customs Intelligence intercepted four trucks bearing registration no: LS-3273, JT-0898, K2169 and JU-2980, loaded with 22 reels of various types of paper, near Mehran Highway. The goods were being imported into the tariff area by M/s. IAS Trading, Karachi (NTN No. 02-01-1338800) from M/s. United International Industries, KEPZ, vide GD No. KEPI-HC-1607, under the vague description of “recovered, upgraded color paper/sheets in various cut to sizes imported from rejects/waste/stock lot material”. The staff of Customs Exports (Port Qasim) had conTirmed the above-reproduced declaration during examination and had Tinalized the assessment under single value of $ 0.410/kg – total being US$ 19,800/-.

The Tifth truck mentioned on the GD could not be intercepted along with the other four on the night of same day, despite hectic efforts. Detailed examination of the goods resulted into the recovery of standard/new reels of offset paper, carbonless paper and craft (bleach) paper instead of the aforesaid declaration. Preliminary investigations revealed that the Tifth truck carrying the remaining goods was off loaded at a private godown situated at Plot No.25-A, Bhutto Nagar, Landhi Industrial Area, Karachi.

Accordingly, the godown was searched in terms of Section 162 of the Customs Act, 1969, which led to the recovery of huge quantities of various stan-

dard/new/prime quality products/items (such as multiple types coated and uncoated paper, BOPP and PVC Tilm, plastic moulding compound, diapers etc). Resultantly, Customs Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, the importer and the godown owner were asked to provide copies of all GDs Tiled for import of goods from KEPZ to tariff area as well as evidence of their entry into the godown.

Furthermore, KEPZ Authority was requested to provide import/ export record/ proTile of M/s.

United International Industries (exporter of goods in KEPZ) and the list of machinery installed in the unit.

All the letters and subsequent reminders remained largely un-responded except one reply received from M/s. IAS Trading, Karachi (importer in tariff area) where under copies of random eighty four (84) GDs Tiled during the period 2013-18 in relation to the recovered goods were provided.

However, the above-mentioned eighty four (84) GDs were found irrelevant when compared with the recovered goods. Cumulative value of the seized goods works out to Rs189.72 million. FIR of the case has been lodged and further investigations are in progress including ascertainment of the role of customs staff involved in the clearance of these goods.

Meanwhile, Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigations ofTicials Monday recovered three more Qatari luxury vehicles from a farmhouse belonging to former senator Saifur Rehman.

Sources told Customs Today that the recovered vehicles were brought to the country under diplomatic immunity, officials said as they relocated the vehicles to Customs Headquarters. As many as 26 Qatari luxury vehicles have been recovered till date.

Director General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation also ordered officials concerned in the four provinces, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan to take all illegal vehicles into custody. Officials had revealed that at least Rs4.5 billion import duty of luxury vehicles which were recovered from a compound in Rawalpindi and Islamabad was waived from 2012 to 2018.

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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

Last IMf loan… phew

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ne must tip the hat to Finance Minister Asad Umar for finally proving his detractors wrong – and how! Little over two months into his role at the helm of the finance ministry, the staunchest criticism against him thus far has been his detachment from ground realities and inability to read the actual problems at hand, in turn being oblivious to the solutions.

With his latest statement, the finance minister has proven that it was his critics who were detached and oblivious.

“This will be the last IMF programme,” he said while addressing an event at Pakistan Stock Exchange on Saturday. Not only would that have resulted in dominos of sighs across the country, the three magical words – last IMF loan – would’ve categorically addressed the gravest economic concern facing the country as things stand: the number of IMF bailouts.

We as a nation have collectively been mulling, and dreading, the number of IMF loans that are going to follow after this one more than anything else. Because of course that is what matters to us right now, and not the impact that this ostensibly last IMF loan would have on us.

Of course the greatest problem with loans of any kind is that they have to be paid back. And the greatest problem with paying back is that the same money cannot be used for activities that, for instance, do not involve paying back. The radius of the fiscal pie was discussed last week, and hence the dimensions of the slice being carved out for debt servicing might also concern some people. But of course those needn’t be paid much heed given that the head of the most striking economic problem has been hit decisively with an austere hammer.

Now that Asad Umar has confirmed that his is the last IMF loan, people should stop wondering why there was so much hostility towards the very idea of going to the IMF – and so much scorn being hurled at the predecessors for doing the same – and why nobody is killing themselves, at least idiomatically. What this also means that the increase in prices – most notably fuel which makes everything else expensive – the volatility of the stock market, the troubles that Pakistani bonds would face, and the rise in debt that accompanies the rupee fall, should now be irrelevant questions.

outlook for fBr revenues T

LAHORE

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customstoday.com

he revised budget for 201819 presented by the new government has brought down somewhat the FBR revenue target for the year from Rs 4435 billion to Rs 4398 billion. This was surprising since the new target was to scale down the Tiscal deTicit by about 2 percent of the GDP. Instead of more aggressive resource mobilization, reliance has been placed more on a big increase in non-tax revenues and on a sizeable cut back in the size of the Federal PSDP of 15 percent in relation to last year’s level to reduce the deTicit. The Punjab government has followed suit a few days

ago with a reduction of 41 percent in its development program.

FBR has reported in the Revenue Division Year Book a total net collection of Rs 3842 billion in 2017-18. Therefore, the revised target for 2018-19 implies a growth rate of 14.5 percent. In 2017-18, the target growth rate was 19.4 percent and in 2016-17, 16.4 percent. As such, the Ministry of Finance has given an inherently achievable target to FBR, especially since the inTlation rate is likely to be much higher in 2018-19 and some of the tax bases will be more buoyant in nominal terms this year.

Despite the not-so-ambitious target for FBR revenues, Business Recorder reports that there has

already been a shortfall in the Tirst quarter of 2018-19. Apparently, the target for the quarter was Rs 852 billion, requiring a modest growth of 11 percent in relation to the actual level of revenues in the corresponding quarter of 201718. Initial estimates are that the actual collection is Rs 837 billion, implying a shortfall of Rs 15 billion. The growth rate achieved is less than 10 percent. At this rate, the shortfall by the end of the year could be as large as Rs 170 billion. There is need to study what happened in 2017-18 to get an insight into the performance of FBR in the Tirst quarter of 2018-19.

Over the four quarters of 201718 there was a systematic pattern of decline in the growth rate of

collections. The Tirst quarter saw an appreciably high growth rate of 22 percent. The next two quarters saw an average growth rate of close to 13 percent. Revenue growth in the last quarter plunged to a single-digit growth rate of only 8 percent.

Why did this decline in growth rate take place over the four quarters of 2017-18? The answer is to be found largely in the path followed by sales tax revenues over the year. The Tirst quarter saw 21 percent growth; the second quarter, 18 percent; the third quarter, 15 percent and only 2 percent in the fourth quarter. This is the main reason for overall FBR revenues showing low growth in the last quarter.

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FBR reduces cost of revenue collection from 0.74pc to 0.71pc ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) successfully reduced cost of the revenue collection from 0.74% to 0.71% by managing healthy growth in the tax collection, it is learnt here.

Official sources told Customs Today that in Pakistan, the cost of collection in year 2007-08 was 0.89% where it was reduced to 0.83% in years 2008-09 while cost of collection in Pakistan was recorded at 0.87% in years 2009-10, sources added. It was remained at 0.89% and 0.74% in the last eight years. Sources added that expenditure of FBR is also going down with the passage of time and it is a good omen that expenditure of the revenue body in the country has reduced in the last two years. Moreover, the cost of collection is practically small in the country as compared to many developing countries; however, lack of logistics, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient investment in human resource development are the key elements hindering further growth in revenues, sources added.

SHc seeks reply on petition filed by M/s raz textile KARACHI

M.B. rANA

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the customs department and deputy attorney general and directed them to file their para-wise comments on a petition filed by Khursheed Alam, proprietor of M/s Raz Textile seeking release order for its consignment of textile products lying at Port Qasim detained by customs officials. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, heard the matter. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated in its petition that the petitioner is running a manufacturing unit under the name of M/s Raz Textile and principal activity carried out is of manufacturing/shinning, weaving and finishing of textile etc. He argued that the petitioner imported six containers of textile products which arrived at Port Qasim and goods declaration (GD) was filed by the petitioner according with law; however, for the reason best known to the re-

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Friday October 26, 2018

National

ASo seizes huge quantity of prohibited medicine from gt road C

ISLAMABAD

tArIQ DerYA

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ollectorate of Customs AntiSmuggling Organization seized huge quantity of prohibited foreign origin medicines (sexual) worth Rs3.2 million from GT Road.

Sources told Customs Today that Collector ZulTiqar Ali Chaudhary received credible information about smuggling of goods. He directed all anti-smuggling squad to enhance patrolling on main GT Road to thwart any smuggling attempt.

Sources said that ASO squad comprising Superintendent Abid Malik and Inspector Farrukh Satti and Inspector Khalid Khattak intercepted a vehicle near Tarnol which was coming from Mardan.

During checking the ASO team recovered huge quantity of prohibited Indian origin (sexual) medicines including Citriz tab 28500, Piroxicam capsules 300, Vovem 50 mg Diclofonal 3600 caps, Omprazol I.P caps 1500, Zinetac 150 mg in quantity of 14400 tabs, Diclocin forte 4000 tabs, Axe Max 0.5mg 9000, CiproTloxacin tab 500 mg 3500, Nimesulide tabs NISUL100 in

quantity of 11250, R.A relief extra tabs in numbers of 225000, Cofcal 55000 tabs, Vega 100mg sexual tabs 5600 and Cobra 150mg 27500.

Other medicines also includes Viviopial 3750 capsules, Viga 150000 45ml 100 bottles, Viga 240000 delay spray 125 bottles,

Viga 5000 75 bottles, Max man 75000 delayed spray 125 bottles, Napro 45cc 90 bottles, Viga 150000 45ml 48 bottles, Knight rider 320 bottles, Vigra 100 mg 120 tabs, Black cobra 125 sexual 2000 tabs, Aphrodisso sexual Tab 200 and Viagra plus 240 tabs.

The ASO team asked the driver of the vehicle who was later identiTied as Anwar Khan son of Abdul Jalil who is resident of Charsada to produce legal documents regarding possession and transportation of medicines. But he failed to provide any relevant documents.

court sends suspected betel nuts smugglers to jail spondents, the containers were not allowed to be taken out of the port area and detained illegally without assigning any reason. He submitted that there was neither any mis-declaration or dispute of value or tax leviable and having failed to find any cogent reason to detain the consignment, an excuse was created that the company of the petitioner does not have the capacity to consume the amount of fabric for consumption in textile manufacturing/weaving etc. Nothing was given in writing nor was any reason assigned to justify such withholding/detained of containers as the respondents had nothing before him to act in a manner in which recklessly the consignment was withheld.

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he Customs Court sent suspects namely Baz Muhammad son of Malik Abdul Qayyum and Abdul Jabbar son of Muhammad Yousaf to jail on judicial remand who were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid betel nuts and other contraband goods.

Investigation ofTicer produced them before the court and informed that on credible information, a team of Pakistan Coast Guards intercepted a Hino truck bearing registration number TKG-250 and suspect Baz Muhammad said that he is driver of the said truck and coming from Quetta having legal goods.

He submitted that however, during the search, Pakistan Coast

Guards’ ofTicials found 10900 kilogram betel nuts, 2000 packets gutka and other contraband goods and when they were asked to produce lawful documents, they failed to produce any lawful documents;

therefore, after fulTilling all legal formalities, both suspects were arrested and goods were also taken in procession. After the hearing, the court sent them to jail on judicial remand and directed investigation

ofTicer to complete investigations and submit charge sheet against the above mentioned suspects for next date or hearing. Case was registered for violation of Section 2 16 (s) (1) (8) (89) Customs Act 1969.

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Customs Court approves bail of woman booked in mobile phones smuggling Friday October 19, 2018

National SHc seeks comments on petition filed by M/s Zaniq green pvt Ltd

KARACHI: The Customs Court granted after arrest bail to suspected female smuggler namely Seema Rauf, daughter of Abdul Rauf, who was booked in a case of attempting to smuggled non-duty paid foreign-origin mobile phones and memory cards worth Rs5,809,413.

On October 24, 2018, counsel for the accused moved bail petition and argued that his client is innocent and was falsely implicated in this case, who is ready to face trial and she is giving assurance that she would appear each and every date of hearing before the court.

customs preventive destroys huge quantity of outdated sugar at kpt

KARACHI

M.B. rANA

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KARACHI

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MuBeeN HuSSAIN

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to make sure filing of their respective para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Zaniq Green Private Limited seeking release order for its consignment of cut tyres.

A two-member bench, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, was hearing the matter on October 24, 2018. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is engaged in the lawful business of scrap metals, scrap tyres, dry fuel, smelter, spinners and other related goods and always fulfills all the legal formalities according with law. He submitted that petitioner imported a consignment of used cut tyres from UAE, however, despite issued NOC by environment protection agency, customs officials detained its consignment without showing any reason.

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fBr inducts 6,484 companies through one-window facility ederal Board of Revenue inducted at least 6,484 companies through the introduction of One-Window Facility launched earlier this year, it is learnt here.

According to official source, the facility launched in March, 2018 by the FBR in collaboration with SECP to provide ease of doing business and enabling the companies to be incorporated with SECP to get registered with FBR automatically. Source further added that One-Window Facility initiative is not only to facilitate the taxpayer but also a part of Doing Business Reforms agenda. Meanwhile, once a company is incorporated with SECP, the credentials of incorporated company and its directors are automatically sent to FBR’s system which verifies the data and allots NTN to the company.

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ollectorate of Customs Preventive team spoiled a huge quantity of imported sugar at Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

The sources informed Customs Today that information was received by the higher authority of the Customs Preventive that huge quantity of sugar packed in containers is present at the KPT to which some officials are planning to send to the market.

The source also informed that the said sugar was imported in year 2005 and more than ten years have been passed but the containers containing the sugar have not been shifted nor the concerned owners have contacted to the port admin-

istration to lift it.

The sugar was recovered by the

officers of Customs Preventive and later it was buried. The sugar was

packed in eleven containers and was outdated, the source added.

Multan customs generates rs7.05m through auction of goods & vehicles C

MULTAN

IMrAN ALI kHAN

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ollectorate of Customs generated Rs7.05 million through auction of non-duty paid vehicles and miscellaneous goods on Wednesday.

According to details, the Collectorate conducted auction of confiscated vehicles and various miscellaneous goods which were seized by Anti-Smuggling Organization in different actions near Sher Shah Bypass, Dry Port Multan. As many as three vehicles of various models were presented in the public sale and all three vehicles of different brands including Toyota Land Cruiser, Honda Accord without engine and Toyota Axio car were sold out in R 3.8 million during auction. Multan Customs presented 70 lots of electronic, auto parts, miscella-

neous items including foreign origin CCTV cameras, old and used telephone sets of different brands, wrist watches, GPS vehicle trackers, car alarming and

others in the auction. Collectorate of Customs successfully sold out 20 lots of goods including tyres, auto parts, electronics goods, baby garments and others during

auction. Many miscellaneous goods were not auctioned due to less interest of bidders and their offered bids were rejected due to fewer prices in the auction.

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Banks directed to activate online banking services for uninterrupted tax collection KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has said banks must activate their online banking services for clients by the end of this month to ensure there is no disruption in the collection of government taxes.

“While most of the banks have activated the OTC (over the counter) and ADC (alternative delivery channels) facilities for collection of FBR taxes, some banks/MFBs (microfinance banks) are still in the process of activating these facilities,” the SBP said in a circular.

“Further, most of the banks customers are still unaware about these facilities and are still paying their taxes under the traditional system at NBP and SBP-BSC branches,” it added.

SHc seeks reply on petition filed

by M/s telenor pakistan KARACHI

M.B. rANA

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to customs department and deputy attorney general on a petition filed by M/s Telenor Pakistan Private Limited against demand notice for extra duties and taxes on import on HP Server for Easypaisa portfolio. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi heard the matter. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated in its petition that petitioner imported HP Server for Easypaisa Portfolio. Later an audit observation dated 19/07/2016 was served to petitioner falsely accusing the petitioner for clearing imported ‘servers for telecommunication use’ by misclassifying under PCT heading 8471.5000 as servers for computers, paying CD @

National

customs players will join national teams soon: Member customs Zahid khokhar

NIIA customs recovers smuggled silver granules from two passengers ISLAMABAD

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ustoms staff deputed at New Islamabad International Airport (NIIA) arrested two passengers carrying 33 kilograms of smuggled silver granules. Additional Collector Nisar Ahmad Phulwal informed Customs Today that Collector Zulfiqar Ali Chaudhry received credible information about some smuggling attempts at New Islamabad International Airport. The collector directed the additional collector to enhance vigilance at the airport on arrival and departure lounges. The customs team intercepted two persons Samiullah and Akmal Khan both residents of Quetta who were coming from Dubai through PIA flight no: PK-212. During physical checking of these passengers, customs team recovered 33 kilograms of silver granule which were tactfully concealed around their bodies worth Rs2 million. Additional Collector Nisar said that FIR has been lodged against the accused according to Customs Act 1969, while case has been forwarded to the Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) department for further investigation.

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0%, 1% & 2% instead of classifying under PCT heading 8517.6990 (other machines for the transmission or reception of voice, image or other dated, including switching and routing apparatus) attracting CD @20% hence short paid amount of Rs1,317,687/(CD Rs1,040,827, sales tax Rs176,940 additional sales tax Rs34,225 and income tax Rs68,695). Counsel argued that petitioner rebutted the audit observation and filed a detailed written reply dated 09/08/2016, explaining how servers are classifiable under PCT heading 8471.5000, being purely data processing machines and having no function of networking as claimed by the audit department and that the audit observation is based on a misunderstanding of the equipment due to which there is a mis-interpretation of classification of goods.

Friday October 26, 2018

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KARACHI

MuBeeN HuSSAIN

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) Member Customs Zahid Khokhar has said that the Customs department is also playing vital role in sports section and soon Customs’ players will be playing in national teams.

Member Customs Zahid Khokhar, who was the chief guest of the event,

said this after a friendly hockey match played between Junaid Shah Eleven and Iftikhar Ahmed Eleven. The match was organized by the Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) and the Customs Prventive Club (CPC) at the Customs Sports complex Karachi. On the outclass win of the Iftikhar Ahmed Eleven comprising over customs player, Zahid Khokhar hailed the performance and appreciated the players of the both teams. After

awarding the trophy to the winning team, the Member Customs expressed satisfaction over the performance of the team. In past, many players remained part of national teams and performed their best for the sake of country, so many times, players from the Customs brought medals including gold in different games and soon customs players will again join national teams and will serve the country, said Khokhar.

govt to establish three new Directorates of Ir wing

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ISLAMABAD

SHAHID MINHAS

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overnment is planning to establish three new Directorates under Inland Revenue Wing of Federal Board of Revenue which will directly report to Member Inland Revenue (Member operations), it is learnt here. OfTicial sources told Customs Today that the government during the process of restructuring of Federal Board of Revenue is reviewing a suggestion to establish three new Directorates which will control all the Large Taxpayers Units (LTUs), Regional Taxpayers Units (RTUs) and Corporate Regional Taxpayers Units

(CRTUs). The basic aim of establishing three new directorates is to rationalize the work Tlow, compliance, enforcement, monitoring and recovery of taxes ensuring facilitation for the taxpayers.

Sources also added that there will be Directorate General North, Directorate General South and Directorate General Central which will be headed by a Grade-21 ofTicer. All the 23 Tield formations will be distributed among these three Directorates. Earlier these Tield formations ofTicers used to directly report to Members IR, sources added.

Sources further told that Tield formations situated in Sindh and Baluchistan provinces will be controlled by Di-

rectorate General South and Tield formations situated in Punjab province will come under control of Directorate General Central while Directorate General North will look after the Tield formations of Islamabad, AJK, Gilgit and KP. Meanwhile, The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a separate simpliTied income tax return form for salaried persons, who have other sources of income, including proTit on debt (interest income). In this regard, the FBR issued a notiTication and said that the separate and simpliTied income tax return form had been introduced to facilitate salaried taxpayers, who were deriving income from salary and other sources where income from salary is

more than 50 percent of the total income. The FBR explained that the income is classiTied under Tive heads of income such as salary, business, house property (rental income), capital gain, and other sources. “The separate form is meant only for persons deriving salary income or a combination of salary income and income from other sources where salary is more than 50 percent of the total income,” according to the notiTication. The FBR said income from other sources was a residual head of income and includes proTit on debt (interest income) and various other categories as explained in Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 which were not included in other head of income.

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Saudi Arabia to establish special economic zone to woo foreign investors

World Customs

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia is establishing a special economic zone (SEZ) at Riyadh’s King Khalid International airport in a bid to attract multinational investors to the kingdom, it was announced.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the SEZ will focus on integrated logistics and will be governed by the country’s General Authority for Civil Aviation. The Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) will manage the attraction of investments.

Friday October 26, 2018

russian producers customs intercepts N28m china-made container load of soup enhance sugar supply

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MOSCOW

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BEIJING

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he Nigeria Customs Service on said it had intercepted a container full of soup and other edible items worth N27,960,000 being imported from China. The NCS said the container, which was cleared in one of the ports in Lagos, was intercepted by the Comptroller-General of Customs Strike Force team based on intelligence provided by the intelligence unit of the NCS. It added that some other items that had semblance of mushrooms were already deteriorating in the container and could pose serious danger to human health when consumed. The NCS had in the past intercepted a 20ft container of Egusi, Jollof Rice, Ogbono and yam porridge imported from India at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos.

ford sets up china business as a stand-alone unit S automaker Ford said Wednesday that it is separating its China unit from the broader Asia Pacific operations into a stand-alone business in a bid to accelerate profitable growth.

Ford also named auto industry veteran Anning Chen as president and CEO of its China business. Chen, previously with Chery Jaguar Land Rover, assumes the newly created position from Nov. 1 and will be reporting to Jim Farley, president global markets. Chen will spearhead the company’s turnaround plans to boost sales in China and drive sustainable value creation. “Success in China is critical as we reposition our global business for long-term success,” Jim Hackett, president and CEO at Ford, said in a statement.

“With today’s actions, we are strengthening our commitment to the China market.” –CB Report

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Meanwhile, the Deputy Comptroller and National Coordinator, CGC Strike Force team, Abdullahi Kirawa, who spoke to journalists on Friday while displaying some of the items seized by the NCS between September 19 and October 18, 2018, said importing pots of stew and such edible items without verification, as they were labelled in Chinese language, could

pose serious harm to the consumers. He said it was high time Nigerians started having more preference for things produced in the country rather than imported ones. He said, “How can someone import soup into this country?

They were carefully concealed inside the container. I will advise that Nigerians should ignore xenocentrism and embrace ethnocentrism.

cancelling Saudi Arabia arms deal would cost $1 billion: trudeau

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rime Minister Justin Trudeau says cancelling the controversial contract to sell armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia would leave taxpayers on the hook for $1b. The comments come as the Liberal government is facing new pressure to cancel the deal amid international outrage over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi earlier this month. Canada has added its voice to global calls for answers, with Trudeau telling the CBC today that the Saudi gov-

ernment’s explanation of what happened lacks credibility. Human rights groups have urged Canada to cancel the $15b contract to sell light armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia a 2014 deal signed by the Harper government and upheld by the Liberals. Trudeau says the government could suspend export permits but notes the contract is structured in a way that makes it very difTicult to cancel and he is limited in what he can discuss publicly. –CB Report

ussian sugar producers are interested in increasing the supply of their products to Azerbaijan. Board Chairman of the Union of Sugar Producers of Russia (Soyuzrossakhar) Andrey Bodin told Trend that to date, friendly contacts between Russian and Azerbaijani manufacturers have been established at a high level.

“Russia and Azerbaijan have established professional business ties, including friendly relations between sugar producers in Russia and Azerbaijan. We are actively cooperating with Azerbaijan’s largest sugar producer Azersun,” said Bodin.

Further, he noted that the common goal of Azerbaijani and Russian producers is to meet the needs of the domestic market, as well as expand exports to foreign markets.

The Board Chairman went on to say that the export potential of Russian sugar in the coming years is es-

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timated at 900,000 tons.

Bodin emphasized that he considers it expedient to create joint ventures in the Tield of agro-industrial complex between the two countries, and that the exchange of experience in the Tield of sugar production can also have a positive effect on cooperation between the two countries in the agrarian sphere. Azerbaijan is one of the main economic partners of Russia among the CIS countries. Interregional cooperation plays an important role in the development of Russian-Azerbaijani trade and economic relations. At present, enterprises of more than 70 regions of Russia cooperate directly with Azerbaijan. Fifteen regions of Russia have relevant agreements with Azerbaijan on trade and economic, scientiTic, technical and cultural cooperation.

Russia has been included in the list of Azerbaijan’s Tive largest trade partners in January-June 2018 with the volume of trade turnover of $ 1.14 billion (8.54 percent of the total volume of trade turnover).

Brexit deal is 95% settled: May ritish Prime Minister Theresa May will tell lawmakers Monday the “vast majority” of a Brexit deal has been reached with European Union leaders, as she attempts to prove she’s making progress in talks amid criticism from all sides at home.

According to her prepared remarks, May will say “95 per cent of the withdrawal agreement and its protocols are now settled,” with signiTicant progress in “the last three weeks alone.” Her address to Parliament comes days after massive protests in London Saturday demanding a second Brexit referen-

dum and dissent from within her ruling Conservative Party, including one MP describing May’s government as a “sh*t show.”

An initial opponent of Brexit, May has long struggled to reach a compromise with European leaders, while staving off criticism from hard-line anti-EU lawmakers within her own Conservative Party and its allies in Parliament, the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). The biggest outstanding problem remains the issue of how to avoid the need to construct new infrastructure along the Irish border. –CB Report

egypt receives over 120 russian business delegations in 2017/18

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gypt has received over 120 Russian business delegations in order to implement joint projects in the areas of oil and gas exploration, nuclear energy, railway transport, metallurgy, automotive production, agricultural machinery,

construction, pharmaceuticals, and banking, in both 2017 and 2018, said the Head of Trade Representation of Russia in Egypt, Nikolai Aslanov. “The Trade Representation of Russia in Egypt has organised and conducted visits from 40 business delegations of Russian companies to Egypt, representing more than 70 companies during the period from January to August 2018,” added Aslanov in a re-

cent report that Daily News Egypt received a copy of. The Russian-Hungarian Consortium Transmashholding-Hungary Kft. won the Tive-year contract in a tender called in 2017, (which beat out bids by companies from China, Italy, India, and Romania) and signed the contract with the Egyptian National Railways (ENR) in Cairo on September 25, 2018, noted Aslanov, adding that it is a very sig-

niTicant event in Russian-Egyptian trade relations, as it will enhance economic and industrial cooperation.

The contract between the RussianHungarian Consortium and EMR is worth €1bn (about $1.2bn, or EGP 22bn), for the delivery of 1,300 passenger carriages, said Russia’s head of trade representation, adding, “this is the largest contract in the history of the Egyptian railways.

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Iran: Imports of Essential Goods Top $4.6 Billion Tehran:Over 9.13 million tons of essential goods worth $4.67 billion were imported into Iran during the first half of the current Iranian year (March 21-Sept. 22), accounting for 56% and 21% of the total imports in terms of weight and value respectively.

According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, a total of 16.22 million tons of goods worth $22.18 billion were imported during the period. The figures show more than a 9% decline in weight and a 12% fall in value over last year’s similar period.

Corn, rice, oilseeds, pharmaceuticals, vegetable oils, red meat, soy meal, barley, fertilizers, sugar and wheat were the main essential goods imported in H1.

India, Iran working on rupee-rial facility for chabahar port mportance of Chabahar port project for both Iran and India, saying that the two countries were working out ways to sidestep the US sanctions. According to Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Sunday, the ‘Hindu business line’ noted, “India is weighing a rupeerial payment mechanism for the Chabahar project in Iran as it weaves a way around the impending sanctions imposed by the US on the Persian Gulf nation from November 4, to kickstart the port that is considered critical to the country’s geopolitical and trade interests.”

Quoting the senior Indian official related to the project Gopal Krishna, it said, “India was trying for a rupee-riyal payment mechanism for Chabahar port project. Basically, the guarantees will have to be given in rupees now instead of in dollars or

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Ports & Shipping

IctSI’s terminal declared port of convenience at Itf congress T

SYDNEY

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he Victorian International Container Terminal (VICT) at Melbourne’s Webb Dock has been declared a Port of Convenience (PoC) by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) at its 44th Congress in Singapore.

ITF president Paddy Crumlin said unions believe a fatal accident could be imminent at the VICT, with a number of serious safety-related incidents reported by the workforce recently. “It is a big step to declare a Port of Convenience but the VICT continues to ignore the entirely justiTied concerns of its workforce over their safety and shift arrangements,” said Mr Crumlin, who is also the national secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia.

The ITF-afTiliated MUA has been campaigning against the Philippinebased multinational port operator ICTSI over the signiTicant undercutting of rates, conditions and industry standards on the Australian waterfront; the shifting of automated port jobs to the Philippines and poor

safety standards at the VICT terminal. The VICT is also currently facing legal action over the unlawful sacking of a union delegate and paying wages that undercut the legal minimum wages under the industry award. “All maritime afTiliates are now considering what lawful action may be required to give effect to the PoC campaign,” added Mr Crumlin.

The ITF has uncovered serious exploitation across ICTSI’s global terminals with the company fast becoming one of the most controversial in the maritime industry. “Globally, ICTSI’s workers are underpaid and overworked, harassed and coerced,

and union members often face intimidation in retaliation for raising workplace issues,” Mr Crumlin said.

“ICTSI has tried to bring its antiworker business model, that they have run out all over the world, to Australia and we won’t tolerate it.”

MUA deputy national secretary Will Tracey said two workers at the VICT terminal were recently hospitalised, and the entire workforce is now fearing more serious accidents following the recent introduction of dramatically increased working hours. “This workplace is unsafe, and threatens the standards that union activists over generations have built up.

Friday October 26, 2018

port kembla LNg Import terminal, New South wales he United States has refrained from labelling China a “currency manipulator” in a move which may help defuse escalating tension over trade between the two countries.

President Donald Trump has previously accused China of keeping its currency weak to make exports more competitive. Speculation that the US Treasury would make that claim formally this week has not been borne out, however.

China’s policies were still of “particular concern” the Treasury said. Beijing’s lack of transparency and the recent weakness of the yuan continued to pose major challenges to achieving “more balanced trade”, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a twice-yearly report on the foreign exchange policies of major US trading partners. However, the Treasury did not find that China was directly intervening to undermine the currency’s value. The yuan fell to its lowest level against the dollar since January 2017 following the report.

President Trump argues the growth in Chinese exports to the US has destroyed American jobs. –CB Report

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Hamilton port sees strong year so far euros.” He said that the issue was discussed with a high-level delegation led

by Mohammad Rastad, Iran’s Deputy Minister and Managing Director for Ports and Maritime Organization, during his visit to India last week. Meanwhile, India, Afghanistan and Iran Tuesday held their first trilateral meeting on Chabahar port project during which they reviewed its implementation. The meeting assumes significance as the strategicallylocated port on the energy-rich Iran’s southern coast was coming under the ambit of US sanctions on Tehran. “Detailed discussions were held between the three sides on full operationalisation of the trilateral Agreement for international transit and transport through Chabahar port,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. –CB Report

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olatility in the United States helped deliver a strong year for Hamilton’s port so far, with more steel imports and grain exports than the same timeframe in 2017. Overseas cargo shipments are up 81 per cent through September compared to last year, said the port authority, and total cargo is up 18 per cent. President and CEO Ian Hamilton says there’s been an uptick in steel imports with the revival of Stelco, high demand and foreign countries turning to Canada to avoid U.S. tariffs.

But agricultural shipments “are off the charts,” he said, with grain shipments from Hamilton up 109 per cent. Hamilton said infrastructure investments meant the port could take advantage of a “perfect

storm” this year. A combination of NAFTA uncertainty, Canada’s recent trade deal with the European Union, and a drought in Europe, has driven the demand for agricultural shipments, he said. Canadian grain traders have been looking more to European markets than the United States, meaning more grain shipped overseas.

Meanwhile, China and the United States imposed new tariff hikes on each other’s goods Monday and Beijing accused Washington of bullying, giving no sign of compromise in an intensifying battle over technology that is weighing on global economic growth. US regulators went ahead with a planned 10 percent tax on a $200 billion list of 5,745 Chinese imports including bicycles and furniture. China’s customs agency said it responded at noon by beginning to collect taxes of 5 or 10 percent on a $60 billion list

of 5,207 American goods, from honey to industrial chemicals.

The conTlict stems from U.S. President Donald Trump’s complaints Beijing steals or pressures foreign companies to hand over technology.

American ofTicials say Chinese plans for state-led development of global competitors in robotics and other technologies violate its market-opening obligations and might erode U.S. industrial leadership. leaders offered to narrow their politically sensitive, multibillion-dollar trade surplus with the United States by purchasing more natural gas and other American exports. But they have rejected pressure to change industry plans the communist leadership sees as a path to prosperity and global inTluence. Monday’s tariff hike follows a report by The Wall Street Journal that Chinese ofTicials pulled out of a meeting to discuss possible talks proposed by Washington.

The Chinese government had given

no public indication whether it would accept the invitation. Envoys last met Aug. 22 in Washington but reported no progress. With no settlement in sight, forecasters say the conTlict between the two biggest economies could trim global growth through 2020. The ratings agency Fitch cut its forecasts for next year’s Chinese and global economic growth by 0.1 percentage points to 6.1 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively. “The trade war is now a reality,” said Fitch’s chief economist, Brian Coulton, in a report.

“The downside risks to our global growth forecasts have also increased.”

Earlier, the two sides imposed 25 percent penalties on $34 billion of each other’s goods in July and another $16 billion in August. Business groups say American companies also report Chinese regulators are starting to disrupt their operations through slower customs clearance and more environmental and other inspections.

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ASF arrests man at Sialkot airport, seizes near 1kg ice SIALKOT: A man was arrested at the Sialkot airport for attempting to smuggle a drug called ‘ice’. The man has been identified as Mukhtab. He was boarding a Dubai-bound flight when the Airport Security Force arrested him. The security officials found nearly 980 grams of ice from his luggage. The suspect was handed over to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) for investigation. On October 4, a man was arrested at the Islamabad airport for attempting to smuggle one kilogramme of ice. A day earlier, two Umrah pilgrims were arrested for smuggling contraband.

Friday October 29, 2018

Business

ecc approves hike in electricity rates by 10pc ISLAMABAD

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he Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Wednesday approved a 10 per cent increase in the power rates for consumers using more than 300 units. The decision was taken in a committee meeting headed by Finance Minister Asad Umar.

Commenting on the government’s decision to hike the power tariff, Umar said that the decision was inevitable due to the growing circular debt and economic challenges facing the country.

“However, the government has decided to decrease the power tariff

NAB summons Hamza and Salman LAHORE

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report

for the agricultural sector by Tive per cent,” he said. During the last meeting on October 22, ECC members had deferred the decision on an increase in the power tariff and decided to meet on Oct 24 to consider

Sc issues notices to Nawaz, Maryam against suspension of jail terms

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he National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned the sons of PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif in inquiry into assets beyond means. Hamza and Salman have been summoned for Nov 2. He is also facing investigation in the Punjab Saaf Pani Company for allegedly presiding over meetings of the board of directors despite the fact he was not even its member. Earlier, Salman Shahbaz had appeared before NAB Lahore regarding provision of the record of his family’s property.

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it. According to earlier reports, the government wanted to increase the power tariff in two phases.

“The Ministry of Power has sought permission from National Electric Power Regulatory Author-

ity (NEPRA) regarding increasing the power tariff by Rs3.74/unit in two phases, however, the government is facing difficulty in increasing the price after NEPRA’s new tariff,” a media report said quoting ministry officials. “NEPRA has upheld that the phase-wise rise will further increase the government’s economic problems,” it had added. Earlier this month, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team which visited Pakistan called for a further hike in gas and power tariffs. An IMF team led by Harald Finger visited Islamabad from September 27 to October 4 to discuss Pakistan’s economic situation and exchange views on necessary policies for economic stabilisation and sustainable and inclusive growth.

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ISLAMABAD

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he Supreme Court issued notices to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz on an appeal by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) challenging suspension of their jail terms.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had suspended the prison terms of the Sharif family members in the AvenTield reference, releasing them on bail.

Headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib

Nisar, a bench of the apex court took up the NAB appeal today. The chief justice remarked that the IHC erred in its ruling as a judgement vis-à-vis suspension of sentence is written over two to three pages. “The high court gave opinion on the case by authoring 43-page long judgment.” The hearing was adjourned till Nov 6. NAB special prosecutor Akram Qureshi, who Tiled the appeal, contended, “IHC has failed to appreciate that through its order, it had seriously prejudiced the case of the prosecution by holding that the trial court judgement suffered from obvious and glaring defects and inTirmities and

that the convictions and sentences handed down to the accused might not be sustained ultimately.” The anti-graft watchdog pleaded with the top court to overturn the IHC order and restore the sentences awarded to Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and her spouse.

The court was further requested to cancel the bail granted to all the accused in the corruption reference by the high court. On September 19, the IHC suspended the sentences handed to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and sonin-law Mohammad Safdar in the AvenTield corruption reference.

rafique, Salman granted extension in bail LAHORE

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ormer railway minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother Salman Rafique have been accorded extension in their protective bails until November 14 for their alleged involvement in Paragon Housing Scheme scam. According to details, the Lahore High Court on Wednesday extended the bails for 20 days as Khawaja brothers appeared before the court to request prolonging their protective bails for another time. The brothers would have been arrested by the National Accountability Bureau as, the sources told, the anti-corruption body possesses the arrest warrants, accorded by the NAB chairman, of the brothers duo. Previously, the Lahore High Court granted interim bail to PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique and Khawaja Salman Rafique against a surety of Rs500, 000 each until Oct 24 in the corruption case. The Interior Ministry on the request of the anti-graft watchdog had placed the names of the former federal minister and his brother on the blacklist. Besides the two PML-N leaders, the name of Chief Executive of Paragon Housing Society Lahore Qaiser Amin Butt was also put on the blacklist.

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ANf torches 403kg narcotics at drug burning ceremony RAWALPINDI

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he Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has torched more than 403 kg narcotics during a drug burning ceremony. Capt (R) Arif Nawaz Khan, Secretary Ministry of Narcotics Control, was the chief guest on the occasion while foreign dignitaries, ofTicials of Law Enforcement Agencies, high ranking military and

civil ofTicials, international partners on drug control, NGOs, civil society, sports organizations, celebrities, media persons and students from different educational Institutions were also present. Director General (DG) ANF Maj General Musarrat Nawaz Malik welcomed the guests.

DG ANF Major General Musarrat Nawaz Malik said that the menace of drugs is one of the most damaging and life crippling threat for a society and ANF is striving for its absolute

elimination, to achieve the goal of a “Drug Free Society”. He added that ANF is vigorously executing its assigned tasks with utmost dedication and determination. He apprised that 403.882 kg of narcotics are being burnt, however, this year ANF burnt a total of 168.148 metric tons of drugs worth 673.115 million US dollars including recent drug burning ceremonies at Peshawar and Quetta.

DG ANF said that ANF is continuously launching “Anti-Drug Drives”

in major cities, with special focus on educational institutions. DG ANF apprised that in 2018, ANF registered 902 cases, arrested 1077 persons involved in drug trafTicking , seized 4143.960Kg Opium, 1572 Kg Morphine, 3481.242 Kg Heroin, 45120.438 Kg Hashish, 2.492 Kg Cocaine, 1621.349 Kg Amphetamine, 45.673 Kg Methamphetamine, 1.543 Kg Ecstasy Tablets, 92.370 Kg Xanax Tablets, 71.400 Kg Pranax Tablets, 57.027 Kg Cannabis,

8 Kg Poppy Straw and Precursor Chemical comprising 4283 Litres Acetic Anhydride, 3700 Litres Sulfuric Acid, 450 Litres Hydrochloric Acid, 6977 Litres Acetone, 114 Litres Ketamine and 65 Kg Crystal.

He told the participants that during the year 2018, out of 898 arrested accused, 830 were given punishments, hence making a 95% successful conviction rate. Further, this year ANF has frozen assets worth Rs 39.265 Million.

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ICCI welcomes Saudi Arabia’s bailout package for Pakistan ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the Saudi Arabia’s $6 billion bailout package for Pakistan finalized during the recent visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan to the Kingdom and termed it a highly positive development as it would lend direly needed financial support to our ailing economy and improve the confidence of businessmen and investors. Ahmed Hassan Moughal, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that Pakistan’s forex reserves have tumbled down to a dangerous level while the country was facing serious fiscal deficit and huge debt obligations. In these circumstances, the Saudi Arabia’s package in the form of $3 billion as balance of payments support for one year and another $3 billion in deferred payments on oil imports for three years would provide crucial breathing space to the economy and help it to move forward towards recovery.

pakistan can also offer a lot to Bavarian businessmen, investors: rieger

Friday October 26, 2018

Chambers

pakistani traders should avail business opportunities in ukraine

KARACHI

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eader of German delegation and Senior Ministerial Consul from Bavarian State’s Ministry of Economic Affairs Mr. Ulrich Konstantin Rieger has said, “Many German companies usually look for trade opportunities in China and India whereas Pakistan with a huge population of 220 million can also offer a lot to Bavarian Businessmen and Investors therefore we decided to visit this country.” Ulrich Rieger, who led a 32-member German delegation during its visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “There is a great potential to enhance bilateral trade and we must use this potential. We have ob-

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served that Pakistani businessmen are very active and innovative all over the world and also in Germany.” President KCCI Junaid Esmail Makda, Senior Vice President Khurram Shahzad, Vice President Asif Sheikh Javaid, Former Presidents KCCI Mian Abrar Ahmed, Majyd Aziz and Shamim Ahmed Shamsi along with KCCI Managing Committee members, Vice Consul for Economic Affairs from German Consulate Vogel Ingolf, Honorary Consul for Pakistan in Bavaria Dr. Pantelis Christian Poetis and others attended the meeting. Ulrich Rieger further stated that the German Business delegation was here to look for cooperation, new business ideas which is our main interest and they will also be happy to cooperate in transfer of technology. “One of the secrets behind success of Bavaria has been the vocational training and development of SMEs. We can support Pakistan with vocational training and we are ready to do it”, he added.

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arious economic sectors of Ukraine have huge scope for Pakistani merchandise therefore Pakistani businessmen should avail these opportunities through joint ventures. This was stated by Ambassador-designate to Ukraine Major General ® Zahid Mubashir Sheikh while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The LCCI Acting President Khawaja Shahzad Nasir, Vice President Fahim ur Rehman Sehgal and Executive Committee Members also spoke on the occasion.

Ambassador said that both Pakistan and Ukraine have very strong credentials to give new strengthens to their respective economies but lack of information about each other’s potentials is coming in the way and there is a need to bridge this gap. He said that the Pakistan embassy in Ukraine would extend every possible cooperation for single country exhibition and for exchange of business delegations.

Speaking on the occasion, the

LCCI Acting President Khawaja Shahzad Nasir stressed the need for cooperation in energy, steel and technology. He said that Ukrainian engineering sector is another area where Pakistan can beneTit from the processes and consequent product development. He said that Pakistani businesses were speciTically eyeing the prospects of transfer of technology. Likewise, opportunities exist in cooperation between the heavy industry establishments in Ukraine and the emerging engineering sec-

tor in Pakistan in the form of joint ventures with third country market in view. He said that Ukraine is known for manufacturing top of the line turbines in the world. These turbines are available in wide range.

Pakistan is facing acute energy crisis and we are in pursuit of utilizing all the available options of generating electricity ranging from hydro, thermal and gas so that can be one area of economic cooperation. In the domain of natural resources, Ukraine is home to metals and alloys which

Nanchang enterprises to invest in pakistan ISLAMABAD

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A delegation of Nanchang People’s Government of China led by its Vice Secretary General Mrs. Wan Lifei visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry and showed interest to explore prospects of investment and JVs in Pakistan. Shi Hao, Vice Director of Commerce Bureau of Nanchang City, Mrs. Wan Hongmei Vice Director of Administrative Committee of Ganjiang New District in Nanchang City, Mr. Wo Qianjin Director of Hi-Tech District Administrative Committee, Investment Promotion Bureau of Nanchang City and others were in the delegation.

Speaking at the occasion, Mrs. Wan Lifei, Vice Secretary General, Nanchang People’s Government

said that the purpose of their visit was to understand the Pakistani market and explore opportunities of investment and joint ventures.

She said Nanchang City with a history of more than 2200 years was the capital of Jiangxi Province of China and has emerged as a manufacturing hub for many industries including automotive, chemical, pharmaceutical and others. She said that Nanchang produced China’s first aircraft, first motorbike, first batch of coastal defense missiles and it has the potential to cooperate with Pakistan in many fields for its industrial development. She said Tellhow Group of Nanchang has already executed many projects in Pakistan including more than 20 small hydropower projects, heavy oil power station in Karachi, military radar, two nuclear power units and

now was participating in the design of Gwadar port smart city. She said the group would continue to work with Pakistani enterprises in energy and other fields. She also invited ICCI delegation to visit Nanchang City and explore business collaborations with Chinese counterparts.

Addressing the delegation, Ahmed Hassan Moughal, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that 2nd phase of CPEC on industrial cooperated has started creating many new investment opportunities in Pakistan and stressed that Nanchang enterprises should bring technology and machinery to set up JVs with Pakistani companies. He said Pakistan was facing huge trade deTicit and the best option for China to help Pakistan in this critical situation was to enhance its imports from Pakistan.

are being utilized in the engineering and other sectors of the manufacturing activity. There is a need to explore that area for a mutually beneTicial matchmaking. He also called for devising ways to update the information crucial for trade and investment. He said that Pakistan’s banking sector has progressed a lot and can help Ukraine in developing banking network at a wider scale as the business community is very much concerned for the lack of proper banking system in Ukraine.

govt urged to ensure cut in paper prices overnment should play a decisive and immediate role for reduction in paper prices as recent massive hikes have given a big blow to this business. The demand was raised at a meeting between the LCCI Acting President Khawaja Shahzad Nasir, Vice President Fahim-ur-Rehman Sehgal and a delegation of All Pakistan Paper Merchants Association (APPMA). The delegation was comprised of APPMA Chairman Ahad Amin, President Khawaja Muhammad Ilyas, Khamis Saeed Butt, Bao Bashir, Samiullah Butt and others. Khawaja Shahzad Nasir and Fahim-ur-Rehman Sehgal said that paper prices are directly linked with the education sector and hike in its prices not only affects the traders but also hits the common man hard.

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Sargodha ASO impounds non-customs paid BMW motorcycle SARGODHA: Anti-Smuggling Organization impounded a non-customs paid foreign origin BMW motor cycle during operation in Chiniot City.

Sources told Customs Today that Anti-Smuggling Organization has intercepted the 800CC BMW motor cycle Racer during a routine patrolling on road. The owner of the bike presented the fake documents to ASO team.

During the verification of documents ASO found these documents fake and Customs Superintendent Choudhary Sardar Muhammad impounded the heavy bike following the rules and regulation.

Friday, October 26, 2018

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

peshawar I&I impounds three trucks loaded with Afghani apples worth rs11.5m ISLAMABAD tArIQ DerYA

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irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation team seized three trucks full of smuggled Afghani fresh apples worth Rs11.5 million. Director Dr. Arslan Subuctageen while talking with Customs Today said that after receiving this information of smuggling attempt on 19.10.2018, he constituted a team under the supervision of Deputy Director Customs I&I Wajid Ali. He said that customs I&I team established a check post and started checking of suspicious vehicles. He said that I&I team intercepted a truck bearing registration no: TKU-237 and C-9606. The I&I team asked the drivers of the vehicles to produce legal documents regarding possession and import of apples but they failed to provide any relevant documents. The customs team brought these three trucks in the premises of the Directorate of I&I where the team recovered 32180 kilogram of Afghani fresh apples which has been seized along with the vehicles the value of two seized apple

loaded trucks was estimated Rs.6.4 million. Director Arslan said that during another operation,

Field Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Kohat team impounded another truck full of Afghan origin apples

worth Rs5 million. He said that the total value of seized trucks of apples is about Rs11.5 million, he

added that Customs I&I after registering a case of smuggling started further investigations.

Multan customs transfers six employees to various locations MULTAN

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ollectorate of Customs Deputy Collector Headquarters Saqib-urRehman has issued notiTication for transfer of six employees to various positions with immediate effect to get better results.

Deputy Collector issued notiTication for the transfer of Inspector Muhammad Ansar Hussain from

Collectorate of Customs Adjudication, Faisalabad Camp OfTice at Customs House to Export Terminal Sadiqabad. Inspector Azhar Abbas transferred from Customs House Multan to Collectorate of Customs Adjudication Faisalabad Camp OfTice at Multan Customs House. He has been relocated in the Collectorate after the transfer of Inspector Muhammad Ansar Hussain.

Havaldar Syed Aleem Akhtar Shah relocated from Customs House to Security Duty of Customs House Multan. Havaldar Muhammad Mushtaq transferred from Security Duty to CPF Bonded Ware-

house Dry Port Multan.

Naib Qasid HaTiz Hamid Uzair Ans who was deputed at CPF Bonded Warehouse Dry Port Multan to General Branch Customs House Multan along with his additional duty as Generator Operator duty and operation of 3-Phase Mersible pump. DMO Abdul Wahab has been assigned additional duty as generator operator.

Meanwhile, Collectorate of Customs will hold auction of the conTiscated goods and vehicles lying at the State Warehouse. The Collectorate will hold auction of conTiscated vehicles and miscellaneous

goods at Multan Dry Port near Sher Shah Road. The Collectorate displayed banners for auction to attract public for generating handsome revenue. Multan Customs will offer only three various foreign origin conTiscated vehicles of different brands including Toyota Land Cruiser, Honda Accord without engine and Toyota Axio car.

These conTiscated vehicles are non-customs paid and they were seized by Anti-Smuggling Organization in their different actions from jurisdiction. Multan Customs will also present 70 lots of electronic, auto parts, miscellaneous

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).

items including foreign origin CCTV cameras, old and used telephone sets of different brands, wrist watches, GPS vehicle trackers and car alarming which will be auctioned against licensed vehicle, TV converter, LED new ball bearing, puller, DPI bearing, auto scrap, kid’s garments, Petroleum products and others. Only oil marketing companies are allowed to participate in the auction of 10,000 liters of HSD and 10,000 liters of POL (petrol).Cell Phones bidders have to furnish the PTA approval certiTicates before the delivery of mobile to Customs authorities.