Oct 30 layout 1

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pAkIStAN’S FIrSt INDepth NewSpAper oN cuStoMS

Daily

Vol 1 Issue No. 219

Karachi, Fri October 30, 2015

ISLAMABAD

M FAIZAN

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ederal Board of Revenue Chairman Tariq Bajwa has directed all chief commissioners of Qield formations to take effective measures for revenue collection and broaden-

ing of the tax net.

He stated this in a meeting with the ofQicials through videolink, adding that check and balance should be tightened in the ofQice to improve the performance of the employees.

In the meeting, he also reviewed the revenue collection performance of the regional ofQices for October and also

Price Rs. 14.00

pushed the ofQicials for expediting the tax collection process in order to meet the target set for current Qiscal year 2015-16.

Showing concerns over non-issuance of notices to the taxpayers, he urged the ofQicials to serve notices on all defaulters and taxpayers as soon as possible, adding that big tax evaders must be brought to table.

Collector M Yousfani introduces‘Golden Chair’facility at Appraisement East

PCA detects Rs 2m tax evasion by M/s Shaukat Soap through misuse of DTRE

National Bank of Pakistan pre-tax shows growth of 23 percent

Faults in IRIS system to be corrected within days: Member IT

PHMA strongly rejects levy of import duty on yarn

With an aim to extend maximum facilities to the taxpayers | See pAge 02 |

Customs PCA has found M/s Shaukat Soap and Ghee Industries involved in large scale | See pAge 03 |

NBPPre-taxprofitshowedagrowthof 23%tostandatRs.22bfromRs18b | See pAge 04 |

FBRmemberITRaanaAhmadhassaidthat glitchesandanomaliesintheIRISsystem | See pAge 12 |

The PHMA has rejected the imposition of import duty on yarn as it would pose | See pAge 09 |

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Excise Gujranwala collects Rs 46 million tax Friday, October 30, 2015

National

SIALKOT: The Excise and Taxation Department, Gujranwala region, has achieved 50 percent of total tax recovery target and collected Rs 46 million property tax during the first four months of current fiscal year. According to official sources, the Excise and Taxation Department was assigned total tax recovery target of Rs 92 million of which Rs 46 million have been collected. As per details, 52 teams of Excise and Taxation Department have started recovery in Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad and Gujranwala districts. Official sources told Customs Today, the special recovery targets have also been assigned to the concerned Excise and Taxation Officers.

collector Majid Yousfani introduces ‘golden chair’ facility

Adjudication Deputy collector Farhat Ali issues oNo in dates seizure case

KARACHI

FAISALABAD

NAeeM SheIkh

AFtAB chANNA

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ith an aim to extend maximum facilities to the taxpayers, Collector Model Customs Collectorate MCC Appraisement East Majid Yousfani has introduced concept of ‘Golden Chair’ of the Malaysian Customs.

During an exclusive interview with Customs Today, the ofQicials of Pakistan Customs are duty bound to facilitate the taxpayers and provide maximum cooperation and support to resolve their genuine issues on the spot, if possible, the collector said.

“When I was in Malaysia on a training a few years ago, we were informed that there was a Golden Chair at Malaysian custom where a taxpayer used to sit and gets his issues resolved. The idea clicked my mind and I strongly instructed all the staff of the MCC Appraisement East to facilitate the taxpayers”, Collector Majid Yousfani added.

According to Collector Majid Yousfani, the top ten taxpayers during the month of September 2015 are Fauji Fertilizer with Rs 1.761 billion taxes paid, Indus Motors with Rs 1.469 billion, Engro Chemicals Rs 1.369 billion, Pak Suzuki Rs 981 million, NTDC Rs 916 million, International Steel Rs 892 million, Dera Ghazi Rs 671 million, Sadiq Feed Mill

690 million, Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) with Rs 575 million, Hi Tech Lubricants Rs 461 million.

Meanwhile, The Model Customs Collectorate MCC Appraisement East, under the dynamic leadership of Collector Majid Yousfani, collected

some Rs 5.861 billion of revenue and taxes as value addition during the Qirst quarter of current Qinancial year 2015-16. Collector Majid Yousfani told Customs Today that MCC Appraisement East collected Rs 5.861 billion as value addition revenue and

taxes as compared to the last year’s collection i.e. Rs 2.831 billion. During the Qirst quarter that include months of July, August and September, the MCC Appraisement East collected Rs 4.82 billion as ascertaining values on good declarations.

Customs Court rejects bail plea of tax evader LAHORE

M IMrAN MehAr

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pecial Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has rejected the bail plea of suspect, Fazal Hussain, who is on a three days physical remand in a income tax evasion case.

According to the details, accused

ustoms Adjudication has issued Order-in-Original (ONO) in favour of Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) in smuggled dates and trailer seizure case.

As per details, Deputy Collector Farhat Ali heard the case and declared the confiscation of 23,600 kilograms of dates and a truck outright. The ASO team in a raid intercepted a truck bearing Registration No. 0059 and recovered 2600 cartons of foreign origin dates. The team asked the driver to show the documents regarding the legal import of the dates but he could not comply with the orders.The team asked the driver to show the documents regarding the legal import of the dates but he could not comply with the orders. Therefore, customs officials seized the items under Section 181 of the Customs Act, 1969 and sent the report to adjudication for further legal action. However, the court after hearing the case ordered to confiscate the items, besides directing the accused to pay redemption fine, which is equivalent to the 20 percent of the value of items, if he wanted to release his consignment and truck.

Fazal Hussain was allegedly involved in evasion sales tax and income tax.

Federal Board of Revenue intelligence dig out that Fazal made huge bank transactions but he never paid a single penny to the national kitty.

After conQirmation of the sources of his income and his bank transactions, the team of Inland Revenue, Lahore arrested him. Fazal Hussain was allegedly involved in tax evasion to the tune of Rs 7.5 million.

On Monday, IR team had presented him before the court and

asked for physical remand for further interrogation. Customs court after hearing both parties issued three days physical remand of Fazal Hussain and handed over him to investigation team.

Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling disposed of bail application of the owner of King Packages Company Faisalabad involved in sales tax evasion case but the accused fled from the scene when officials tried to arrest him.

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Customs Court hears 36 cases on Wednesday LAHORE: Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling heard 21 different cases, which were scheduled for hearing, including pre-arrest bail pleas.

The special court has adjourned all cases without any proceedings as no lawyer and parties concerned appeared in the court. Hearing of bail pleas of three suspects has also been adjourned till the next hearing. Cases scheduled for hearing on Wednesday including tax evasion, customs, smuggling and narcotics. A case of narcotics against Tanveer Khan was also adjourned. He was allegedly involved in smuggling of heroin from Khyber Pakhtunkhawa to Lahore and was arrested by Customs Intelligence.

customs appellate tribunal hears seven cases on wednesday LAHORE

MuhAMMAD NAwAZ www.customsbulletin.com

he Customs appellate tribunal heard seven cases on Wednesday, but not single case had been decided and the court adjourned the hearings until next dates. According to the details, the customs appellate tribunal special division bench II comprised Omer Arshed Hakeem, member judicial and Khawja Omer Mehdi, member Technical. The appellant counsel argued before the court regarding the cases. Yesterday, the customs appellate tribunal heard cases of Saeed Baksh versus customs Lahore, Fatima Fertilizers versus customs Multan, Umer Usman versus customs Multan, Zulifqar Ali versus directorate Multan.

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FIA arrests fake FBr agents, recovers rs 8m FAISALABAD

NAeeM SheIkh

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ederal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested fake FBR agents during a raid in Madina town area, Faisalabad.

According to FIA Director legal Chaudhry Muhammad Azharullah, comprised a team which raided a building at Sosan road, Madina town arresting three fake FBR agents and the team also recovered Rs 8 million from suspects who were later identified as Main Muhammad Anwar, Muhammad Farooq, and Muhammad Nadeem.As per details, accused were allegedly involved in sending fake tax invoices demanding Rs 50 million from Muhammad Jamshaid (Business man) and other business man in Faisalabad.

Later Muhammad Jamshaid has paid them Rs 20 million.

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Friday October 30, 2015

National

pcA detects rs 2m tax evasion by M/s Shaukat Soap through misuse of Dtre LAHORE

M hAYAt

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ustoms Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has found M/s Shaukat Soap and Ghee Industries (Pvt) involved in large scale misuse of DTRE, and evasion of duties and taxes along with default surcharge recoverable from the company, sources told Customs Today.

Sources told this scribe that Audit ofQicers Muhammad Arshad Malik and Muhammad Jamil undertook Post-exportation audit of record of said DTRE approval under the supervision of Asma Bashir, Deputy Director and found that during the course of scrutiny of record it transpired that the company was engaged in the manufacturing and export of laundry soap and have been allowed to import inedible tallow as input goods.

The company was allowed DTRE approval for “direct exporter” for production and export of laundry soap to Afghanistan, they said, adding that, during scrutiny of export GD and other relevant record i. e bilties, it was found that the transporting vehicles mentioned on export GD and on bilties were different from each other while the online veriQication of vehicles, has transpired that those vehicles are registered as car and pick up. The sources said that it was found that it was crystal clear that duty and tax free imported input-goods have not been consumed in the produc-

tion of exported goods in those DTRE approvals. Either these raw materials are lying with you as closing stock or have been disposed off in such a manner as is not permitted under DTRE facility; however, in either situation the DTRE user is responsible for payment of duties and taxes under the law. It was also observed that the duty free imported input-goods have not been consumed in the production of exported goods under this DTRE approval. Therefore, duties and

the sources said that it was found that it was crystal clear that duty and tax free imported input-goods have not been consumed in the production of exported goods in those Dtre approvals.

Additional Collector reserves decisions on three cases MULTAN

IMrAN ALI

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dditional Collector Customs Adjudication Fayaz Anwar has preceded hearing of 19 seizure cases. As per details, Additional Collector reserved the decisions on three cases including two seizure cases and one tax evasion

case whose contravention was formed by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan during legal actions. The Collectorate of Customs Adjudication heard 19 cases out of which six cases were formed by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan in their jurisdiction. Almost Qive seizure cases have been formed by the Anti-Smuggling Organization and two contraventions of tax evasion cases were formed by the Customs Intelligence and Multan Dry Port authorities. Fayaz Anwar re-

served Qinal verdict of three cases which will be issued Order-inOriginal at any stage from Customs Adjudication. Three reserved decision are in cases of S.M Food Makers Company case, smuggled oil case and 93 laptops, notebooks seizure case formed by the Customs Intelligence in the on-going Qiscal year 2015. Additional Collector Customs Adjudication Fayaz Anwar will continue the hearing of cases at the Model of Customs Collectorate Multan for speedy disposal of pending cases.

taxes amounting to Rs. 2.117 million including custom duty Rs 503,498, sales tax Rs 1.218 million, FED Rs 55,385, withholding tax Rs 340,616 along with default surcharge is found recoverable under section 202A of Customs Act, 1969 read with under section 205 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 and penalty under Section 156(1) of Customs Act, 1969 of DTRE Rules 307A of Customs Rules, 2001 issued vide SRO 450 (I)/2001 dated 18-06-2001.

Farhat Ali appointed as DC Collectorate Faisalabad arhat Ali has joined as DC, service/BS- 18, in Adjudication on Tuesday. The position was previously held by Deputy Collector Muhammad Saeed Asad ( DC ) Service/BS- 17. As per details, now Farhat Ali will also be authorised to hear smuggling cases filed by the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), and would be able to issue ONO against the accused persons.—CB Report

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NBP pre-tax shows growth of 23 percent Friday, October 30, 2015

Business

KARACHI: National Bank of Pakistan Pre-tax profit showed a growth of 23% to stand at Rs. 22 billion from Rs 18 billion of the same period last year. The Board of Directors of National Bank of Pakistan in their meeting held on October 28 approved the financial statements of the bank for the nine months period ended on September 30, 2015. Profit pre-provision, posted a growth of 35% for the nine months period and amounted to Rs 30.9 billion compared to Rs 22.8 billion of corresponding period last year. Due to recording of prior year tax charge of Rs 2.4 billion, increase in current tax charge and reduction of compensation rate.

kSe keeps upward momentum, gains 271pts to close at 34332 KARACHI

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he Karachi Stock Exchange Thursday added 271 points to take the tally to 34332.43 points level, with 0.80 per cent improvement at closing.

The stock witnessed the highest trading level of 34359.20 points and lowest level of 34061.42 points. The total volume of market remained 117,502,340 shares, having

Dollar crosses 106 mark against rupee KARACHI

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he US dollar continued to rise on Wednesday as it crossed the 106 mark against the rupee, a rate at which it was traded two years back.

However, it started sliding downward by midday and ended at Rs105.50. The greenback was traded at Rs106.20 in the inter-bank market on Oct 14, 2013.

The government, at that time, shot into action to bring down the value of US currency below Rs100 despite strong resistance from exporters.

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Rs10,291,506,280 value. Out of total 359 traded companies, 189 were up 159 were down and 11 were un-

changed.

Earlier, the KSE 100-Index gained another 256.62 points to reach

34318.04 points level till midday.

Cement was the top traded sector with total traded volume of 22,483,700 shares. It was followed

by Power Generation & Distribution with a total traded volume of 21,076,500 shares.

The three top traded companies were K-Electric Ltd. with a volume of 18,432,000 and price per share of 7.46 (0.27), Pace (Pak) Ltd. with a volume 15,164,000 of price per share of 7.80 (0.19), Pak Elektron with a volume 7,204,500 of price per share of 77.44 (0.37).

The top three advancers were Philip Morris Pak.

wB meeting in Nov to consider $500m loan for pak energy sector ISLAMABAD

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he World Bank’s executive board will consider $500 million loan for cash bleeding power sector of Pakistan in its November 16, 2015 meeting scheduled to be held at Washington DC. The Country Director World Bank Patchamuthu Illangovan met Finance Minister Senator Moham-

mad Ishaq Dar here on Wednesday and exchanged views on the proposed Equitable Growth DPC-III. The minister informed Illangovan that the government would have in-house consultation and convey its priorities for next set of Development Policy Credit Loans.

The Qinance minister shared with Illangovan details of his recent meeting with Ms Annette Dixon, Vice President World Bank (South Asia Region) and other senior World Bank ofQicials in Washington. The minister said his meeting with Ms Annette Dixon was very positive and

she appreciated the remarkable economic turnaround achieved by Pakistan as well as the prior actions completed for Power Sector DPC-II. The minister said he was looking forward to World Bank Board meeting in November, which would consider the case for release of Development Policy Credit Loan for energy sector of Pakistan.

Patchamuthu Illangovan on this occasion said the World Bank would continue to Qinance different projects in Pakistan and that he looked forward to strengthening Pak-World Bank cooperation in future.

ApBF welcomes russian investment in energy sector KARACHI

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he All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) probed into the recent development in the energy sector where Pakistan inked an agreement with Russia for the construction of gigantic 1,100 kilometres gas pipeline, all the way from Karachi ports to the north, Lahore. The pipeline is meant to facilitate the smooth supply of almost 12.4 billion cubic meters, of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), per year. The project will bring US $ 2 billion investment in the energy sector of Pakistan by the Russians.

APBF President Ibrahim Qureshi welcomed the Russian investors (Rostec) in Pakistan and praised the recent gas pipeline deal, signed between the two countries.

“Although we do not have a promising history of trade, business or should I say of any sort due to some irresistible conditions throughout our relationship. But APBF will urge to consider this development as a step to usher a new era and a new phase of history that will be decorated with friendship, trust and collaborations in business and development largely,” Qureshi said.

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Ministers face no real question on LNg, Nandipur plant issues ISLAMABAD

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t was really disappointing to note that those electronic and print media journalists who were leaving no stone un-turned to present government’s project to bring LNG in Pakistan and Nandipur Power Plant as biggest scams in the country’s history could not ask even a single question to two federal min-

isters which could put them in a difQicult situation or embarrass them on either issue.

For the Qirst time both the federal minister for petroleum & natural resources and water and power Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Khawaja Asif respectively presented themselves for all kind of questions on both the issues in an open-house seminar where all anchor persons, journalists and experts were invited to and the whole proceedings were

telecast live on national broadcast without any interruption.

No speciQic question to expose what is being ‘exposed’ on daily basis on news channels and in newspapers was raised. The News specially covered the issue with the focus to note down well researched hard hitting questions which could put the both the ministers in a tough situation; however, the net result was an utter disappointment as either already asked and answered

questions were put or factually incorrect questions were asked to the ministers who remained present in the hall for three and an half hours.

Khawaja Asif even announced that not only he but Shahid Khaqan will also remain available for any programme to answer any questions on these issues whenever called. When a senior journalist from Karachi asked a speciQic question about the issue of using local natural gas in Punjab while pumping imported

costly RLNG in main gas pipeline for use in Sindh, Khaqan Abbasi responded that once pumped in main national gas pipeline whole gas will be same gas and consumers in Sindh will pay normal natural gas prices while bulk consumers like power plants in Punjab will be charged higher rates of RLNG. The senior journalist said what you are elaborating is absolutely Qine but had you explained it earlier there would have been no confusions on the issue.

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Friday, October 30, 2015

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ollector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Sialkot Ahmad Reza Khan has said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Pakistan Customs are introducing business-friendly policies to encourage the business community to promote the country’s exports.

He stated this while discussing in details the matters of mutual interest with SCCI President Maj (r) Mansur Ahmed during his visit to Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here.

Collector Ahmad Reza assured that Sialkot business community’s all prolonged perturbing problems would be solved on priority basis besides ensuring the early end to the prolonged pendency of the rebate payments claims.

Collector also pledged to ensure the early clearance of prolonged pending rebate cases of Sialkot exporters.

Collectorate of Customs Sialkot

was providing all necessary facilities to Sialkot-based exporters and importers besides removing hurdles in their way to motivate them to do their maximum business through Sialkot Dry Port and Sialkot International Airport.

Collector added that all out sincere efforts were being made to provide maximum facilities to the Sialkot exporters and importers.

On this occasion, President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Maj (Rtd) Mansur Ahmed also discussed in details the matters of mutual interest including the core issues of relaxation in availing temporary importation schemes especially import under the DTRE scheme, clearance of backlog of prolonged pending Duty Drawback claims and simplification o f Post Clearance Audit as well. Meanwhile, The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has established regional committees in all major cities, including Sialkot, covering issues of withholding tax on banking transactions, filing of returns and resolving business community’s issues of sales tax and income tax.

According to a notification issued by the FBR here, the committee will comprised of Chief Commissioner RTO Sialkot Syed Imran Raza Kazmi, while Mahar Ghulam Mujtaba, Ehsanul Haq and Khalid Pervaiz Javaid Butt will act as members. The notification says that the communication, income tax and sales tax committees have been established at the regional level to improve coordination between regional offices

of the FBR and business community and remove operational bottlenecks in the implementation of the recommendations of three aforementioned committees and to facilitate the taxpayers.

ector Ahmad ll o c t o lk ia S Mcc ys FBr and a s n a h k a z e r toms are pakistan cus ess-friendly busin introducing ncourage the policies to e munity to business com country’s promote the s. export

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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

Inviting uS investors

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rime Minister Nawaz Sharif has invited US entrepreneurs to invest in Pakistan and take benefits of his government’s liberal policies which provide lucrative incentives to the foreign investors. According to him, three factors make Pakistan the most attractive investment destination all over the world as it offers perfect land, ideal geographical location and highly skilled and educated workforce. Addressing a function organized by the United States-Pakistan Business Council, the prime minister said that Pakistan has introduced one of the most attractive investment regimes in the world, which allows the foreign investors to repatriate 100 percent profits as well as a facility to convert local currency into the foreign exchange.

As a matter of fact, the bumpy road of relations between Pakistan and the United States has seen many ups and downs for the last several decades.

Despite the fact that most of the time the relations remained under the spell of a trust deficit, Pakistan has rendered tremendous sacrifices in the so-called war on terror. Thousands of people have been killed and the losses incurred by the country in terms of business, trade and investment were to the tune of billions of dollars. Now the prime minister is again visiting the United States and offering numerous investment opportunities to the US entrepreneurs in Pakistan’s energy, consumer goods, food and agriculture, housing and Infrastructure sectors. The economic ties are the base to strengthen political ties and it can be made possible only when trade between the two countries is enhanced and Pakistani products are given access to the US markets. After the army campaign against terrorists, the security situation in the country has been improved as the government is taking on all hues of terrorists. The prime minister also mentioned that the current year witnessed the lowest number of terrorist attacks since 2007 and positive results of the army operation are visible.

The army is already working on a comprehensive strategy, involving targeted military operations against terrorists.

Pakistan has now acquired a better position in the world business indexes due to positive assessments of the international rating agencies about the country’s economy. The per capita income of the country has increased by 12 percent, fiscal deficit has been lowered, revenue collections are increased, foreign exchanges reserves have risen above $20 billion and inflation is at the lowest ebb. A strong middle class is emerging in Pakistan, giving impetus to the sale of consumer goods and auto sale. The big task before the prime minster is to convince the US government and private investors to appreciate current situation in Pakistan.

Import of LNg from Qatar T

LAHORE

Dr AFtAB AFZAL

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he Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) is expected to give a go-ahead signal to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to sign an enormous deal worth $16 billion with the Qatar government to import liquefied natural gas (LNG). The US energy giant ExxonMobil and French firm Total, which share parts of the Qatar Petroleum, are also willing to supply gas to Pakistan. It is good omen that the present government has started various ambitious plans to meet the energy needs of the country and the agreement with

Qatar should be seen in this context. Another deal is in pipeline to import gas from Turkmenistan. The country has been facing energy crisis for the last many decades and it has hampered the industrial growth as well as the quality of life.

Earlier, the petroleum ministry had sought the ECC’s approval to pave the way for the state-owned Pakistan State Oil to execute the agreement with Qatargas in line with the government-to-government deal.

According to newspaper reports, the ECC will again take up the issue in its next meeting and a summary has already been sent to the committee. The gas supply contract will be signed under specific formula keeping

in view the existing price of Brent crude oil. The agreement will cover at least 15 years until 2030 and price mechanism will be revised after every 10 years with right to terminate the agreement from any side. At least 1.5 million tons of LNG will be imported in the first year while the volume of supply will be increased to three million tons from the second year. The imported gas will reach the consumers mainly through Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and Sui Southern Gas Company.

According to news reports, the two gas supply companies are already facing huge deficits due to pilferage of gas in the industrial sector. Many industrial concerns are involved in the pil-

ferage of gas, looting the national wealth from both hands.

Many individuals are openly offering services to the industrialists to change the readings of the gas meters in connivance with the government officials. If this situation is allowed to continue, the end result of the government efforts will be an utter failure. The present government has enacted tough laws to fix the gas thieves, but every law in this country hits snags at the implementation stage. To stop the electricity and gas pilferage, the government should introduce card system – prepaid and post-paid. Enacting the laws without having honest implementation machinery is a futile exercise.

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Korean envoy assures to help earthquake victims PESHAWAR: Korean envoy Dr Song Jong Hwan has expressed grief and sorrow over the devastated earthquake that rocked Pakistan, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and offered condolence over casualties and pledged support for the affected families through international organizations.

The ambassador was on a visit to the provincial metropolis of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where he met honorary consul general of Korea and other businessmen. Commercial Attaché Park Bong Su and Eun Sang Jo also accompanied him during the visit. Other present on the occasion were Senator Ilyas Ahmed Bilour, Mohammad Sarwar Mohmand, Zulfiqar Ali Khan, President KPCCI, Jamshed Savul, Dr Tariq Jabbar, Ghulam Noorani and Fawad Ishaq. Speaking to local businessmen, the Korean ambassador said that his country is eager to strengthen trade and economic relations with Pakistan.

training programme for customs clearance officers at Qatar chamber

Friday October 30, 2015

Chambers

pakistan-china trade will touch $15 billion in few years: Sheikh Arshad A

LAHORE

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training programme for customs clearance officers will be conducted at Qatar Chamber (QC). The 15-day exercise is being organised in co-operation with the General Authority of Customs (GAC).

The objective is to give accredited qualifications for the customs clearance officers by training them on the necessary skills to enable them to offer high quality services to the public dealing with them.

The programme will also cover the customs law, customs terminology, protection of the intellectual property rights, evaluation of customs charges, and the related international agreements. It includes 96 hours of training, with expert lecturers in the field of customs clearance. Trainees who attend the programme will get an accredited certificate from QC that qualifies them to undergo the GAC exams for customs clearance officers at GAC headquarters.

Saleh al-Sharqi, QC acting general manager, affirmed that QC has a special interest in improving the skills of customs clearance officers and equipping them with the most sophisticated professional qualification in the field, which will reflect positively on the flow of trade to and from the country.

“There is a joint technical committee of QC and GAC to assess the outcome of such programmes to make the most out of it,” he added. “There is a joint technical committee of QC and GAC to assess the outcome of such programmes to make the most out of it,” he added. —CB Report

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delegation of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by its president Sheikh Muhammad Arshad, visited the Chinese Consulate and had a detailed discussion with the Chinese Consul General Yu Boren regarding two-way trade, investment and visa facilities for the businessmen.

The LCCI senior vice president Almas Hyder and vice president Nasir Saeed also spoke on the occasion at length and threw light on the aspects of joint ventures between the businessmen of the two countries. The LCCI executive committee members were also present on the occasion.

The LCCI president Sheikh Muhammad Arshad, senior vice president Almas Hyder and vice president Nasir Saeed while congratulating the Chinese Consul General and other Chinese ofQicials, said that opening of Chinese Consulate in Lahore is a big breakthrough as it would facilitate the Punjab-based businessmen whose visa requirements would be met with the open-

ing of this new ofQice.

The LCCI president Sheikh Mohammad Arshad said that China is a time-tested friend and a very important partner in Pakistan Economic Development and bilateral trade. The involvement of Chinese enterprises, both in terms of technical and Qinancial assistance in several development projects is reQlective of our cordial relations based on mutual trust and sincerity.

China is one of the largest trading

partners of Pakistan and it is expected that bilateral trade between Pakistan and China will touch the Qigure of $ 15 billion within the next few years. Although Pakistan’s exports to China have been gradually increasing, the trade has always been in favor of China. The LCCI senior vice president Almas Hyder said that due to excellent economic policies of China and the hard work of Chinese leadership, China has become a big economic force in the world. Almas

Battle creek Area expo connects businesses

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NEW YORK

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

et, the highlighted item during Wednesday’s Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo was the opportunity to connect with local businesses in an intimate setting. About 60 vendors including Kellogg Co., Denso Manufacturing Michigan Inc. and Miller College were on hand to chat with attendees in a layout zigzagging the length of the Kellogg Arena Qloor.

Chamber President Kara Beer said she was happy with the changes made to the event in its second year. Beer said the Business Expo was intentionally planned to coincide with the Battle Creek Farmers Market at Festival Market Square, as well as planning for the inQlux of Kellogg employees Qiltering in and out for much of the day.

Hyder invited the Chinese businessmen to invest in Pakistan in priority sectors including oil and gas, mining, infrastructure, power (coal, hydel, gas based), IT & telecom, chemicals (fertilizer (urea), glass, PV & Polymers), value added textile manufactures, engineering goods, textile machinery, electronics, automotives, agricultural and agro based Industry, pesticides, cool chains, food and fruit processing and packaging, livestock and dairy farming.

phMA strongly rejects levy of import duty on yarn he Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) has rejected the imposition of import duty on yarn as it would pose negative impact on the value-added textile sector. Talking to Customs Today, Sialkot PHMA Chairman Ziaul Rehman Chaudhry said that the PHMA stands with the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and all other business associations which have already expressed resentment on the proposed move. Ziaul Rehman went on to say that Pakistan’s value-added textiles in general and the apparel export sector in particular are under severe pressure due to hard competition in the international market from countries like Bangladesh.—CB Report

T About 60 business were represented at the Business Expo held at the Kellogg Arena on Wednesday.

“I’m excited to see it,” Beer said.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to see what’s available in Battle Creek and also for consumers to see what’s there and seeing businesses working with other businesses, making connections.”

The event featured several breakout sessions and private areas for networking for people in attendance. Others took in the music on a playlist created by Beer and Pro DJs as well as food options from Finley’s Grill & Smokehouse and the McCamly Plaza Hotel’s restaurant, J.W. Barleycorn, as well as a candy booth for an area credit union.

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India allows Bangladesh to import motorcycles through land Customs station Friday October 30, 2015

World

NEW DELHI: India has allowed Bangladesh to import motorcycles through the land customs stations, a move that is expected to give a big leg-up to exports of country’s two-wheel makers.

“Bangladesh had requested India and it has been permitted after inter-ministerial consultations,” said a finance ministry official. A decision to this effect was taken at the India-Bangladesh joint group of customs in Dhaka led by revenue secretary Sumit Bose and Ghulam Hussain, chairman of National Board of Revenue of Bangladesh, last week in Dhaka, the official said.

Lebanon customs arrests Saudi prince with 2 ton of drugs www.customsbulletin.com

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n operation to nab a suspected drug trafficker at Tiong Bahru led to the arrest of three people, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) announced. CNB said it also seized about drugs estimated to be worth more than S$61,000 from the operation on Tuesday. Officers had been deployed to Eng Hoon Street to arrest the suspected drug trafficker, a 20-year-old Singaporean. A packet of ‘Ice’ of about 130g, and another packet containing a total of 95 Lysergide (LSD) stamps and some drug paraphernalia were found on him.

Another 20-year-old who is suspected to be a drug abuser was arrested with him, CNB said.—CB Report

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cuStoMS BuLLetIN report

S Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested a 19-year-old woman from Mission, Texas in connection with a failed child smuggling attempt of an 11year-old from Mexico.

“Our officers’ acute sense of awareness and the ability to detect anomalies within a traveler’s verbal and non-verbal actions is how smuggling cases are thwarted and those involved are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Acting Port Director Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. On Oct. 26, a woman accompanied by a minor girl arrived at

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report

Singapore customs seizes 1 kg of cannabis, 3 arrested

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HIDALGO www.customsbulletin.com

RIYADH

Saudi prince and four others have been arrested after Beirut authorities foiled one of the country’s largest drug smuggling attempts, seizing two tons of amphetamine Captagon pills and cocaine before they were loaded onto the prince’s private plane.

Prince Abdel Mohsen Bin Walid Bin Abdulaziz and the other Saudi citizens will be questioned by Lebanon’s customs authority.

Captagon is the brand name for the amphetamine phenethylline, a synthetic stimulant.

Captagon manufacturing thrives in Lebanon and war-torn Syria, which have become a gateway for the drug to the Middle East, particularly the Gulf.

The U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime said in a 2014 report that the amphetamine market is on the rise in the Middle East, with busts mostly in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria accounting for more than 55 percent of amphetamines seized

uS customs arrests woman for smuggling child

worldwide.

The stimulants produce “a kind of euphoria — you’re talkative, you don’t sleep, you don’t eat, you’re energetic,” Lebanese psychiatrist Ramzi Haddad told.

The arrest is the latest in a series of run-ins between Saudi Arabia’s royal family and worldwide authorities. Last month, a Saudi prince was arrested in Los Ange-

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les for allegedly trying to force a woman to perform oral sex on him at a Beverly Hills mansion. But authorities decided not to pursue the charge, citing a lack of evidence.

In 2013, a Saudi princess was accused in Los Angeles of enslaving a Kenyan woman as a housemaid, but the charges were also dropped.

Bangladesh to ratify TFA to ease trade angladesh will soon ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the World Trade Organisation as more than 50 nations have already approved the deal to simplify their trade rules, a government ofQicial said.

The WTO had adopted the TFA in its ninth ministerial conference in Bali in December 2013 to save

money and time spent on international trade, by simplifying the rules of customs and tariff. “We know that more than 50 countries have already ratiQied the deal and we are also ready to approve it, as Bangladesh is also a member of the WTO,” said Hedayetullah Al Mamoon, senior secretary to the commerce ministry.—CB Report

the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge pedestrian walkway.

The woman presented U.S. birth certificates for herself and for the little girl, whom she claimed as an acquaintance and also presented a notarized letter from the alleged mother, giving her permission to travel with the child.

After further inspection in secondary, officers discovered that this was an alleged smuggling attempt and that the child was not a U.S. citizen but rather a citizen from Mexico without valid documents to legally enter or reside in the United States.

CBP OFO arrested the adult woman who is being detained pending an appearance before a U.S. federal magistrate on criminal charges of alleged violation of U.S. immigration law.

Malaysia wood sector exports to hit $3.77bn in h1

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he Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) reported timber sector exports of RM10.46 billion (approx. US$ 3.77 billion) in the first half of the year.

Wooden furniture exports accounted for the biggest share of wood product exports at RM3.33 billion (31.8% of the total).

Plywood exports ranked second at RM2.25 billion (21.5%) followed by sawnwood exports at RM1.47 billion (14.0%). Log exports comprised just under 10% of all wood product exports at RM998 million in the first half of this year.

Exports of wooden furniture were mainly from manufacturers in Peninsular Malaysia. Furniture

exports from Sabah and Sarawak combined contributed barely 1% to total furniture exports.

On the other hand, Sarawak is the biggest exporter of plywood (918,286 cu.m or 72% of Malaysia‘s total plywood export) and exporters in Sabah shipped 248,500 cu.m accounting for another 20% of total plywood exports. Plywood mills in Peninsular Malaysia shipped 102,280 cu.m or 8% of total plywood shipments. Peninsular Malaysia was the leading exporter of sawnwood at 636,340 cu.m followed by Sarawak 276,080 cu.m and Sabah 107,000. Companies in Sarawak dominated the log export trade by Malaysia.—CB Report

Dubai customs shares latest technology with Singapore

D DUBAI

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

ubai Customs has received a host of entrepreneurs from the Republic of Singapore, who were looking to get Qirsthand information on latest technologies applied

by Dubai Customs to streamline legitimate trade and expedite customs

formalities. The meeting was coordinated jointly with Dubai University , as part of the training scheme it offers to the Singaporean entrepreneurs. “The Republic of Singapore is one of the key trading partners with Dubai in the Asian continent. Dubai’s trading volume with Singapore in the Qirst half of 2015 mounted to AED 7.5 billion, with AED 3.6 billion in imports, AED 2.2 billion in exports

and AED 1.7 billion in re-exports,” said the Executive Director of HR, Finance and Administration Division at Dubai Customs Buti Al Jumairi.

Edris Behzad, Director of Client Management, addressed the visitors and stressed on Dubai Customs ‘ strive to adopt positive initiatives and ideas for customer service, such as the Client Service Charter, Tarjim service, Complaint Management, UniQied Sug-

gestion Scheme, Client Accreditation program, Irtibat and Dubai Customs ‘ Consultative Council. The Manager of Solution Delivery at Dubai Customs Bader Al Kharoosi showcased Dubai Customs ‘ latest technologies and smart services, which are delivered to clients through multiple channels, including the DC portal, Dubai Trade, B2G, smartphones, smart watches and smart TV.

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Ports may need up to $1b to update terminals LONDON: Port commissioners from Tacoma and Seattle on Tuesday adopted their first budget for a new cargo alliance while warning they’ll have to spend hundreds of millions more to make the port facilities competitive with rivals.

The $174.5 million included in the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s 5-year capital budget is “woefully inadequate to our needs,” asserted Tacoma Port Commissioner Don Meyer as the two commissions were preparing to accept the budget.

Meyer predicted the alliance and the two ports will have to spend $800 million to $1 billion over the near future to equip the two ports to handle the new generation of mega-sized container ships.

customs officials arrested in drugs smuggling case at rotterdam port ast year almost 10 tonnes of drugs were seized at Rotterdam port, most of which was cocaine from South America, broadcaster Nos said at the weekend.

However, the true total is likely to be far higher, as smugglers ‘hitch’ increasingly a ride with ordinary container shipments, sources told the broadcaster. ‘For every shipment that gets stopped, a couple are undetected,’ one source said. ‘Sometimes criminals even tip off the authorities about a small shipment or that of a rival. While the authorities are busy looking into that, another consignment gets through.’

The customs worker arrested earlier this year for his role in drugs smuggling via Rotterdam is not the only corrupt official at the board, the broadcaster says.—CB Report

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greece participated for first tim in International Shipping exhibition reece participated for the first time with its own pavilion at the International Shipping and Shipping Engineering Kormarine BUSAN 2015 that was held on 20-23 October 2015 in Korea. Enterprise Greece in cooperation with HEMEXPO organised the Greek participation.

Enterprise Greece and HEMEXPO under the slogan “Smart Ship Solution-Greek Marine Equipment” have joined their forces in order to inaugurate a series of actions to promote the Greek Shipping Equipment and the attraction of investment capitals to the Greek company involved in the sector. The exhibition was held at the exhibition center BEXCO with the participation of 1,200 companies from 40 countries and over 15 national participations.

According to the organisers the visitors exceeded 40,000.—CB Report

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Ports & Shipping

Aet signs $500m deal for eight new vessels

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ET, one of the world’s largest petroleum tanker owner-operators – signed contracts for eight new vessels in a deal valued at approximately USD 500 million.

Yesterday, AET contracted with Samsung Heavy Industries Co Ltd (SHI) for four Aframax vessels of 113,000 dwt to be delivered in 2018. A further contract was signed today with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co Ltd (HHI) for two LR2 product vessels of 114,000 dwt and two Suezmax vessels of 158,000 dwt which will be delivered in 2017.

The two LR2 product vessels are tied to long term time charters which AET has been awarded with a strategic oil major client. The six other new builds will replace older tonnage in the AET Qleet and re-balance the Qleet proQile ensuring AET continues to deliver optimum solutions for its customers.

On signing the contracts, Captain Rajalingam Subramaniam, an AET board director said: “As a leading operator of petroleum tankers, it is important that

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Navios maritime midstream partners report 3rd quarter profits avios Maritime Midstream Partners L.P., an owner and operator of tanker vessels, reported its financial results today for the third quarter and the nine month period ended September 30, 2015.

Angeliki Frangou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Navios Midstream stated, “We are excited to report our results for the third quarter of 2015.

We had $16.2 million of EBITDA and $6.2 million of net income, or $.30 per common unit. We also announced a 2.4% increase in distributions to $.42 and a quarter cents per unit. Navios Midstream’s annualized distribution will be $1.69 per unit offering a current yield of 11.5%.” Angeliki Frangou continued, “The VLCC market remains healthy and the relative low price of oil bodes well for oil consumption and transportation. So far, this correlation has held the 2015 year to date spot rate for a VLCC improved more than 100% to an average of about $56,000 compared to the average rate of $27,000 in 2014. In addition, the charter market has improved by 86%, with 56 long-term time charters fixed through mid-October compared to 30 for all of 2014.”Meanwhile, Controversial legislation to restrict port development in Queensland has been delayed until next month. The Sustainable Ports Development Bill was expected to be introduced into State Parliament this week.—CB Report

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our Qleet remains young and agile so that we retain the capability to react to the evolving requirements of our customers. Part of that commitment is ensuring our new vessels are the best in class, providing a sustainable level of service to our customers. They incorporate a range of latest eco-innovations to help minimise the carbon footprint of AET and that of our customers.

The MISC Group has previously contracted newbuilds from both Samsung and Hyundai and we are conQident that both yards will deliver

world-beating, state-of-the-art vessels for us”. Mr Yee Yang Chien, President & Group CEO of parent company MISC Bhd, added: “AET is a core part of MISC’s future business strategy and these two contracts demonstrates MISC’s commitment to ensuring our petroleum subsidiary remains at the forefront of its sector. We will continue to invest in AET to ensure it is underpinned with the assets it requires to deliver the highest quality ocean transportation solutions available in today’s market. ”—CB Report

Brazilian port to set record of 114m tons razil’s main Port of Santos will surpass its 2013 record of 114 million tons by year’s end as the favorable exchange rate has sparked exports reports Codesp, a state-run agency.

Codesp said the depreciation of the real against the dollar favored the export of agricultural commodi-

Friday October 30, 2015

ties. The real is down 32 percent against the dollar in 2015.

Cargo throughput for Santos during the Qirst nine months of the year was 88.6 million tons, up by 7% . Exports grew by 11 percent to nearly 64 million tons. Meanwhile, Imports were down four percent, ber from a year ago at 2.7 million tons and are

down three percent since the start of 2015 by 24.7 million tons. The rise in exports and drop in imports through the country’s main port underscores the deepening economic crisis here as well as the government’s hopes that an improved trade surplus will help to lessen the deQicit in public accounts.—CB Report

essar ports Ltd fixed rs.93.66 as floor price per share

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MUMBAI

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

romoters of Essar Ports Ltd have Qixed Rs.93.66 as the Qloor price per share for acquiring 10.72 crore equity shares from public shareholders.

At this Qloor price, promoters will have to shell out Rs.1,004 crore to buy out 25.06% in share capital

from the public as a part of the delisting exercise, the company said in a Qiling to stock exchanges on Tuesday. The promoter group, including Essar Shipping and Logistics Ltd, Essar Ports and Shipping Ltd (formerly Essar Port Holdings Mauritius Ltd), Essar Projects (India) Ltd, Essar Steel India Ltd and Essar Global Fund Ltd (formerly Essar Global Ltd), collectively holds 74.94% of the total share capital of

Essar Ports. Essar Ports said the proposed delisting of equity shares from the stock exchanges is to achieve complete operational and Qinancial Qlexibility in furtherance of the company’s businesses and Qinancial needs and to enable the promoter group to pursue strategic opportunities in respect of its investments. “The promoter group believes that the delisting of the company’s equity shares will be in

the interest of the public shareholders as it will provide them with an exit opportunity from the company in an open and transparent manner at a price calculated by the reverse book-building mechanism set out in the delisting regulations,” the company said. A reverse bookbuilding process is a mechanism of delisting under which shareholders tender their shares at their prices of preference.

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UK police seize 30 ‘fingers’ of heroin MANCHESTER: Manchester police said they seized a large amount of heroin with an estimated street value of $10,500 during a drug investigation on Tuesday. Members of the Manchester Police Special Enforcement Division and the New Hampshire State Police arrested Elmer Torres, 35, of Manchester. Elmer Torres, 35, of Manchester, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute and conspiracy to commit the sale of a controlled drug.Furnished by Manchester Police Department.

Friday, October 30, 2015

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Faults in IrIS system to be corrected within days: Member It LAHORE M hAYAt

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) member IT Raana Ahmad has said that glitches and anomalies in the IRIS system will be removed soon and implementation of the old system is out of question. She was addressing tax lawyers, practitioners and withholding tax agents at a seminar on Online Filing of Return Withholding tax and Statements at the RTO conference hall in Lahore.

On the occasion, Lahore Tax Bar Association President Munsha Sukhera, General Secretary Qamar uz Zaman and a large number of tax lawyers, WHT agents and practitioners were present.

She said that the FBR is aware of the malfunctioning of the newly launched the IRIS system and is trying to correct it within two or three days. The member IT said that by launching the new IRIS system FBR wanted to achieve its goal of enabling the tax Qilers to Qile their returns in Qive minutes and in this connection the system will take a little time to get fully implemented.

NAB KPK arrests HBL branch manager on embezzlement charges PESHAWAR

NADIr khAN

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he National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa arrested Muhammad Iqbal, the then Branch Manager of the Habib Bank Limited Khar Bajour Agency presently posted as Branch Manager of the HBL in Inayat Kalay Bajour.

He is allegedly involved in embezzlement of funds in the com-

pensation payment made to the affectees of terrorism after operation in Bajaur Agency (FATA) and looted millions of rupees.

As per details, the government announced compensations for the affectees of Mohmand and Bajour agencies @ Rs 160,000 for partially damaged houses and Rs 400,000 for complete damaged houses. During the course of inquiry, it was revealed that the accused Muhammad Iqbal pasted fake signatures on the bank account opening forms and opened hundreds of bogus bank accounts in the name of so-called affectees

in Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Khar Branch Bajour Agency (FATA). He, in connivance with FDMA ofQicials, paved the way for embezzling multi-million rupees meant for the affectees of terrorism after operation in Bajour Agency.

It merits mentioning here that Arshad Khan, ex-director-general of the FDMA and Irfanullah, assistant director FDMA, have already been apprehended in the case.

NAB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is actively persuing the case and more arrests are on the card. The accused will be produced before Accountability Court Peshawar for obtaining

his physical remand. Meanwhile, In another crackdown Khyber Pakhtunkhawa National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday arrested Abdul Hashim private person involved in fraud in acquisition of land for housing scheme at Surezai Bala Peshawar and caused loss to the national exchequer. As per details, an investigation into embezzlement in government funds in acquisition of land for Surezai Housing Scheme by Provincial Housing Authority (PHA) Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is under progress. The allegation involves embezzlement of millions of rupees in the process of

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acquisition of land for housing scheme at Surezai Bala. The land owners in Surezai were paid less than the price per kanal Qixed as compensation of land by the govt. During the process of payment of compensation of land, few land owners were paid twice. During the course of investigation, it was revealed that during the process of acquisition of land

by Provincial Housing Authority (PHA) in Surezai Bala Peshawar, the accused Abdul Hashim being land owner has illegally received double payments from PHA as compensation of his family land measuring 32 Kanal and 7 marla.