Oct 23 layout 1

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Vol 1 Issue No. 212

Karachi, Fri October 23, 2015

KARACHI

AFTAB CHANNA

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he Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Appraisement East, under the leadership of Collector Majid Yousfani, has collected Rs 75 billion revenue under Twenty Equivalent Unit (TEU) in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2015-16.

The FBR has assigned a target of Rs

59 billion for the first quarters; however, the MCC Appraisement East surpassed the target by 27 percent.

The collectorate has collected Rs 53 billion which is a remarkable performance by the Collectorate. The official sources told Customs Today that MCC Appraisement East under the supervision of Collector Majid Yousfani collected Rs 21.9 billion under the head of customs duty against the target of Rs 14.6 billion which is 38 percent higher

Price Rs. 14.00

than the target. The collection for the same period last year stood at Rs 15.18 billion. At least Rs 40.461 billion were collected as sales tax against the target of Rs 32.22 billion. The collection for the same period last year was Rs 28.5 billion, sources added. Under the head of Withholding Tax, the MCC Appraisement East collected Rs 12.22 billion against the set target of Rs 10.7 billion.

Customs to install trackers on containers carrying Afghan Transit Trade goods

Quetta Customs told to curb smuggling of Iranian diesel: Khaldun Ul Haq

Signal-free corridor to be inaugurated on 30th

Appellants start filing cases in Urdu before Collector Appeals

LCCI demands measures to save Plastic industry

The Pak Customs has started installing trackers on the containers of AfghanTransit | See pAge 02 |

DeputyDirectorCustomsIntelligence(IandI) IslamabadKhaldunUlHaqhasissuedoďŹƒce | See pAge 03 |

The LDA Wednesday announced that the signal-free corridor Gulberg | See pAge 04 |

Appellants begun to file appeals in Urdu language before Collectorate of Customs | See pAge 12 |

LCCI has demanded of the govt to take stringent measures to stop smuggling | See pAge 09 |

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Sindh Excise to start new smart card registration system for vehicles Friday, October 23, 2015

National

KARACHI: Excise and Taxation (ET) Sindh has decided to start a new system for vehicle registration in Karachi.

According to the sources, ET Sindh will issue a new smart registration card. This initiative has already been taken in Islamabad but it is now going to start in Karachi.

Vehicle registration card will be equipped with a SIM module chip, keeping all information of vehicle owner and basic information regarding vehicle.

Sources further told that smart cards will also be introduced on other cities as well in future.

Customs to install trackers on containers carrying ATT goods

LTu books directors of Abdullah Sugar mills for tax evasion of rs 154.1m

KARACHI

LAHORE

m HAYAT

AFTAB CHANNA

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he Pakistan Customs has started installing trackers on the containers of Afghan Transit Trade in a move to ensure smooth supply of containers and goods to Afghanistan.

The sources told Customs Today that Customs had started installing four chips on a container carrying Afghan Transit Trade goods and the tracking system would be closely and round the clock monitored through a well-developed system WeBOC from Custom House. The tracking of containers would avoid mega scams and smuggling that happened in the past.

With the installation of the trackers, the movement of the containers could easily be monitored inside the ports vicinity and all the way from Karachi to Afghanistan, sources added. The customs ofSicials would check the trackers at ports and then the checking process would continue at Hyderabad Dry Port, then Quetta and Torkham borders, sources concluded.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Customs asked the Sindh High Court (SHC) to reject the constitutional petition of a developer, who is facing charges of duty/taxes evasion to the tune of Rs 21.581 million on import of solar led street lights. Deputy collector cus-

he Large Taxpayer Unit (LTU) has booked directors and management of Abdullah Sugar Mills for allegedly evading federal excise duty and sales tax amounting to Rs 154.1 million, sources told Customs Today.

According to the sources, on the directions of LTU Chief Commissioner Ch Safadar and under the supervision of Inland Revenue Deputy Commissioner Sahibzada Umar Riaz, the monthly sales tax and federal excise duty paid by the company had been scrutinized. The findings of the scrutiny reveled that M/s Abdullah Sugar Mills evaded duty and taxes amounting to Rs 154.1 million. The sources said that the evasion was established from misstatement of the company’s FED liability. It was said that the company sold white crystalline sugar weighing 32,900 matric tons but it declared its value at Rs 12/kg against the prevailing rates of Rs 48 per kg and avoided paying FED on 309,885 bags of sugar which prompted the LTU to lodge an FIR against the company, its management and directors including CEO Zia Mustafa.

toms (Law) Ali Waheed Khan submitted the reply on behalf of collector of Customs Adjudication-II to a division bench of the SHC in response to a petition Siled by Mirza Jamil Baig, who challenged show-cause notice

issued to him for evading duty and taxes. In the reply, it was stated that the petition was not maintainable as the matter was pending before the Customs Adjudication ofSicer and the petitioner should appear before the

ofSicer concerned to defend himself.

The court was told that the petitioner mis-declared the PCT Heading and got cleared his consignment under PCT Heading 4905.1090 which does not cover lights.

ANF confiscates 22.2kg heroin worth Rs 3 billion in dierent raids ISLAMABAD

SHAHiD miNHAS

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he Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has arrested four smugglers and recovered drugs worth Rs 3 billion.

The ANF sources told Customs Today that during a crackdown against smuggling, the ANF recov-

ered seven kilograms heroin from Toyota car near Hayatabad Chowk in Peshawar and arrested two suspects named Muhammad Farooq and Qaisar Khan.

Sources added that the ANF team has foild a bid to smuggle 210 grams heroin through FCC courier company in Rawalpindi. The drug was dumped in a parcel which was booked in the name of Tauqeer Gailani, a resident of Gujranwala while in another raid the ANF team recovered 15 kilograms heroin

near motorway link road and arrested two suspects named Shah Noor and Azeem. Moreover, the ANF team also recovered 2860 kilograms of opium from a Toyota Surf

vehicle.

Meanwhile, The Anti-Narcotic Force (ANF) has foiled an attempt of heroin smuggling to Saudi Arabia at Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIAP) Islamabad and arrested two suspects and recovered four kilograms of heroin in two separated anti-smuggling drives.

According to details, the ANF recovered three kilograms high quality of heroin from Mehram Ali, a resident of Lahore. Sources added that the ANF has recovered heroin

from his baggage during checking of passengers of private Qatar Airline flight ready for Saudi Arabia.

Sources said that in another activity, the ANF team recovered 1 kg of heroin from the baggage of Zaheer Shah, a resident of Khoshab.

Sources added that Zaheer Shah was going to Saudi Arabia via private airline flight no. WY 346.

The ANF team arrested both the suspects during checking/ search of passengers at the airport and registered cases against them.

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ANF foils attempt of heroin smuggling at BBIAP ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Narcotic Force (ANF) has foiled an attempt of heroin smuggling to Saudi Arabia at Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIAP) Islamabad and arrested two suspects and recovered four kilograms of heroin in two separated anti-smuggling drives. According to details, the ANF recovered three kilograms high quality of heroin from Mehram Ali, a resident of Lahore. Sources added that the ANF has recovered heroin from his baggage during checking of passengers of private Qatar Airline flight ready for Saudi Arabia. Sources said that in another activity, the ANF team recovered 1 kg of heroin from the baggage of Zaheer Shah, a resident of Khoshab.

Faisalabad ASo seizes 3,790 kg of smuggled spare parts FAISALABAD

NAeem SHeikH

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he Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has confiscated 3790.5 kilogram of smuggled bicycle spare parts made in China worth Rs 698,864 involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 241,222. Following directions of Model Customs Collectorate Faisalabad Collector Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Chaudhary , the ASO team raided a godown in Karkhana Bazar, Faisalabad and recovered 21 cartons of rear axles.

The ASO team asked the owner to produce documents relating to its legal import but he remained fail to comply with the instruction; therefore, the customs officials impounded the items under Import and Export trade.

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FBr has so far collected rs 730b taxes this FY ISLAMABAD

SHAHiD miNHAS

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has collected Rs 730 billion taxes during the current financial year, showing an increase of 16.6 percent as compared to the same period last year which was Rs 626.2 billion.

Sources told Customs Today that FBR has collected Rs 273.34 billion in the terms of income tax and Rs 320.11 billion in terms of sales tax during the current year which shows an increase of 26.9 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, FBR has collected Rs 40.05 billion in the terms of federal excise duty during the current year while it had collected Rs 36.55 billion during the same period last year which shows 9.6 percent increase.

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Friday October 23, 2015

National

Quetta Customs told to curb smuggling of iranian diesel ISLAMABAD

SHAHiD miNHAS

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eputy Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I and I) Islamabad Khaldun Ul Haq has issued ofSice orders to Quetta directorate to follow the strategies set by the Customs Department and focus on stopping the diesel smuggling.

Talking to Customs Today, the deputy director said that the Customs had devised special strategies to stop smuggling in the country, especially the smuggling of diesels from neighbouring countries i.e Iran and Afghanistan.

He said that the smuggling issues have been discussed during the meeting of deputy directors.

Sources said that that smugglers have changed their techniques as they have started smuggling diesel in the small buckets loaded on camels and donkeys. But the customs has restricted smuggling of illegal Iranian products on the border, causing a big drop in terms of smuggled petrol.

A number of vehicles loaded with Iranian petrol and diesel have also been impounded.

He said that the department is focusing on the smuggling routes with the help of law enforcement agencies. He said that more than 3,487,059 liters of diesels worth Rs 248 million had been seized during

2014-15. While 433,800 liters of diesel worth Rs 25 million had been seized during the last two months of the current year.

The deputy director investigation said that meetings were also held with other law enforcement agencies to discuss strategies to overcome smuggling activities.

Due to a close liaison with other law enforcement agencies such as Maritime forces, Rangers and AntiNarcotics Force, the smuggling ac-

He said that more than 3,487,059 liters of diesels worth rs 248m had been seized during 2014-15. while 433,800 liters of diesel worth rs 25m had been seized during the last two months of the current year.

FBR sets Rs 633 billion tax revenue target for Q2 KARACHI

wAQAr AHmeD ANSAri

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Customs to auction 1,200 donkey hides hief Collector EnforcementSouth Zahid Khokhar stated that Pakistan Customs will put on auction the seized donkey hides after the settlement of the case. According to Zahid Khokhar, Model Customs Collectorate Exports foiled a bid to smuggle 1,200 donkey hides to Hong Kong. —CB Report

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has set tax revenue target of Rs 633 billion for October to December 2015.

According to the sources, FBR has decided to collect Rs 182 billion in October. FBR has collected just Rs

tivities are minimized.

Talking about the performance of Customs, he said that on September 14, at least 45,000 liters smuggled Iranian diesel and petrol worth Rs 8 million along-with three tankers were seized near super Highway Toll Plaza with the active support of Pakistan Rangers Sindh.

Customs authority has also decided to coordinate with traders for their support to curb the smuggling of goods, he added.

600 billion against the set target of Rs 646 billion in the Sirst quarter, while Rs 30 billion were refunded.

Sources further said that FBR has

decided to make new plans and strategies for the collection of taxes during November and December so that it can achieve its set target.

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Fertiliser manufacturers reduce DAP price by Rs 500/bag Friday, October 23, 2015

Business

FAISALABAD: The fertilizer manufacturers have decreased the prices of DAP, NP and Zarkhaiz (NPK) fertilizers. The prices of the DAP has been reduced at rate Rs 500 per bag, NP prices has been decreased at Rs 217 per bag and Zarkhaiz (NPK) at Rs 250 per bag. Growers have welcomed the decision and hoped that it will be an instrument for boosting productivity of the agriculture sector. Meanwhile, The city government of the industrial city of Pakistan has prohibited the sale of petrol at shops in a bid to tighten the security ahead of Ashura of Muharram. A spokesman of City District Government Tuesday said that openly available petrol in cans and bottles can be misused for terrorism during Ashura days.

kSe witnesses fluctuation in trading, closes at 33945 points KARACHI

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he Karachi stocks witnessed another day of Sluctuation in trading, but closed in green zone, taking only 1.58 points to reach 33945.32 level on Thursday.

The Karachi Stock Exchange recorded highest trading level of 34041.56 points and lowest level of 33923.20 points, with the total volume of 98,212,770 shares, having

ApTmA welcomes govt decision KARACHI

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ll Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Chairman Tariq Saud, while welcoming the government decision to impose 10 percent regulatory duty on import of yarn from India has expressed the hope that the government would also give them level-playing field by withdrawing Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) and power surcharge, a statement said on Wednesday.

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Rs5,331,634,902 value. 197 out of total 349 trading companies were

remained up, 124 were down and 24 were unchanged.

Signal-free corridor to be inaugurated on 30th

On Wednesday, the KSE also witnessed a roller-coaster ride but managed to make modest gains as investors took fresh positions on healthy Sinancial numbers in the banking sector. The KSE 100-Index gained 33.57 points, or 0.10 percent, to close at 33,943.74 points. The KSE 30-share Index shed 4.91 points, or 0.02 percent, to end at 20,330.96 points. As many as 392 scrips were active; of which 159 advanced, 203 declined and 30 remained unchanged. The ready market volumes stood at 139.145 million shares as compared to 170.273 million shares in the last trading session.

LAHORE

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he Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Wednesday announced that the signal-free corridor Gulberg will be inaugurated on October 30.

The contractors have accelerated the construction work on the project to complete the work before inauguration date.

Meanwhile, the Planning and Development Department approved the revised PC-I worth Rs 2.3 billion for the project. Day and night work on the project sites was in progress basis to meet the target within time. Well placed sources in LDA, while talking to APP, said that LDA revised the initial PC-I worth Rs 1.56 billion of the project which was approved by the P&D. The PC-I was revised due to additional work from Siddiq Trade Centre Junction towards the Cantonment area and other finishing works, the sources added. According to the approved design by the Punjab government, the signal free-corridor, starting from the Liberty Roundabout to the Qurtaba Chowk at Ferozepur Road, will not only cut down road occupancy time but also will increase capacity of Jail Road and the Main Boulevard Gulberg.

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gepCo gears up eorts to recover rs 7 billion from AJk govt SIALKOT

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he Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) has geared up efforts to recover Rs 7 billion from its big defaulter namely the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

According to the senior Gepco ofSicials, the AJK government had been the defaulter of Rs 7 billion for the

last Sive and half years and despite the repeated notices issued by the Gepco and the Federal Ministry for Water and Power, the AJK government has not yet paid its prolonged delayed arrears. Gepco has formulated special recovery teams with the special tasks of disconnecting all the electricity connections of all the small and big defaulters for non-payment of their outstanding dues.

Meanwhile, Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) has Sinalized the lists of chronic defaulters, including several government departments and has issued them the

Sinal notices to recover the outstanding dues of Rs 7 billion by giving a week-long deadline to clear their outstanding dues. According to the senior Gepco ofSicials, the Gepco has given the special recovery targets to the Superintendent Engineers (SEs) of all the four Gepco circles to ensure the recovery of the arrears at the earliest. They said that the last warning has also been issued to these chronic defaulters including several government departments, private commercial and non commercial organizations, as the Gepco has divided these defaulters into three categories.

Palpa alleges PIA management, CAA failed to honour promises LAHORE

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akistan Airline Pilots Association (PALPA) President has alleged that PIA management and Aviation Division have failed to honour their commitments made in the meeting of Senate Standing Committee to resolve PALPA issue.

PALPA president Amir Hashmi was of the view that management of

the airline was supposed to inform the Senate committee about the legal position of Director Flight Operations working on LPR within Sive days while it also had to clarify that whether pilots’ licences have been suspended before on Slying above prescribed Slight duty time or not.

President said high-ups of the airline have camouSlaged the media as well the Senate Committee and deliberately have been giving the impression that management has

sorted out all the issues and only PALPA is creating the hurdles.

President said the fact that PIA Chairman and the Advisor to Prime Minister on Aviation were both absent in the very critical meeting had shown the kind of commitment and respect for Upper House.

However it was on record that PALPA had unconditionally withdrawn emails sent to IFALPA, this action was appreciated by the Committee as a will to resolve the is-

sue.

It is evident from the minutes of the meeting that during the meeting the Secretary Aviation Division informed the Committee that PIA's only demand was concerning the withdrawal of two emails to the International Federation of Airlines Pilot Association (IFALPA) in which a derogatory language was used against the CAA which could have serious repercussions.

The Chairman of the Committee

Senator Muhammad Talha Mehmood inquired from the President PALPA, Capt. Amir Hashmi about the emails sent to the IFALPA. The President informed the Committee that the emails if containing inappropriate and derogatory language used by one of the pilots in the emails have already been withdrawn. He also explained the reasons which lead the PALPA to write such emails to their International Body.

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he Model Customs Collectorate Preventive’s Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) has detected the largest single seizure in the history of Pakistan Customs involving Rs 304 million.

Addressing a news conference at the godown that was raided by the ASO on Wednesday under the supervision of Assistant Collector Syed Muhammad Raza Naqvi, Chief Collector Enforcement-South Zahid Khokhar said that a huge quantity of smuggled goods was seized that included android cellular phones, LED TV sets, tablets, contact lenses, assorted toiletries and other electronic goods wroth Rs 304.621 million.

“A transshipment cargo in a container bearing No EITU-1135555 was des-

tined for Model Customs Collectorate, Lahore under safe transportation cargo.

The seized goods were recovered from a godown situated opposite OBS Pakistan Private Limited, Factory C14 Site and adjacent to Plot No B13”, the chief collector added.

Three persons identiSied as Munawar, Shahid Iqbal and Imran were arrested while FIR has also been registered against these persons. While the efforts are underway to arrest the culprits/unscruplous elements who were importing commercial goods of higher duty slab under the umbrella of transshipment for up-country, Zahid Khokhar said.

According to chief collector Enforcement-South, the modus-operandi evolved was that the container loaded with high-end commercial goods was taken from the port area under transshipment permit (TP) to be cleared at up-country dry port but instead of tak-

ing it to the upcountry dry port (in this case NLC Dry Port, Lahore) the same was taken to the said godown in the city. At this speciSied godown, the higher duty slab goods were being ofSloaded and the container was being stuffed with low duty goods.

The seized goods include: mobile phones of assorted brands 27,217 pieces, assorted tablets notepad etc 1,695 pieces, contact lenses 46,979 pieces, perfumes 2,007 pieces, LED TVs 214, pencil erasers 10,060 kg, washing machines 73, auto parts 1,056kg, DVD players 122 pieces, dry irons 182 pieces, apple cider 960 pieces, Samsung mobile phone batteries 750 pieces, refrigerators 15, feather blades 196,000 pieces, cotton stick 172,000 pieces, etc.

It is pertinent to mention here that this is the third such case where the goods were being pilferaged from transshipment cargo destined for upcountry in the last few months.

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Friday, October 23, 2015

g r port is bein The gawada rtance and po given much im s are being ht at least 6 flig port every the scheduled to some 2281 s, week. Beside ave been sh acres of land gawadar he acquired at t

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

eDiToriAL

issue of capacity building

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he world is heading toward an era of economic development and prosperity. The third countries are changing their policies to keep up pace with the developed economies, but the governments in Pakistan, whether the federal or the provincial, have failed to take revolutionized approaches to deal with emerging situations. The aged-old colonial legacy is dominating in every government department where the senior officials are only interested in drawing hefty perks and salaries without fulfilling their official responsibilities while the lower staff is underpaid and lethargic and has no ability to work in proper manner.

The political leadership has its own merits and demerits as well as limitations. What Pakistan needs to do is to overhaul the entire official system and engage educationists, technocrats and economists to encourage holding of regular workshops and seminars for the capacity building of the government officials.

A comprehensive reforms programme is the need of the hour, covering social, political, economic and industrial sectors. In the current situation, the government only works to comply with the IMF and World Bank conditionalities. The worst part of the situation is that, it wants to meet the requirements of the donor agencies through official circulars without devising a proper mechanism to implement its policies. According to newspaper reports, referring to a vast pool of natural resources, a strategic geographical location and a large number of population comprising young generation, World Trade Organisation (WTO) Deputy Director General Frederick Yonov Agah says that the country needs to introduce reforms and adopt appropriate policies to utilize all its potentials. He says that the challenges before the government are to improve business climate, liberalize trade regime and try to make a close liaison with the global economic community. He says though it is up to the member states to remove non-tariff barriers, a number of tariffs have been reduced all over the world and even some countries have opted for unilateral liberalization of their economies.

As a matter of fact, all the problems can be described in one sentence. Pakistan needs to enhance capacity building of the government officials through rigorous reforms not only for business, trade and investment activities, but also for the official hierarchy. If there is security problem, it needs to enhance capacity of the civil law enforcement agencies such as police department while capacity of the civil intelligence agencies also needs to be enhanced. Most of the terrorism incidents occurred due to intelligence failure.

Corruption, corruption and corruption I

LAHORE

Dr AFTAB AFZAL

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t has always been a big question before scholars, intellectual and economists of the country that what the biggest issue of this nation is. Corruption, mismanagement, illiteracy, poverty, security, energy crisis etc – you name it and every issue is the pressing issue. The question remains what the biggest issue of this nation is. According to newspaper reports, the auditor general of Pakistan has unearthed 265 cases of Sinancial mismanagement, embezzlement and overpayments to the tune of Rs 1140 billion in hydropower projects during 2013-14. An audit report

covering the period from 2014 to 2015 indicates that the total auditable expenditure and revenue budget remained Rs 658 billion and Rs 603 billion, respectively.

In compliance with Sinancial audit manual, Wapda also conducted the audit of Rs 1262 billion on a test check basis, but only to Sind hundreds of cases of irregular expenditures, embezzlement of public money, miscalculations and overpayments.

The audit report reveals that various allowances were granted to the employees of the electricity generation and distribution departments without approval from the competent authorities. The case is being referred to the Ministry of Water and Power for taking up the matter with the Fi-

nance Division. On another note, various distribution companies had launched a vigorous campaign to recover Rs 242 billion from defaulters but it also ended in Siasco. According to another news report, the Ministry of Water and Power has admitted its failure in dealing with the issue of line losses, pilferage of electricity and wrong billings since the new government took over in May 2013 after general elections.

Unfortunately, billions of rupees have already been lost in various electricity generation projects and every project has been marred by corruption and mismanagement.

The nation needs a break to consider the unbridled corruption still ongoing on in development projects. However, despite reve-

lation of large-scale Sinancial mismanagement and corruption in the audit reports, the government agencies are seemed to be nonexistent.

The government is taking loans after loans without realizing that it will soon reach the saturation point. The sincerity of the government is in question and it has to ensure transparency in every Sinancial matter. Taking loans in the name of development only adds to the burden on every individual of this nation as every development project is marred by corruption and mismanagement.

The nation is becoming hostage to the policies and dictations of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

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Paapam raises concerns over import of used tractors KARACHI: The manufacturers of auto parts have raised concerns over the import of used tractors, saying that the action would destroy the local industry.

Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (Paapam) Chairman Mumshad Ali, in a statement, said that a huge employment base would experience a severe blow due to the import of used tractors. “After having suffered losses in the import of used cars already, the government should not step into the similar venture again as it would create big issues for the tractor industry and farmers alike,” he added.

The Paapam Chairman said that the local tractors industry, which is heavily underutilized at the moment, is already producing best quality tractors as per global standards that are also cheapest in the world, therefore, allowing imports would put a further dent on the exchequer.

Fayetteville Chamber to declare new Ceo’s name

Friday October 23, 2015

Chambers

LCCi demands measures to save plastic industry T

LAHORE

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he Greater Fayetteville Chamber plans to announce its next president and chief executive officer Thursday.

The announcement will come at 11 a.m. at the chamber’s new downtown office at 159 Maxwell St., according to a news release from the 219 Group, a local marketing firm.

Earlier this year, chamber officials announced they would end financial ties with the Economic Development Alliance to focus on its original mission of business advocacy. The split is scheduled to take place by the end of this year.

In September, the chamber announced its new name and logo.

It was formerly the Fayetteville Regional Chamber, a private organization with about 800 dues-paying members.

The Economic Development Alliance, which is heavily subsidized by local tax dollars for industry recruitment, is an umbrella organization of the chamber that will become its own entity, with a new board of directors, by year’s end.

Doug Peters – the chamber’s president and CEO since 2008 – announced in May he would resign by the end of this year to coincide with when the organizational changes are scheduled to take place. As CEO, he has overseen both organizations.

In June, the chamber’s board chairman, George Breece, said it would conduct a national search for its next president.—CB Report

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he Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has demanded of the government to take stringent measures to stop smuggling of plastic raw material and Sinished goods from Iran which are destroying the local plastic industry. The demand was raised by the LCCI president Sheikh Muhammad Arshad while talking to the delegation of Plastic industry, led by Khadim Hussain, here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. LCCI Vice president Nasir Saeed also spoke on the occasion.

Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said plastic industry is the third largest source of government revenues therefore government should establish a cluster for plastic industry of Punjab that would not only be a great favor to the businessmen attached with this sector but would also enhance the government revenue. He also demanded of the Federal Board of Revenue to reduce the sales tax on Plastic products.

“This would discourage smuggling as a whole and also the

sale/trade of smuggled raw material and Sinished products”, the LCCI president added.

He said smuggling of plastic raw material and Sinished goods causing huge loss of Rs 50 to 60 billion to the national exchequer therefore government should cope with the menace of smuggling with iron hands. The LCCI vice president Nasir Saeed also urged the govern-

ment to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to the plastic industry as repeated power cuts causing massive damage to this important sector as huge amount of plastic raw material is being wasted due to unscheduled load shedding.

He informed the visiting delegation that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry would give a set of comprehensive proposals to

mCCi for early issuance of tax refunds

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MULTAN

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he newly elected President of the Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Mian Fareed Mughees Shaikh has asked the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to promptly refund the sales and income taxes to the traders and industrialists so that they can run their Sinancial matters smoothly.

In a statement he has said that the industry is currently facing the severe problems regarding the cash Slow and at this critical moment if the FBR releases the refunds of sales and income taxes, it will be beneSiciary for the industry as well as for the economy of the country.

He further said that the FBR should speedily reimburse the sales and income taxes to those stakeholders who are attached with the

the government for revival of the economic activities in the country in general and in the province of Punjab in particular.

He said that the Lahore chamber of Commerce and Industry had already started spade work to this regard and fast holding meeting with the representatives of trade and industry to gather the challenges being faced by them.

Chamber selects finalists for innovation honor he Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce announced Friday that three local companies Ambition, Learning Blade and RootsRated are the finalists for the 2015 Spirit of Innovation Award, presented in conjunction with AIM CareerLink.

Ambition fuels employee engagement and productivity, inspires people to reach daily performance benchmarks and helps them work together as a team. Chattanooga-based Thinking Media created Learning Blade, a web-based STEM curriculum, to get more students interested in science, technology, engineering and math jobs. RootsRated helps outdoor, travel and tourism brands engage their customers by putting content online via a dominant platform.—CB Report

T Multan Chamber of Commerce and industry to run their business at ease. Meanwhile, The special teams of Irrigation Department have recovered more than Rs24 million water rates (Abiana) from farmers during the Rabbi season 2014-15.

According to ofSicial sources, teams recovered water rates over

Rs 24 million from growers in four districts of the Multan zone. Over Rs1.8 million water rates were recovered from Multan, Rs one million from Lodhran, over Rs 13 million from Vehari and over Rs 7.6 million from PakPattan during the Rabi season 2014-15 from July to Oct-2015.

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Saudi crude export falls 278,000 bpd in Aug Friday October 23, 2015

World

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports fell by 278,000 barrels per day in August, despite historically high wellhead production, while volumes of shipped refined oil products rose to a record high, official data showed on Sunday. The OPEC heavyweight shipped 6.998 million bpd in August, down from 7.276 million bpd in July, figures published by the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI) showed.

The world’s biggest crude exporter trimmed its production by around 100,000 bpd in August pumping 10.265 million bpd, but still maintained high output levels in line with a strategy of defending market share.

Monthly export figures are provided by Riyadh and other members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to JODI, which published them on its website.

Victoria police seize drugs worth $50m in melbourne Airport bust CuSTomS BuLLeTiN reporT www.customsbulletin.com

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uS border agents seize 1,000 pounds of marijuana in Del rio S Border Patrol agents working in the Del Rio Sector seized more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana, valued over $800,000 in three different incidents. “These seizures of narcotics show the perseverance and vigilance by our frontline Border Patrol agents,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Rodolfo Karisch. “I thank our agents for their diligence and commitment to our mission.” On Oct. 7, at approximately 8 a.m., agents from the Comstock Station, conducting linewatch operations, responded to a report of suspicious activity on a local ranch. As agents neared the area, they observed several individuals loading bundles into a pickup truck on Highway 90.—CBReport

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A THIRSK

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MELBOURNE

LMOST $50 million of drugs has been seized and three men arrested after allegedly trying to smuggle the haul through Melbourne Airport.

Three Malaysian nationals arrived at Melbourne Airport from Kuala Lumpur where a search discovered a concealment in three suitcases. A total of 55kg of methamphetamine and 18kg of heroin was allegedly found.

“The potential street value for this quantity of drugs is $36.8 million and $10.1 million respectively,” AFP Acting National Manager of Crime Operations, Paul Osborne, said. Police followed the delivery of the suitcases to a hotel in Melbourne where all three men were arrested by the AFP. Two of the men were charged with: The importation of a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs Attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs. These two men will appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court later today.

Londoner charged for smuggling 7kg cocaine

The third man is expected to be charged at a later date.

“This was a brazen attempt to smuggle in a quantity of drugs that could have caused immeasurable harm in the community,” acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Osborne said. “The AFP will continue its work with partner agencies to cut off the supply of drugs by syndicates that seek to proSit from the addiction and misery of others.”

ABF Acting Commissioner Michael Outram said this detection was one of the biggest ever seen at

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an Australian airport.

“This seizure represents one of the largest seizures in Australian history through an Australian international airport, which proves law enforcement agencies are working harder than ever to keep drugs out of our community.”

“Today we have successfully taken an enormous and unprecedented portion off the streets of Victoria and the effects of this great seizure will be seen far and wide across the Australian community,” said Mr Outram.

B’desh faces cattle smuggling issue

he problem of inSiltration into India from Bangladesh has been a major issue. While the Border Security Force is often blamed for this problem, one also needs to look at the political apathy that has led to this situation. Take for instance the Dhubri border in Assam. A proposal to install Sloodlights made in the year 2006 has still not seen the light of the

day. The Dhubri border has been a problematic one for several years now. Not only has it witnessed inSiltrations galore, but is is one of the major points where cattle smuggling takes place. The BSF has very often clashed with the cattle smugglers along this area and feel that there needs to be much more done in order to guard this border better.—CB Report

Londoner has appeared in court charged with importing class A drugs after cocaine worth more than £1 million was seized from a light aircraft at a remote Yorkshire airSield.

Dean Ash, from Acton, was arrested at Bagby AirSield near Thirsk, in north Yorkshire.

Border Force ofSicers met the light aircraft when it landed from the Netherlands, and found around seven kilos of cocaine on board.

The drugs were seized and the investigation was handed to the National Crime Agency.

Ash, 38, appeared in Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where he was remanded in custody to appear before Leeds Crown Court on November 3. Paul Tallentire, from the NCA’s north east border investigation team, said: “This was a substantial seizure of cocaine which if cut

uS Customs seizes $628,000 in marijuana at world Trade Bridge

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S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at World Trade Bridge discovered a shipment of plastic serving ware mixed with an unusual ingredient, $628,000 in marijuana.

“This large seizure of marijuana illustrates the reality of the drug threat our officers face every day,” said Acting Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry.

“Our frontline officers availed themselves of all the high-tech tools and resources at their disposal and seized a significant load

iran to export 350,000bpd oil to Japan

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TEHRAN

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ran plans to export 350,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil to Japan when the West-engineered sanctions are lifted against the Islamic Republic, according to Mohsen Qamsari, the director for international affairs at the National Iranian Oil Com-

pany (NIOC). The ofSicial said Japanese reSineries are willing to boost their oil imports from Iran.

Qamsari put Japan’s oil reSining capacity at 3.5 million bpd and stated that Iran’s plan for the post-sanction time is to supply ten percent of the oil that Japanese reSineries require.

He said Iran and Japan have had always proper oil relation; although the sanctions imposed on Iran have

and sold in the UK would have had a likely potential street value in excess of £1 million.

“Our investigation into this attempted importation is ongoing and I would urge anyone with information regarding suspicious movements in or around UK airSields to get in touch, either by calling the police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

“Working with law enforcement partners like Border Force and North Yorkshire Police, we are determined to do all we can to prevent small airSields being used for criminal purposes.”

Mark Robinson, assistant director of Border Force Yorkshire & Humber, added: “By thwarting this smuggling attempt we have stopped a sizeable amount of cocaine making it onto the streets of the UK. “Seizures like this demonstrate how Border Force ofSicers are at the forefront of the Sight to keep illegal drugs and other banned substances out of the country.”

cut its oil exports to the Japanese reSineries in the recent years.

Referring to the over forty years of Iran’s exports of oil to Japan, the ofSicial highlighted that cooperation between NIOC and Japan’s Idemitsu Kosan Company dates back to more than 50 years ago.

In a meeting with Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh in Tehran on October 12, Japanese For-

of narcotics. The seizure occurred on Tuesday, Oct. 20, when a CBP officer referred a tractor trailer hauling a commercial shipment of plastic plates, cups and saucers for a secondary examination. A canine and non-intrusive inspection by CBP officers resulted in the discovery of 400 packages allegedly containing 3,139 pounds of marijuana hidden within the shipment. The marijuana carries an estimated street value of $628,000. CBP officers seized the narcotics. —CB Report

eign Minister Fumio Kishida said his country is ready to expand its ties with Iran in different Sields of energy.

Japan was one of the major buyers of Iran’s oil before the sanctions.

The country imported 10 percent of its oil from Iran in 2000, but sanctions have cut that Sigure to roughly 5 percent in Siscal 2014. Japan hopes renewed talks will lead to increased oil imports.

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£40m project to create 600 jobs at Felixstowe Port HONG KONG: Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd has submitted plans to Suffolk Coastal council to develop part of the oldest area of the Port of Felixstowe, off Dock Road, just inside Dock Gate One. The £40million scheme – which will reuse the now decontaminated site of the old Calor Gas Terminal liquid propane gas installation, part of the Tank Farm bulk liquids storage centre area, and several haulage yards – will see some port roads wiped off the map to be replaced by four huge warehouses, providing almost 1million sq ft of space tailored to the needs of customers .It is the first phase of a scheme – another 18 acres of transit sheds and warehouses could be cleared in future if it is a success – which aims to ensure the port stays ahead of its rivals.

Damen to build renewables service vessel with new design for Delta amen Shipyards is to construct a renewables service vessel to a brandnew design for offshore wind service provider Delta Marine. The new Damen Renewables Service Vessel (RSV) 3315 design was developed in cooperation with Scotland-based Delta Marine, which expects to take delivery of the ship in early 2017. “For the last couple of years we’ve been working on this new design with Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld,” said Dave McNaughtan, Delta Marine’s general manager . “We came up with concepts – gave them to Damen, who would put those ideas on the drawing board. They gave their expertise – adding the engineering for example – and then came back to us.”The design evolved from that of a conventional multi-cat vessel, he continued: “We have changed the design by moving the wheelhouse forward and leaving the aft deck open. —CB Report

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intellian, JrC partners to sell satellite communication products ntellian, a leader in maritime satellite communication antenna technology, and JRC, a world leading marine electronics manufacturer specialising in commercial navigation and communications equipment, recently announced a new partnership agreement. Under the arrangement, JRC will begin selling Intellian satellite communication products within Japan through their established sales channels, with the Intellian 1M GX terminal becoming their hardware solution within this size category.

Jun Nakazawa, General Manager of the Marine Electronics Business Department of JRC, commented: “Intellian is one of the leading manufacturers of satellite communication products in the world, and the addition of Intellian products to our product portfolio enables us to offer various solutions to our customers from our comprehensive and wide-ranging product line-up. —CB Report

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Ports & Shipping

Apm Terminals izmir likely to start operations in 2016

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ith the delivery of Sive Rubber-Tire Gantry Cranes (RTGs) and two Ship-to-Shore (STS) gantry cranes capable of handling Ultra-Large Containerships (ULCS) of up to 16,000 TEU capacity, the new 1.3 million TEU deep-water APM Terminals Izmir facility is nearing completion in anticipation of beginning commercial operations in early 2016. One more STS crane and Sive additional RTGs are scheduled to arrive in December, bringing the container handling equipment complement to three ULCS-ready STS cranes and 10 technologically advanced RTGs. The opening of the new container terminal on Turkey’s Aegean coast, which will become Turkey’s biggest container terminal in the Aegean Region serving Istanbul and southern Turkey, respectively, will contribute signiSicantly towards accommodating Turkish export growth. Currently Europe’s seventhlargest economy, the Turkish government has announced plans to increase Turkey’s exports to USD

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$500 billion annually by 2023.

Global trade analysts with HSBC Bank have projected that industrial machinery and transport equipment will be responsible for onethird of Turkish export growth between 2021 and 2030, increasing from 29% for the Sive-year period of 2015 to 2020 as Turkey Sinds new markets for more advanced manufactured goods.

“Turkey’s very ambitious plans to become one of the world’s ten largest economies will rely in part

upon new and greater access to the global logistics chain, and the larger vessels serving world trade, and we are proud that APM Terminals Izmir will play a large role in that process” said APM Terminals Izmir Managing Director, Mogens Wolf Larsen.

Operating under a 28-year concession agreement with Turkish petrochemical conglomerate Petkim, the APM Terminals Izmir facility will have 700 meters of quay and a 16 meter depth during its Sirst phase of development.—CB Report

Shipping activity at port Qasim

hree ships carrying containers and LPG Mix were berthed at Qasim International Containers Terminal and Engro Vopak Terminal respectively.

Meanwhile, four more ships carrying Containers and LPG Mix also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim (PQ) during last 24 hours.

Berth occupancy was 65% at the Port on Wednesday where total seven ships namely MSC Columbus, Al Manamah, King Fortune, Panama Sterling, Turk Gaz, Marinoula and Prosperity are currently occupying berths to load /offload Containers, G.Cargo, Soya Been, LPG Mix, Furnace Oil and Edible

Oil respectively during last 24 hours.

A cargo volume of 96415 tonnes comprising 76528 tonnes imports and 19887 tonnes exports inclusive of containerized cargo carried in 2686 containers (TEUs) was handled at the Port during last 24 hours.—CB Report

Friday October 23, 2015

uS puts in place new strategies to tackle port congestion edicated freight corridors and closer co-operation among port authorities and the private sector are strategies the US government is promoting to tackle port congestion.

The Draft National Freight Strategic Plan, released on 18 October by US Department of Transportation (DOT) secretary Anthony Foxx, also recommends sharing best practices for freight planning, supporting advisory committees and public forums with stakeholders, and encouraging effective use of federal funding. “We’re extremely encouraged that Secretary Foxx is moving forward with the National Freight Strategic Plan,” said American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) president Kurt Nagle.

“Mapping the future of our freight network and providing resources to build it is a top priority for AAPA and its member ports.” Finding ways to improve funding for port infrastructure will be needed to better handle future growth, the draft plan says, noting that container traffic at ports will increase steadily as the volume of imports and exports transported by the US freight system more than doubles by 2040. At current funding levels “some carriers may encounter delays, may need to proceed more slowly due to hazards, lightload their vessels, or offload some cargo to smaller vessels,” the plan warns. Depending on channel conditions, “tankers or other vessels may encounter a delay in their arrival or departure time or restrictions that reduce recommended vessel draught”.—CB Report

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wessels to convert 1,000 Teu Containership to LNg

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erman shipping management company Wessels Reederei GmbH, in collaboration with engine manufacturer MAN Diesel & Turbo and gas specialist TGW Marine Gas Engineering, have been investigating over two years the main engine conversion options for

propulsion systems, determining the best option was to transition from heavy fuel oil to low-emission liqueSied natural gas (LNG). Now a government grant from the Federal ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) will enable the retroSit to go ahead. Wessels was honored by Enak Ferlemann, Parliamentary State Secretary BMVI with a seven-Sigure government grant for retroSitting their container ship

“WES AMELIE” (1,000 TEU), making the ship the Sirst of its kind worldwide to be converted to an LNG propulsion system, the press release states. Funding was provided through the Mobility and Fuel Strategy federal program which promotes the maritime use of LNGs as an environmentally friendly fuel.

Through the utilization of LNG, the pollutant emissions will be drastically reduced (sulfur oxide (SOx) ap-

prox. >99%, nitrogen oxide (NOx) approx. 90%, CO2 up to 20%). “For many years our shipping company has been committed to ‘Green Shipping’ – through the development and implementation of more efSicient alternative propulsion systems. With the conversion to LNG we and our partners showcase our technical expertise and demonstrate practical environmental solutions for the merchant marine industry.

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Alleged gold smuggler acquitted KARACHI: The Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling on Wednesday acquitted a suspect in a case of smuggling of 500 tola gold. Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi pronounced the verdict. Earlier, the court had reserved its verdict after hearing final arguments from defence and prosecution side. In 1997, 500 tola gold was recovered from possession of Abdul Majeed at Jinnah International Airport. It was alleged that he smuggled the gold into country without paying duty and taxes. Subsequently, an FIR was registered against him under the sections of Customs Act, 1969.

Friday, October 23, 2015

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Appellants start filing cases in urdu before Appeals Collector Asif Jah LAHORE m HAYAT

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ppellants begun to Sile appeals in Urdu language before Collectorate of Customs Lahore and till now more than Sive appeals have been Siled in national language. The appeals were Siled after a circular issued by Collector Appeals Lahore Dr Asif Mehmood Jah instructing the appellants that the lawyers and the trader parties by themselves can Sile appeals in Urdu. The collector of customs told Customs Today that at least Sive appeals have been Siled in Urdu by the parties’ lawyers and by the parties themselves. He said that the Siling of Urdu application is comparatively easy for the parties and also cost effective. He added that small traders often had to pay huge amount as fees to the lawyers for Siling appeals which not only pushed up the cost of the items disputed but become an additional Sinancial burden. The collector of customs Asif Mehmood Jah become the Sirst ofSicer in Federal Board of Revenue who has written orders on appeals in Urdu following the Supreme Court.

KP NAB arrests ex-chief engineer of PHED on corruption PESHAWAR

NADir kHAN

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he National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday arrested Allauddin Khan, exchief engineer in (BPS-19) Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, allegedly involved in misuse of authority, illegal commissions and kickbacks from the supplier com-

panies, causing a loss of Rs 24 million to the national exchequer.

As per detail, the Planning and Development Department of KPK constituted a provincial committee for standardization of engineering products and materials and the user departments have to procure the required engineering products / materials from the qualiSied Sirms / suppliers.

Accused Allauddin Khan, the then chief engineer, unilaterally and illegally shortlisted / fake /dummy Sirms without advertising the same in the media, and issued a circular to his subordinate

ofSicers to compulsorily make procurement from the dummy Sirms.

Eventually, round about 350 voltage stabilizer were purchased at exorbitant rates causing a huge loss to the national exchequer.

It may be mentioned here that more than dozens’ of XEN’s and SDO’s of PHED have already been entered into Voluntary Return (VR) and deposited millions of rupees to the public exchequer in the instant case. The accused will be produced before the Accountability Court Peshawar for obtaining his physical remand.

Meanwhile, NAB Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa arrested accused Fiaz Ali Shah, serving Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer (BPS-19) of Pakistan Locomotive Factory, Risalpur. He is allegedly involved in accumulating assets beyond known sources of his income worth millions of rupees.

As per details, the matter was brought into the notice of NAB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa authorities.

Taking cognizance of the matter, an inquiry was launched to ascertain the real facts and collect requisite evidence regarding movable and immovable properties owned, controlled and possessed by the

Published by M S Raza Off# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Road Karachi, Printed by Dhoom Printing Building No RY/A, 11/6,11/7, Mashoor Mahal,off I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi

accused on his own name and in the name of his dependents.

The inquiry revealed that the suspect, during his service in Pakistan Locomotive Factory, Risalpur, accumulated huge assets disproportionate to his known sources of income which include two plots of one kanal each at Staff Road, Risalpur Cantt, two plots of one kanal each at Sheikh Maltoon Town, Mardan and ownership of a CNG Station namely Mardan Ways on Nowshera Road Mardan.

Besides, he owns three kanal and three marlas commercial plot on Malakand Road.