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pAkIStAN’S fIrSt INDeptH NewSpAper oN cuStoMS

Daily

Vol 1 Issue No. 209

Karachi, Tue October 20, 2015

ISLAMABAD

SHAHID MINHAS

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irectorate General Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I and I) Islamabad has seized Rs 1.2 billion smuggled goods and registered 217 cases against smugglers, besides arresting nine suspects during July and August 2015.Deputy Director

headquarters Khaldunul Haq told Customs Today that during the course of antismuggling activities in July and August of 2015, the Directorate General investigation Islamabad recovered Rs 1.2 billion smuggled goods from different parts of the country, including 167,623 yards cloth worth Rs 20 million, 1,410 kgs smuggled tea having worth of Rs 0.4 million while 112 offending vehicles having worth of Rs 167 million were also

Price Rs. 14.00

seized during the July and August 2015. He added that 433,800 liters of diesel worth Rs 25 million was seized, electronics goods worth of Rs 821 million, Rs 1 million smuggled medicines and tyres, tubes and auto parts Rs 10 million were also seized.

He said that 5,064 dandas of foreign smuggled cigarettes and Gutka worth Rs 4.6 million were also seized during the antismuggling drives in the two months.

ADC Khalid Jamali’s outstanding performance adds Rs 80.871m

FTO to present more proposals at OICOA meeting in Turkey

BISP’s collaboration with microfinance institutions vital: Marvi

Action being taken against corrupt officials: FBR Chief Bajwa

Pakistan issues postage stamp to mark 100 years of Urdu in Turkey

ADC of the MCC Preventive Khalid Hussain Jamali’s outstanding performance | See pAge 02 |

FTO secretariat is preparing suggestions to present at OIC upcoming meeting. | See pAge 03 |

Minister of State and BISP Chairperson Marvi Memon has said that the BISP’s | See pAge 04 |

FBR ChairmanTariq Bajwa has said that efforts are in progress to establish a system | See pAge 12 |

Pak-Turkey cultural collaboration reaches a new milestone as the two countries | See pAge 09 |

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Punjab Excise issues 25 alcohol permits in September Tuesday, October 20, 2015

National

LAHORE: The Excise and Taxation Department renewed 25 alcohol permits in Punjab during the month of September. These permits were issued to the Christian community only for sale and purchase of alcohol.

According to high officials, the Excise Punjab is issuing and renewing alcohol permits and up to now more than 5,000 permits have been renewed. There are total 10,000 permit holders in Punjab and all these permits were renewed with the start of new fiscal year in July. The Excise Department issued these permits on specific terms and conditions to persons of the Christian community for sale of alcohol.

preventive ADc khalid Jamali adds rs 80.871m to national kitty

faisalabad ASo seizes smuggled Silk cloth worth rs 1,098,300

KARACHI

FAISALABAD

NAeeM SHeIkH

AftAB cHANNA

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dditional Deputy Collector (ADC) of the Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Preventive Khalid Hussain Jamali’s outstanding performance and untiring efforts has made it possible to add more than Rs 80.871 millions to the national exchequer in just one month i.e. September 2015.

In an exclusive interview with Customs Today, ADC Khalid Hussain Jamali said that MCC has seized a number of non-customs paid goods and smuggled items worth over Rs 80 million.

The customs staff posted at Jinnah Terminal Complex Arrivals seized 227 bottles of foreign liquor and 60 cans of beers worth Rs 233,000. Besides, 2.05 kilogram gold worth Rs 7,450,050 seized, the ADC added.

Moreover, Khalid Hussain Jamali said that 2800 grams of precious stones worth Rs 520,000 and 1328 numbers of module stitches of Rs 5.298 were also recovered at the Jinnah International Airport.

Talking about the performance of Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) he said, that ASO has also seized 13 vehicles worth Rs 27.466 million. Besides, 215,730 pouches of gutka worth Rs 4.552 million,

he Customs Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) Faisalabad seized foreign origin art silk cloth mearuing 7322 yards outside Railway Station Faisalabad. The market value of confiscated art silk cloth is Rs 1,098,300.

Sources told Customs Today that Collector Model Customs Collectorate Faisalabad Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Chaudhary received a credible information regarding smuggling of above said cloth.

After which he constituted a ASO team comprising Muhammad Munir Ahmad (inspectors ), Muhammad Khalid, Afzal Hussain,( driver ) and Muhammad Abdullah, Asrar Ahmad, Liaqat Ali (sepoys ).

The ASO team asked the owner of the cloth who was identified as Muhammad Mohsin Ali Khan son of Muhammad Ashraf Khan who is a resident of Jhang Bazar, Faisalabad to produce legal documents regarding possession of the cloth but he failed to provide the documents. After this ASO team seized silk cloth and registered a case against its owner.

tyres and tubes worth Rs 204,672, diesel 70530 liters worth Rs 5.846 million, 90 LED televisions worth Rs 3.216 million, 9978 yards of foreign cloths worth Rs 1.218 million, a container worth Rs 1 million, 150

pieces of blankets worth Rs 140,400 and various miscellaneous goods worth Rs 20.160 million, the additional deputy collector went on to say.

Furthermore, the staff posted at

DEC, Jinnah International Airport also seized €840 fake currency notes and 430 grams of heroin worth Rs 43,000 and some nine kilograms of charas worth Rs 450,000, Khalid Jamali concluded.

SHC orders provisional release of Telenor’s consignment KARACHI

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the customs authorities to provisionally release the Telenor Pakistan (Private) Limited’s consignment of batteries after receiving the disputed amount of

duty/taxes.

The division bench of SHC directed the petitioner company to deposit the disputed amount of duty and taxes with the nazir of the court who will issue an appropriate certificate for release of the consignment.

Advocate Syed Shabeer H Shah, who represented the petitioner company, submitted that it imported ZTE, SHOTO and YUASA brands’ batteries of heavy weight for their installation in

telephone exchanges. The consignment is lying at the port.

He submitted that the telecommunication equipmentZTE, SHOTO, GS YUASA Brand and BSB are liable to be assessed at their transactional value in terms of Section 25(1) of the Custom Act, 1969. However, the petitioner in order to avoid any delay in clearance of the consignment paid applicable 10 percent customs duty as the consignment imported by the company falls

under the Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT) 8507.2010.

But to its dismay, he added, the customs department has assessed 20 percent customs duty under HS Code 8507.2090 which is for multi-purpose batteries, which cannot be used in telephone exchanges. This HS Code 8507.2090 is not applicable to the batteries imported by the petitioner.

Customs authorities are still not clear about whether these

batteries are to be assessed under which PCT code even after the physical examination of the petitioner’s consignment.

He prayed the court to declare that denial to accept duty under PCT Heading No. 8507.2010 in terms of Section 25 and the demand of additional duty and taxes is illegal, void and of no legal effect. The court was requested to order conditional release of the consignment till the matter is decided.

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FBR to amend law to stop liquor import through booklet KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is likely to bring amendments to the law aimed at stopping import of foreign liquor through the booklet, it is learnt.The official sources told Customs Today that the Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement East in the recent past found that Qatar Airways, DKT and Karako were involved in importing foreign liquor through booklet. “The seizure of foreign liquor by the above mentioned companies totaled to Rs 40 million,” sources said. After great deliberation by the MCC Appraisement East officials headed by Deputy Collector Muhammad Faisal, it has now been established and the board agrees to amend the law to stop the import of liquor through booklet, sources added.

Sialkot ASo confiscates smuggled auto parts SIALKOT

guLZAr AHMeD

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he Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized the foreign origin smuggled auto parts worth Rs 50,000 in an action.

Sources told Customs Today that Additional Collector Customs Sialkot Palwasha Saeed received information regarding the smuggling of foreign origin new auto parts. Soon after receiving the information, a raiding team was constituted which recovered the auto part. The owner was asked to produce the legal documents. But he had failed to do so; therefore, the customs officials confiscated the smuggled items under the prevailing customs law.

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ANf registers 1,337 smuggling cases during 2014-15 ISLAMABAD

SHAHID MINHAS

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he Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has registered 1,337 smuggling cases and registered 1,642 smugglers including 71 foreigners during 2014-15.

According to sources, ANF has also destroyed 42 local and international networks involved in drugs smuggling during this period while a number of smugglers are sentenced to imprisonment.

Sources also added that ANF is keen to work honestly and efficiently to curb drugs smuggling in the country and it is performing as front-line force against smuggling.Sources said that due to the strong anti-smuggling policy, ANF has foiled around 90 percent attempts of smuggling along with 1,400km long border with Afghanistan.

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Tuesday October 20, 2015

National

fto to present more proposals at oIcoA meeting in turkey ISLAMABAD

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ederal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) secretariat is preparing suggestions to present at OIC Ombudsman Association (OICOA) upcoming meeting.

According to FTO secretariat communiqué, these suggestions would be tabled in OICOA General Assembly meeting likely to take place in Turkey next year. It is pertinent to mention that FTO Abdur Rauf Chaudhry had represented Pakistan in last OICOA meeting held in Turkey in September, 2015.

The organization was moving forward to enhance cooperation among ombudsmen of Muslim countries. Pakistan had pioneered the organization formation and played leading role along with Turkey, ofSicials said.

Speakers, at the last meeting, emphasized to establish stronger cooperation among ofSices dealing with taxation in Muslim countries with conviction that a platform was needed to promote international standards of Ombudsmanship in Muslim countries. Representatives of different Muslim countries also presented their experiences and suggestions at the meeting.

FTO ofSicials stated that FTO would shed light on taxation and role of FTO ofSice in Pakistan along with making suggestions in order to

keep playing its pivotal role in strengthening OICOA. Meanwhile, In its decision pertaining to a case Siled by Niazi CNG Company, the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has ruled that inconsistent policies of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) regard adjustment of tax deductions from Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations is tantamount to maladministration.

fto would shed light on taxation and role of fto office in pakistan along with making suggestions in order to keep playing its pivotal role in strengthening oIcoA.

Court awards life imprisonment to drug smuggler LAHORE

M IMrAN MeHAr

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he Special Federal Court of Anti-Narcotics has sentenced a suspect to life imprisonment in a case of narcotics smuggling. According to details available to Customs Today culprit Shahid was involved in smuggling of

charas and other drugs from other cities to Karachi. Shahid was booked by the Anti Narcotics Force in 2014

when he was making an attempt to smuggle huge quantity of charas via Pakistan Railways from Lahore to Karachi. The ANF authorities recovered 18 kilograms of charas from his possession. The accused was produced before the court of Judge Khalid Nawaz Dar where his crime was proved. The ANF also submitted a complete challan of the case in the court. The Anti-Narcotics Court after judicial trial of the accused sentenced him life time jail and also imposed a penalty of Rs 300,000.

The complainant had Siled claims for aggregate refund of Rs 1.32 million for the tax years 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014.

These refund claims aroused on account of excess deduction of income tax at source under section 235 of the Income Tax Act, 2001.

The complainant submitted that despite fulSilling all requirements of law and procedures, no refund claims were addressed properly.

IrIS creating confusion for taxpayers: LtBA he Lahore Tax Bar Association (LTBA) has held a seminar on Income Tax Returns here at the Tax House Lahore. Lahore Tax Bar Association President Munsha Sukhera, General Secretary Ch Qamaruz Zaman and a large number of income tax practitioners, chartered accountants and advocates participated in the seminar.—CB Report

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ADB to give Pakistan $1.2b for completion of different projects Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Business

ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will give Pakistan $1.2 billion for completion of projects of power, transport, agriculture and urban services sectors.

According to Radio Pakistan, under the agreement, the bank in its new five year partnership strategy with Pakistan will provide the amount annually for infrastructure development and institutional reforms. Apart from collaborating in rehabilitation of power transmission and distribution systems, construction and repair of highways, ADB will also help rehabilitate the Indus Basin Irrigation System and invest in transport projects in urban centres of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

kSe 100-index slightly up as bourse shows recovery KARACHI

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he Karachi Stock Exchange benchmark 100-index gained 11.77 points or 0.03 percent to reach 33966.75 points and volume of 81,320,150 shares on Monday. Experts said that with political tensions somewhat cooling down and leftover SECP investigation concerns subsiding, market managed to close in the positive ter-

TDCP to start tourist bus service in Lahore after Muharram 10

ritory. AKD Group chairman Aqeel Karim Dhedhi observed that most

BISp’s collaboration with microfinance institutions vital: Marvi

LAHORE

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he Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) has announced to start the country’s first double-decker tourist bus service in the provincial capital after 10th of Muharram.

Initially, the TDCP has imported two open roof-top double-decker Volvo buses from China whereas three more buses will be imported in the second phase.

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of the activity remained concentrated in the low market cap 2nd

and 3rd tier scrips as average traded volumes increased by 3.

Last week, the market looked set to continue its upward drive at the start of the week, but the momentum Sizzled out after crude oil prices took a plunge and the cement sector came under pressure after the announcement of Lucky Cement’s expansion plans.

The banking sector performed strongly after weeks of being under pressure while the country’s improving political situation after the by-elections in key constituencies was a welcome change for investors at the bourse.

ISLAMABAD

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inister of State and Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Chairperson Marvi Memon has said that the BISP’s collaboration with microSinance institutions is essential for devising graduation strategies for the poor.

She said this during the opening

session of an event of “The International Day for Eradication for Poverty”, which was jointly organised by BISP, Pakistan MicroSinance Network (PMN) and Punjab MicroSinance Network (PMFN) at the BISP Secretariat.

Marvi said that BISP is one of the largest social safety net programmes in the world whose mandate is to provide basic sustenance to the poorest of the poor.

The primary objective of this event was to provide a platform to all stakeholders such as microSinance providers, donor agencies,

policy makers, regulators, development agencies and government authorities to discuss the challenges in the achievement of SDGs related to combating poverty and achieving inclusive economic growth.

Another purpose of this event was to initiate a dialogue for concerted efforts among all relevant stakeholders, especially in the context of the launch of SDGs globally and NFIS nationally and to break free low-income households and vulnerable population from the chains of poverty through the provision of Sinancial services.

govt raises rs 170b through privatisation in 15 months ISLAMABAD

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he government has generated Rs170 billion through privatisation of national a institutions during last 15 months. This was revealed by Privatization Commission Chairman Muhammad Zubair, while talking to a news channel. He said the government was ensuring transparency in the privatization process. He said the previous governments had planned to privatize many entities, but the same could not materialize due to several reasons. He said the present government had received international appreciation for privatizing institutions in a transparent manner. Zubair said the Sindh government had shown interest to take control of Pakistan Steel Mills.

The federal government was ready to hand over the PSM to the provincial government if the latter was sincere in the deal. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a series of meetings with representatives of APTMA and Value Added Sectors.

After in-depth deliberations, it was decided that regulatory duty @ 10% shall be levied on import of cotton yarn and grey and processed fabric with effect from 1st November, 2015.

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Pensions can be drawn through bank accounts: AGP ISLAMABAD

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he Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has announced that monthly pension can directly be drawn through bank accounts.

AGP said this during a meeting with Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. He said that all the existing pensioners will be converted to the Direct Credit System (DCS). As per de-

cision all ofSicers in BS-17 and above at the federal government level would be converted to the DCS system by March 31, 2016 AGP shared with initiatives and recommendations envisaged by the OfSice of AGP for facilitation of pensioners in the country. After detailed brieSing by the AGP, important decisions were taken with a view to facilitate the pensioners. It was decided that Sirst and foremost pensioners in KP, Sindh, GB, AJK and

Baluchistan would be asked to institute mandatory Direct Credit System (DCS) for new pensioners as in the case of Federal and Punjab Governments.

It was decided that the Pension application form would be simpliSied in consultation with Ministry of Finance and reduced from the current sixteen to two pages. The meeting observed that simpliSication of pension form was need of the hour and much desired by the pension-

ers. Further it was decided that a Full System Integration (PMIS) would be developed between AGPR and OfSices of the AGP throughout the country to facilitate payment of pension and have proper data about pensioners.

The Finance Minister on this occasion observed that Ministries and Departments of the Federal Government needed to have a designated Welfare OfSicer solely to look after the affairs of the pensioners

and facilitate them in every possible manner. The Minister gave direction that all banks in the country should establish counters for pensioners’ facilitation and initiate the process to covert the pensioners to DCS system. Decision was also taken in the meeting that the AGP OfSice would henceforth send quarterly reports to Principal Accounting OfSicers and Heads of Departments conveying names of ofSicials to be retired from service.

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Tuesday, October 20, 2015

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ollector of Customs Appeals Asif Mehmood Jah asked lawyers to file their appeals in Urdu language in accordance with verdict of the Supreme Court.

The Collector of Appeals issued a circular containing instructions in this regard and circulated and festooned against the notice board of Customs House and outside his court.

The Collector also urged the general public to file their appeals in the national language.

Earlier, the Collector following the verdict of the Supreme Court to use Urdu as official language, issued first ONO in Urdu language and also become the first Collector in the history of Federal Board of Revenue, it is said. The verdict in Urdu by the Collector of Appeals was widely hailed in and out of the customs department.

Meanwhile, Collectorate of Customs Appeals Asif Mehmood Jah has issued ONO against the orders of Deputy Collector of Customs Adjudication, ordering the customs authorities to do

away with confiscation of an old truck TKW-024 held by the Collectorate of Customs Faisalabad.

The Collector of Customs Appeals issued this order in Urdu language. The Collector of Appeals in his order said that the vehicle was tested in Islamabad Forensic Laboratory, showing that the vehicle’s number was not tampered.

The order said that the vehicle was registered with the Quetta Excise Department and verified by the Sindh Road Transportation Corporation. The Collector g in w o ll fo r o t c e ll ordered the Faisalabad Cuso c earlier, the e m toms authorities to release re p u S e f th o t ic rd the confiscated truck e v e h t oďŹƒcial s a u bearing registration No. rd u e s u court to TKW/042. in o N ued first o s is The order further stated , e g a u g n la o ls a d that during proceedings n a e g of the case both sides urdu langua ollector in were duly heard and the first c become the of rd a Collectorate of Appeals o B l ra e d f fe was satisfied with the verthe history o it is said. sion of the applicant. nue,

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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

Middle class in pakistan

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akistan has long been in the list of lower middle income countries and is in a process to break the barriers of poverty and enter the club of the developed nations. Instead of taking extrovert approach, as most of the developed nations do, the economy of the country is introvert.

Pakistan is remarkably an industrial country with strong cottage industry. It produces goods and services worth billions of rupees annually but the local made products are mostly consumed in the local market. The growth of population has worked as a catalyst to give impetus to the development of cottage and subsidiary industries. Most of the manufacturers have little or no access to the world markets and they are obliged to sell their goods and services in the local markets at the cheapest rates.

A global financial services company, Credit Suisse, in its Global Wealth Report 2015 reveals that Pakistan has the 18th largest middle class population in the world consisting of over 6.27 million individuals. The middle class consists of 14 percent adults worldwide, holding 32 percent of wealth. However, the share of middle class adults in Pakistan is 5.7 percent in the adult population of 111 million. The middle class consists of 108.7 million individuals in China, 91.8 million in the United States and 62 million in Japan.

The share of middle class in India is 3 percent and Australia 66 percent. In the United States, the Credit Suisse considers an adult part of the middle class having wealth between $50,000 and $500,000.

However, threshold for Pakistani middle class is $14,413 due to lower per-capita income and lower prices of commodities in the country as the Credit Suisse uses the Purchasing Power Parity set by the International Monetary Fund to derive equivalent middle class wealth in local terms. The report says that a Pakistani adult can be considered part of the middle class having wealth between Rs 1.5 million and Rs 15 million with 104 rupees a dollar conversion rate. According to Credit Suisse, Pakistan’s GDP is $495 billion which was $170 billion in 2000, showing an annual growth rate of 7.4 percent in 15 years.

The government is trying to broaden tax net without realizing the ground realities. More industrial growth and services will automatically generate more revenues and more taxes. But the government is obliged to take coercive measures to meet the IMF targets and that also without offering any incentives to the business community. A taxpayer is treated with respect, honour and dignity in every government office in developed societies, but he is harassed and even demoralized at the official and private levels in Pakistan.

economic reforms in provinces A

LAHORE

Dr AftAB AfZAL

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ccording to newspaper reports, the provincial governments are ready to introduce Doing Business Reform Plans in their respective jurisdictions in consultation with the Federal Ministry of Finance. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has formed a committee comprising the representatives from the federal and provincial governments to share policy initiatives and discuss progress on the Doing Business Reform plans to attract foreign investment in the country. At the Sirst stage, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan will Sinalise their respective reform plans and meth-

ods of implementation within a speciSic timeframe. In the second stage, the World Bank will be informed about details and methodology of the proposed plans to remove any reservations of the donor agency. The federal and provincial governments will also share lists of potential public sector contributors. The provincial reform plans will initially focus on short term goals which could be achievable in one year while the next medium term plan will take up to three years to implement the plan and develop conducive environment for foreign investment. A strong monitoring mechanism will also be devised to track process of development and progress on the reform plans. The provinces are free to launch economic and

industrial plans after the 18th Amendment and the provincial governments are required to share responsibilities with the federal government which should have a role of just guardian.

The Sindh government is already taking short, medium and long term measures to work out different modalities to implement the reform plan. There is a need to utilize potentials of the public sector contributors and identify impediments in way of industrial growth, especially in the export oriented industries. Though the federal and provincial governments have introduced one window operations to facilitate the business community, but there is a need to curtail the number of laws which some time overlap

and create confusion in the minds of the ofSicials and the entrepreneurs and become a hurdle in the way of in industrial development.

The current situation is that the small and medium enterprises have to comply with a multitude of laws and the government agencies. The time has come the provincial chief executives should accept responsibilities and face economic challenges with a brave heart. Provinces are now independent to launch their own development plans and create business friendly environment in the respective jurisdictions.

Every province should ensure transparency in its financial matters and launch industrial plans in collaboration with local and foreign investors.

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LCCI concerned over poor performance of LESCO authorities LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Thursday while showing its dismay on the poor performance and bureaucratic attitude of LESCO authorities, has called for LESCO revamping to overcome huge distribution losses revealed in a study conducted by its own Board of Directors. In a statement issued here, the LCCI president Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said that a total overhauling of the LESCO has become need of the hour in the wake of rampant complaints against the company. He said that poor performance of the LESCO officials is not only hampering the trade & economic activities but also affecting the growth of manufacturing sector and giving bad name to the government. Citing an example of attitude of LESCO officials, the LCCI President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said that it came into his knowledge that despite repeated requests, the present LESCO chief could not spare time for Lahore Chamber.

Businessmen asked to invest in hydropower projects in AJk zad Kashmir offers tremendous investment opportunities in hydropower, minerals, tourism, handicrafts, small industries and other sectors and Pakistani investors should take full advantage of these lucrative prospects by enhancing investment in AJK. This was stressed by Ch. Muhammad Yaseen, Senior Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir while exchanging views at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He visited ICCI to congratulate Atif Ikram Sheikh President and other office bearers on their election.

He said AJK government was making investment-friendly policies to exploit all unexplored natural resources which were in plenty and added that time was ripe for Pakistani investors to pay more attention to this region for investment.

He appreciated the efforts of Pakistan Government and Pak Army for restoration of peace and hoped that these positive efforts would help in boosting investment and business activities in Pakistan and AJK. He assured that AJK Government would provide all possible security and facilities to the businessmen for investing in the region.

Atif Ikram Sheikh, president, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry thanked Ch. Muhammad Yaseen, Senior Minister of AJK for visiting ICCI to congratulate him. He said according to some estimates, AJK as the potential to generate 18000MW hydropower and stressed that small dams should be constructed in the region to produce cheap electricity that would give boost to industrialization in Pakistan as well as in AJK. He said AJK was an attractive region for tourism and emphasized that AJK Government should focus on improving roads infrastructure that will facilitate growth of business and investment activities as well. —CB Report

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Tuesday October 20, 2015

Chambers

pakistan issues postage stamp to mark 100 years of urdu in turkey P

ANKARA

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akistan-Turkey cultural collaboration reaches a new milestone as the two countries celebrate the 100 years of Urdu in Turkey. About 100 years ago, formal teaching of Urdu language and literature commenced at “Darul Funoon” (Edebiyat Faculty) at Istanbul University in 1915.

As part of celebrations of ‘100 Years of Teaching of Urdu in Turkey,’ the Istanbul University, in collaboration with Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, organized an International Symposium, titled “Turkey and South Asian Muslims: New Perspectives from Past to Present” from 12-14 October 2015. Over 100 prominent Urdu scholars and literary Sigures from Pakistan, Turkey and various parts of the world attended the event. Research papers presented during the Symposium reviewed the evolution of Urdu studies in Turkey over the past 100 years, highlighted the services of Turkish, Pakistani and other scholars for this cause, and recommended a range of measures for the

further promotion of Urdu in Turkey and worldwide.

Rector of Istanbul University, Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak, was the chief guest at the opening ceremony. Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey Sohail Mahmood attended as the chief guest at the concluding session.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood paid rich tributes to Prof. Dr. Halil Toker, Chairman of Istanbul University’s Urdu Department, and overall or-

ganizer of the symposium, for his enormous literary contributions and life-long dedication to the promotion of Urdu in Turkey.

In a career spanning over 30 years, Prof. Halil Toker has contributed more than 30 books and over 200 research articles. Ambassador Sohail informed the participants that as part of these celebrations in Pakistan, the Government of Pakistan has issued a commemorative postage stamp

LccI slams anti-kalabagh Dam elements

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LAHORE

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he Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry suggested the governments not to take any pressure on Kalabagh Dam as people talking against this mega project are not well wishers of the Pakistan and actually are interpreting the sentiments of anti-Pakistan elements.

In a statement issued here, the LCCI president Sheikh Muhammad Arshad, senior vice president Almas Haider and vice president Nasir Saeed said that being an agrarian economy, Pakistan cannot afford to waste huge amount of water resources which are depleting fast.

Shortage of water has not only caused undue damage to the agriculture sector but the manufacturing sector as well.

The LCCI president Sheikh

Muhammad Arshad said that the nation cannot waste any more time therefore the government should pave way for early construction of Kalabagh dam which is the only solution of water and electricity shortage. He said that our economy is based on agriculture sector which cannot survive without sufSicient water resources. He said that we are already suffering and further delay in the construction of Kalabagh dam would hit us hard.

He said that it is a good omen that some political elements have started realizing the importance of this mega project that would certainly pave way for its early construction. “Kalabagh Dam issue has been so much politicized that a consensus seems difficult therefore the government would have to take decision.” The LCCI President said that melting of glaciers are eye opener as sword of floods

is hanging on our heads.

Meanwhile, The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry LCCI president Sheikh Mohammad Arshad urged the Federal Board of Revenue to issue all income tax related documents in our lucid language Urdu to make tax system simple and easy to understand for the business community.

He was addressing a gathering of traders and investors at the LCCI ofSice. The LCCI president said that tax return form should be in the national language and contain only one page so that everyone can understand it easily and can perform his national obligation.

Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said that due to difficult and complicated tax documents in English language, the majority of traders fail to understand which affects the efforts of the government for expansion of tax net.

on 12 October 2015, coinciding with the dates of the Symposium.

He also highlighted various steps being taken for the advancement of Urdu studies in Turkey. In this context, Urdu Departments in Ankara University, Istanbul University, and Seljuk University (Konya) shall be further strengthened by providing more books and reading materials, facilitating student exchanges, and bringing scholars from Pakistan.

Chinese ambassador highlights importance of CPEC in region hinese investment and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would open new avenues of progress and prosperity in the region.

This was stated by Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China Sun Weidong, while speaking at a reception hosted in his honour by Sitara Group. He said that Chinese President, its government and people of China were proud of PakChina friendship which was time tested and growing at a much faster pace with the passage of time. He mentioned the visit of Chinese President Xi Ginping and said that during his visit a number of agreements were inked which had catalyzed the economic cooperation between the two countries. —CB Report

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Singapore’s CNB seizes drugs worth $179,000 Tuesday October 20, 2015

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SINGAPORE: The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said on Sunday that they seized about 1.7kg of heroin, 214g of ‘Ice’, 250g of ketamine and other drugs worth over $179,000, and also arrested six Singaporeans in an operation on Saturday. During a police roadblock along Bedok North Road early Saturday morning, the police recovered about 350g of heroin, 10g of ‘Ice’, 81 tablets of Erimin-5, and drug paraphernalia from a car.

The male driver, 27, and female passenger, 25, were placed under arrest and referred to the CNB, resulting in the arrests of their drug associates in a follow-up operation later that day. The first couple, a 39-year-old male and a 31year-old female, were arrested at a HDB block near Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4. About 450g of heroin, 4g of ‘Ice’, 8g of cannabis, a bottle of methadone, a digital weighing scale and $15,275 in cash were seized from the male suspect.

Australian police seize 10kg meth worth $10 million cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

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canada police seize cocaine, cash and firearms in raid hree people are facing drug charges after police seized a quantity of drugs and firearms.

Police executed A search warrant on a house on the 900 block of Swainson Street plus another home on the 200 block of Halifax Street. Police seized cocaine, magic mushrooms, marijuana, guns, machetes, ammunition, and over $38,000 in cash. 28-year-old Chance Brian Macdonald, 29-year-old Steven Joseph Zerr and 27-year-old Amanda Rose Kautzman are all facing a slew of drug and weapons charges including Possession of a Scheduled Substance and Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm.—CB Report

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anberra police have seized 10 kilograms of methamphetamine – worth about $10 million – hidden inside a statue imported from China.

A 32-year-old Nigerian man is in custody after a sting involving ACT Policing, Federal Police Crime Operations and the Australian Border Force. ABF ofSicers became suspicious of a package – addressed to a Kaleen property – containing the three 20 kilogram statues when it arrived in Australia from China on October 8. An examination revealed an estimated 10 kilograms of ice concealed in one of the statues.

The drugs were seized, replaced with an inert substance, and the package was then delivered to the Kaleen address on October 16.

Police watched as the three statues were collected by the Nigerian man and driven to a second address in Kaleen, where the package was opened. The drugs were then removed from the statue.

ACT Policing arrested the man at

NtBs affected Indo-Sri Lanka trade

the Jolimont Centre on Saturday morning as he tried to board a bus to Sydney. Police allege he had the packages that had been removed from the statue in his possession.

A raid of the second Kaleen home located similar packaging and statues. AFP Forensics examined the premises and ACT Policing’s Criminal Investigations seized a vehicle as a tainted criminal asset.

The man – who arrived in Australia in July this year on a student visa – will face the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday, where he will be charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlaw-

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fully imported border controlled drug. The maximum penalty for the offence is life imprisonment.

ACT Policing Drugs and Organised Crime team leader Detective Sergeant Bill Freeman said the attempted drug smuggling operation was part of an “organised crime syndicate with national and international links, from what we’ve discovered so far”. “10 kilograms is a signiSicant seizure for the Australian Capital Territory,” he said. “On the national scale, it’s not as big but definitely for the ACT that would break down to quite a signiSicant amount of drugs taken off the streets.”

Hk no longer on eu tax blacklist

ong Kong has welcomed news that it no longer features on the European Commission’s list of “non-cooperative tax jurisdictions.”Territories are placed on the list, which has been newly updated on the Commission’s website, if they feature on 10 EU member states’ tax blacklists. A government spokesperson said: “Following the signing of

the double taxation agreement (DTA) between Spain and Hong Kong in 2011, Spain has cleared Hong Kong from its national list as of April 1, 2013.”“The EC’s [previous] publication failed to take this into account and wrongly classiSied Hong Kong as a non-cooperative tax jurisdiction listed by 10 EU member states. —CB Report

rade between India and Sri Lanka has been very low despite the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

Non-tariff barriers have been identiSied (NTBs) as the main cause for this situation. NTBs have been highlighted as a key factor that undermines trade between India and Sri Lanka. The India Sri Lanka FTA (ISFTA) removed tariff barriers for most traded products, but does not have provisions to address NTBs. As a result, despite having duty free access, trade between the two countries remains far below potential a research compiled by Verité Research with the support of Lanka Fruit and Vegetables, Producers, Processors and Exporters (LFVPPEA) and the National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) states.

The report says the problem arises because India does not accept

certiSication from conformity assessment bodies (CABs) located outside India for certain products. The Indian authorities check each and every consignment to assess compliance with Indian product standards and regulations at the point of entry.

The resulting delays, uncertainty and additional costs such as storage and demurrage costs act as a barrier to trade with India. The average tariffs imposed by India on food imports are well over 30%. Tariffs for some products can be as high as 100 to150%. Processed food exports to India surged from US$ 1 million to US$ 28 million during 2005-2011.

However, since then food exports declined to US$ 7 million by 2014. In comparison, processed food exports to the world grew steadily from US$ 22.5 million in 2001 to US$ 178 million in 2011, and then fell slightly to US$ 175 million in 2014. Two agreements currently in place between India and Sri Lanka to address NTBs resulting from CAPs have failed to address the problem.

3 customs official arrested in bribery case

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hree Customs ofSicials were arrested yesterday while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 125 million. According to Bribery Commission sources this is the largest ever recorded case of bribe taking, detected by them.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption conSirmed the arrest of the three ofSicers.

According to Customs Media Spokesman Lesley Gamini, a Deputy Customs Superintendent and an Assistant Superintendent were among

the arrested.

The Customs ofSicers in question has informed a foreign company that a payment of Rs 1,500 million was required for the release of a consignment of spare parts imported to be used by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB).

Later, the three Customs officers are said to have solicited a bribe of Rs.150 million while promising to waive off the duty and other payments. Following negotiations, the bribe had been reduced to Rs 125 million. —CB Report

Singapore’s cNB seizes drugs worth $179,000

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SINGPORE

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

he Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said on Sunday that they seized about 1.7kg of heroin, 214g of ‘Ice’, 250g of ketamine and other drugs worth over $179,000, and also arrested six Singaporeans in an operation on Saturday.

During a police roadblock along Bedok North Road early Saturday morning, the police recovered about 350g of heroin, 10g of ‘Ice’, 81 tablets of Erimin-5, and drug paraphernalia from a car. The male driver, 27, and female passenger, 25, were placed under arrest and referred to the CNB, resulting in the arrests of their drug associates in a follow-up operation later that day. The Sirst couple, a 39-

year-old male and a 31-year-old female, were arrested at a HDB block near Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4. About 450g of heroin, 4g of ‘Ice’, 8g of cannabis, a bottle of methadone, a digital weighing scale and $15,275 in cash were seized from the male suspect. Meanwhile, a 29-year-old male and a 32-year-old female were arrested after their car entered a carpark in the same vicinity. CNB ofSi-

cers recovered about 900g of heroin, 200g of ‘Ice’, 250g of ketamine, 100 Erimin-5 tablets, a digital weighing scale, numerous empty plastic sachets and $6,700 in cash from the vehicle. If found guilty of trafSicking over 15g of pure heroin (diamorphine), the suspects will face the death penalty. CNB said that the amount of pure heroin is sufSicient to feed the addiction of about 180 abusers for a week.

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HKSR passes 100m gt mark at end of September HONG KONG: The Hong Kong Shipping Register (HKSR) has announced it has crossed the 100m gross tonnage (gt) mark at the end of September with a total of 2,449 ships listed, ranking it as the fourth largest ship register in the world.

In a statement released by Hong Kong’s Marine Department, it was pointed out that Port State Control detention rate of Hong Kong-registered ships remains at a low level as a result of quality control.

“Ships registered in Hong Kong remain among the top performers in the white list issued by the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding of Port State Control, and are classified as low-risk ships in the Paris MoU,” the Marine Department said.

port of Long Beach posts record quarterly cargo volume he Port of Long Beach said recordsetting cargo volumes in September helped it post its busiest-ever quarter, signaling a return to pre-recession trade levels.

September’s cargo volume at the port climbed 4.1 percent from the same period last year to 655,624 twenty-foot equivalent units of boxed cargo, the best September in the port’s 104-year history. Many of the Halloween and holiday items currently on U.S. store shelves were brought through the Port of Long Beach in recent months. “In recent months, Long Beach has seen a robust return of once-diverted cargo,” Port of Long Beach CEO Jon Slangerup said in a statement. “We greatly appreciate our shippers’ continued confidence in the Port of Long Beach.” Many of the Halloween and holiday items currently on U.S. store shelves were brought through the harbor in recent months, the port said. Retailers are stocking costumes, decorations and other goods in order to meet consumer demand.—CB Report

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ports of LA, Long Beach rank high in social media activity he Port of Long Beach had the most YouTube subscribers (851) and produced TV-ready content in the form of a 30-minute video called “Pulse of The Port” that airs on a local channel five times a week and can be seen on the port’s website. The most highly viewed video was a feature on how ship-to-shore gantry cranes operate. The Port of Los Angeles ranked fifth for YouTube subscribers (316).

The Long Beach port also had the biggest base of Instagram followers (2,287). The Port of Los Angeles ranked second with 1,560 followers.

Both ports also had strong rankings for Facebook, the “go-to” social media platform for most of the world’s shipping hubs, with the Port of Los Angeles third in “likes” on Facebook (with 19,927) and the Port of Long Beach as fourth (with 15,318).—CB Report

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Ports & Shipping

port of tanjung pelepas might achieve 9.2m container volume

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In the same statement, PTP chief executive ofSicer Glen Hilton said positive improvements on productivity in container operations and better optimisation of resources were the main reasons for the latest breakthrough.“With the strong support from PTP’s existing customers as well as volume from new customers, we are conSident that PTP is on track to continue signiSicant growth,” said Hilton.

PTP, which is a joint venture between tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhari’s MMC Corp and Maersk Line Ltd’s global ports group APM Terminals (30%), has completed phase two of its master plan through a recent expansion. The expansion involved the building of two new berths, three blocks of container yards, procurement of new quay cranes and electrifying existing rubber-tyred gantries.—CB Report

Qatar Primary Materials inks Hyundai shipping deal

atar Primary Materials Company (QPMC) has signed a contract of afreighment (CoA) with Hyundai Glovis, one of the leading shipping and logistic services companies in the world, for shipping a bulk amount of 50 million tons of aggregates to Qatar over the next five years. The agree-

Darwin’s $506m port sale shows savvy, courage of Nt leadership he $506 million sale of the Port of Darwin to a privately owned Chinese industrial conglomerate called Landbridge Group stands very public testimony to the political courage of the Northern Territory’s bold Chief Minister, Adam Giles.

Australian ports have generally been acquired by fairly orthodox infrastructure investors. You know the beasts we are talking about. Funds managers of renown like Brookfield, Macquarie and Hastings tend to move around the globe hunting defensive assets like ports that boast transparent, predictable income streams, that eat up relatively low levels of sustaining or growth capital, and that generate consistently strong fee flow for their managers. Occasionally these guys come shopping on their own, but often they arrive in investment syndicates like those that won the three ports sold in the NSW privatisation process. But the Port of Darwin is as different from the national pack of ports as Landbridge is from more familiar infrastructure investors. Darwin’s port is a work just starting its progress. Darwin is often represented as Australia’s gateway to Asia. Giles has invited Landbridge to start making reality of what has too long been little more than a marketing pitch. Through an 18-months process, punctuated by a parliamentary review that ended with cleverly managed limitations of the level of foreign ownership of the port.—CB Report

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ort of Tanjung Pelepas says it has strengthened its position as the busiest port in Malaysia with a growth of 8.9%.

Johor-based Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), a 70%-owned subsidiary of MMC Corp Bhd, is en route to achieving its total container volume target of 9.2 million twentyfoot equivalent units (TEUs) for 2015 after hitting a record 800,000 TEUs in August.

With the August record, PTP said in a statement today it has strengthened its position as the busiest port in the country while registering a growth of 8.9% in the Sirst eight months of this year compared to the corresponding period last year.

It did not disclose the Sirst eight months’ Sigure, but based on the growth rate above, it is estimated that the port recorded about six million TEUs for the period, compared to about 5.5 million seen in the same period last year.The total container volume it handled for the whole of last year was 8.5 million TEUs, making it the Sirst port in Malaysia to achieve the record.

Tuesday October 20, 2015

ment was signed by QPMC chief executive Eisa Al Hammadi and Hyundai Glovis CEO Kyung-Bae KIM at the company’s headquarters in South Korea, Seoul. The signed contract is tailor-made to ship the amount of 10 million tons of aggregates per year, with a total number of 806 voyage-series;

equivalent to 161 voyages per year, with each vessel intended to carry 75,000 MT per voyage, whilst operating under the highest shipping services carried by Hyundai Glovis globally. As per the signed agreement – effective from January 1 next year and valid until December 31, 2020. —CB Report

ports of LA, Long Beach September volumes mixed

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LOS ANGLES

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olumes for the month of September at the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and the Port of Long Beach (POLB) were mixed but decent overall. POLA and POLB are the two largest North American ports, and they collectively account for more than 40 percent of U.S. imports. As

previously reported, West coast port volumes, especially in Sirst half of the year, had been uneven, as ports had to work through the backlog caused by the nine-month West Coast port labor dispute between the PaciSic Maritime Association and the International Longshore & Warehouse Union, which reached a resolution in the form of a new contract agreement that was reached earlier this year. Total POLA September volumes were

down 5.8 percent at 730,306 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) compared to September 2014, which was one of the strongest months in the port’s history. It was also down compared to August’s 786,677 TEU, which marked the port’s best August since the 790,726 TEU recorded in 2006. POLA imports, which are primarily comprised of consumer goods, were down 9.4 percent to 383, 963 TEU, and exports dropped 17.5 per-

cent to 124,286 TEU. Empties increased 6.3 percent to 383,551 TEU, with exports off 14 percent at 143,936 TEU. Empties were up 9.43 percent at 233,029 TEU. “While we fell short of last September’s exceptional volume of 775,000 TEUs, I’m encouraged by the productivity our terminals and supply chain partners have demonstrated over the past six months,” said POLA Director Gene Seroka in a statement.

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FIA arrests six human smugglers from Lahore LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested six human traffickers from different areas of Lahore.

The arrested accused were involved in sending citizens abroad on bogus documents and also looted millions of rupees from them. A number of complaints were registered against the accused.

During different raid, the FIA arrested Imran Ali, Sajjad Sher Khan, Tahir, Muhammad Saghir and Rana Hammad, who were wanted in fraud and preparing fake documents and sending people abroad illegally.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Action being taken against corrupt officials: fBr chairman tariq Bajwa ISLAMABAD M fAIZAN

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Tariq Bajwa has said that efforts are in progress to establish a system in which accountability of Sield staff could be done.

Talking to Public Account Committee (PAC), he said that action is being taken against corrupt ofSicials, adding that a zero tolerance policy has been adopted by FBR against corrupt ofSicials. PAC members advised FBR chairman to keep check and balance on the assets of Sield staff, especially Grade-17 ofSicers before and after their promotions.

PAC, quoting Ishaq Dar, said that tax evasion is not possible without the help of Sield staff so it is important to take stern action against the culprits. The chairman said that doorto-door policy has been adopted to bring more people into the tax net, adding that over 150,000 new taxpayers have been registered. It is difSicult to generate revenue without increasing the numbers of taxpayers, he added.

Meanwhile, Federal Board of Rev-

enue (FBR) Chairman Tariq Bajwa told the Public Accounts Committee of the parliament that the United Arab Emirates government had refused to provide any details of Pakistani in-

vestors who invested in real estate sectors and purchased lavish properties. Sources told Customs Today that during the previous meeting, the PAC asked the chairman to seek details of

Pakistani investors from UAE. However, Bajwa also told the PAC members that despite his repeated reminders, UAE government has refused to cooperate with Pakistan.

He also informed that Pakistan and United Arab Emirates are signatories of an accord, according to which the UAE government is bound to provide details required by Pakistan.

Rs 21m tax evasion: Customs asks SHC to reject petition of accused KARACHI

MuHAMMAD YouSAf www.customsbulletin.com

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akistan 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 customs (Law) Ali Waheed Khan submit-

ted the reply on behalf of collector of Customs Adjudication-II to a division bench of the SHC in response to a petition filed 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 officer and the petitioner should appear before the officer 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. The lights imported by the petitioner were classifiable under PCT Heading 9405.4090 and were not exempted from sales tax. The petitioner was only given exemption from customs duty on his consignment. Earlier, the petitioner’s counsel had submitted that his client was awarded a contract for installation of solar lights in municipals and towns of Sukkur by Sindh’s Rural Development Department.

Subsequently, he had im-

ported a consignment of 1,060 solar led street lights and got the consignment cleared, getting exemption from duty and general sales tax as imported items fall within category of renewable source of energy and therefore, the government had exempted duty and tax on their import.

He said that the petitioner imported another consignment containing 4,120 solar led street lights and filed general declarations along with a certificate of Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) regarding exemp-

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

tion from duty and tax.

However, he lamented that his consignment was not cleared. Instead he said the petitioner was issued show-cause notice for evading Rs 21.581 million through mis-declaration and claiming exemption from payment of customs duty and general sales tax on his first consignment. The petitioner pleaded the court to declare that the solar led street lights imported by him are exempted from custom duty and tax. The court was requested to quash the show-cause notice.