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Karachi, Tue October 3, 2017

MULTAN

IMRAN ALI

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he Customs Collectorate has assigned new duties to 27 employees including eight inspectors, steno-typist, lower division clerks (LDCs), dispatch rider, havaldars and sepoys. As per details, the Collectorate of Customs transferred Inspector Bashir Hussain Shah from AntiSmuggling Organization to

State Ware House of Multan Customs. Inspector Muhammad Iqbal Qaisrani was performing his duties in Anti-Smuggling Organization in Dera Ghazi Khan OfTice and he has been given additional responsibility of TPL Alerts monitoring. Inspector Shahid Islam PitaTi is performing his responsibilities in Dera Ghazi Khan International Airport and Anti-Smuggling Organization Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan Customs assign his additional duty of TPL Alerts Monitoring along with his existing

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charge. Inspector Rahim Baksh was performing duties at Anti-smuggling Organization Sadiqabad ofTice and International Airport Rahim Yar Khan. Customs Collectorate has withdrawn charge of ASO Sadiqabad ofTice in new directions. Inspector Saleem Afzal is assigned additional responsibilities in Anti-smuggling Organization along with his existing charge of I&P branch Multan. Inspector Muhammad Altaf Kareem and Inspector Maqsood Ahmad have been assigned additional charge of TPL Alerts Monitoring along with their present charge at ASO Sadiqabad OfTice. Steno-typist Ayesha Khan will perform her tasks in Admin branch of Multan Customs on her joining.

Customs I&I using all resources to curb smuggling: DG Shaukat Ali

DG Valuation revises customs values of master batches

FTO postpones hearing of case filed by M/s Ali Abbas Brothers

Court defers indictment of Former PM Nawaz Sharif

Gwadar Customs seizes non duty paid goods worth Rs22.67 million

CustomsI&Isaidhasthathisdepartmenthas enhanced cooperation with international | See pAge 02 |

DGValuation has revised the customs value of master batches through Valuation | See pAge 03 |

FTO Consultant Tariq Yousaf has postponed the hearing of a case filed | See pAge 04 |

Former PM Nawaz showed up for the second time before an accountability court | See pAge 11 |

Customs Collectorate Gwadar seized huge quantity of non duty paid items | See pAge 16 |

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FST reserves decision on complaint filed by FBR employee Habib Tuesday, October 3, 2017

ISLAMABAD: Federal Service Tribunal reserved decision on Habib Ahmed’s complaint while hearing his service matter petition against the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). FST benches, comprising Members, Syed Raﬁque Hussain Shah and Dr Nazir Saeed heard the matter carrying compliant about implementation. The bench also heard complaints submitted by Muhammad Yasin and Muhammad Saleem. Habib Ahmed, who ﬁled this petition in 2011, had submitted in the tribunal that board’s administration had been ignoring FST’s old decision, thereby had not provided him relief granted to him by the tribunal.

Islamabad

customs I&I using all resources to curb smuggling: Dg Shaukat Ali

ISLAMABAD

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M fAIZAN

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he Special Car Cell, Directorate General, Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Federal Board of Revenue Islamabad, has taken into possession a non-duty-paid smuggled Toyota Hilux Surf worth Rs2.7million. The staff of the Special Car Cell received a tip-off that a nonduty-paid smuggled vehicle with fake registration No: IDL 1887, Model 2004, is parked at F-10 Markaz Islamabad. A team of the Special Car Cell, Directorate General FBR Islamabad, comprising Superintendent Saeed Ahmed, Intelligence officer Gul Nawaz, Sepoy Arslan Zafar, Sepoy Zahid-ul-Islam, rushed to the spot and found the vehicle there. Despite some hectic efforts, nobody came forward to claim the vehicle. The occupant of the vehicle, noticing the arrival of the staff, fled the scene.After waiting for two hours, the vehicle was impounded in the presence of witnesses and shifted to the HQs office at G-10/4 Islamabad. The chassis of the vehicle was physically examined and tallied with the record data of import, Amnesty Scheme 2013 and auctioned vehicles available with the directorate general but no record of the same chassis number was found.

irector General Customs Intelligence and Investigation Shaukat Ali said has that his department has enhanced cooperation with international customs agencies and is using all available resources to curb smuggling. Talking to Customs Today at Directorate General Headquarters of Customs Intelligence and Investigation, he said that the Customs Department needs people’s cooperation to Tight smuggling in the country. In reply to a question, he said, “I have taken strict measures against corrupt ofTicials and there is no room for such ofTicials in Customs Intelligence.” He said that the Customs I&I ofTicers are performing well and he hopes they will not only maintain the level of performance but also increase it. He has conveyed the special appreciation for those ofTicers and staff who are performing well. He further stated that there are maTias and organized groups which are involved in the smuggling and illegal trade with connivance of the black sheep and we are after them sooner or later they will be in the tight grip of law. He lauded the performance of the ofTicers of special car cell of headquarter and said honest ofTicers are the asset of the institution.

Smuggled NDp toyota hilux impounded by Special car cell

Meanwhile, The campaign is going on against the illegal trade of smuggling and the menace of narcotics in the country by the Directorate General Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Federal Board of Revenue Islamabad. In this regard, Directorate Customs Intelligence and Investigation Peshawar has frustrated an at-

tempt of smuggling of huge quantity of drugs in the country and recovered 13.7 kilogram of heroin from a car. The value of the drug in the international market is Rs130million. On a tip-off given by Director General Customs Intelligence Shaukat Ali that a huge quantity of drugs would be attempted to smuggle into the coun-

try. The Directorate Customs Intelligence and Investigation set up a picket on Motorway near Nowshera Rashakai Interchange. The antismuggling team signaled a suspicious Suzuki Swift Car Registration No: LEH 14-4080 to stop but the driver accelerated the speed by offending the picket.

Ihc seeks reply on reference filed by M/s Aftab traders

ISLAMABAD

NAeeM uLLAh tARIQ www.customsbulletin.com

earing a number of cases including customs and income tax references, Islamabad High Court issued notices in a customs matter involving M/s Aftab Traders and Collectorate of Customs. IHC bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah heard the matter and issued notices to parties. Last week the court had relisted the mat-

ter. Collector Customs had Tiled the case against M/s Aftab Traders. Meanwhile the bench also issued notices while holding hearing on cases submitted by M/s Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited. The bench issued notices to parties to ensure their presence before the court and dated in office hearing. M/s Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited had filed the reference in which the company had challenged a show cause notice issued by the Large Taxpayers Unit,

Islamabad. M/s Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited had contested show cause notices issued by the field offices of Federal Board of Revenue. According to details, M/s Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited had challenged recovery of issued to it under the head of outstanding sales tax by the LTU, Islamabad. M/s Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited had submitted the department had issued the demand for the tax year 2010 in head of sales tax.

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Vehicles confiscation: SHC reserves judgment in four identical petitions KARACHI: A Sindh High Court bench has reserved judgment in four identical petitions pertaining to conﬁscation of construction vehicles. The bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omar Sial, earlier heard Ms Dil Khurram Shaheen advocate, counsel for petitioner Ihsanullah, importer of construction vehicles. The Custom authorities maintained that the vehicles in dispute were imported in violation of Import Policy Order.

court issues notices to customs in petition filed by tiles importer

Tuesday October 3, 2017

Karachi

Dg Valuation revises customs values of master batches

KARACHI

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Sindh High Court bench has issued notices to Customs officials for Sept in a petition filed by a tiles importer. The bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omar Sial, heard Ms Dil Khurram Shaheen advocate, counsel for petitioner. Appearing for the petitioner Nut Shell Company, Ms Dil Khurram Shaheen submitted that under SRO 480, imports from Sri Lanka are covered by SAFTA. She maintained that as per SRO, respondents cannot impose regulatory duty. The consignment is at port and petitioner is sustaining losses on daily basis, she contended.

Adjudication issues notice against M/s BM enterprises KARACHI

M B RANA

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ollector Collectorate of Customs Adjudication one has prepared a show-cause notice against M/s BM Enterprises for allegedly causing a loss of Rs 1.62 million to the national exchequer by way of mis-declaration of classification. According to sources, M/s BM Enterprises imported a consignment of plastic show piece cleared by mis-declaring the classification of the imported goods under Pakistan Custom Tariﬀ (PICT) from Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) through their clearing agent namely M/s Furqan Shipping by availing undue/ inadmissible benefit/ exemption of sales tax vide S. No. 42 of Table. It is pertinent to mention here that M/s BM Enterprises itself has imported identical/same import under correct PCT heading 2365.9530.

KARACHI

wAQAR AhMeD ANSARI www.customsbulletin.com

he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of master batches through Valuation Ruling No 1212/2017 under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969. Customs values of master batches were earlier determined through Valuation Ruling No.786/2016, dated 01-01-2016. There was representation from commercial importer for determination of customs value of master batches afresh. One commercial importer namely M/s Standard Enterprises Lahore claimed that the prices of Master Batch (Black Colour) are lower in the international markets than the customs value determined in the existing valuation ruling, which is over one and half year old, hence it is required to be revised in the light of Sindh High Court’s orders dated 10.11.2015 in constitutional petition No. D6918/2015. Since 90 days have passed and a representation was received from commercial importer regarding values determined in the valuation ruling dated 01.01.2016, hence an exercise was initiated to re-determine the values of subject items. Meetings with stakeholders and local manufactures were scheduled on 17.7.2017, 10.8.2017 and 21-082017, to discuss the current inter-

national prices of subject goods. The meetings were attended by the consultant of M/s Standard Enterprises Lahore and representatives from local manufacturers, M/s Clariant Pakistan, M/s Bin Rashid and M/s FAV Pakistan. During the meeting the consultant of commercial importer stated that their particular item, master batch black colour, may be deleted from the valuation ruling as its value is lower than the value notiTied in the existing valuation rul-

there was representation from commercial importer for determination of customs value of master batches afresh. one commercial importer namely M/s Standard enterprises Lahore claimed that the prices of Master Batch (Black colour) are lower in the international markets

pcA detects tax evasion cases of Rs 11.36m

KARACHI

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he Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has shown outstanding performance during the last 20 days of September and detected 10 cases involving a revenue of Rs 11.36 million. Sources told Customs Today that Directorate of Post Clearance Audit, headed by Director Nadeem Memon, detected various cases per-

taining to short payment of customs duty, sales tax, and withholding tax. The companies also beneTited from inadmissible concessions in violation of the law. The Directorate served Tive contravention reports and six observations during the 20 days of September involving total duty and taxes of Rs 11.36 million. The companies served audit observations or contravention M/s Qayyum Traders, M/s Khan Associates, M/s Zahid and Sons ,and M/s J.J. Enterprises and others.

Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Nadeem Memon directed all relevant ofTicials and teams to expedite their efforts to recover outstanding amount from defaulters.It is necessary to mention here that Post Clearance Audit detected six cases involving revenue of Rs7.32 million in the Tirst Tifteen days of September. Directorate Post Clearance Audit served two contravention reports and four observations during the 15 days of September involving total duty and taxes of Rs7.32 million.

ing. On the other hand the view point of local manufacturers was diagonally opposed to the commercial importers. The local manufacturer informed that the values of main constituent material i.e. plastic material (PE) and inorganic pigments (Carbon black pigment grade, titanium oxide etc) are showing upward trend in the international markets and requested to revise the values upward of master batches all grade.

Shc orders to produce impounded vehicle Sindh High Court’s Customs appellate bench has ordered the Customs authorities concerned to produce the impounded Land Cruiser on Sept 28.interim release of Land Cruiser till decision in the petition.The bench was hearing the constitution petition filed by Khalid Hussain whose vehicle was confiscated by the Intelligence and Investigation directorate of Pakistan Customs.

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Enhancement in number of commissioners in SECP challenged in LHC Tuesday October 3, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: Enhancement in number of commissioners in Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has been challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC). In his appeal, Munir Ahmed said that the number of commissioners in SECP has been enhanced from four to seven. He said that the number was extended during the tenure of former Chairman Zafar Hijazi. Ahmed said that Hijazi took this step to protect the alleged corruption of the Sharif family. The SECP did not take approval from the federal cabinet, he said. He appealed before the LHC that illegal raise in the number of commissioners may be declared null and void.

customs tribunal upholds oNo in appeal filed against M/s Maxi Inch LAHORE

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ustoms Appellate Tribunal has upheld an adjudication order in a case Tiled by the Collector of Customs Appraisement Lahore against M/s Maxi Inch. Omer Arshed Hakeem, Member Judicial Bench-II, heard the arguments from both sides and passed the judgment with remarks that in the view of fact the captioned question is answered in a negative. As a result, the impugned order is upheld. The appeal is not on merit and dismissed with no order. As per details, M/s Maxi Inch had imported consignment declaring ‘’hot and cool water cooler’’ from China and sought clearance under HS Code 9617.0020 by claiming

court sends accused to jail on judicial remand he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has approved fourteen days judicial remand of an accused in case of cigarettes smuggling. According to details available to Customs Today, customs investigation team produced accused Rameez Iftikhar before the court of Customs Taxation and Anti Smuggling. Customs investigation team asked the court that they have completed investigation from the accused in five days physical remand. On request of customs team, judge of the customs court sends him to jail for judicial trial.Sources told that accused Rameez Iftikhar was arrested on charges of smuggling of cigarettes to America. He was making an attempt to smuggle cigarettes to USA by declaring them as cloths. Sources said that worth of the cloth is more than Rs1.3 million. –CB Report

beneTits of SRO No. 659(I)/2007 attracting customs duty @ 5 percent, sales tax @ 17 percent, additional sales tax @ 3 percent and income tax 5.5 percent. During the post clearance scrutiny of relevant record it was observed that said goods not cleared under the right HS code and customs authorities charged Rs 3,82,829 from the importer. After the show cause notice, adjudication authority passed the order that departmental representative failed to clarify the situation so the show cause notice is vacated. Being aggrieved from the order and customs department Tiled the case before the Customs Appellate Tribunal on the point that impugned order is not on fact bases so tribunal hears the same case and pass the fresh order. Customs Appellate Tribunal heard the arguments from both parties and decided that the impugned order is right and upheld.

fto postpones hearing of case filed by M/s Ali Abbas Brothers LAHORE

SAJID NAwAZ

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ederal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Consultant Tariq Yousaf has postponed the hearing of a case Tiled by proprietor of M/s Ali Abbas Brothers against the Regional Tax OfTice-II (RTO-II) Lahore until the next hearing. Consultant Tariq Yousaf heard the case NoFTO-LHR /0000/17 of proprietor Ali Abbas Brothers in which counsel for the appellant argued that RTO-II had failed to release refund to the appellant of the last three years. He said the RTO had been collecting excessive tax from the company for the last three years. He approached the ofTicers concerned many times for release of refunds but the RTO-II ofTicials did not entertain his requests, even after the

passage of a reasonable period. Finally, the appellant decided to move the FTO seeking his intervention in the case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the RTO to clear the refund claims. The counsel further said that delay in release of refund claims put the burden on the taxpayers, adding that the RTO should audit the cases

and release the extra amount collected by it from the taxpayers. On the other hand, counsel for RTO maintained that the appellant did not submit all the record to the ofTice on which basis he is claiming refunds. If appellant provides an accurate record, the RTO-II will release the refunds, if any, after a proper assessment, he added.

customs ASo recovers huge quantity customs tribunal upheld impugned order of digital satellite receivers ustoms Appellate Tribunal has less customs duty but after the

ollectorate of Customs Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization recovered 60 cartons of Chinese origin digital receivers. Sources told Customs Today that Collector Faiz Ahmad received information that some attempts are being made to smuggle a huge quantity of non-duty paid digital receivers. He immediately constituted an ASO team under the supervision of Inspector Mansoor Elahi. The team established a check post near Thokar Niaz Baig and started check-

ing of vehicles. The team intercepted a Shahzore loader and recovered 60 cartons. Each carton consists of 10 pieces of digital receivers. The team asked the driver of the vehicle to produce legal documents regarding possession and transportation of these digital receivers but he remained fail to produce any legal documents. After his failure, the Customs ASO team impounded the receivers and registered a case of smuggling against the owner of the vehicle and goods. –CB Report

dismissed the appeal Tiled by the M/s Paradise International Lahore against Collector of Customs Adjudication Lahore and others. Justice ® Mailk Manzoor Hussain, Chairman Customs Appellate Tribunal heard the case and considered the argument from both sides. After hearing the appeal case has been decided with remarks that after considering the fact of case the adjudication order is upheld.According to the details, the complainant imported lunch box/ food Tlask under HS code 9617 from China attracting

scrutiny customs authorities declared that importer has misused the HS Code and also impose Rs15, 00, 000 in penalty. The adjudication authority heard the case and passed the Order in Original that importer is liable to pay duties and taxes charged on him. Being aggrieved from the order and appellant Tiled the case before the Customs Appellate Tribunal on the grounds that impugned order is passed in mechanical fashion and without consideration of facts of the same case; impugned order is liable to set aside. –CB Report

customs preventive collects Rs 1,459m duty, taxes

LAHORE

M hAYAt

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ollectorate of Customs Preventive has collected Rs 1,459 million all duty and taxes during the first 20 days of September the financial year 2017-18. As per details, the Collectorate of Preventive collected Rs 411 million

customs duty during the period under review against the proposed target of Rs 381 million. The Collectorate collected Rs 720 million on account of sales taxes during the period under review against the target of Rs 517 million. On the other hand, the Collectorate of Preventive collected Rs 326 million on account of withholding tax against the set target

of Rs 349 million for the first 20 days.Likewise the Collectoarte collected Rs0.64 million on account of federal excise duty (FED) during the twenty days of the said period against Rs8.50 million proposed target for the period. Overall the Collectoarte of Customs collected Rs 1,459 million duty and taxes during period under review.

It is necessary to mention here that Collector Customs Preventive Faiz Ahmed directed to use all available legal resources to recover outstanding tax amount from defaulters. Sources said that due to comprehensive strategy adopted by Customs Collectorate, a marginal increase is being witnessed in the collection of outstanding dues.

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LAHORE

M hAYAt

www.customstoday.com

he Federal Board of Revenue Member Custom Muhammad Zahid Khokhar has said that FBR is keen to satisfy the business community on taxation system. He said this while addressing 2nd Annual General Meeting of the Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association (PCMA) which took place at a local hotel, in which the ofTicial announcement of the PCMA election 2017 was made by the PCMA election commission, after which Zubair F. Tufail, chairman, Zafar Mahmood, Senior Vice Chairman and Abdul Qayoom, Vice Chairman took over the charge of their ofTices. The meeting, besides ofTice bearers, was also addressed by Muhammad Zahid Khokhar, Member Custom, FBR who was the chief guest of the event. The election commission, while announcing the election results, conTirmed unopposed success of the 16 candidates as member executive committee of PCMA, which included Mansoor Javaid Haider, Abrar Ahmad, Abdul Qayoom, Ali Majeed, Amir Niazi, Ghulam Mustafa, Haroon Ali Khan, Ms. Humaira Shazia (women seat), Mohsin Tariq, Mian Muhammad Adrees, Muhammad Shakil Monoo, Ms. Nabila Intisar (women

seat), Pervaiz Hussain SuTi, Pervez Tanveer Tufail, Zafar Mahmood and. Zubair F. Tufail. Addressing the gathering Member Custom FBR Muhammad Zahid Khokhar said that FBR is keen to satisfy the business community on taxation system. Responding to questions of PCMA members on this occasion, he assured to resolve the custom issues of chemical manufacturers on priority basis.

A f pcM ions o t s e u to q sion, nding s occ a i h t Re s p o n red to ers o R assu memb B f s tom of er cus issues m o t s Memb u c e the ers on re s o l v fac tur u n a c al m is chemi t y bas priori

Zubair F. Tufail, the newly elected chairman of the association, while speaking on this occasion, vowed to expedite the process of establishing the Petrochemical Complex for bringing revolution in the chemical industry of Pakistan. He thanked for the valuable efforts made by the ex Chairman PCMA Muhammad Adrees. He assured to bring the private and public sector stakeholders on board for evolving a viable plan for erecting the petrochemical complex on ground. Zafar Mahmood, Senior Vice Chairman and Mr. Abdul Qayoom, Vice Chairman also pledged to exploit their capabilities and links for providing the local chemical industry with the facilities and support to come at par with international chemical industry. On the occasion chemical industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s international expert Tahir J Qadir delivered a presentation on the status of adoption of Responsible Care Initiative by PCMA. Iqbal Kidwai, Secretary General of PCMA, speaking on this occasion, said that PCMA was a young organization and the current polls were in fact, the Tirst ever elections of PCMA. He ensured to follow the procedure in letter and spirit as prescribed under the DGTO rules.

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Tuesday, October 3, 2017

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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

Need to encourage local investment

here was chest thumping euphoria during Nawaz Sharifâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tenure that the economy had been on a growth trajectory since his returned to power in 2013. The government also claimed that the gross domestic product registered an increase of 5.3 percent during the financial year 2016-17, but the bubble of claims burst after a few weeks of Nawazâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ouster. There was a claim of the highest growth in one decade despite slowdown in industrial sector and bleak performance of the large-scale manufacturing units. Some also questioned the claims of highest GDP growth in an environment of industrial slump and drastic fall in the export volume despite achieving the GSP plus status from the European Union. However, experts believe the economy found its own way forward after the domestic consumption came as the driving force for growth in the domestic industry. Despite fall in the export volume, increased domestic consumption supported the GDP growth. The private investment specifically played pivotal role in boosting the industrial output. According to reports, the share of domestic consumption remained 7.9 percent last year from 6.2 a year ago. The foreign investment is welcome, but domestic investors also need encouragement to stop capital flight. According to economists, private investment worked as a driving force to provoke industrial activities in Japan and Scandinavian countries after the World War II and it is still the best option for the developing economies. The private investment needs to be encouraged in auto industry, food processing and cement sectors to meet the growing demand of domestic consumers. There are several other sectors where the small and medium organizations should be encouraged to participate under a specific industrial policy. The former prime minister came to power with claims that his motto would be business, business and business, but he forgot his promises and engaged himself in political conflicts with his rivals. This not only cost him his government, but also brought economic slump all over the country. The government is still seeking loans from international donor agencies without realizing that loans will add burden to the national economy and debt servicing will become a snowball in coming years.

financial indiscipline F

LAHORE

DR AftAB AfZAL

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inancial discipline is the fulcrum of economy and when it is ignored, the economy goes into disarray. It is still debatable why the country could not devise a mechanism to manage its Tinances, trade, investment and the overall economy. Why the ofTicial machinery is unable to establish coordination among its various wings and who the people responsible for economic policies are. In the absence of an effective accountability mechanism, the corrupt government ofTicials and public representatives walk free after incurring heavy losses on the national economy. There is an

army of technocrats, policymakers and parasites who depend heavily on the national reserves, but their utility is limited and ability is questionable. Living on perks and collecting hefty salaries, most of the ofTicial breed is useless for the Tifth largest nation of the world. The only option left for the nation is to seek loans, further loans and heavy loans on unspeciTied conditions. A lion share of the national income is likely to go on debt servicing in coming years and still the Tinancial discipline is absent in the government dictionary. According to reports, the World Bank has suspended a budgetary support programme due to deteriorating macroeconomic indicators in the country, but will con-

tinue to Tinance the development projects.The bank has decided this after receiving a letter of comfort from the International Monetary Fund and the move shows how the world lending agencies are in coordination with each other. The fund is already monitoring Tinancial situation of the country on the basis of macroeconomic indicators. The economists believe the government will have to enter into another loan programme with International Monetary Fund and the situation reTlects inherent vulnerabilities in the national economy. Reports suggest the foreign currency reserves of the country have started depleting due to current account deTicit and major chunk of the national income al-

ready goes to the debt servicing. The government, which was proud of foreign exchange reserves for touching the psychological barrier of $22 billion, stand at $14.7billion. In the wake of $4billion forward booking, the net reserves will nearly stay at $10billion which are hardly enough to meet the import bill requirements of the next three months.There is only one option for the Tinancial managers and that is to boost revenue within the country not on the basis of unreasonable taxes and tariffs, but on the basis of industrial production. Still the government has failed to improve macroeconomic balances and streamline the tax collection system.

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Customs Appraisement West generates Rs10724 million KARACHI: The Customs Collectorate, Appraisement West, has collected Rs10724 million of Customs Duty, Sales Tax, Income Tax and Federal Excise Duty during 21 days of September 2017. Oﬃcial sources told the reporter that the Customs Appraisement West generated Rs4232million of Customs Duty, Rs4123million as Sales Tax and Rs2321million of Income Tax while Rs48.6million was received as Federal Excise Duty (FED). During 14 days of September, Customs Collectorate, Appraisement West, has generated Rs8952million of Customs Duty, Sales Tax, Income Tax and Federal Excise Duty and received Rs3147million of Customs Duty, Rs3845million as Sales Tax and Rs1915million of Income Tax while Rs45.1million was collected as Federal Excise Duty (FED).

oﬀending pickup loaded with smuggling items taken into possession

National

finance division releases Rs5.2b to tDAp for export promotion in 5 yrs

ISLAMABAD

tARIQ DeRYA

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Islamabad impounded smuggling goods along with an oﬀending vehicle (vehicle used for carrying smuggling goods) worth Rs2.389million on GT Road, Peshawar-Rawalpindi. According to details given by Majid Hussain Gadd, Assistant Collector, ASO, that he received a tip-oﬀ by Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad Dr. Saeed Khan Jadoon that some smuggling bid will be made on the GT Road. So he with his team of the ASO squad established a picked on GT Road Peshawar –Rawalpindi and intercepted a pickup with regis-

tration No: BD-2062. During a checking, the ASO staff found a huge quantity of smuggling goods. The ASO staff asked the possessors of the items to show any proof of the loaded goods but they failed to provide any valid evidence regarding the seized items. The goods consisted of 30 tyres, 540 kilogram of chocolate, 528-kg of Mars chocolates and 562-kg of chewing gum. Assistant Collector told CT that the ASO also impounded the offending vehicle valued at Rs0.7million. After the seizure of above said goods, the ASO staff deposited the items along with the offending vehicle to the State Ware House and registered an FIR against the notorious smugglers. A case has been forwarded to the Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) Department for further action.

Tuesday October 3, 2017

ISLAMABAD

M ARShAD

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inance Division has released total Rs 5.2 billion to Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) for export promotion during the last five years (from July 2012-June 2017). TDAP is the primary exports promotion department of Pakistan; however, TDAP could utilize only half of the said amount Rs 2.41 billion in this period. The sales tax zero-rating regime for five export oriented sectors, i.e., textile, leather, carpets, surgical and sports goods have been introduced with effect from July 1, 2016. In order to counter the import surge through unfair trade and strengthen trade defence mechanisms, National Tariff Commission Act has been revamped and approved by the Parliament in 2015. In order to promote exports to new markets, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan is undertaking various export promotional activities through trade exhibitions and delegations.

When this correspondent talked to a well placed official source at Ministry of Commerce (MoC) for lack of capacity of TDAP in utilization of more than half funds released by the Finance Division for exports’ promotion, the source said that on the initiative of MoC, prime minister announced the export

package of Rs180 billion for exporting business community, which was applicable for nearly 18 months for the period from 16th January, 2017 to 30th June, 2018. The incentive for 2017-18 would be available to those who would achieve an increase of 10% in annual exports.

“Out of the total annual allocation, an amount of Rs107.5 billion has been allocated to textiles sector (Rs87.5 billion for Draw Backs and Rs20 billion for withdrawal of duties/taxes on import of cotton and machinery), whereas an amount of Rs12.5 billion is the annual allocation for draw backs on export of non-textiles (other value added sectors)” the source confirmed. Moreover, the source said that under Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF), 2015-18, a total of Rs. 6 billion was allocated for current year spent on the development. An incentive for technology up-gradation in the shape of investment support of 20% and mark-up support of 50% up to a maximum of Rs 1 (one) million per annum per company for import of new plant and machinery. “Basmati rice, horticulture, meat and meat products, and jewellery, are being focused with the parallel focus on Iranian, Afghan, Chinese and European Union markets. Under Textile Policy 2014-2019, Rs. 6 billion was allocated in the fiscal year FY2016-17 to facilitate exporters” the source maintained.

pcA detects 10 cases of tax evasion worth Rs 10.12m KARACHI

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he Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected 10 cases tax evasion involving revenue of Rs 10.12 million. Sources told Customs Today that Directorate of Post Clearance Audit, headed by Director Nadeem Memon, detected cases pertaining to short payment of customs duty and sales tax/ and withholding tax (WHT) because of inadmissible concessions, short payment of antidumping duty, additional sales tax, federal excise duty and income tax. The Directorate served 4 contravention reports and 6 observations during 22 days of September involving total duty and taxes of Rs 10.12 million. The companies served audit observations or con-

travention M/s Zafar Brothers and M/s Noshad and company. Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Nadeem Memon directed all relevant ofTicials and teams to expedite their efforts to recover outstanding amount from defaulters. It is necessary to mention here that Post Clearance Audit is using all available resources to detect cases involving tax evasion and misdeclaration. Directorate served three contravention reports and Tive observations during the 20 days of September involving total duty and taxes of Rs 8.45 million. The companies served audit observations or contravention M/s K K enterprises, M/s Areeb Chemicals , M/s Famous garments, Sabahat and Sons and others. If we talk about last month so directorate General of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has unearthed tax evasion of Rs114.5 million by different

importers during August 2017. Meanwhile, The Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has shown outstanding performance during the current month of September and detected eight cases involving a revenue of Rs 8.45 million. Sources told Customs Today that Directorate of Post Clearance Audit, headed by Director Nadeem Memon, detected cases pertaining to short payment of customs duty and sales tax/ and withholding tax (WHT) because of inadmissible concessions, short payment of anti-dumping duty, additional sales tax, federal excise duty and income tax. The Directorate served three contravention reports and Tive observations during the 20 days of September involving total duty and taxes of Rs 8.45 million. The companies served audit observations or contravention M/s K K enterprises, M/s

Areeb Chemicals , M/s Famous garments, Sabahat and Sons and others. Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Nadeem Memon directed all relevant ofTicials and teams to expedite their efforts to recover outstanding amount from defaulters. It is necessary to mention here that Post Clearance Audit is using all available resources to detect cases involving tax evasion and mis-declaration. It is necessary to mention here that the directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected six cases involving revenue of Rs 7.32 million in the Tirst 15 days of September Directorate served two contravention reports and four observations during the 15 days of September involving total duty and taxes of Rs7.32 million. The companies served audit observations against importers, M/s Inayat and Sons, M/s Zareen Brouchi, and others.

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Rizwan Ahmed Urfi assumes charge as Commissioner-IR Tuesday October 3, 2017

National Masood assumes charge as Additional collector at Appraisement east

ISLAMABAD: Rizwan Ahmed Urfi, a BS-20 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has assumed the charge as Commissioner-IR. The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No. 2628-IR-I/2017, took the charge of the post of Commissioner-IR, Inland Revenue (Appeals), Gujranwala with effect from September 25. Meanwhile, ISLAMABAD: Five Inland Revenue Service officer of BS-19 have relinquished / assumed the charge of their respective posts.

Sadia Iftikhar assumes charge as Deputy commissioner-IR

ISLAMABAD

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ISLAMABAD

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asood Ahmed, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-19, has assumed charge as Additional Collector. The officer, pursuing the Board’s Notification No.2242-CI/2017, dated 18.08.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Additional Director (BS-19), Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit, Islamabad on August 28 and took charge of the post of Additional Collector (BS-19), Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement (East), Karachi on September 5. Meanwhile, Saif Ullah takes charge as Chief Commissioner-IR Reported by: `CT Report September 25, 2017 Saif Ullah Khan, a BS-20 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has taken the charge as Chief Commissioner-IR. The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No. 2069IR-I/2017, dated 02.08.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Chief Commissioner-IR, Regional Tax Office, Sukkur.

Rosheen hussain posted as Second Secretary osheen Hussain Syed, a BS-17 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has been transferred and posted as Second Secretary.The officer, presently posted as Assistant Commissioner-IR, Large Taxpayers Unit, Islamabad, was transferred and posted as Second Secretary(Taxpayer’s Audit wing), Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad with immediate effect and until further order. He has been asked to relinquish/assume charge, using online HRMS facility made available at all FBR major field offices or by using IJP login. Meanwhile, Ardsher Saleem Tariq, a BS-20 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has assumed the charge as Commissioner-IR (BTB). –CB Report

adia Iftikhar, a BS-18 ofTicer of Inland Revenue Service, has assumed the charge as Deputy Commissioner-IR. Sadia, in pursuance of Board’s NotiTication No.2628-IR-I/2017 dated 20-09-2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Second Secretary (IR-Operations Wing), Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad with effect from September 25 and took the charge of the post of Deputy Commissioner-IR (BS-18), Regional Tax OfTice, Islamabad on the same date. Meanwhile, Romana Alam, a BS-18 ofTicer of Inland Revenue Service, has taken the charge as Deputy Commissioner-IR. The ofTicer, in pursuance of

Board’s NotiTication No.2628-IRI/2017 dated 20-09-2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Sec-

ond Secretary (IR-Operations Wing), Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad on September 22 and assumed

the charge of the post of Deputy Commissioner-IR (BS-18), Regional Tax OfTice, Islamabad on the same date.

Islamabad Afu collects Rs454.92m as all duties & taxes on imports during 28 days T

ISLAMABAD

tARIQ DeRYA

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he Air Freight Unit (AFU) Islamabad generated Rs454.92million of all duties and taxes on imports from 1st to 28th of September Financial Year (FY) 2017-18. According to details explained by sources of Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad that, after revising the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the performance of the AFU Islamabad has improved. During above said period, the AFU earned Rs131.67million as Customs Duty (CD). Sources told CT that the AFU received Rs211.73million of Sales Tax (ST) and the AFU did Rs111.52million as Income Tax (IT) during the 1st to 28th of September FY17-18. The AFU Islamabad collected Rs726.039million of all duties and

taxes on imports during August FY2017-18. During the Financial Year 2017-18, the government has revised the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with different countries in-

cluding China therefore the growth of revenue from imports under all the tax heads has increased significantly. During the month of August FY2017-18, the AFU Islam-

abad got Rs197.827million as Customs Duty (CD) which is extraordinarily high against the collection during the last Fiscal Years of 2016-17 and FY15-16.

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Communication Room established at Appraisement West KARACHI: Customs Appraisement West has set up a Communication Room at Customs House Karachi for making or receiving important and emergency calls. In pursuance of the directives of Chief Collector, who has barred assessment/examination staff from using personal mobile phones during work hours, the Appraisement West has setup a Communication Room with dedicated phone No. 021-99214808 for assessment staff, while a dedicated number 021-32310758 has been installed in Steno Room for examination staff at port area. For storing the personal cell phones and other belongings during working hours, lockers have also been provided in the room.

NA body briefed on steps taken to improve pIA’s performance KARACHI

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he Pakistan International Airline (PIA) has prepared a new business plan to improve its service delivery and revenue and started implementation of this new multi-tier and profitability driven business model. The national flag carrier’s CEO, Dr Musharraf Rasool Cyan, informed this in a briefing to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee here at PIA’s head oﬃce. The CEO PIA briefed the NA panel about the current position of the implementation of the new business model, which will encompass features about full service, low cost/high baggage, Hajj/Umrah and religious movements as well as group tours and charter business. Dr. Musharraf Rasool Cyan said other measures to

improve the financial position of the airliner include route rationalization, which includes capacity addition on profitable routes and closing non-viable routes. Improving customer experience and satisfaction, restructuring of sales and marketing and complete digital transformation are also part of this newly adopted business model, he added. The Chairman Standing Committee, Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan and other members including Sardar Mansab Ali Dogar, Malik Ibrar Ahmad, Chaudhry Khalid Javaid Warraich, Sardar Muhammad irfan Dogar, Parveen Masood Bhatti, Nighat Parveen Mir, Shahnaz Saleem, Seema Mohiuddin Jameeli, Farhana Qamar, Rasheed Ahmad Khan, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, Dr. Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto, Pir Shafqat Hussain Shah Jilani, Abdul Hakeem Baloch, Asad Umar, Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak, Moulivi Agha Muhammad, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Syed Ali Raza Abidi also attended the meeting.

National

46 SeZs to be set up under cpec to spur industrial activities: Zubair

principal Appraisers, Aos served show-cause notices KARACHI

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large number of Appraising Oﬃcers and Principal Appraisers have been served show-cause notices for processing several goods declarations (GDs) of polyester suiting shirting fabrics under inappropriate classification, causing huge losses to national exchequer. The Customs Appraisement East served the notices on the directives of Chief Collector Appraisement South. These Appraising Oﬃcers and Principal Appraisers marked GDs for assessment declared under heading 5407.4200 and availed rate of customs duty 12 percent under SRO 659(I)/2007. Whereas, the same is correctly classifiable under heading 5407.5200 chargeable customs duty 16 percent and the benefit if SRO is not admissible. The Pas, who were served explanation letters, include Saleh Kalhoro, Abdul Qayyum, Jam Arbab Ali, Shahid Akbar, Sajid Ali Bhutto. The AOs, who were served explanation letters, include Saif-urRehman, Nisar Ahmed, Zulfiqar Zaman, Noor Alam Durrani, Hayatullah Khan, Mehboob Dawood Vohra, Rauf Khan, Syed Masoom Raza, Aamir Shuja, Mohammad Ahmed, Mohammad Nazeer, Rai Iftikhar, Sheikh Zahid Aziz, Khan Mohammad keryo, Mohammad Wasim.

KARACHI

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round 46 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to be established under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that would help spur industrial activities in the country. This was stated by the Governor of Sindh, Muhammad Zubair, here while speaking at a roundtable conference, says a statement here on Wednesday. It said that the moot was organized by Friends of China in collaboration with Daily Pakistan Observer. The Governor spoke of the very deep friendly ties between Pakistan and China and that the CPEC was a clear example of this. He was of the view that the province of Sindh would beneTit more from this project. Zubair pointed out that of the 62 billion dollars CPEC, 34 billion dollars have been allocated for the energy projects. There would be 46 SEZs along the CPEC route which will help spur industrial activities, creation of job opportunities and enhancing the revenue of the country, he added. Governor said that after the restoration of law and order there has been increase in foreign investment in

Tuesday October 3, 2017

Karachi. In the Karachi Package announced by the federal government, the focus would be on infrastructure development. Zubair pointed out that under the CPEC project, 9,000 km long road had been constructed. He stated that 19 of the CPEC projects are being fast completed which would provide 13,000 jobs to the local people. The Consul General of China Wang Yu said that of the 19 CPEC projects nearing completion 11 are of energy. He said that the energy projects would gen-

erate 11,000 mw of electricity. Of these Tive are nearing completion and three of these are located in Sindh. The president of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQMP), Dr. Farooq Sattar, lauded the role of China towards the world peace. He thanked the federal government and the Chinese leadership for including Karachi projects in CPEC. Arif Habib, S.M. Munir, Shahid Amin, Tahir Rizvi, Mirza Shahnawaz Agha and Dr. Huma Baqai also expressed their views.

NAB’s moot concludes with determination to curb corruption

ISLAMABAD

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he three-day 22nd Director Generals Conference of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) concluded here on Wednesday with determination to eradicate corruption, nab corrupt and recover looted money. Chairman, Qamar Zaman Chaudhry chaired the Conference at NAB Headquarter which was attended by Deputy Chairman, Prosecutor General Accountability (PGA) and all DGs of Regional Bureaus. During the Conference, DG, Headquarter, DG, HRM, Senior Member,

Chairman’s Inspection and Monitoring team gave detailed presentations of their divisions. The Conference thoroughly deliberated performance of all Regional Bureaus and NAB Headquarter including Operations, Prosecution and Awareness and Prevention Divisions and reviewed implementation status of measures taken by present management to further improve efTiciency. It was informed that all decisions were implemented in letter and spirit, due to which today’s NAB has perfected its procedures and geared up to come up to expectations of nation which are corruption free Pakistan and 100

percent development. The Chairman stressed upon importance of the team work and said NAB has been strengthened to evolve a strong mechanism for nabbing the corrupt. In a brieTing, Waqas Qadeer Dar, Prosecutor General Accountability informed that Prosecution Division is providing legal opinion, legal assistance to Operations Division and all Regional Bureaus. He said under leadership of Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, the Prosecution Division has been revamped by inducting experienced and well educated legal consultants/special prosecutors. He said a mechanism of handling of witnesses has been introduced and re-

sult of this intervention is very encouraging and added that due to constant deliberations, monitoring and performance analysis, the performance of Prosecution has been exceptionally well and overall conviction ratio reached 76 per cent. Qamar Zaman Chaudhry appreciated professional work done and performance of Prosecution Division. Chairman NAB’s Inspection and Monitoring Team gave a detailed presentation on QuantiTied Grading System. Under QuantiTied Grading System, NAB Headquarter and Regional Bureau’s are being evaluated for last three years on Annual and Midterm basis at a given criteria.

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Russia plans to export 215 SSJ-100 and MC-21 jets until 2025

World Customs

MOSCOW: The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade plans to export 215 SSJ-100 and MC-21 aircraft for a total of $7.65 bln in 2018-2025, according to the Ministry’s optimistic forecast of aircraft exports as part of the strategy for the development of civil aviation exports. The total amount of state support to ensure supplies within 8 years will amount to 73.7 bln rubles ($1.28 bln). According to the optimistic scenario, the share of state support will decrease to 25-30%. For comparison, according to the document, the state support for export of SSJ-100 aircraft for the Irish CityJet reached 56%.

Tuesday October 3, 2017

Davao customs wants Sasa X-ray machine transferred

SAgo seeks 540,000 tons of barley in tender RIYADH

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DAVAO CITY

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he Bureau of Customs (BOC)Port of Davao recommended on to relocate an unused xray machine currently found inside a privately-owned container yard which the government had a 25-year contract riled with smuggling issues. Erastus Sandino Austria, Port of Davao district collector, called this option a “win-win” solution, saying it would boost the BOC’s capabilities in examining shipments here. Austria said he has recently submitted a formal letter to Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte, and has elevated the matter to the Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña. Importers have long urged the BOC to utilize the expensive x-ray machine, currently inside the Aquarius Container Yard (ACY) of businessman Rodolfo Reta, whom the agency has signed a 25-year contract

Bank of Japan keeps policy steady he Bank of Japan kept its monetary stimulus unchanged, but a dovish new board member opposed the decision in his first meeting, an unexpected dissension on a board chosen entirely by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Still, BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda and his board left its target interest rates and asset purchase program unchanged, a decision expected by all 45 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. The vote was 8-1, with Goushi Kataoka objecting. Kataoka argued that there was little chance of reaching the BoJ’s inflation target by the projected time frame of around fiscal 2019, according to the central bank’s policy statement. He said the eﬀects of the current yield curve program weren’t strong enough, though inflation was likely to continue rising for the time being due to oil prices and foreign-exchange rates. –CB Report

in 2009 for the exclusive use of the yard. However, a year later, former Customs Collector Anju Nereo Castigador accused Reta of refusing to examine containers, prompting him to padlock the Designated Examination Area (DEA). Reta, who claims to have hired Duterte’s husband Maneses Carpio in his legal battle with the BOC, questioned Castigador’s action

before the Ombudsman. Years later, the Ombudsman dismissed Castigador, along with an assistant wharTinger, and two customs examiners over their alleged connection in rice smuggling in the city. Since then, Austria said the government, through the OfTice of the Solicitor General (OSG), has considered their contract with ACY being “devoid.”

china oil consumption helping to ease downturn but fears persist

he head of BP’s trading arm in Asia said global oil consumption led by China is helping to reduce excess crude stockpiles and alleviate pressure on a market now into its third year of a downturn. “The market is in rebalancing mode,” said Janet Kong, speaking at the FT Commodities Asia Summit in Singapore on Monday. “We are at a juncture where we are going to see continued in-

ventory draws.” “China has helped to clean up the market,” she said, referring to a rise in imports this year as the country builds its strategic petroleum reserve, which Beijing has been growing to cushion the world’s second-biggest economy from future energy shocks. Ms Kong said the construction of storage tanks by private players, not just the government, would help to support demand. –CB Report

audi Arabia has issued an international tender to purchase 540,000 tonnes of barley, main state grain buyer the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO) said on Thursday. The deadline for receiving offers is Sept. SAGO said in a statement. The tender seeks barley for delivery during November and December in nine individual consignments of 60,000 tonnes, Ahmed Al Fares, governor of SAGO, said. The cargoes can be offered by trading companies up to 10 percent larger or smaller than 60,000 tonnes. Some 360,000 tonnes will be for delivery to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea ports and 180,000 tonnes to the kingdom’s Gulf ports, the statement said. SAGO, previously known as the General Silos and Flour Mills Organisation (GSFMO), was assigned the

task of securing feed barley imports for Saudi Arabia in autumn 2016. Meanwhile, The Public Investment Fund (PIF), a sovereign wealth fund controlled by the government of Saudi Arabia, is to form a new investment vehicle in a bid to kickstart the kingdom’s entertainment sector. The as-yet unnamed company, which will have an initial capitalisation of SR 10 billion (US$2.67bn), will seek to attract international partners in a bid to “expand the scope and variety of entertainment offerings” in Saudi Arabia, says PIF, starting with a new entertainment complex, opening in 2019. “The company’s efforts will enable the development of, and provide incentives for, the entertainment sector, as well as building local capabilities within the kingdom,” reads a statement from the fund. Under the banner Vision 2030, the Sunni theocracy is seeking to reduce its dependence on oil by developing its service sector, including a domestic entertainment market.

S. Africa reduces wheat import tariﬀ

outh Africa on Sept. 8 lowered its wheat import tariff to R379.34 per tonne, down 60% from the previous tariff of R947.20 per tonne, according to a Sept. 19 report from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The new tariff, which was triggered on July 11 but published on Sept. 8, would be at the lowest level since February 2015, the agency said. The lowering of the tariff comes amid an expected 16% decline in South Africa’s 2017-18 wheat crop, to 1.6 million tonnes. b“The Western Cape Province, where more than 60% of South Africa’s wheat is

planted, is currently experiencing a major drought,” the USDA noted in the report. “As a result, the decrease in the wheat import tariff did not impact the domestic wheat price signiTicantly. The weather remains the primary focus in the domestic wheat market as the current wheat crop approaches the pollination stage of development, which requires high moisture. Unfortunately, the outlook for rain in the Western Cape is bleak as the South African Weather Service indicated that the southwestern parts of the country could remain fairly dry over the foreseeable future.” –CB Report

Iranian customs hold up 15,000 new imported cars

TEHRAN

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ome 15,000 cars are held up at customs in Iran for regulatory reasons, according to a local media report. According to the local English business paper, Financial Tribune, a source inside the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Adminis-

tration leaked information indicating that 15,000 cars are stuck at customs because of a disagreement between a state organisation and importers over a regulation. The anonymous source, who spoke to the government newspaper Iran, said the majority of the imported vehicles were produced by Renault – 6,000 units. It was also reported importing companies have not been able to release 4,000 Hyundai

and 1,000 Volkswagen vehicles. At an average price around US$40,000, the total value of vehicles stuck in customs is around $600m, the report said. Mohammad Mortezaie, head of marketing and retail development at Negin Khodro, Renault’s ofTicial importer, said the problem was the Trade Promotion Organisation of Iran (TPO) had stopped issuing online auto import permits. By law, af-

ter obtaining required documents from the Ministry of Industries, Mining, and Trade for each model, local importing companies are also required to make an online registration with the TPO for every single unit. The online service known as Sabtaresh has been down for more than two months. Initially, the organisation said it was due to ‘technical problems’ with the website.

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Shipping activity at Port Qasim KARACHI: Shipping activity remained active at the Port where four ships C.V MSC Victoria, Spero, M.V Thor Friendship and M.T Sea Speed carrying Containers, steel coil and LPG were arranged berthing at Qasim International Container Terminal, Multi-Purpose Terminal and Engro Vopak Terminal respectively on Monday, Meanwhile three more ships, C.V Nework. M.V Tiger Hong Kong and M.T white Purl with Containers, Coal and LPG also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim during last 24 hours. Berth occupancy was observed at the Port at 59% on Monday where a total of ten ships namely, MSC Victoria, Spero, Yuan Jing, Thor Friendship, Star Mistral, Tzoumaz, Sophia-z, Sea Speed, NCC Rabigh and Lilac Victoria were occupied PQA berths to load/oﬄoad Containers, Coal, Talc, Steel coil Canola seeds, LPG, Palm oil and Diesel oil respectively during last 24 hours.

port of felixstowe about to welcome its 100th ‘mega-vessel’ visit of 2017 he Port of Felixstowe is about to complete a century of “mega-ship” visits for 2017, as the UK’s maritime industry celebrates London International Shipping Week (LISW). Share article from on facebook Tweet article from Share article from on Google Pluspost article from on reddit email article from The call on by the 18,270 TEU Matz Maersk – operated by Maersk Line on the 2M Alliance’s AE10/NEU2 service between Europe and Asia – will mark the 100th time the port has welcomed an 18,000-plus TEU vessel this year. Clemence Cheng, executive director at Hutchison Ports and a member of the LISW board of advisers, said: “The Port of Felixstowe is firmly established as the port of choice for the largest mega-vessels. We were the first port in the UK to handle this latest class of vessel and continue to handle more of them than any

other UK port.” He added: “The Matz Maersk will be the fourth of six megavessels we are expecting this week and we are on course to exceed comfortably the 137 mega-vessels we handled in 2016.”The other ultra-large container vessels calling during LISW are the current world’s largest container ship, the 21,413 TEU OOCL Hong Kong, the 19,224 MSC Ditte, the 19,100 TEU CSCL Indian Ocean, its sister-ship and former holder of the world’s largest container ship crown, the CSCL Globe, and the 19,224 TEU MSC Sveva. In addition, the Emma Maersk, which set a new standard when launched in 2006, is also due at the Port of Felixstowe this week. Now with a capacity of 17,816 TEU it is one of more than 250 ultralarge container ships to call at the port so far this year. –CB Report

Ports & Shipping

hamad port to position Qatar as re-export hub

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

WASHINGTON

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aving started several direct shipping lines from the newly-opened Hamad Port to major sea ports in India, Pakistan and Turkey, and nearly a dozen more destinations in the pipeline, Qatar will soon tap the port’s ‘re-exporting potential’, market experts told The Peninsula. Qatar’s state-of-the-art port is certainly going to act as a catalyst to the country’s economic diversification. The port will offer great value proposition to the local economy, said a top official of Qatar’s leading logistics company, yesterday. “Hamad Port’s strong capabilities, modern facilities, and advanced systems are leading to position Qatar as a re-export hub in the region, increasing the volume of trade between Qatar and the rest of the world. The port will allow private sector businessmen to increase the flow of goods to and from the coun-

Tuesday October 3, 2017

try, facilitating both trade and advancing entrepreneurship for the savvy trader,” said Ranjeev Menon, Group CEO of GWC. Ranjeev added: “Qatar has witnessed multiple improvements and innovations in this field, some being the PPP projects awarded by the government. GWC Bu Sulba Warehousing Park is a successful example of modern Government developmental strategies, and private sector’s deploying international standards and local knowledge to its best application.” Hamad Port is expected to be in-

strumental in the shipping of products that companies handle for clients, in addition to allowing service providers to offer their expertise in the development and management of cargoes, which is expected to reach 7.5 million TEUs at Port’s full capacity. Qatar’s transport sector is one of the major contributors to the country’s GDP. But the sector is currently dominated by air transport due to the rapid the expansion of Qatar Airways and the opening of Hamad International Airport in 2014.

uS Southeast ports to reopen but cargo delays WASHINGTON

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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 Tlow 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 signiTicant 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. The impact on diesel supplies, however, has not been as bad as the drain on gasoline, a distinction not always made by the general media, he said. Florida’s Port Miami, Port Everglades, and Port Tampa Bay reopened Tuesday morning. The Port of Charleston in South Carolina also reopened Tuesday, after the port said it was spared the brunt of the storm. Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard was

still assessing the condition of harbors at the ports of Savannah and Jacksonville, according to early morning updates. While Jacksonville remains closed, Savannah is anticipated to reopen later Tuesday or Wednesday pending that assessment. Port Everglades and Port Tampa Bay are critical for the state’s fuel supplies and Gov. Rick Scott said he prioritized opening those ports as soon as possible after the storm cleared. Although that may not be enough to support cargo hauls from distribution centers north of Florida, in cities like Atlanta and Charlotte, to population centers in South Florida. Florida remains one of the “longest” states, said Ken Harper, director of marketing at DAT Solutions. From its southernmost point to the end of the Panhandle takes more than half a day’s drive and many of the major highways are congested with residents and re-

covery efforts and secondary roadways are in various states of disrepair, some still blocked by felled trees and downed power lines. “Atlanta is the No. 1 distribution hub in the Southeast region,” said Montague. “A lot of trucks can haul enough fuel for a roundtrip between Atlanta and Florida, especially if you’re talking Central Florida. Atlanta to Miami and back is not possible, but you can certainly get to Central Florida.” The spot market rates to truck goods into the state have been up signiTicantly as a result, said Montague. Drivers are willing to make the trek, at least from Atlanta and Charlotte into Central Florida, but for a price. According to DAT Solutions, spot rates from Charlotte to Lakeland, Florida last week were up 36 cents to $2.89 per mile and rates from Atlanta to Lakeland were up 25 cents to $2.94 per mile.

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IRSA releases 170,500 cusecs water ISLAMABAD: The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) released 170,500 cusecs water from various rim stations with inflow of 95,700 cusecs. According to the data released by IRSA, water level in the Indus River at Tarbela Dam was 1502.62 feet, which was 122.62 feet higher than its dead level 1380 feet. Water inflow in the dam was recorded as 59,800 cusecs while outflow 90,000 cusecs. The water level in the Jhelum River at Mangla Dam was 1206.25 feet, which was 166.25 feet higher than its dead level of 1040 feet whereas the inflow and outflow of water was recorded as 10,400 cusecs and 55,000 cusecs respectively.

Tuesday October 3, 2017

Business

court defers indictment of Nawaz ISLAMABAD

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ormer Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday showed up for the second time before an accountability court in graft references Tiled against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in compliance with Supreme Court orders. The former prime minister arrived at the court under an extensive protocol. Special security arrangements have been made with around 2000 personnel of the Federal Police, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary deployed outside and along the road leading to the court.

three human traﬃckers arrested FAISALABAD

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At the outset, Judge Muhammad Bashir asked where the Sharif’s children are. To which, former prime minister’s counsel said they are still in London, tending their ailing mother and requested the judge to

china-Afghanistan-pakistan practical cooperation Dialogue concludes

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he FIA Gujranwala on Wednesday conducted raids at various places and arrested three human traffickers. According to FIA spokesman, the accused were identified as Sarfraz Ahmad of Khambranwala, Haji Muhammad Yousaf of Rahwali Cantonment area and Sajid Raza of Kot Shahan, Gujranwala. Meanwhile, Federal investigation AFIA Gujranwala on Wednesday arrested a human smuggler and recovered a passport and fake visa besides Rs 20,000.

grant them exemption from court proceedings. NAB prosecutor submitted an implementation report, informing the judge that the warrants were duly served on the accused persons. He requested the

court to issue non-bailable warrants for their arrest over their failure to turn up before it today in deTiance of court orders. The court had set Oct 2(today) for the indictment of Sharif, but it deferred the framing of charges against him. Sharif appeared before the accountability court for the second time, however, his children – Hussain, Hassan, Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law retired Capt Safdar skipped the third consecutive hearing despite issuance of bailable warrants for their arrest. The former prime minister’s children are still in London looking after their mother Begum Kulsoom Nawaz undergoing treatment for cancer. NAB had sent bailable warrants for their arrest to their residences in Lahore and London.

ISLAMABAD

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he two-day second ChinaAfghanistan-Pakistan (CAP) Practical Cooperation Dialogue concluded in Kabul on Wednesday held discussions on the objectives, principles, areas of trilateral practical cooperation and identiTied speciTic projects of trilateral practical cooperation, and agreed to enhance coordination towards their implementation. According to Foreign ofTice state-

ment, the three sides agreed that the aim of the trilateral practical cooperation is to support the peaceful reconstruction and economic development of Afghanistan, to further strengthen the relations and to promote cooperation among the three countries within the “Belt and Road” and the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) frameworks. The dialogue was chaired by Director General of Development Cooperation from the Ministry of Finance of Afghanistan, Mustafa Aria and was attended by Director General of the Asian De-

partment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Xiao Qian and Director General of the Afghanistan Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Mansoor Ahmad Khan. Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dr. Nasir Ahmad Andisha met with the heads of the three delegations. The three sides agreed to enhance communication, coordinate China and Pakistan’s assistance to Afghanistan on the basis of fully taking into account Afghanistan’s priorities, carryout trilateral cooperation projects.

Businessmen urges govt to reduce cost of doing business MULTAN

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usiness community has urged the government for reducing the cost of doing business in order to enhance exports from the country and reduce the imports into it. They stressed the need for facilitating the export industries by improving taxation system and focusing on value addition sectors to promote exports. In a statement FPCCI Chairman Regional Committee on Industry Atif Akram Shaikh urged the government for timely payment of refunds after exports in order to ensure the availability of capital for industrial sector. Moreover, he urged for enhancing the production capacity and skill development of the concerned sectors through intervention which will bring about a change in the situation. He stressed the need for discouraging all the imports except for machinery and necessary items through revising taxes and duties, besides encouraging the remittances through bonus and lucky draws. More and more expatriates would take interest in sending money through legal channels while smuggling of the dollar should be discouraged through strict administrative measures to boost the economy, he observed.

world Bank, NBp strategize to boost housing finance sector KARACHI

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he World Bank and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) have strategized to boost the housing Tinance sector in the country. A World Bank delegation called on the President and CEO of NBP Saeed Ahmad. The World Bank team was led by Ms. Korotoumou Ouattara, Senior Financial Sector Econo-

mist, Adrey Milyutin, Senior Housing Finance Specialist, Ms. Nouma Dione, Financial Sector Specialist and Olivier Hassler, Housing Finance Adviser. The delegation also included representatives of PMRC (Pakistan Mortgage ReTinance Company) including N. Kokularupan, MD & CEO, Dr. Muhammad Saleem, Chief Operating OfTicer and Syed Ali Adnan, Head of Treasury. An NBP statement on Wednesday said that the meeting was to dis-

cuss overall growth of the Housing Finance Market in Pakistan, its issues, challenges and possible solutions. The World Bank team apprised that in coordination with key stake holders they were proposing to assist Pakistan for development of this market and were preparing a Housing Finance Project. This Project will provide support to expand conventional mortgage lending, support to increase lowerincome housing Tinance and capac-

ity building and technical assistance for housing policy. In addition, PRMC was also talking to banks for providing support for on-lending. Saeed Ahmad, CEO & President NBP gave an overview of the challenges that Pakistani Housing Finance Market was facing including Recovery and Foreclosure laws, infrastructure, cost of funding and affordability. He emphasized that affordable housing segment offers an opportunity to Tinancial sec-

tor to expand its portfolio on a secured and proTitable basis. This will help further improve other industries, generate employment and contribute to growth on an ongoing basis. Together with this, a public/private partnership to tackle housing solution for low income segment of the society will help solve housing problem and eliminate Slums (Kutchi Abadis) which are creating various social problems including unlawful activities.

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Dubai raises $1.1 billion loan for metro expansion DUBAI: The government of Dubai has raised a $1.1 billion loan that will be used to extend the city’s metro rail system, completing the first step of an infrastructure financing programme which could total as much as $2.8 billion, sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. The $1.1 billion is the commercial part of total funding required for the project; the remainder is expected to be obtained via loans guaranteed by export credit agencies (ECAs). First Abu Dhabi Bank, HSBC, Intesa Sanpaolo, Santander and Standard Chartered have provided the loan, which has a 10-year tenor, said the sources. A spokesman at Dubai’s department of finance declined to comment. The five banks did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The loan will back the 15 kilometre (9 mile) extension of the Dubai metro towards the site of the World Expo, which the city will host in 2020.

pak-china Joint chamber elects new oﬃce-bearer LAHORE

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Tuesday October 3, 2017

Chambers

‘Rs278.4m revenue generated from trademarks registration’

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hird Annual General Meeting of Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) was held here at PCJCCI oﬃce on Wednesday, in which election results for the chamber’s oﬃce-bearers/Executive Committee members for year 2017-18 were announced and was confirmed by Election Commissioners appointed as per Trade Organizations Act/Rules 2013. AGM was followed by the cake cutting ceremony in the admiration of China National Day. The meeting was chaired by Wang Zihai, outgoing President PCJCCI, whereby PCJCCI’s brief report of achievement was presented and later the elections results were announced according to which S.M. Naveed, Director Din Group, was declared as unop-

posed President; Dr Iqbal Qureshi, CEO Tech Nexus, as Senior Vice President and Rana Mehmood Iqbal as Vice President. Members of the executive committee comprised of Wang Zihai, Moazzam Ghurki, Dr Iqbal Qureshi, Abdul Waheed Sandal, Rizwan Nisar, S.M. Naveed, Daud Ahmed, Rana Mehmood Iqbal, Khurram Shafiq and Muhammad Irfan. Shah Faisal Afridi, the founder PCJCCI president expressed warm wishes to the new president and EC members. He appreciated initiatives and implications of Wang for making this Chamber a more dynamic and effective organization. He also extended greetings to Chinese nationals for the upcoming China National Day. He said that on this occasion of festivity the appointment of S.M Naveed on such an important designation would amicably bring more success to Pak-china Chamber of Commerce.

LAHORE

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egistrar Trademarks, Intellectual Property Organization Pakistan Aftab Muhammad Khan has informed that a sum of Rs278.4 million revenue was generated from registration of trademarks during 2016-17 as compared to Rs244.5 million of 2015-16, which indicates an increase of 13 percent. “As compared to 33,617 applications received in 2015-16, a total of 35,972 trademarks applications were received in 2016-17, showing an increase of 7 percent whereas the trademarks examinations also improved to 41,993 in 2016-17 against 29,073 examinations carried out in 2015-16, indicating a rise of 41 percent”, he added while delivering a presentation during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Vice President KCCI Muhammad Younus Soomro, newly elected President KCCI Muffasar Atta Malik, Chairman of WTO, IPR, FTA & Regional Trade Sub-Committee KCCI

Tariq Ikram Khan, Former President KCCI Abdullah Zaki and KCCI Managing Committee members attended the presentation. Aftab Muhammad Khan further said that keeping in view the significance of trademarks registration, many local and foreign companies have been approaching the Trademarks Registry to get their products and services registered. He informed that 16,761 trademarks were accepted during 201617 as compared to 12,444 accepted trademarks of 2015-16, showing an

increment of 26 percent. “In the year 2016-17, a total of 2,818 opposition cases were also decided against 1,937 cases of 2015-16, indicating an impressive upsurge of 48 percent”, he added. However, Registrar Trademarks mentioned that the Registry faces immense issues due to shortage of staff which was the basic reason for the delays being suffered by the applicants. “We are trying our best to facilitate the business and industrial community by registering their trademarks as quickly as we can within

Dubai wants Brazilians at business forum DUBAI

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he 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 OfTices 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 ChohTi 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 Tind 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, redeTining 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 ofTices in several countries, so it can Tind out more about different parts of the world and keep track of local events. The DCCI opened an ofTice in São Paulo last April. In an interview

with ANBA, Khan mentioned that the DCCI’s ties with the Arab Brazilian Chamber go back a long way, and that the Arab Brazilian Chamber said the DCCI should come to Brazil. “We feel that not enough is known about many of the different regions in the world, including Brazil,” he said, stressing the importance of witnessing the changes going on around the world Tirsthand: “you touch it, feel it, smell it: the culture, the city, the tourist attractions, the factories.” According to Khan, through interaction with partners in Brazil like the Arab Chamber and the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP), the DCCI is getting a “three-dimensional” picture of Brazil. He claims one of the most important capitals a chamber can have is trust, and that the DCCI has the trust of its 210,000 members. “And we trust and work with the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce,” he says.

the limited resources but sometimes, it becomes difTicult and delays occur due to shortage of staff”, he said, adding that out of a total sanctioned 98 seats, 48 seats have been Tilled whereas 42 seats remain vacant at the Trademarks Registry. Speaking on the occasion, President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo appreciated Registrar Trademarks for thoroughly listening to problems being faced by KCCI members who intend to get their products and services registered from Trademarks Registry.

thailand-pakistan ftA in final stages he Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Thailand is in final stages which after implementation is expected to double the bilateral trade between both the countries. The Consul General of Thai Consulate in Karachi, Suwat Kaewsook, said this while speaking at the opening ceremony of three-day Thailand Exhibition on Friday, said a statement. Kaewsook said Pakistan has made substantial progress over the years and bilateral trade and diplomatic relations between both the countries have further strengthened. Around 45 Thai companies are displaying new range of technology and products in the exhibition which reflects the confidence of Thai investors, he said. Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) President Shamim Ahmed Firpo, who inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest. –CB Report

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Mianwali ASO impounds non duty paid Toyota Vitz car MIANWALI: The Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) Mianwali has impounded a non customs paid used Toyota Vitz car. The market value of the car is Rs8,65,040 involving customs duty and taxes to the tune of Rs4,15,040. Sources told Customs Today, that Deputy Collector ASO Mianwali Muhammad Rizwan Khan received information regarding smuggling of the vehicle. After receiving the information deputy collector constituted a raiding team comprising Superintendent Chaudhary Muhammad Sardar, Azhar Hussain Jafri, Amir Mumtaz Bajwa (inspectors.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

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gwadar customs seizes non duty paid goods worth Rs22.67 million GWADAR wAQAR AhMeD ANSARI www.customsbulletin.com

ustoms Collectorate Gwadar seized huge quantity of non duty paid items in 27 days of September worth Rs 22.67 million, include smart pones, fancy electric board, Iranian diesel, jashish and so many others things. Sources told Customs Today that a team of Customs Collect orate Gwadar conTiscated various nonduty paid electronics and different items, including split air condoners, refrigerator, laptop systems and others things. Source told that on a tipoff regarding the possible smuggling of non-duty paid electronics items, the Deputy Collector Gwadar Junaid Memood constituted a team of Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) under the supervision of Customs Preventive Inspector Haroon Imtiaz. The team, during a search operation, intercepted a truck bearing registration no: GL:3441 which was going to Gharo, Thatta. During the search operation, the customs team found 20 piece of Japan made air conditioners with unit, 6 piece of refrigerator, 30 piece of dell branded laptop and 500 2 GB ram (random access memory). The

team impounded all the items including truck which was being used

to smuggle these goods and arrested 3 smugglers identiTied who were

later identiTied as Shabbir Shah, inayat Khan. The customs team regis-

tered FIR against accused persons and started investigations.

IAf establishes oﬃce for enhancement of contacts among pak-eu traders SIALKOT

ZAfAR MALIk

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he Holland based International Apparel Federation (IAF) has established its first every IAF regional office at SialkotPakistan for establishing strong business-to-business contacts among the Pakistani and European exporters and importers of textile and

garments industry. Central Chairman of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) Ijaz A. Khokhar stated this while talking to the newsmen at PRGMEA House Sialkot here. PRGMEA Chairman added that the IAF regional office at Sialkot-Pakistan would be the first ever IAF office even in the South Asia, saying that the IAF was diverting its business focus towards Pakistan by establishing this office here in Sialkot. He said that this IAF office

will give a boost to the textile and garments industry of Pakistan besides paving its ways to flourish this business and ensuring the easy access of Pakistani exporters to the European markets as well. Ijaz A. Khokhar said “the establishment of IAF at SialkotPakistan by International Apparel Federation (IAF) was a land mark achievement of Pakistan, saying that now the IAF has diverted its business attention and focus towards Pakistan”. He said that IAF will be playing its pivotal role in the

promotion of socio-economic and human development besides boosting the textile and garments industrial sectors in Pakistan. PRGMEA Chairman Ijaz A. Khokhar said that the President of International Apparel Federation (IAF) Mr. Han Bekke will formally inaugurate this IAF office established at the newly established building of “PRGMEA House” Sialkot today (Wednesday) on Sep 27,2017. He will also inaugurate the PRGMEA House building at Sialkot during a prestigious launching ceremony scheduled

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to be held at Sialkot here today PRGMEA Chairman said that the ambassador of Netherlands Ardi Stoios-Braken and Haji Muhammad Akram Ansari (Minister of State for Textile and Commerce) will jointly preside over this prestigious launching ceremony. He said that Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) has also established its regional office “PRGMEA House” at Sialkot for facilitating the local exporters and importers of the textile and garments as well.