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Karachi, Thu September 14, 2017

ISLAMABAD

TARIQ DERYA

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he Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad has received Rs210.61million of all duties and taxes during 1st to 11th of Septem-

ber Financial Year (FY) 2017-18. According to details explained by Saeed Khan Jadoon, Collector MCC Islamabad, that collectorate formed a new team of customs ofSicers and staff to meet the assigned targets for the 1st quarter (July to September) FY17-18. During above said period, the collectorate earned

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Rs53.36million of Customs Duty (CD).The Collector told CT that, during initial 11 days of current month, the collectorate generated Rs108.81million of Sales Tax (ST) while MCC Islamabad collected Rs48.42million of Income Tax (IT) whereas it earned Rs0.02million of Federal Excise Duty (FED).

‘Import duty on agri products to increase revenue collection’

DG Valuation Surriya Butt to revise VR No 741/2015 soon

FBR fixes Sep 30 as last date for filing of income tax returns

Additional Collector Asma orders to impound smuggled mobiles

Gwadar Customs foils bid to smuggle hashish, computer accessories

Dr. Rai termed the corporate farming as the sole method to increase tax revenue | SEE pAgE 02 |

DG Valuationhas decided to revise the Valuation Rulings No 741/2015, it is learnt | SEE pAgE 03 |

FBR Member IT has said that the last date of filing of income tax returns | SEE pAgE 04 |

Collector Asma has ordered to confiscate theforeignoriginmobilephoneofassorted | SEE pAgE 11 |

Customs Gwadar continue its raids during the current month of worth Rs 3.2m | SEE pAgE 16 |

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Customs Appellate Tribunal to resume hearing of cases Thursday, September 14, 2017

Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Customs Appellate Tribunal to resume hearing of customs references on Wednesday which it had adjourned proceedings. Customs Appellate Tribunal’s bench comprising Members Tribunal, Syed Muhammad Anwar and Muhammad Nasir Khan would resume hearing of the customs matters submitted by M/s Klaguardia Logistics and M/s Trade Master against Model Collectroate of Customs, Islamabad. The bench had directed the counsels to ensure presence before the bench on next date of hearing for further arguments.

‘Import duty on agri products to increase revenue collection’

ISLAMABAD

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m ARShAD

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has said that fixed tax regime for builders and developers would remain applicable for tax year 2017 subject to certain conditions. In Income Tax Circular No. 04 of 2017, the FBR said that fixed tax regime for builders and developers under Section 7C and 7D of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 has been abolished through Finance Act, 2017. The FBR said that the Finance Act, 2013 introduced minimum tax upon the income of builders from the business of construction and sale of residential or commercial buildings and the income of developers from the business of sale of residential or commercial plots. Thereafter, the minimum tax regime was abolished and a fixed tax regime for builders as well as developers was introduced through the Finance Act, 2016 whereby the tax liability was based on square footage of area developed/constructed under section 7C and 7D of the Ordinance. The fixed tax regime available to builders and developers has now been abolished/ withdrawn through the Finance Act, 2017.

ice Chancellor Pir Mehr Ali Shah (PMAS)-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, termed the corporate farming as the sole method to increase tax revenue collection as well as to overcome the existing lope holes in tax system. In an exclusive interview with Customs Today Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad observed that tax revenues in other developed countries were higher because of the fact those countries had shifted their agricultural sector over to corporate farming. “The day you declare your agricultural sector as an industry then you start collect tax revenues at once” he added saying that Pakistan lacked in the revenue collection because of the issue that we had imposed indirect taxation on agricultural products. Therefore, we must at Sirst declare our agricultural sector as industry and then shift our indirect taxation over to the direct taxation on the agricultural yields. Only through this method, he said that country could move towards the economic self reliance as well as enhance the tune of tax collection by several times. Presently, our peasant pays tax on a number of times which is the worst form of taxation; for example, grower pays tax on seeds, fertilizers, electricity, irrigation and on

fixed tax regime for builders to remain applicable for TY 2017: fBR

other products; however, once our agricultural sector is included in the category of industrial units, then farmer will get uninterrupted power supply, international certiSied seeds along with other incentives being enjoyed by the industrial sector. Replying to a question, regarding possible ways for our agricultural sector to beneSit out of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad said that CPEC would bring about revolution in our agricultural sector because of the fact that our farmers would be able to use the innovative agricultural mechanism, improved and reSined ways on pesticides, sprays and others being used

by Chinese farmers. Moreover, Chinese agricultural and irrigational methods, he said that would also bring about revolution in our country just because of the fact that Chinese agricultural sector has almost been developed. This is why per acre yield of crop is far higher in China than Pakistan. Furthermore, he said that import duty on agricultural sector related imports from China would also take our tax revenue collection to higher amounts. In this regards, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is required to learn the mechanism for the imposition and collection of tax on agricultural products from Chinese tax authorities. To another ques-

tion about the ratio of possible tax collection from imports from Chinese agricultural products, Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad said that since Pakistan was an agricultural based economy; therefore, it was difSicult to gauge the exact ratio of increased tax collection from imports from China related to agricultural sector; however, most probably our tax collection may increase by several times just because of the fact that other regional countries would also tend to use Chinese agricultural sector related products from Pakistan once they would have been made available in Pakistani markets for exports to neighbouring countries.

fBR introduces new concept of tax on undistributed profits

ISLAMABAD

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) has said that a new concept of tax on undistributed proSits has been introduced for tax year 2017 and onwards. In Income Tax Circular No. 04 of 2017, the FBR explained tax on undistributed proSits under Section 5A of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. The FBR said that a tax on undis-

tributed reserves was introduced vide the Finance Act, 2015 whereby a company, other than a scheduled bank or a modaraba, which did not distribute dividends within 6 months of the end of the Tax Year or distributed dividends to an extent that its reserves, after such distribution, exceeded 100 percent of its paid up capital was subject to tax at 10 percent. However, this tax was not to apply to a public company which distributed either 40 percent of its after tax proSits or 50 percent of

its paid up capital within six months of the end of the Sinancial year. “This

provision has been further amended through the Finance Act,2017

whereby the tax on undistributed reserves has been substituted by a new concept of tax on undistributed profits for the Tax Year 2017 and onwards,” the FBR said. The Finance Act, 2017 stipulates that every public company barring a scheduled bank or a modaraba shall be subjected to tax at 7.5 percent of its accounting proSit before tax if it fails to distribute a least forty percent of its after tax proSits in the form of cash or bonus shares within six months of the end of the tax year.

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Citizen files contempt petition against custom officials in SHC KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to customs department and deputy attorney general on a constitutional petition filed by Fazeer Abad son of Siddqui seeking release order of Hino oil tanker seized by customs officials during a crackdown. During hearing of petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar directed them to ensure to file their respective para wise comments on next date of hearing. Court also adjourned the matter for September 18, 2017. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that he is lawful owner of Hino oil tanker bearing registration number TUA-872 seized by customs officials.

fBR starts probe against suspects involved in tax evasion

Thursday September 14, 2017

Karachi

Dg Valuation Surriya Butt to revise VR no 741/2015 soon

KARACHI

m B RAnA

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he Customs Taxation & AntiSmuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi directed investigation oﬃcer to complete investigations against suspects namely Abaid-urRahman of M/s Kontel Technologies Lahore and Shakil-ur-Rahman of M/s Comprehensive Business International Lahore and others regarding their involvement in money laundering. During the hearing, investigation oﬃcer informed that above mentioned accused in connivance and collusion with other associates-in-crime have imported various consignments of nature purification filters / reverse osmosis members by way of concealing actual transaction.

Shc seeks remarks on plea filed by marvellous Business KARACHI

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs oﬃcials to make sure to file their respective para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Marvellous Business Solution Pvt Ltd seeking exemption of duty and taxes on consignments of LED bulbs etc as entitled under 5th Schedule of the Customs Act, 1969. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar was hearing the petition. Counsel for the petitioner stated in its constitutional petition stated that petitioner is engaged in the lawful business of import of LED bulbs etc and always fulfils all the liabilities properly. He said that in rotten, petitioner imported consignment of LED bulbs 12 watt, 15 watt, 18 watt, 25 watt 40 watt and other related goods and filed goods declaration under availing exemption as entitled under 5th schedule of the Customs Act, 1969.

KARACHI

wAQAR AhmED AnSARI www.customsbulletin.com

irectorate General, Customs Valuation, Director General Surriya Ahmed Butt, has decided to revise the Valuation Rulings No 741/2015, it is learnt. According to the details, Surriya Butt has said that the department is reviewing suggestions from importers to set new prices. She further said some valuations, which were issued in 2015, were being over viewed from the beginning. Moreover, the valuations will be set in view of rising prices in international markets. Sources told Customs Today that a petition was submitted by the importers to Customs Valuation in which change in prices of component of infusion giving set conventional inventors, was requested. Sources said that Valuation Ruling No. 741/2015 of infusion giving set was issued on June 3, 2015. A meeting was held with the stakeholders on 16th August, 2017. Importers were told to furnish the import invoices of the last three months showing factual values as well as websites, names and e-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value could be ascertained. Meanwhile, The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of non-car-

bon releasing paper, art card/coated board/paper and light weight coated papers Valuation Ruling No 1205/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969. According to the details, the customs values of non-carbon releasing papers, art card/coated board/paper and light weight coated papers were determined under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969, vide Valuation Ruling No.826/2016 dated 06-04-2016.

A meeting was held with the stakeholders on Importers were told to furnish the import invoices of the last three months showing factual values as well as websites, names and e-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question

court issues nBw against alleged gold smugglers

KARACHI

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ustoms Taxation & Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi issued non-bailable warrants against accused named Ghulam Raza Karani S/o Muhammad Ali Karani, Sohail Ali Katchi S/o Abdul Aziz, Muhammad Ashraf S/o Hassan, Shahzad and Bilal who are absconders in 4900gram gold and memory cards smug-

gling case valued at Rs26million. During the hearing, Investigation Officer produced the interim challan and informed that abovementioned accused are still at large and customs officials are trying their best to arrest them. They will be produced before the court when they are arrested. It needs to be mentioned here that the court had awarded an 11-day imprisonment to four suspects named Muhammad Imran S/o Muhammad Farooq Patel, Anila Muhammad Imran W/

o Muhammad Imran, Maheen Patel D/o Muhammad Imran (Father, mother and daughter) and Muhammad Saleem Garman. The court framed charges against them and they pleaded guilty. After formalities, the court had convicted them with the period already undergone by them and had been fined with Rs300000 payment as penalty. If they do not pay the fine amount then they will have to undergo a further two-month imprisonment.

A representation was submitted by All Pakistan Paper Merchants Association, Karachi with the request that the existing valuation ruling needs revision as the current prices have increased in the international market. Hence, Directorate General Customs Valuation initiated an exercise for determination of customs values of the subject goods. The stakeholders were requested to furnish invoices of imports during last three months showing factual value.

Aslam moves Shc for release of vehicle he Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed parties to file their comments on a constitutional petition filed by Aslam Khan Niazi, seeking release of his trailer Nissan bearing registration number TLG-778. A twomember bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, was hearing the petition.

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CDA chief grilled over illegal constructions Thursday September 14, 2017

Lahore

ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for the provision of required documents about some mega corruption cases, the FIA has now decided to grill CDA Chairman Sheikh Anser Aziz on Thursday, at the CDA headquarters. Information was sought for cases like La Montana Restaurant, Safa Gold Mall, Shifa International Hospitals and 25 personal inquiries of the employees. Islamabad FIA zonal head, along with the concerned inspector, has organised a meeting with the Islamabad mayor and CDA chief.

fBR serves notices on fake milk producing companies to recover Rs 30 billion LAHORE

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has served notices on the companies which got rebate exemption on tea whiteners under the guise of milk. As per details, the companies got a huge rebates from the government by declaring the tea whiteners as milk. The FBR has asked all these manufacturing companies to deposit Rs 30 billion to the national kitty immediately. The sources said that the FBR would take stern action if the companies failed to deposit the above said amount. The sources said the Punjab Food Authority has also planned to launch a crackdown against all such com-

man involved in hundi business arrested IA Corporate Crime Circle Lahore conducted a raid at Japan Center Cooper Road here on Friday and arrested an accused for running illegal business of currency exchange/hundi hawala. According to FIA spokesman, the team recovered Rs 530,000, cheque books, ledgers, receipts and other documents regarding hundi hawala besides arresting the accused, Faisal Abbas. A case has been registered against the accused. Meanwhile, Anti Human Traﬃcking Cell Lahore arrested a human traﬃcker and recovered copies of passports and visas. According to FIA spokesman, on a complaint of Ferzana Kausar, the team conducted a raid and arrested the accused, Muhammad Irfan, involved in sending women abroad for employment. A case has been registered against him and further investigation is underway. –CB Report

panies which have been playing with the human lives. They said that heavy fines will be imposed on all such companies. FBR also clarified that all those companies would be required to mention tea whiteners or milk on each and every pack of milk. Previously the companies have earned billions of rupees by selling the tea whitners in the name of milk. According to an estimate as many as 40 million Pakistanis have affected by the tea whiteners. The experts have already identified tea whiteners are dangers for children. They say it is a big problem for common people to distinguish between tea whiteners and milk. Mostly, companies are manufacturing tea whiteners and they named them milk, which are not only fake milks but also is illegal, according to firm law.

fBR fixes Sep 30 as last date for filing of income tax returns LAHORE

m hAYAT

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) Member IT Khawaja Adnan Zaheer has said that the last date of filing of income tax returns for the tax year 2017 is September 30, 2017. The Member IT also advised taxpayers to file their tax-returns through e-filing as early as possible to avoid facing any difficulty due to excessive burden on system during the last days of September. He advised taxpayers to file their tax returns to make country’s economy strengthen. He said that sound tax system plays vital role in smooth running of economy. Khawaja Adnan Zaheer said that it is our national duty to file income tax returns honestly. He

Dc orders to release vehicle after payment of redemption fine

ollectorate of Customs Adjudication issued Order-inOriginal in favour of Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization while directing the owner of the pay redemption fine for release of his vehicle. Brief facts of the case, as reported by Superintendent Customs (ASO) in seizure case number 177/2017 dated 8.7.2017 are that in pursuance of an information on the customs staff of ASO intercepted a Mitsubishi Pajero jeep bearing registration no: LOP-196

near Ichra Bazar Ferozepur Road Lahore. The person on the driving seat claimed the ownership of the vehicle and identified himself as Arif Javed son of Muhammad Hussain resident of Gujranwala. On demand the said owner failed to provide any documentary evidence showing legal import or auction of the said intercepted jeep. Therefore examination of the said jeep was conducted din presence of the said owner and other witnesses. –CB Report

said that Federal Board of Revenue will extend full support to genuine taxpayers and will take every possible step to facilitate

them. Khawaja Adnan Zaheer ruled out the possibility of any extension in filing of tax returns through e-filing system.

Tribunal postpones hearing of 10 cases he Customs Appellate Tribunal’s Division Bench-II (single and double), comprising Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Member Technical Imran Tariq heard 10 cases and adjourned all of them until the next hearing. The Customs Appellate Tribunal’s division bench-II comprising Omer Arshed Hakeem Member Judicial and Imran Tariq Member Technical, heard nine cases on Thursday including Saeed Bukhish versus Customs Lahore, Hanif Radio versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Lahore,

Customs Lahore versus Muhammad Naeem and Jameel Brothers versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Multan. Furthermore, the tribunal division bench-II heard Customs Lahore versus Abdullah Hassan, Muhammad Ramzan Afzal versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad, Customs Multan versus Muhammad Amin, Al-Hamra Fabrics versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad and M/s Asian Food versus Directorate Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore. –CB Report

Adjudication issues show cause to owner of nDp items

LAHORE

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he Collector Customs Collectorate of Aduciation Ambreen Ahmed Tarar has issued a show cause notice to the owner of the non duty paid goods. According to the details, as reported by the detecting agency that,

an audit observation was communicated to the said importer as well as clearing agent by MCC (Preventive) LFU, Wagha, Lahore vide letter C,. No. Cus/LFU/A&I?19/201415/30 dated 7.1.2016 to clarify their position. In response the said importer and his clearing agent did not agree with the aforementioned audit observation. The collector in the show cause no-

tice further stated that whereas further reported by the detecting agency that it is very much clear from the above narrated facts that importer in connivance with the clearing agent deliberately and intentionally hood winked the customs authority and deprive the national exchequer of huge amount of sales tax. Hence they have contravened the provision of Section 32 (3-A) of the Customs Act, 1969, Sec-

tion 3,6, 7 & 11 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 punishable under Section 156 (I) 10(A)(14) of the Customs Act, 1969. Now therefore, on the basis of the above reported facts, the respondents namely M.s Pak Afghan Implex 99-Australia Building, Mcleod Road, Lahore (importer) and M/s Pak Afghan (clearing agent) are charged with the contravention of provision of Section 32 (3-A) of the Customs Act, 1969.

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he Custom Exports started sending notices to tax defaulters. The Customs Exports has sent three notices to different defaulter companies within 10 days for recovery of due tax amounts. Sources told CT that the Customs Exports has served show cause notices on defaulter factories including M/s M S Enterprises Karachi, M/s Sultan Garments and Export Karachi and M/s Haniya Traders Gharo to pay the evaded taxes. M/s M S Enterprises Karachi used the wrong Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT) headings to get a consignment of Afghani carpets, mattes and other things cleared on 26th of August 2017 and caused the national treasury a loss of Rs2.99million. During the scrutiny of the import data,

Thursday, September 14, 2017

the Customs Exports team detected that the company used wrong PCT heading for which it was issued with a showcause notice No: 208/2017 to pay the evaded amounts of tax and duty. Meanwhile,

show erved s s a h por ts lter ms Ex defau n o custo s e notic /s m S c ause ding m u l c n i S ultan ies i, m/s factor h c a r a i and rises k arach p r k e t t r n o E pay d Exp aro to nts an h e g m s r r a e g Trad aniya xes m/s h ded ta a v e e th

the Customs Exports unearthed another tax evasion done by M/s Sultan Garments and Export Karachi who got cleared a consignment of ladies silk. The customs authorities, after a careful investigation, issued a show cause notice to the company and asked it to deposit the evaded tax amount within fortnight. M/s Haniya Traders Gharo used the wrong PCT heading to get a consignment of aluminum sheets for use of windows and doors which were cleared on 22nd of August and caused the government a loss of Rs3.43million. It is necessary to mention here that, during the last month of August, the Customs Exports has served 16 show cause notices and seven final notices on the tax evaders warning them to clear the outstanding tax amounts at the earliest to avoid stern action.

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

EDIToRIAL

need to enhance regional cooperation

s SAARC has been rendered ineﬀective due to state policy of India, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has turned his attention toward Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation to accelerate cooperation in various fields, including aviation, capital markets and capacity development. According to the minister, Pakistan wants to enhance cooperation with central Asian states in business, trade and investment. There is a need to lay down oil and gas pipelines, develop infrastructure, and establish electricity transmission networks to spur economic growth within the countries in the region. Pakistan is committed to cooperate in projects aimed at enhancing regional connectivity among various countries in the region. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a milestone in regional connectivity, which will benefit not only Pakistan and China, but the entire region. The development of rail and road links will be right step in the right direction to enhance cooperation in the regional countries and achieve the cherished goals of economic development and prosperity of the people. There is a need to engage businessmen in the development projects and Pakistan oﬀers cheap labour to foreign investors. The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation program involves 11 countries and six multilateral development partners for promotion and development of regional economies. One third of the world population lives in South Asia, China and central Asian states and all the countries need to enhance cooperation to accelerated economic growth and reduce poverty. However, India is stumbling block in every economic policy and activity and is not willing to activate South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation. Pakistan can allow transit trade facilities to India to market its products in central Asian states and China through land routes, but it is not willing to establish cordial relations with Islamabad. The hostile government in India is doing everything possible to bulldoze economy of Pakistan and isolate it in the comity of nations. However, the Central Asian forum has immense potential to promote regional cooperation and facilitate trade, business and economy within the countries in the region. The program, aided by the Asian Development Bank, has mobilised around $30 billion in transport, trade, and energy infrastructure investments since 2001.

war and economy A

LAHORE

DR AfTAB AfZAL

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ccording to economists, the Pakistani entrepreneurs lack marketing techniques to promote their products in overseas markets. They still use old methods of production and could not update their products to come up with changing trends and compete their peers in the region. The small entrepreneurs have no access to the European market and they rely on the forces of local demand and supply, but there are others who can afford to visit European and other countries and have access to the potential buyers. But they are reluctant to modernize their pro-

duction units and invest in the marketing departments or they also lack capacity and courage to meet the challenges of new business trends in foreign lands or take any initiative to promote their businesses. May be they prefer to keep themselves within limits as they don’t want to take any risk to launch a new venture. The businessmen associated with textile sector are one them who failed to change their methods of production and methods of marketing. As a result, their competitors in India and Bangladesh have taken long strides and the textile sector of the two countries have shown considerable progress during the last one decade. The business community in Pak-

istan totally relies on the government and wants to get every facility without struggle. The general trend in the world business community is that the governments do their part of the job and entrepreneurs do their part and they support each other for the cause of business. But business environment in this country is marred by mistrust and corruption. The businessmen with resources also look toward the government for help and take lion share of facilities and packages. The small entrepreneurs are left on the mercy of maSias and they have to Sight for their survival. The bureaucracy in Bangladesh and India is not different from Pakistan, but the business community worked in a way to increase their exports de-

spite challenges. It is time the business community should work on self-help basis in Pakistan and minimize its dependence on the government aid. The government should also update its business policies to facilitate the business community and activates its missions abroad to do some homework and overtime to create demand for the Pakistani products. The government ofSicials thumped their chests when the country achieved European Union’s GSP Plus status, but euphoria soon evaporated when this scheme could not be fully utilized for one reason or the other. The government should now make arrangements to implement Rs 180 billion package announced by the former prime minister to boost exports.

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TDAP endeavouring to promote trade LAHORE: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is endeavouring to promote trade of the country by extending help and assistance to the business community to scale up growth of trade. TDAP Director General Lahore Mian Riaz Ahmad stated this while talking to Mr Sajid Latif, Director General Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), at his oﬃce. Mian Riaz Ahmed informed the DG PITB about features of Expo Pakistan 2017 and invited the PITB to participate in this upcoming mega event. The DG TDAP hoped that with the presence of the PITB in the Expo Pakistan event, exporters and visitors would be able to gain knowledge orientation from the PITB literature. The DG PITB committed that the Punjab Information Technology Board would participate in the Expo Pakistan this year.

Deputy collector hassan declares seizure of nDp vehicle as legal

National

‘govt should take comprehensive measures for stability of Lpg prices’

LAHORE

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ollectorate of Customs Deputy Collector Muhammad Hassan Farid has issued Order-in-Original No 230 to 233/2017 by declaring confiscation of Honda Civic (VT1) as legal. Brief facts of the case as reported by the Superintendent Customs, Anti Smuggling Organization Lahore vide Contravention Report No 82/2017 dated 29.4.2017 that in pursuant to an information on 20.3.2017 the anti-smuggling staff as mentioned above intercepted a Honda Civic (VTI) car bearing registration plate number LZR-261 near Punjab College, Canal Road, Lahore. The person on driving seat identified

himself as Sohail Anjum son of Ali Akbar Anjum New Elahi Park Miranshah, Lahore. On demand the said owner failed to provide any documentary evidence showing legal import of the said intercepted car. The ASO team detained the vehicle under section 2 (kk) of Customs Act, 1969 for want of import document. The ASO team after registering a case against the owner forwarded the same to Customs Adjudication for further proceedings. During proceedings a show cause notice 01/ASO-056/2016/190 dated 24.3.2017 was also issued to the said owner but the said owner did not turn up eve after a laps of sufficient time. The said car was referred to Punjab Forensic Science Agency for examination of its chassis frame. The examination shows that chassis number of the above said vehicle has not been tempered.

Thursday September 14, 2017

LAHORE

SAJID nAwAZ

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overnment need to take some serious steps for the availability of LPG at fewer prices to the consumer and government should discourage the sellers for getting heavy proSit and more pressure on the public. This was stated by Chairman LPG Industries Association of Pakistan Irfan Khokhar while talking to Customs Today. He said that with the mutual consent of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) the sellers (LPG maSia) have increased the prices of LPG Rs5 per kilogram, 50 dom & 200 commercial cylinder without any notiSication from Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). Chairman LPG Distributors Association Pakistan Irfan Khokhar said that locally produced gas is now being sold at international prices that are burdon on gas consumers. LPG maSia is also decreasing government of Pakistan’s efforts for economic gas rates because government want to provide gas to the con-

sumers on low rates but sellers going to put pressure on the citizens. All 30 to35 local quota holders should be dissolved and all 132 LPG marketing companies should be provided with equal quotas and prices should be decided after in-

cluding imported LPG upto 50 percent. $32 terminal charges should be reduced to $11 and 5.5 percent advance tax should be excluded, stated by Irfan Khokhar. Further said that Rs15 per kilogram should be charged as tax from

local producers and by this earning, General Sales Tax (GST) and advance tax should be paid by Government itself to relieve the import resulting Rs 80 per Kilograme throughout the country. Khokhar said that CP plus 50 formulas should remove and tax should only charge on CP. Summary for suggestions would be presented to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in a meeting in Islamabad. Talking about the new prices, he told that in Karachi Rs 95 per kilogram, in Lahore, in Kasur, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Jehlam, Sahiwal, Sialkot, Daska, Peshawar the rate is Rs 100 per kilograme. In Rahim Yar Khan and Sadiqabad 110 kilogram, the rate in hyderbad,attock, Mirpur and Azad Jamu & Kashmir the rate is Rs120 kilogram, Khokhar said. He said that Installation of LPG dispensers should be allowed at all CNG stations, adding more that he will present the summary for suggestions to prime minister in Islamabad. That is based on the suggestions and solutions about the problems faced by the LPG sector.

nAB reviews its performance ISLAMABAD

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hairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Saturday chaired a meeting to review the overall performance of Prosecution Division of NAB, at NAB Headquarters. During the brieSing, Waqas Qadeer Dar, Prosecutor General Accountability (PGA) NAB informed that Prosecution Division being an important Division of NAB provides legal opinion, legal assistance to NAB’s Operations Division and all Regional Bureaus of NAB in conduct of inquires, investigations as per law and laid down SOPs and pleads cases of NAB in Accountability Courts, High Courts and the Supreme Court of Pakistan, says a press release. He said that under the leadership of Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman

NAB, the Prosecution Division has been revamped by inducting experienced and well educated legal consultants and special prosecutors. He said that on the directions of the Chairman NAB, a mechanism of handling of witnesses has been introduced and the result of this intervention is very encouraging. He said that due to constant deliberations, monitoring and performance analysis of Prosecution Division, the overall conviction ratio is approximately 76 percent which is one of the best conviction ratio due to hard work put in by NAB Prosecution Division under the leadership of Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB. Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB said that NAB has received about 3,43,356 complaints from individuals and private/public organizations. NAB authorized 11,581 complaint veriSications, 7587 inquiries,

3846 investigations, Siled 2808 corruption references in Accountability Courts and during the tenure of present management of NAB, NAB recovered Rs. 50 billion of ill-gotten money from corrupt which was all deposited in the national exchequer which is a remarkable achievement of NAB. He said that the Sigures of complaints, inquiries and investigations are almost double as compared to the same period of 2014 to 2017 during the tenure of the present management of NAB. The comparative Sigures of previous three and half year are indicative of the hard work being put in by all ranks of NAB ofSicers/ofSicials in an atmosphere of renewed energy and dynamism, where Sight against corruption is being taken as a national duty. Increase in the number of complaints also reSlects enhanced public trust in the NAB. The Chairman NAB said that NAB has established libraries

at NAB Headquarter and all Regional Bureaus of NAB in order to facilitate Prosecutors and Investigation OfSicers in collection of relevant information for expeditious disposal of cases as per laid down rules/laws. He said that NAB has also established an E-Library at NAB Headquarter having more than 50,000 electronic books related to Law Journals, yearly law reports and monthly law reports etc. NAB plans to have access with Higher Education Commission (HEC) Library which will be beneSicial for NAB prosecutors in future. The Chairman NAB appreciated the professional work and performance of Prosecution Division under the supervision of Waqas Qadeer Dar, Prosecutor General Accountability (PGA) NAB and said that starting with the year 2014 which can be called basically a year of re-invigoration of NAB, we have moved with new zeal and effort.

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Rizwan takes charge as Secretary on promotion to BS-19 Thursday September 14, 2017

National Tufail assumes charge as Addl collector after promotion to BS-19

ISLAMABAD: Rizwan Bashir, a Pakistan Customs Service officer, has assumed the charge as Secretary on his promotion to BS-19. The officer, on his promotion vide Board’s Notification No 2204-C-II/2017 dated 17.08.2017 and No 2242-C-I/2017 dated 18.08.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Deputy Director (BS-18), Directorate of Customs Valuation, Karachi on August 24 and took the charge of the post of Secretary(BS-19), Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad on August 28.

Ahsan assumes charge as Additional Director of customs I&I

ISLAMABAD

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ISLAMABAD

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ufail Khan Yousafzai, a Pakistan Customs Service officer, has taken the charge as Additional Collector on his promotion to BS-19. The officer, on his promotion vide Board’s Notification No. 2342-CII/2017 dated 24.08.2017 and 2242C-I/2017 dated 18.08.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Deputy Collector (BS-18), Model Customs Collectorate, Peshawar on August 25 and assumed the charge of the post of Secretary (BS-19), Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad on August 31. Meanwhile, Sadia Sadaf, a Pakistan Customs Service officer, has taken the charge as Additional Collector on her promotion to BS-19. The officer, on her promotion vide Board’s Notification No. 2204-C-II/2017 dated 17.08.2017 and 2242-C-I/2017 dated 18.08.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Deputy Director BS-18.

haroon assumes charge as customs Secretary aroon Waqar Malik, a Pakistan Customs Service officer, has assumed the charge as Secretary on his promotion to BS-19. The officer took the charge of the said post at Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad on September 5 after his promotion vide Board’s Notification No. 2204-C-II/2017 dated 17.08.2017 and No. 2242-C-I/2017 dated 18.08.2017. Meanwhile, Syed Fazal Samad, a Pakistan Customs Service officer, has assumed the charge as Additional Director, Directorate General of IPR Enforcement (North), Islamabad. The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No.2242-C-I/2017, dated 18.08.2017.

uhammad Ahsan Khan, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-19, has assumed charge as Additional Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation, Regional Office, Karachi. The officer, pursing the Board’s Notification No.2242-CI/2017 dated 18.08.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of relinquished the charge of the post of Additional Collector, Model Customs Collectorate (Appraisement-West), Karachi with effect from August 21 and took charge of the post of Additional Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation-FBR, Regional Office, Karachi on August 22.

Appraisement west collects Rs 6,844m during first nine days of September T

KARACHI

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he Customs Collectorate Appraisement West has collected Rs 6,844 million under the heads of customs duty, sales tax, income tax and the federal excise duty during the Sirst nine days of September 2017. OfSicial sources told Customs Today that the Customs Appraisement West collected Rs 2,258 million under the head of customs duty, Rs 3,129 million as sales tax, Rs 1,415 million under the head of income tax while Rs 42 million were collected as federal excise duty (FED). It is necessary to mention here that during the last month of August 2017, the Customs Appraisement West had collected total of Rs20,214 million duties and taxes that included Rs7,890 million as customs duty,

Rs8,392 million as sales tax, Rs3,802 million as income tax and Rs116 million as federal excise duty (FED), while on the other hand after the beginning of September Customs Appraisement

West is already expedited its efforts to collect more revenue. Assistant Collector Wasim Shah told Customs Today that collection of Rs 6,844 million duty and taxes in nine days is very low but the

shortfall is being witnessed due to Eidul Azha holidays, but now Eid holidays are over and Customs Appraisement West is expedited its efforts to recover outstanding dues from defaulters.

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Assistant Collector Majid granted performance allowance ISLAMABAD: Majid Hussain Gaad, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-17, selected through the process of internal job posting (IJP), has been granted performance allowance. The officer, presently posted as Assistant Collector (Prob), Model Customs Collectorate, Islamabad, was granted performance allowance (equivalent to 100 per cent of basic pay) with effect from August 22, 2017. Grant of performance allowance will be governed through the terms and conditions laid down vide Circular No 6(96)S(BIC)/2013-14 dated 06.03.2015 and will be discontinued in case prescribed terms and conditions are not fulfilled within one month from the date of issuance of this notification.

Additional collector Asma orders to impound smuggled mobiles FAISALABAD

nAEEm ShEIkh

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he Collectorate of Customs Adjudication Additional Collector Asma Hameed has ordered to confiscate the foreign origin mobile phone of assorted models and brands. As per details, the additional collector issued Order in Original (ONO) no: 162/2017 in favor of the Air Freight Unit (AFU) while deciding the case. As per details, in pursuance of information, the customs staﬀ during the checking of passenger coming by flight no: GFA-790 scheduled to be arrived at Faisalabad from Bahrain. One bag having in red color and one shopping bag were left on the conveyer belt. Further on suspicious a person namely Tayyab Manzoor has been detained for further

inquiry. The above said person failed to provide any legal documents regarding import of foreign origin mobiles. Customs Adjudication team detailed all the mobiles and forwarded the case to Customs Adjudication for further proceedigns. During hearing no one appeared to defend the case from respondent side nor any written reply has been received from the respondent despite given ample opportunities. Rana Abdul Nasir appeared from the prosecution side and asserted that the seizes goods fall under the ambit section 2(s) of the customs act 1969. The additional collector after the hearing the arguments issued ONO and that seized goods had been brought into the country through an unauthorized route without payment of duty and taxes. She ordered to seize the Smuggled mobiles in under Section 156 (1)89 of the Custom Act, 1969.

National

mis-declaration: pcA detects 13 cases involving revenue of Rs104.34 million

Islamabad car cell impounds nDp V-8 Land cruiser from chinese company ISLAMABAD

m fAIZAn

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he Customs Car Cell of Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad took into possession a Non-Duty-Paid (NDP) V-8 Toyota Land Cruiser valued at Rs18.00million from Zero Point Islamabad on 05-09-2017. The said NDP vehicle was under the possession of undisclosed Chinese construction company working in Pakistan. According to details given by sources of MCC to Customs Today that, following a tip-oﬀ shared by Collector MCC Saeed Khan Jadoon, the car cell established a picket on Kashmir Highway Islamabad and intercepted the said non-duty-paid V-8 Toyota Land Cruiser with fake registration No: BG1420-Sindh. The car cell staﬀ asked the possessor (driver) Liaqat Masih, a resident of F-7/4 Islamabad, to provide the original documents of the car, but he failed to do so. After the firsthand investigation, the car cell impounded the vehicle and brought it to the Model MCC Islamabad. The estimated value of the vehicle is Rs18.00million. The authorities concerned revealed that the documents of the car were not genuine with a counterfeit registration.

KARACHI

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he Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has shown outstanding performance during the previous month of August 2017 and detected 13 cases involving revenue of Rs104.34 million. Sources told Customs Today that Directorate of Post Clearance Audit headed by Director Nadeem Memon detected cases pertaining to short payment of customs duty and sales tax/ and withholding tax (WHT) because of inadmissible concessions, short payment of anti-dumping duty, additional sales tax, federal excise duty (FED) and income tax. The Directorate served four contravention reports and eleven audit observations during the month of August 2017 involving total duty and taxes of Rs104.34 million. The companies served audit observations or contravention reports include bulk containers in PICT, M/s Zubia Enterprises Karachi, M/s A.A Aluminum and Export, M/s Waheed Traders Company Karachi and seven others companies. Sources of Post Clearance Audit told that on the instructions of Di-

Thursday September 14, 2017

rector PCA Nadeem Memon, Deputy Director Sajid Ali Baloch and other ofSicials of PCA scrutinized 222 import consignments data and found that the importers used wrong and/or false PCT Headings to get their consignments cleared in August 2017. The Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has unearthed tax evasion of Rs114.5 million by different importers dur-

ing August 2017. Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Nadeem Memon directed all relevant ofSicials and teams to expedite their efforts to recover outstanding amount from defaulters. It is necessary to mention here that Post Clearance Audit is using all available resources to detect cases involving tax evasion and misdeclaration.

SImAp chief asks govt to plan out advance training

SIALKOT

ZAfAR mALIk

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hairman Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SIMAP) Jehangir Bajwa has asked the government to announce the advanced training programmes and workshops of the essential skills for preparing and providing the skilled labour to the surgical industry of Sialkot. The surgical industry is suffering from the shortage of skilled labour. Addressing an important meeting of the Sialkot exporters, the SIMAP Chairman added that more than one century old surgical in-

dustry of Sialkot-Pakistan is in dire need of skilled labour. He pledged to modernize the surgical industry by ensuring early transfer of advanced manufacturing technology to this industry as well. He assured that the surgical industry of Sialkot-Pakistan has enough potential to double the surgical exports from existing $329million within the next couple of years with the proper patronage by the government. The Chairman SIMAP asked the surgical exporters to also focus on the diversiSication of traditional to non-traditional surgical instruments. He added that this direly needed early diversiSication could

help to boost surgical instruments’ exports. He said the surgical industry is producing over 10,000 different medical instruments covering all sections of surgical, dental, veterinary, beauty and so many other products. He said that over one century old surgical industry of Sialkot is in dire need of modernization and adoption of positive steps for advanced standards of international marketing and brand developing could help save the said industry. He further said the Sialkot based surgical manufacturers and exporters have enough potential to capture the international markets of $1billion provided government

properly patronizes Sialkot’s surgical industry, which has only 1 percent share in this world market’s consumption. He asked the local manufacturers and exporters to focus on the diversiSication of traditional to non-traditional exports with a sole aim to meet the global trade challenges. Chairman SIMAP Jehangir Bajwa revealed that the surgical industry had sought some early governmental patronage for promoting this industry in the international markets but, due to alleged negligence of government functionaries, we could not maintain the continuity of the trade and export policies in the country.

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World Customs

CIMB Group buys Jupiter Securities for RM55m

KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Group Holdings Bhd is expanding its stockbroking operation as it purchases an entire stake in Jupiter Securities for RM55 million. CIMB Group said it has entered into a sale and share agreement with a conditional share purchase agreement with the shareholders of Jupiter Securities for the proposed acqusition. The banking group said the proposed acquisition is a strategic initiative in connection with its proposed partnership with China Galaxy International Financial Holdings Ltd, wherein Jupiter Securities will be the platform for the partnership’s Malaysia operations.

Thursday September 14, 2017

Taiwan seeks ottawa’s aid in uS crude oil last week settled at $47.48/Bbl stopping drug smuggling WASHINGTON

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TAIPEI

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Taiwanese prosecutor is calling on Ottawa to provide better co-operation and intelligence to help stop the Slow of Canadian marijuana, after two massive busts in the Asian country earlier this year. More than 70 kilograms of marijuana shipped from Vancouver were seized in April and June by Taiwanese customs at the Port of Keelung. Seven Taiwanese were charged in the busts. However, the ofSicial says Taiwan has had no luck in getting information about the Canadian end of the situation. Xiaoya Zhong, chief prosecutor at Keelung District Prosecutors OfSice, said the two agencies in Taiwan that gather and share intelligence with other countries – Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bu-

Bangladesh’s exports up 13.84% in July-August angladesh’s export income in the first two months of the current 2017-18 fiscal year (July 2017 to June 2018) grew about 14 percent to 6.64 billion US dollars, an official said Monday. The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) official told Xinhua that the country earned a total of 6,628.60 million U.S. dollars from export during July-August of 2017-18 fiscal compared to 5,822.96 million U.S. dollars in the same period a year earlier. Quoting the EPB data, he said export performance for August was 2.90 billion U.S. dollars, 10.71 percent higher than that in the same month a year ago. The official said overall export growth surged on the back of hefty garment exports. He said readymade garment exports from Bangladesh grew 14.05 percent to 5.52 billion U.S. dollars in the first two months of the current 2016-17 fiscal year. –CB Report

reau and Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau – don’t have a direct point of contact with Canada for drug enforcement. Instead, Taiwan must rely on RCMP liaison ofSicers in Hong Kong, she said. “Having a contact point would be much more convenient,” said Ms. Zhong, who added that much of the marijuana coming into Taiwan originates in either the United States or Canada. Ms. Zhong said without intelli-

gence sharing, Taiwan is not able to provide more information for Canada to investigate further on its end. Taiwan’s complaint highlights a difSicult balancing act for Canada. For decades, China has attempted to bar ofSicial contact between Ottawa and Taipei because China considers Taiwan a renegade province. More recently, the Trudeau government has indicated a wish for freer trade with China.

france to ban oil, gas output on home soil in symbolic step

rance’s government is unveiling a law to ban all production and exploration of oil and natural gas by 2040 on the country’s mainland and overseas territories. The move is largely symbolic, however, as France’s oil and gas production represents just 1 percent of national consumption — the rest is imported. Current drilling permits will not be renewed, according to the draft bill obtained by The Asso-

ciated Press. The bill is to be formally presented in a Cabinet meeting later Wednesday. France currently has 63 oil and gas drilling on its territory. The government claims such a ban is a world Sirst. It is part of a larger plan to wean the country’s economy from fossil fuels, to encourage clean energy and fulSill France’s commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement to curb global warming. –CB Report

il prices steadied last Friday after almost a week of sharp increases as Hurricane Irma drove towards Florida after tearing through the Caribbean. Irma is the second major hurricane to approach the U.S. in two weeks. Its predecessor, Harvey, shut a quarter of U.S. reSineries and 8% of U.S. oil production. “Hurricanes can have a lasting effect on reSinery and industry demand,” Eugen Weinberg, head of commodities research at Commerzbank in Frankfurt, Germany, told Reuters. “The impact of the forces of nature on U.S. oil production should not be overestimated nor should their impact on demand be underestimated.” U.S. West Texas Intermediate light crude oil settled down 3.28%, or $1.61, at $47.48 per barrel, Kallanish Energy

Sinds. Brent found some support from news that Saudi Arabia will cut crude oil allocations to its customers worldwide in October by 350,000 barrels per day (BPD). U.S. crude fell due to low reSining activity following Harvey, which sharply reduced demand for crude oil, traders said. Harvey’s impact was also felt in oil production. U.S. oil output fell by almost 8%, from 9.5 million barrels per day (MMBPD), to 8.8 MMBPD, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). But the slowdown in reSining and output should be temporary. “Most reSineries are restarting and we expect a near-full recovery by month’s-end,” U.S. investment bank Jefferies said. Port and reSinery closures along the Gulf coast and harsh sea conditions in the Caribbean have also impacted shipping. “Imports (of oil) to the U.S. Gulf Coast fell to levels not seen since the 1990s,” ANZ Bank said. Hurricane Irma hit the Dominican Republic and Haiti on Friday, heading for Cuba and the Bahamas.

Jordan to resume talks with mercosur

ordan ambassador Malek Twal visited the Arab Chamber and expressed his country’s desire to enter into an agreement with the South American bloc. He also talked about plans on holding a Brazil-Jordan economic forum in 2018 in Amman. Jordan wants closer trade ties with Brazil and nearby countries and is working to resume talks for an agreement with the Mercosur, as well as to hold an economic forum for Brazilians and Jordanians in 2018. The information was given to ANBA this Thursday (31) by Jordan’s ambassador in Brazil, Malek Twal,

who visited the headquarters of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in São Paulo, where he met with the organization’s president, Rubens Hannun. Mercosur and Jordan started negotiations for a free trade agreement around ten years ago, but the deal didn’t come to fruition. In the talks with the Arab Chamber’s president, the diplomat discussed the organization’s participation in this process. According to ambassador Twal, some countries that made some observations on the agreement in the past have changed their political stances and this can open up a new path for the resumption of talks. –CB Report

Retired civil servants blast govt for not paying pensions

N KABUL

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umber of retirees on Tuesday blast government pensions payment system and they said for months they are coming to the retirement pensions department and while they don’t have any other income sources

they must go with empty hands. The retirees said that because of corruption and bureaucracy existence in the retirement treasury they are not receiving their salary and the government did not take any step to solve their problem. “Four months ago we give our pension cards but yet there is no news of our cards or our salary,” said Mohmmad Mosa a retirees.

“There is only bureaucracy and the money which we receives that money expend all on vehicle rent and food,” said Wazir Khan another retirees. Among the male retirees there is woman Salima, who also came from Baghlan province to receive her pension and she said that this is the fourth time that she is coming all that long way to receive her salary but she

failed to get her salary. Salima said that she worked for government for years and she is the only breadwinner of her family. “They pay me annually 19,000 Afghans ($280 dollars) and I don’t have anyone else to help me and this the fourth time I am coming from Pul-e-Khomre capital of Baghlan to receive my pension,” Salima said.

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Two ships take berth at Port Qasim KARACHI: Two ships M.V Da King and M.T YM Miranda carrying General Cargo and Chemicals took berths at Multi Purpose Terminals berth # 1 & 2 respectively during last 24 hours, said a report issued by Port Qasim Authority (PQA) here on Monday. Meanwhile three more ships C.V MSC Pamela, M.V Al-Berta and M.V Hyundai Masan with Containers, Steel Product and General Cargo also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim during last 24 hours. Berth occupancy was managed at the port at 47% on Sunday where a total of eight ships namely, Jonathan Swift, APL Hawai, Da King, Nautical Jennifer, Iris-II, YM Miranda, Super Fort and PTV Athina were occupied at PQA berths to load/oﬄoad Containers.

Six ships take berth at port Qasim he Port where six ships C.V Spint of Mumbai, C.V Prosper, C.V MSC Pamela, M.V Sea Joy, M.V Hyundai Masan and M.T Bahra carrying containers, rape seeds, proiect cargo and diesel oil were allotted berths Qasim International Container Terminal, Grain & Fertilizer Terminal, Multi-Purpose Termnal and FOTCO OIL Terminal respectively on Monday. Meanwhile five more ships C.V MSC AlGhero, C.V X-Press Kaislash, M.T Al-Jassasiya, M.T Chemtar Masa, and M.T Pavino Spirit carrying containers, LNG, phosphoric Acid and furnace oil also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim during last 24 hours. Berth occupancy was observed at the Port at 59% on Monday where a total of ten ships namely, Spirlt of Mumbai, Prosper, MSC Pamela, Hyunday Masan, Da King, Nautical Jennifer, Sea Joy, YM Miranda, Super Fort, and Bahra were occupied at PQA berths to load/oﬄoad containers,

General cargo, coal, soya bean seeds, rape seeds, chemicals anddiesel oil respectively during last 24 hours. A cargo volume of 60,635 tonnes, comprising 48,266 tonnes import cargo and 12,369 tonnesexport cargo inclusive of containerized cargo caried in 1,442 containers (TEUs), 791 TEUs imports and 651 TEUs exports was handled at the Port during last hours. Three ships C.V Prosper, C.V MSC Pamela and M.V Hyunday Masan sailed out to sea on Tuesday morning, while another ship C.V Spint of Mumbai is expected to sail on same day in the afternoon, A total of five ships C.V X-Press Kaliash, C.V MSC Al-Ghero, M.V Al-Berta, M.V Aramis and M.T Chemstar Masa carrying containers, general cargo, steel coil and phhosphoric acid are expected to take berths at QICT, MW-1, MW-2, and EVTL respectively on Tuesday. –CB Report

Ports & Shipping

port of chehalis oﬃcially awarded a $2.8m grant WASHINGTON

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he Port of Chehalis has been awarded a $2.8 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help develop a rail-served industrial park. Last year, the port learned it would likely be receiving the grant, but after the construction costs increased, the port asked the EDA for more money. The grant total increased from $2,577,800 to $2,798,648, the largest allotment of grant money the port has ever received. The money will be used for a $3.5 million project at its Maurin Road Industrial Site 1, which includes the construction of two building pads that would be able to support a 136,000-square-footbuilding and a 120,000-square-foot building. “It’s a big shot in the arm for our construction activities,” Randy Mueller, CEO of the port, said of the grant allocation. “We are a small agency with a small budget

and anytime we can leverage a few hundred thousand dollars of port money, or 20 percent match to 80 percent federal money, that really helps us move things along.” The increase in grant funding will bring the port’s match obligation back down to 20 percent. Originally, the project was estimated to cost $3,222,300, but the project cost rose to $3.5 million. This would be the port’s largest infrastructure project it has ever undertaken. “The president and his ad-

ministration have highlighted the desperate need to invest in infrastructure developments in communities across the United States,” Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a press release. “The new Port of Chehalis’ industrial park will help attract new businesses to the community and provide further opportunities to the thousands of Americans living in the region.” The project is expected to create 100 new jobs and generate $40 million in private investment.

Thursday September 14, 2017

port of new orleans handling Texas cruise ships he Port of New Orleans on is acting as a sanctuary for cruise ships and vessels seeking refuge from Tropical Storm Harvey while its own cruise and cargo operations go uninterrupted. Port of New Orleans cargo operations continued to operate uninterrupted on Tuesday, regardless of Hurricane Harvey plummeting Southeast Texas. Photo by Lance Traweek Port of New Orleans cargo operations continued to operate uninterrupted on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Harvey dumped heavy rain on southeast Texas and Louisiana. Photo by Lance Traweek In an update posted on the port’s website, officials said the port is working with cruise partners to accommodate additional vessels. While the Port of Galveston is expected to remain closed for the week, the Port of New Orleans’ administration building will remain open for business throughout Tuesday. Its cruise and cargo operations have not been affected by Harvey and continue to operate as usual. –CB Report

hamad port to be oﬃcially opened next month WASHINGTON

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amad Port is to be ofSicially inaugurated in the Sirst week of September, under the auspices of His Highness The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) announced. Located in Umm al Houl area of southern part of Qatar, Hamad port will represent a paradigm shift in Qatar’s economic diversiSication and competitiveness in line with the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030. A MoTC statement explained that Hamad Port, the largest in the Middle East, spans an area of 28.5sq km. Its basin is 4km long, 700m wide and 17m deep; the speciSications that qualify it to become capable of receiving large mother vessels. The capacity of Hamad Port is

to reach 7.5mn twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) annually on completion of all phases of construction. It has a general cargo terminal with a capacity of 1.7mn tonnes annually, a terminal for cereals with a capacity of 1mn tonnes annually, and another one to receive vehicles with a capacity of 500,000 vehicles annually. It also has a terminal for livestock, one for coastguard vessels and a terminal for marine support and backup, according to the statement. Hamad Port applies the highest standards of safety and security and includes a uniquely designed Port Control Tower at a height of 110m, a customs inspection area for rapid cargo clearance (5,600 containers per day), a ship inspection platform and multiple maritime facilities, in addition to other utilities such as storage units, mosques, rest areas, medical clinics and the ofSices required for port operation. Moreover,

the latest technologies for the operations of the port are being deployed and used for the Sirst time in Qatar and the region. Additionally, as part of the country’s steps for increasing its non-hydro carbon exports and building manufacturing industries, a free zone has been established adjacent to Hamad Port. The Port, through an integrated logistic zone, will help connect Qatar to railway networks in the Gulf countries. The expressway – a modern network that feeds the port will help in mobility Slexibility to and from the port in addition to lowering the cargo transport cost which would make the Port a regional hub for shipping. Hamad Port has been designed in a way that makes it expandable. Its infrastructure has been designed creatively using latest technologies to guarantee infrastructure will always be resilient and developing in a way that con-

tributes to reducing expansion cost in the future. Hamad Port has recorded signiSicant milestones, regionally and internationally, in such a short period of time. It has played a key role in breaking the blockade during the current critical situations that Qatar encounters. The port managed to secure multiple global marine transport lines, revitalise crucial trafSic of basic commodities, needs and supplies and provide alternatives after countries of the blockade had decided to shut down land, air and marine borders with Qatar. As early as the blockade started, the MoTC and the Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) responded by launching new shipping routes, connecting Hamad Port directly with several marine destinations. On top of them are the two Omani seaports of Sohar and Salalah, Turkish Derince Port.

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Services exports up 15.32 pc ISLAMABAD: The services exports from the country increased by 15.32 per cent in July 2017 as compared to same month of the preceding year. The exports during the month increased to $403.71 million from $350.07 million in July 2016, according to a data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) here on Tuesday. The imports of services during the period under review also jumped to $893.13 million in July 2017 from $694.49 million in July 2016, thus showing an increase of 28.6 per cent.

Thursday September 14, 2017

Business

ADB to provide loans for two projects ISLAMABAD

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pIA to operate threeweekly flights to Iraq ISLAMABAD

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Finance Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar witnessed the signing ceremony while among others senior ofSicials of Ministry of Finance, EAD, ADB and DFID were

uSf approves Rs14b budget to provide IT services in unserved areas

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inister for Parliamentary Aﬀairs Aftab Ahmed Sheikh on Tuesday apprised the Senate that the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airline (PIA) has made a plan to operate three flights in a week to Najaf (Iraq) for facilitating ‘Zaireen’. Responding to a question during Question Hour, the minister said PIA has shortage of aircraft and eﬀorts were being made to acquire more planes on dry and wet leases. He said ATR aircraft would be used to operate the three weekly flights to Iraq.

also present during the ceremony. nder the agreements signed, ADB will provide loans of US$ 335 million for the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit Corridor Project and US$

akistan and Asian Development Bank (ADB) Tuesday signed two loan agreements worth US$435 million for Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit Corridor and supporting Public-Private Partnership investments in Sindh province. The loan agreements were signed by Secretary, Economic Affairs Division (EAD), Shahid Mahmood and Country Director ADB, Ms. Xiaohong Yang while the project agreements were signed by representatives of government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and government of Sindh, with ADB.

100 million for Supporting PublicPrivate Partnership Investments in Sindh Province. A grant agreement was also signed with ADB for Supporting Public-Private Partnership Investments in Sindh Project for which Department for International Development (DFID), UK will provide US$ 19.23 million. Welcoming signing of the agreements, the Finance Minister thanked the ADB and DFID for providing vital support to Pakistan, particularly for the road and energy sectors. He reafSirmed the commitment of the government to further improve the physical infrastructure of the country, including by leveraging private capital to augment infrastructure investments.

ISLAMABAD

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niversal Service Fund (USF) on Tuesday approved its budget of Rs 14 billion to provide facility of broadband and telephony services to the unserved and underserved areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA and Balochistan provinces. The budget was approved in USF Policy Committee meeting, the management forum for the USF, here on Tuesday. Minister of State for IT and

Telecommunication Anusha Rahman chaired the meeting in which the annual budget of Universal Service Fund for the Sinancial year 20172018 was approved. It is pertinent to mention that Ministry of Information Technology was well on course to meet the target of covering all villages with 100 population by 2018. The budget also included allocation for other USF programmes including ICTs for girls and also for the promotion and enhancement of demand side program specially e-commerce for MSMEs across Pakistan.

USF authorities also apprised the minister that digitization of public sector girl schools of Islamabad Capital Territory was being pursued rigorously on priority basis and all 226 girls schools will be provided digital labs and Microsoft digital skills training by November 30 of this year positively. The minister stated that the government attached highest priority to this project and she also directed CEO USF to complete this project within stipulated time period and also complete hiring of 200 teachers on merit.

Exports improve by 11.8% in two months ISLAMABAD

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he exports from the country witnessed positive trend for the second consecutive month and grew by 11.80 percent during the first two months of the current fiscal year compared to the corresponding period of the last year. The exports from the country during July-August (2017-18) were recorded at $3.497 billion against the exports of $3.128 billion during July-August (2016-17), showing growth of 11.8 percent, according to the latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The imports into the country also increased by 24.85 percent by going up from $7.839 during the first two months of last fiscal year to $9.787 billion during the current year. Based on the figures, the trade deficit during the first two months of the current fiscal year was recorded at $6.290 billion which indicated an increase of 33.52 percent when compared to the deficit of $4.711 billion during the same period of last year. Meanwhile, on year-on-year basis, the country’s exports increased by 12.89 percent by going up from $1.653 billion in August 2016 to $1.866 billion in August 2017.

‘Austria to double its trade with pakistan’ LAHORE

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rade Commissioner of Austria Richard Bandera has said that he was putting all efforts to double Pak-Austria trade and some encouraging improvements had started emerging. He was leading an Austrian business delegation to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce

and Industry (FPCCI) here on Tuesday, while Bruno Mellacher, Leonhard Lucki, Ing. Rudolf Edlinger and Saleem Shamshi from Commercial Section of Austrian Embassy were part of the delegation. Richard Bandera appreciated the role of FPCCI in trade promotion, asserting that the FPCCI and the Federation of Austrian Industries could mutually raise the opportunities of trade promotion. He also shared information related to Advantage Austria,

which had approximately 110 ofSices in over 70 countries, providing a broad range of intelligence and business development services for both Austrian companies and their international business partners. On this occasion, FPCCI Regional Chairman and Vice President Manzoor-ul-Haq Malik said that business community of Pakistan was always keen to develop strong bilateral trade relation with Austria. “There are immense investment and joint venture opportu-

nities in various sectors e.g. tourism, information technology, mines and minerals, dairy products and agriculture sector,” he said and added that the FPCCI had established Business Councils with 140 countries and Austria Business Council was one of them which drew the attention towards Austria as an economic partner. He said Pakistan’s major exports to Austria had traditionally been cotton and related products, as well as leather products, carpets, clothing and sport-

ing equipment. Austria imports machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products, natural gas; foodstuffs and exports machinery and equipment, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs. Malik said that trade delegations would not only enhance trade and economic ties between the two countries but also proved a source of getting essence of investment opportunities.

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China’s inflation exceeds expectations BEIJING: China’s consumer price index (CPI) increased 1.8% year over year in August compared with 1.4% in July, a seven-month high, per data released by National Bureau of Statistics. It surpassed economists’ expectations of a 1.6% gain. Although this is a good sign for the economy, it is still below the inflation target of 3%. Core consumer price inflation, which excludes price impact of food and energy, increased 2.2% year over year in August compared with a 2.1% in July. Food prices decreased 0.2% year over year. However, it increased 1.2% on a monthly basis, driving the August inflation reading higher. China’s producer price index increased 6.3% year over year in August compared with 5.5% in July, a fourmonth high. It surpassed economists’ expectations of a 5.7% gain. The increase in producer prices was driven by an increase in prices for coal, steel and other metals.

LccI & uET ink accord to work for hR development LAHORE

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Thursday September 14, 2017

Chambers

federal minister for narcotics control visits IccI

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ISLAMABAD

he Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with University of Engineering & Technology (UET) to work together for the common good of the economy. The LCCI President Abdul Basit and Vice Chancellor, UET Prof. Dr. Fazal Ahmad Khalid signed the document in the presence of the LCCI Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa, Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan and Convener LCCI Standing Committee on Industry Academia Linkage Umer Saleem. This agreement is continuity of the LCCI endeavors aimed at filling the communication gap between the industry and academia. The MOU will enable both the institutions to share

their knowledge and experience for mutual benefits. It was also agreed that both the sides will conduct joint seminars and workshops on common issues. The LCCI President Abdul Basit said that linking academia with the business needs is a crucial step which should remain at the forefront to motivate both the sides and enhance their skills. He said that the MoUs with University of Engineering & Technology will pave way for the progress and prosperity of the country. He said that the LCCI would make best use of this facility as a number of economic challenges have direct link with the unavailability of correct data. He said that it would not only further strengthen University-Industry collaboration but it would also help researchers to have access to the real challenges being encountered by the trade and Industry.

Seminar on IT growth opportunities at LccI

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t. Gen® Salahuddin Tirmizi, Federal Minister for Narcotics Control visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and said that business community should cooperate in strengthening the Rehabilitation Centers for early rehabilitation of drugs addicts. He said there were over 6.7 million drugs addicts in Pakistan and narcotics control law was being reviewed to cope with this problem more effectively. Diplomats including Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Britain, Germany, Spain, Japan, Bosnia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunis, Philippines and Nigeria also attended the meeting and asked many questions to the Hon’ble Federal Minister. Lt. Gen ® Salahuddin Tirmizi said that poppy cultivation has been eliminated from Pakistan while 80 percent poppy was being cultivated in Afghanistan. He said the fencing of 2600 KMs Pak-Afghan border was in process that would help in overcoming narcotics and illegal drugs

LAHORE

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nformation Technology sector of Pakistan can play instrumental rule in boosting declining exports of the country as it can align the export-based industries on modern lines. These views were expressed by the LCCI President Abdul Basit while speaking at a seminar on “IT Growth Opportunities” at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The LCCI Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa, Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan, Director International Marketing, Pakistan Software Export Board Salman Hassan, Convener LCCI Standing Committee Amir Saeed, IT Expert Asim Saleem and Salman Basit also spoke on the occasion.

in Pakistan. He said lack of manpower and equipment in Anti-Narcotics Force was major hurdle in controlling this issue and government has been asked to provide more funds and manpower. He said illegal drugs business offered highest returns throughout the world and called upon the international community to support Pakistan with technology and equipment for overcoming narcotics and illegal drugs. He said business community was playing vital role in the economic development of the country and it

The LCCI President said that IT Services contributed 17% in services sector’s exports of $ 5 billion services in 2016. He said that at present about 2000 software houses and call centers working in the country. Various IT companies of Pakistan are providing services to the world’s renowned entities but despite all of these Pakistan’s IT sector contributes hardly 0.2% in the global IT trade of around $ 500 billion that does not match the potential of this important sector. Abdul Basit said that exports cannot grow until and unless unattended areas like software export are not targeted. Declining exports of a country which has plenty of raw materials, large number of youths and atomic power, should be a matter of concern for the policy makers. He said that country’s exports are limited

should also cooperate in strengthening drugs addicts Rehabilitation Centers in Pakistan. Speaking at the occasion, Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that youth was becoming drug addicts and government should deploy more antinarcotics force in educational institutions to control this critical issue. He said drug addiction entailed huge economic cost for families and government should pay priority attention to cope with this problem. He stressed that massive awareness

to the traditional items like textile products, cotton, rice, leather products, fruits & vegetables while neighboring countries are earning huge foreign exchange through software exports and Information Technology based services. He said that there is no dearth of resources of Pakistan and it is abundant with talented youth. He said that Proud of Pakistan Arfa Karim, Mohid Iqbal, Mohib Iqbal, Hamza Shahzad, Haris Khan, Haroon Tariq Babar Iqbal and Ayan Qureshi are some of the youngest IT experts who raised the national flag at globe. He said that youth of Pakistan can give rich dividend to the nation. The LCCI President said that Pakistan Software Export Board and private sector should join hands and move collectively to give much needed boost to the national exports.

campaign should be launched through mass media and through schools, colleges and universities to educate the youth about the ill effects of narcotics and drugs. He assured that ICCI would cooperate with Ministry of Narcotics Control in organizing awareness seminars Khalid Malik, Senior Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the Federal Minister for Narcotics Control and diplomats and stressed that effective measures should be taken to save the youth use illegal drugs.

SccI expresses gratitude to cm for dispatching dengue experts resident Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Haji Muhammad Afzal has expressed gratitude to Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif for dispatching teams of medical professionals to KP for identifying and eliminate dengue virus. In a statement, Haji Afzal urged Punjab CM to permanently station teams of doctors and experts in KP. He said that availability of experts would not only help reduce miseries of people but would contain the outbreak. He said that masses are being worried in the absence of any mechanism to identify the disease and due to the alarming rise in increase of victims that has been reached to a figure of 6000. –CB Report

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Peshawar Dry Port earns over Rs631 million PESHAWAR: The Peshawar Dry Port has generated Rs631.131 million revenue in August FY2017-18 which has been Rs40 million less than the target mark but Rs43.321 million more than the collection of August FY2016-17. The Dry Port Peshawar collected Rs671.131 million to achieve the target collection mark for August 2017-18 while it was able to receive Rs 631.131 million. The Dry Port Peshawar received Rs587.81 million of revenue during the whole month of August in FY 2016-17.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

gwadar customs foils bid to smuggle hashish, computer accessories GAWADAR wAQAR AhmED AnSARI www.customsbulletin.com

he Customs Collectorate Gwadar continue its raids during the current month of September. Yesterday, Gwadar Customs team conSiscated a big quantity of hashish and non duty paid computer accessories like LED monitors, portable hard drive, rams and so many other items worth Rs 3.2 million. Source told Customs Today that on a tip-off regarding the possible smuggling of various computer accessories, including non-duty-paid items from Gwadar Road, the Collector Gwadar Collector constituted a team of Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) under the supervision of Customs Preventive Inspector Kamran Ali Mastung. The team, during a search operation, intercepted a truck with registration no: KL-3425 which was going from Gwadar to Hyderabad. During the search Operation, the customs team found 12 kilograms of hashish, 50 pieces of 17 inches LED monitors, 500 portable system hard drive, internet cable wire, 1000 pieces of ram ( random access memory) 2000 keyboard, 2000 mouse , 100 computer cameras.

fBR chairman to announce new sales tax refund policy soon MULTAN

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hief CommissionerInland Revenue Aasim Ahmed has revealed that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman will announce a comprehensive policy for the release of sales tax refunds in the first half of ongoing month in an attempt to address the burning issue frequently raised by traders

and exporters. The government already paid Rs26.43 billion in sales tax refunds to the traders and exporters covering 10,439 Refund Payment Orders (RPOs) on August 8, 2017, he said during a meeting at the Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), chaired by MCCI President Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi. Ahmed suggested that a time frame could be set with mutual understanding for the clearance of big claims of income tax refund. He gave assurances to businessmen that refund cases of up

to Rs1 million would be cleared very soon. He was of the view that errors and omissions in refund documents were the main cause of delay in payments. RPOs would be reprocessed and verified as part of a new exercise being carried out by field formations, he said, while firmly denying that taxmen were employing delaying tactics as was widely believed. He told the businessmen that the next phase of tax refunds would begin soon in line with the RPOs with claims of more than Rs1 million. “These refund payments will not only

cover exporters, but will also cover claimants in all sectors of the economy. This will resolve the liquidity problem the taxpayers are facing,” he added. In order to meet the commitment, the FBR is sending electronic payment advice to the State Bank of Pakistan. The chief commissioner revealed that he had called a report about all pending tax refund cases within a week and said the deputy commissioner of income tax (headquarters) would also serve as the deputy commissioner (registration). Responding to a question, Ahmed said the Re-

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gional Tax Office (RTO) Multan had made sales tax refund payments of Rs300 million and further improvement was expected in a couple of months. He asked the MCCI to nominate its two representatives for inclusion in the Tax Advisory Committee, whose names would be notiSied immediately by the FBR. On another question, the chief commissioner said the Intelligence and Investigation Department of the FBR did not come within his purview, but insisted that the department completed its homework before raiding any premises.