Thursday, 28 September 2017

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Karachi, Thu September 28, 2017

PESHAWAR

IRFAN BAHADUR

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization of the Model Customs Collectorate Peshawar, following a tip-off given by Collector Customs, on Monday has taken into possession 10 NDP vehicles and nonduty-paid goods valued at Rs03million in the international market.

Collector Customs Gul Rahman has issued special instructions to all the customs departments, includ-

ing Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Customs Airport Staff, Field Investigation Units and all checking teams, to take appropriate steps to apprehend the smugglers and curb the smuggling items and smuggled vehicles under the Customs Act-1969. The seized goods, including polyester cloths, radiator for HTV, Kenmore international cigarettes, F/O cloths, woven furnishing printed curtain cloths, mobile phones, dairy milk, American branded chocolates and other items, have been stored in the State Ware House Pe-

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shawar which will be auctioned off to earn extra revenue. The NDP vehicles include Toyota Fielder, NDP Oil tanker, Mazda, Suzuki Mehran, Xli Moter car2009, GLI Toyota corolla car-2005, Suzuki Ravi pickup, Moter car, Alto VXR and Suzuki Margalla car.

The NDP vehicles and items were conUiscated on tip-offs given by the Collector Customs on which the Antismuggling Unit acted. The Customs House Peshawar carries out raids on daily basis to arrest the smuggling of NDP vehicles and items for which millions of revenue are added to the national exchequer.

Customs I&I seizes container loaded with contraband items worth Rs 64m

DG Customs Valuation to revise VR No: 714/2015 by September 12

Customs Central Region collects Rs 2,503m duty, taxes

Accountability court indicts Dar in graft reference

ASO confiscates 12 sacks of contraband ladies polyester fabrics

DG Custom I&I has seized another container, containing wine and beer | See pAge 02 |

DG Valuation has decided to revise the Valuation Rulings No: 714/2015 | See pAge 03 |

Customs Central Region has collected Rs 2,503 million all duty and taxes | See pAge 04 |

An accountability court on Wednesday Dar in a reference filed against him NAB | See pAge 14 |

ASO Hyderabad, has seized the foreign origin 12 sacks, 1,445 kg, 5,500 meter | See pAge 16 |

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Customs Tribunal adjourns hearing of reference filed by M/s Kinat Int’l Thursday, September 28, 2017

ISLAMABAD: Customs Appellate Tribunal Member Technical Ziauddin Wazir dated in office hearing of customs reference filed by M/s Kinat Inn International and sought details in other cases involved field offices of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). M/s Kinat Inn International had challenged an announcement of Collectorate of Customs Islamabad.

The bench also heard cases filed by filed by Collectorate of Customs, Islamabad, M/s United Trading Company, M/s Janjua Life Trust, M/s Smart Zone and M/s Venus Pakistan Private Limited.

Islamabad

customs I&I seizes container loaded with contraband items worth Rs 64m

ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

cUStomS BULLetIN RepoRt

m FAIZAN

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has suggested the quarters concerned to review the existing trade policy with China. According to the FBR, Pak-China trade data reveals that terms of trade with China so far have not been in favor of Pakistan. The trade balance during the last ten years has worsened from Rs -95 billion to Rs -826 billion. The quarters concerned need to review the existing policy and situation to improve the balance of trade in favor of Pakistan.

According to FBR, another impact of FTA has been seen on the rapidly changing ratios of dutiable and duty free imports. The ratio of dutiable imports has gone down from 88% in 2004-05 to 56% in 2016-17 and ratio of duty free imports has gone up from 12% to 44%. The increasing volume of free trade is the natural outcome of the FTA. The overall higher growth in imports would offset the customs revenue loss and the same has been proved from the import data of last few years. However, negative trade balance is a point of concern for Pakistan. There is a wide gap between country’s imports and exports.

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team of Directorate General Custom Intelligence and Investigation has seized another container, containing wine and beer, used CLI telephone sets and other restricted items smuggled by M/S KK Metal Industries, Sambrial Sialkot, under the garb of import of computer broken parts from Australia by availing transshipment facilities. The market value of the seized goods is Rs 64 million involving duty and taxes of Rs 43 million.

It is pertinent to mention here that the scam has already been unearthed by the Directorate of Customs Intelligence that M/s KK Metal Industries, in connivance with various elements, are criminally involved in the smuggling of foreign origin mobile phones, tablets, DVD, LED TVs, satellite receiver under the garb of computer broken parts.

According to details, the staff of Directorate General identiUied another container bearing no: TEMU8407148 (40), containing banned items smuggled by M/s KK Metal under the garb of computer parts from Australia against BL No700180600-05.07.2017, IGM No KAPE-355-10.08.2017and index no.

450, which was being transhiped from MCC, Appraisement (East), Karachi to Sambrial Dry Port.

FBR suggests review of existing trade policy with china

During physical examination of the said container conducted in association with the staff of Customs Appraisement (East), resulted into the recovery of the Wozu Patriarch Shiraz Australian wine and Victoria VB Bitler beer smuggled under the grab

of declared description of computer broken parts. Import of wine and beer is banned as per S # 14 of Appendix-A of IPO, 2017. Directorate General Custom Intelligence & Investigation has prepared an interim challan and submitted the same before

the Customs Special Court for trial proceedings. Further investigation to unearth the entire racket involved in the scam is underway which require sufUicient time to Uinalize. Efforts are also underway to arrest the absconding accused persons.

customs North Region faces shortfall of Rs130 million

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ISLAMABAD

tARIQ DeRYA

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he Customs North Region, which comprises Collectorates of Islamabad, Peshawar, Samberial and Gilgit-Baltistan, earned less collection from 1st to 14th of September Financial Year FY201718 under the head of Customs Duty (CD) against the collection of the same head during the initial 14 days of FY16-17.

The North Region generated Rs304.19million during 14 days of September FY17-18 while it did Rs434.86million of CD during 14 days of September FY16-17. So the recorded deUicit is Rs130million during 14 days. Only Collectorate of Peshawar received extra revenue during 14 days of September FY1718 against the same period FY1617 under the head of CD. According to details explained by sources of North Region that, during 1st to 14th of September

FY17-18, the Collectorate of Islamabad received Rs114.26million as CD whereas it got Rs180.98million of CD during 14 days of previous September FY16-17. The Islamabad Collectorate collected Rs49million less revenue during initial 14 days of September FY17-18 against the corresponding September FY16-17.

The Customs Collectorate Peshawar earned Rs11million extra revenue during 14 days of September FY1718 against the collection of the same period of FY16-17.

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SHC appellate bench orders release of washbasin consignment KARACHI: A Sindh High Court appellate bench has ordered release of consignment of washbasins at declared value.

The SHC appellate bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omar Sial, heard Hyder Shaikh advocate representing petitioner S. Abdullah who imported wash basins of Rooca company. The petitioner ďŹ led goods declaration and per valuation, the duty comes to 13 euro but the clearing Collectorate West imposed customs duty and other levies at a rate of 30 euro.

customs North Region faces shortfall of Rs130 million

Thursday September 28, 2017

Karachi

Valuation Ruling of 776/2015 to be revised on September 29

KARACHI

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has withdrawn sales tax zero-rated facility allowed to two textile units on consumption of electricity The FBR has said the facility has been withdrawn due to its misuse by Hasni Fabrics (Pvt) Limited and Hamid Textile Industries, both located in Karachi. The FBR allows zero-rated sales tax on the supply of electricity to textile sector in order to reduce the cost of manufacturing and make the exportable goods competitive in the international market. However, the facility is misused by several textile units, causing huge revenue losses to the national exchequer.

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SHc reserves judgment in 3pc St on mobiles case KARACHI

m B RANA

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indh High Court on Thursday reserved judgment in a petition challenging imposition of 3 per cent additional sales tax on mobile phones. Sindh High Court bench comprising Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Aziz-ur-Rahman.

Earlier the bench heard Hyder Shaikg advocate of Franklin Law Associates who appearing for the petitioner Bawany Enterprises submitted that as per recent judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, no tax can be levied unless cabinet approves it or it is presented as per financial bill. He said that levy and collection of additional sales tax on the strength of notification or SRO is illegal and in violation of orders of the apex court. The bench after hearing counsel for respondents reserved the judgment.

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KARACHI

wAQAR AHmeD ANSARI www.customsbulletin.com

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irectorate General, Customs Valuation, Director General Surriya Ahmed Butt, has decided to revise the Valuation Rulings No 776/2015 on Friday, September 29, it is learnt here.

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 reviewed from the beginning.

Moreover, the valuations will be set in view of rising prices in international markets. Sources told reporters that a petition was submitted by the importers to Customs Valuation in which change in prices of Viscose Suiting Fabrics was requested. Sources said that Valuation Ruling No. 776/2015 was issued on 4th December 2015.

A meeting was held with the stakeholders on 6th September, 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.

It is mention here that now a days Director General Custom Valuation Surriya Ahmed Butt are attending continue meetings to im-

porters, source said only two fresh valuation ruling issued in this current month.

Meanwhile, Directorate General, Customs Valuation, Director General Surriya Ahmed Butt, has decided to revise the Valuation Rulings No 762/2015, it is learnt here.

According to the details, Surriya Butt has said that the department is reviewing suggestions from importers to set new prices. She further said that some valuations, which

Director general custom Valuation Surriya Ahmed Butt are attending continue meetings with importers, source while only two fresh valuation ruling issued current month

custom to settle concession issue in LeD lights case

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KARACHI

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Sindh High Court’s Customs appellate bench has ordered the Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB) and other respondents including Pakistan Customs to get the issue of concession to importers of LED lights settled before the next date of hearing on Sept 28.

The appellate benchcomprising

Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omar Sial, issued order during hearing of identical petitions filed

by Mehran Industries, Star Brothers, S.S. Corporation and others who have imported consignments of LED light and claimed concession as LED lights are not manufactured in the country.

Hyder Shaikh advocate appearing for the petitioners referred to an order passed by SHC releasing consignments of LED lights which landed at the ports of Pakistan by

August 2017. He contended that consignments that arrived and are due to arrive shortly may also be given the equal treatment i.e concession.

The counsel for respondents and AEDB submitted that request for extending the concession is lying with the ministry concerned and a decision is awaited. The bench after this statement put of hearing till Sept 28 directing the respondents to get the issue settled before next date of hearing.

were issued in 2014 and 2015, were being reviewed 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 second hand clothing, shoes and used leather bags, used toys and kitchen ware was requested. Sources said that Valuation Ruling No. 762/2015 was issued on September 18, 2015.

Appraisement east collects Rs18.435m he Customs Collectorate of Appraisement East has collected Rs18.435 million under the heads of customs duty, sales tax, income tax and federal excise duty during the 20 days of September. Sources told Customs Today that the Customs Appraisement East collected Rs 8.543 million under the head of customs duty, Rs7.342 million as sales tax.

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LHC suspends tax notice issued by DCIR Thursday September 28, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has suspended the show cause notices to different taxpayers by the deputy commissioner Inland Revenue (DCIR). Same case has been adjourned into next date of hearing.

According to the details, Justice Abid Aziz Shiekh of Lahore High Court (LHC) heard the appeal filed by the different taxpayers in which the counsel for the appellant argued that deputy commissioners of Inland Revenue (DCIR) send notice to the taxpayers. Counsel added that the according to the law deputy commissioners of Inland Revenue (DCIR) has not authorized for the sending notice the higher authority only can send notices to taxpayers in case of non payments of taxes.

court extends judicial remand of two accused cloth smugglers by 14 days LAHORE

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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has sent two accused to jail on the extension of judicial remand of 14 days.

Two accused Rehmat Ali and Nasir Khan were arrested by the customs intelligence. After apprehending the accused, Pakistan Customs Intelligence had started investigation against them and got their physical remand as well for this purpose. The Customs Intelligence had also recovered a huge quantity of foreign made smuggling cloths and related goods from their possession.

The Customs Intelligence had told the court that the accused had been involved in a smuggling of cloths

customs urged to ensure refund of duty drawback claims akistan Tanners Association (Northern Zone) Chairman Azam Malik has demanded the customs authorities ensure early refunds of duty drawback claims to leather exporters in Punjab, especially in Lahore and Multan.

He told media here that exporters based in Lahore and Multan are badly hit by liquidity crisis due to non-refunding of their claims. Malik said that the association held numerous meetings with the collectors but of no use, citing that presently, an amount more than Rs 300 million is lying pending at Collectorate of Customs Preventive Lahore on account of duty drawback payable against consignments dispatched for exports from Lahore Airport during the past one year. He explained that despite expensive cost of air freight, exporters of leather in Lahore prefer to dispatch leather consignments through airport to meet strict deadlines of customers abroad. –CB Report

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from Afghanistan into Lahore and Faisalabad via different routes. They had caused the national kitty a loss of taxes and duties. They have been involved in smuggling for long time.

The value of the recovered cloths is Rs8.3million. The Customs Investigation team had presented them before the customs court and asked for their physical remand to dig out the network behind this smuggling maUia. After the completion of the physical remand, they had been produced before the court again from where the court had sent them to jail on judicial remand. Now again, the special court of customs taxation and anti-smuggling has sent them to jail for further 14 days.

Meanwhile, The Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has approved a 14-day judicial remand of the accused in Rs40million gold smuggling case of the Lahore airport.

customs central Region collects Rs 2,503m duty, taxes LAHORE

m HAYAt

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ustoms Central Region has collected Rs 2,503 million all duty and taxes during the Uirst 15 day of September of the Uinancial year 2016-17.

As per details, the Customs Appraisement Lahore collected Rs 911 million during period under review while Customs Preventive Lahore collected Rs 835 million during the same period.

On the other hand, the Collectorate of Multan collected Rs 686 million during the period under review. In the same way, the Collectorate of Customs Faisalabad collected Rs 70 million during the Uirst 15 days of September.

Overall the Customs Central Region collected all duty and taxes from all the four Collectorate worth

Rs 2503 million against assigned month’s target of Rs 5492 million.

Sources told that Customs Central Region under the supervision of Chief Collector Zeba Hai Azhar has stated working aggressively to

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meet the Uinancial year’s revenue collection target. It is observed that due to team work of all the ofUicers and ofUicial Customs Central Region seems to be able make huge total in the Uirst quarter.

Fto postpones hearing of case filed by customs tribunal hears 10 cases m/s pakistan card clothing against cRto he Customs Appellate Tribunal telligence and Investigation Faisal-

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ederal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Advisor Tariq Yousaf has adjourned a case Uiled by M/s Pakistan Card Clothing against the Corporate Regional Tax OfUice (CRTO) Lahore until the next date of hearing.

The counsel for the appellant argued that the CRTO had failed to release the sales tax refund to the appellant for the last two years. He said that CRTO collected excessive tax from the company during the last two years.

The petitioner approached the ofUicials concerned several times for is-

suance of the refunds, but the RTO ofUicials failed to clear the refunds after the passage of reasonable time.

Finally, the appellant decided to approach the FTO seeking interference in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the RTO to clear the refund claims. The counsel further said that the delay in issuance of refunds put burden on the taxpayers, adding that the RTO-II should make audit of the cases and release the extra amount collected by it from the taxpayer. –CB Report

heard 10 cases on Thursday and adjourned all the cases to different dates and reserved the verdict in few cases. According to the details, division bench-II comprising Omer Arshed Hakeem, Member Judicial and Imran Tariq Member Technical heard seven cases, including M/s Hilton Enterprises versus customs Faisalabad, Muhammad Rehan versus customs Multan, Muhammad Nauman versus Customs Lahore, Salman Nauman versus Customs Lahore. On Thursday, the same bench heard cases Uiled by Directorate of In-

abad versus Gul Jan, Ali Raza Shah versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Lahore and Hanif Radio versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Lahore. The single bench-II comprising Imran Tariq Member Technical heard two cases; Customs Faisalabad versus J.K Spinning and Muhammad Latif versus Customs Lahore. In the cases which are adjourned the members of Customs Appellate Tribunal ordered the appellant to appear on the next dates of hearing and present arguments in their respective parties. –CB Report

Subsidy on export of wheat permitted till oct 31st

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LAHORE

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overnment of Pakistan’s NotiUication No. 4-12/2014/DFSCII/Wheat Export dated June 22, 2017 the ECC of the cabinet has approved extension in export period for export of wheat/wheat products (Ulour (aata), Uine suji and

maida) beyond March 15, 2017 till August 31, 2017 subject to the term and conditions mentioned therein.

According to the notiUication, attention of the authorized dealers is invited to EPD circular letter no. 2 dated February 10, 2017 regarding the captioned subject. In terms of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR), Government of Pakistan’s NotiUication

No. 4-12/2014/DFSC-II/wheat export dated June 22, 2017 the ECC of the cabinet has approved extension in export period for export of wheat/wheat products (Ulour (aata), Uine suji and maida) beyond March 15, 2017 till August 31, 2017 subject to the term and conditions mentioned therein. Accordingly, it is advised that subsidy on export of wheat/wheat products (Ulour (aata),

Uine, suji and maida) shall be allowed till August 31, 2017 (to be determined by GD Uiling date) to those exporters who have lifted the wheat from godowns of food departments of respective provincial governments prior to March 15, 2017.

Therefore, exporters of wheat/wheat products will approach FEOD, SBP-BSC (Bank), Head OfUice or respective Uield ofUice.

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ISLAMABAD

tARIQ DeRYA

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he Customs North Region earned Rs1053.63million additional all duties and taxes against the assigned proportional (Two months and 20 days) revenue collection target from the 1st of July to 20thof September Financial Year (FY) 2017-18.

The Federal Board of Revenue has allocated Rs7625.63million collection target to the North Region for 1st Quarter (July to September FY2017-18) under all heads.

The North Region comprises Customs Collectorate Islamabad, Peshawar, Samberial and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

According to details given by sources of North Region that, during above said period 1st of July to 20th of September FY17-18, the Customs Collectorate of Islamabad collected extra revenue of Rs337.34million of all taxes against the proportional target. The sources added that the Islamabad Collectorate generated Rs3102.26million as all duties and taxes while it earmarked Rs2764.92million for above said period. The Customs Collectorate of Peshawar received Rs351.19million extra revenue against the assigned proportional target. The Peshawar collected Rs4215.57million under all the tax heads whereas it assigned Rs3864.38million under the same head for 1st of July to 20th of September FY17-18.

The sources told CT that Samberial Collectorate paid Rs467.77million of rebate refunds to importers during above said two months and 20 days of the Uirst quarter. The sources further told CT that the GB got Rs897.51million as revenue against the proportional revenue target of Rs970.63million of all duties and taxes. Meanwhile, The Model Customs Collec-

torate (MCC) Islamabad generated additional revenue of Rs109.37million during Uirst 23 days of September Financial Year (FY) 201718 under the heads of all duties and taxes against the same period of FY16-17.

According to details explained by Shahid Jan, Acting Additional Collector MCC Islamabad, while giving an exclusive interview to Customs Today that, against the same period of corresponding year 2016-17, the performance of the MCC Islamabad has been satisfactory. The Collectorate of Islamabad worked hard to meet the assigned revenue target for 1st Quarter FY201718. The Federal Board of Revenue has allocated Rs1059.45million to MCC Islamabad the Customs Duty, Sales Tax, Income Tax and Federal Excise Duty. Shahid Jan has taken s a the acting charge of Additional h e u Reven Collector MCC Headquarters f o n o d i r t llec l Boa o c a Islamabad in place of Addir n e o d illi the Fe 1st tional Collector Muhammad 5.63m r 2 o 6 f 7 n s gio dR e e t R Ishaque who left for a traina h c t 7 o 1 all Nor r FY20 ing of Senior Management e o the b t t m e e g ion tar g S ept e o Course (SMC).

R t y h l or t er ( Ju Answering a query th e N . s e Q uar t d t a a ctor ll he e a about the revenue collecl l r o e c d s d 18) un ustom tion during 1st to 23rd of ial an r c e s b e s i m a September FY17-18, Shahid compr war, S pesha , d (gB) Jan said that, during said pea b n a a t m s i a Isl Balt riod, the MCC earned gilgitRs109.37million extra revenue under all the heads against the collection of same period of FY16-17.

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Thursday, September 28, 2017

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

eDItoRIAL

potentials of global trade

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hen Chinese share in global trade is four percent and India’s 0.6 percent, Pakistan is nowhere in sight in the radar of international business, trade and investment. The country registered a record trade deficit of $32.6 billion during the last fiscal year in the wake of falling exports and increasing imports without a minutest stir in the official circles who matter. At the end, the government missed all of its targets set for the fiscal year 2016-17 ending June 30.The foreign exchange reserves, which propped up on the crutches of foreign loans, are crumbling and the current account deficit has put a question mark on the projections made by government at the time of presenting federal budget. The senior officials in the finance division, commerce and trade sectors as well as technocrats claiming laurels in their specific fields have failed to find a remedy, solution or panacea to streamline the ailing economy. Administrative failures, lack of interest and lethargy are the hallmark of the official machinery which enjoys hefty salaries, perks and all other comforts of life at taxpayers’ money. May be as a nation, we have failed to rid ourselves of the colonial legacies. The global trade is gaining momentum in recent years. China, Malaysia, Vietnam and Turkey are the beneficiaries of global trade and they were able to devise policies according to news trends and trade.

We need not only to rid ourselves of the colonial legacy but also monotony and lethargy. Pakistan has missions all over the world, but performance appraisal of commercial attachés never remained an issue in the official circles. The missions are more symbolic than having any practical utility. The government emphasis is often on the increase of export volume without prioritizing the exportable items. As a result, the people of this fifth largest country of the world are deprived of super quality fruit which is available in foreign lands at the cheapest rates. Sometime the rates are less than even the local market. On another note, the cottage and medium size industry of the country is the best performer, but export surplus is dumped in the local market. We as a nation will have to work on two fronts. We have to look demand of goods not only in local but also in international markets.

export of value added goods A

LAHORE

DR AFtAB AFZAL

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ccording to a report issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics,the exports of value-added textile products have recorded an increase of 16.5 percent during the first two months of the fiscal year 2017-18. The exports of readymade garments have grown by 15.65 percent year-on-year to $418.63 million in July-August, making the value added products a driving force to boost the overall exports. At a time the world economies are trying to stimulate business and trade activities, the economy of Pakistan is going down which should be a

matter of concern for the government policymakers. However, political instability and unidentified expediencies are the other reasons coming in the way of economic growth. According to financial experts, Pakistan has all the necessary components to push itself to the developed economies, but whenever it takes a step forward, something unusual happens and it takes two steps back. This routine has been going on since independence. The export data reveals that exports of knitwear has posted a growth of 7.53 percentby earning $439.26million in two months.

The bedwear exports have noted over 8 percent risein

terms of money and earned $384.32million while it has recorded a growth of 8.79 percent in terms of quantity.

It is good omen that the exports are focused on the value added goods rather than food items which are already insufficient to feed the growing population. The business circles hope the value-added sector has the potential to record growth in overall exports as well as the economy. This is probably the first time in over three years that exporters have fully exploited the preferential access to the 28nation European Union under the GSP plus scheme by exporting the value-added textile products. However, a setback is

recorded in the export of cotton yarn which has fallen by four percent in value and over three percent in terms of quantity. Official circles hold the low demand of yarn in China as the main cause of low yarn export.

The export of raw cotton has also dropped by 14.7 percent in value and 14.15 percent in volume during in the first two months of the financial year 2017-18. Unfortunately, the exports of fine quality rice has witnessed a growth of 40 percent which will earn foreign exchange, but could create inflation in the country.

Instead of food items, the government should encourage the export of petroleum products, carpets and sports goods.

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SHC appellate bench orders release of networking cables under new VR KARACHI: A Sindh High Court’s customs appellate bench has ordered release of networking cable after reassessment on the basis of new valuation ruling acceptable to the petitioner.

The customs appellate bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omar Sial, was hearing a petition filed by Minitech Corporation which imported networking cables and sought clearance at a rate of $2.8 but Pakistan Customs valued the same at $3.85.

The petitioner challenged the valuation and moved the court. Today the bench was told by the petitioner and respondents that parties have agreed to new valuation ruling which fixes value at $3.05. The bench agreeing to the agreement reached at by the parties ordered release of the consignments as per new valuation ruling.

customs export serves show cause notices on nine companies

Thursday September 28, 2017

National

SHc seeks remarks on petition filed by m/s mehran corp & others

KARACHI

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he Customs Exports has served nine show cause notices on tax defaulters and tax evaders for recovery of dues during first 20 days of September. Sources told Customs Today that Custom Export issued notices to nine companies, including M/s Sardar Garments and Export Karachi and M/s Rimjhim traders. M/s Sardar garments used wrong Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT) headings to get a consignment of Cotton fabrics and ready-made T-shirts cleared on August 3 and caused a loss of Rs 1.78 million to the national kitty. During the scrutiny of the import data, the Customs Exports detected the misuse

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of PCT heading for which it was issued with a show-cause notice No: 214/2017 to pay the evaded amounts of tax and duty. Meanwhile, the Customs Exports unearthed another tax evasion done by M/s Rimjhim traders Karachi who got cleared a consignment of leather items ladies long coat and men ware jackets . The customs authorities, after a careful investigation, served a show cause notice on the company and asked it to deposit the evaded tax amounts within fortnight. Source said the Custom Exports has maintained a list of defaulter companies who were issued with notices but they did not reply yet.

Source said custom export is taking series action against these defaulter companies. It is pertinent to mention here that, during the first 15 days of September the Customs Exports has issued seven show cause notices on tax defaulters and tax evaders for recovery of dues.

KARACHI

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the customs ofUicials, directing them to Uile their respective para wise comments on a constitutional petition Uiled by M/s Mehran Corporation, M/s SS Brothers, M/s Saleem Corporation and M/s Star Enterprises against imposition of duty and taxes on consignment of LED lights. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Umer Sial, was hearing the petition.

Earlier, counsel for the petitioners stated that they are engaged in the lawful business of import of the above mentioned goods which is entitled under 5th Schedule of the Customs Act 1969.

During proceedings, the counsel argued that they imported different consignments of the goods and Uiled goods declaration (GD) under availing exemption as entitled under 5th Schedule of the Customs Act 1969.

He further informed the court that the officials of the Customs Collectorate Appraisement re-

fused to accept the assessment made by the petitioners on the pretext that the petitioners’ goods were not entitled for relevant exemptions as per the assessment.

Citing Chairman Federal Board of

Revenue, Collector of Customs Collectorte Appraisement West, the Engineering Development Board Alternate Energy Department Board as respondents, petitioners pleaded the court to de-

clare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.

He also pleaded the court to declare the above mentioned goods are entitled under 5th Schedule of the customs laws.

Appraisement-South takes measures to boost trade KARACHI

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hief Collector Appraisement South has introduced various measures in order to streamline the work of assessment groups, appraisement collectorates and facilitate trade. However, these measures have created unrest among the assessment staff, as these would increase their workload and responsibilities. Assessment ofUicers of Customs are already over-burdened with work, which is already being reUlected on their lives and health.

An ofUicial said Chief Collector Abdul Rasheed Shaeikh was a very honest and well reputed ofUicers and his contribution towards trade-facilitation was exemplary, even sometimes Sheikh preferred tradefacilitation over securing govern-

ment revenue.

According to a circular, the assistant/deputy collectors will attend to assessment reviews and conduct hearings only during 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in the morning session and then during 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm in the afternoon session.

The customs ofUicers (AOs, PAs, ACs, DCs) will not be allowed to contact the clearing agents or traders directly or indirectly until the GD is out of charge and gate-out except through ofUicial/formal channel. The circular says that breach of these instructions shall constitute an act of or attempt to malpractice and extortion. An ofUicial said eliminating the contact between ofUicials with agents/importers was a positive step and would discourage ‘speed money’ culture in a computerized environment wherein all the details are available in the system. How-

ever, the Chief Collector Appraisement South was keeping his eyes shut on various cases of mis-declaration and under-invoicing in the name of trade-facilitation, which was causing huge revenue loss to the exchequer.

It was known that on the directives of Chief Collector Abdul Rasheed Shaikh, a number of contravention reports were withdrawn and in many cases the contraventions were not even prepared, due to which the exchequer was deprived of revenue in terms of Uine and penalty. Had this unscrupulous agents/traders were penalized, it would have served an example for others. Furthermore, the use of personal cell phones by the AOs/PAs shall not be allowed during ofUice hours. For making or receiving important or emergency calls, a dedicated phone will be available in a

room arranged by the headquarter.

The appraising ofUicers have termed this order a violation of basic human rights and condemned Chief Collector, who is known for undue interfering in the work of collectorates. According to the law, licensed clearing agents cannot attend hearing in GDs Uiled on self-basis by the importer, therefore ACs/DCs shall not entertain any unauthorized person for hearing.

Moreover, PA is required to represent the assessment group at Tribunals, which takes a lot of time and importers have to wait for hours.

Moreover, when PAs get back from Tribunals, they are over-burdened with work leaving room for mistakes and blunders. An ofUicial said judgments were being sold at Tribunal and Adjudication and representation of the PA at Tribunal was only a waste of time.

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Superintendent-IR Riaz Ahmad to retire next year Thursday September 28, 2017

National Second Secretary granted performance allowance

ISLAMABAD: Riaz Ahmad Bajwa, an Inland Revenue Service officer of BS-17, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation. Riaz, presently posted as Superintendent at Large Taxpayers Unit, Lahore, will stand retired from the government service on June 3, 2018.

Meanwhile, ISLAMABAD: Atta-ur-Rehman, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-17, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation.

two ex-cadre officers assume charge as Second Secretary

ISLAMABAD

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ISLAMABAD

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yed Murad Ali Shah, an Inland Revenue Service officer of BS18, selected through the process of internal job posting (IJP), has been granted performance allowance. The officer, presently posted as Second Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad, was granted performance allowance with effect from September 13, 2017. The 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. Meanwhile, Farhat Ali, a Pakistan Customs Service officer, has assumed the charge as Additional Collector on her promotion to BS-19.

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Superintendent Sarfraz to retire on Dec 31 arfraz-ul-Hassain, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-17, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation. The officer, presently posted as Superintendent Preventive Service at Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Karachi, will stand retired from the government service with effect from December 31. Meanwhile, Ayaz Masih, a BS-16 Officer of Customs Department, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation.

The officer, presently posted as Inspector, Model Customs Collectorate, Islamabad, will stand retired from the government service with effect from May 7, 2018. –CB Report

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wo ex-Cadre officers of BS-17 have assumed charge as Second Secretary at Federal Board of Revenue (HQ).

The officer, in pursuance of Board’s notification No. 2525-IRIV/2017, dated 11.09.2017, relinquished the charge for the post of Superintendent on September 11.

Muhammad Saleem (Personal No. 50034525) and Muhammad Saleem (Personal No. 50004066) took the charge of the post of Second Secretary (BS-17) FBR (HQ), Islamabad on the same date.

Meanwhile, Saleem Akhtar, a BS-19 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has relinquished the charge of Additional Commis-

sioner-IR. The officer, in pursuance of Establishment Division Notification

No. 1/39/2017-E-4, dated 12.09.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Additional

Commissioner-IR at Regional Tax Office, Islamabad with effect from September 13.

pcA detects 10 cases of tax evasion worth Rs 10.12m in September T

KARACHI

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he Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected 10 cases tax evasion involving revenue of Rs 10.12 million. Sources told Customs Today that Directorate of Post Clearance Audit, headed by Director Nadeem Memon, detected cases pertaining to short payment of customs duty and sales tax/ and withholding tax (WHT) because of inadmissible concessions, short payment of anti-dumping duty, additional sales tax, federal excise duty and income tax.

The Directorate served 4 contravention reports and 6 observations during 22 days of September involving total duty and taxes of Rs 10.12 million. The companies served audit observations or contravention M/s Zafar Brothers

and M/s Noshad and company.

Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Nadeem Memon directed all relevant ofUi-

cials and teams to expedite their efforts to recover outstanding amount from defaulters.

It is necessary to mention here

that Post Clearance Audit is using all available resources to detect cases involving tax evasion and mis-declaration.

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Farhat Ali assumes charge as Addl Collector after promotion ISLAMABAD: Farhat Ali, a Pakistan Customs Service officer, has assumed 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 No. 2242-C-I/2017 dated 18.08.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Deputy Collector (BS-18), Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication), Faisalabad on August 18, 2017 and assumed the charge of the post of Additional Collector (BS-19), Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication), Lahore on August 21.

Rs18.5b scam: NAB arrests ex-NBp president Ali Raza HYDERABAD

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he National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested former National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) president Ali Raza in a graft case on Friday and after the Sindh High Court (SHC) set aside his and six others’ pre-arrest bails. The court was hearing the case of a Rs18.5 billion scam in the NBP Bangladesh operations. The NAB prosecutor told the court that Raza, during the time of the scam, was not only the president of the bank but also the chairman of its board of directors, the head of its audit committee and the human resource department chief. He added that the 2009 audit report of the bank had revealed irregularities and the State Bank of Pakistan too had

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complained about corruption in the NBP’s affairs. The prosecutor further told the court that apart from Raza, NBP officials including Imran Butt, Ibrar Beg, Imran Ghani and some Bangledeshi citizens too were involved in the scam. The court ordered the arrest of Raza and the six others in the case.

However, it upheld the pre-arrest bails of two other co-accused Qamar Hussain and Kausar Malik. According to NAB, the Bangladesh branch of NBP lent $185 million without securing collaterals to dubious companies between 2003 and 2012. The misappropriation was estimated at around Rs11 billion, which later swelled to Rs18.5 billion. Before January 2014 and even after that, the top management of NBP tried to hush up the matter, as few high officials were directly involved in the scam. In February 2015, the NA standing committee, headed by Omar Ayub Khan of the PML-N, referred the matter to NAB for further probe.

National

About 13.700-kg heroin seized by peshawar customs Intelligence after chase

customs preventive foils bid to smuggle foreign currency to china LAHORE

m HAYAt

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ollectorate of Customs Preventive team deputed at Allama Iqbal international Airport foiled an attempt to smuggle millions of rupees foreign currency to China. Official sources told Customs Today said that on suspicion the customs authorities questioned a passenger, Imtiaz Jillani if he was travelling with anything illegal but he replied in negative. The authorities, however, said that when the luggage of the passenger was searched thoroughly they discovered $25,000 and 2,035 Yuans from his belongings. The sources said that the currency was recovered from the passenger in presence of two witnesses and impounded it in the name of the state while the accused was also arrested. It was said that the passenger was travelling from Lahore to China via Bangkok. He was holding a brief case and some other luggage and the currency was hidden in the luggage. The customs authorities after arresting the accused registered FIR under Customs Act 1969 and also impounded the currency. The FIR was registered by the customs authorities on the petition filed by Inspector Nadeem Iqbal Salimi.

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he Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Peshawar took into possession the foreign origin 13.700Kg of heroin powder along with a carrier vehicle valued at Rs15million. The price of the drug is Rs13.7million in the international market while the value of the vehicle is Rs1.3million.

An FIR has been lodged against the unidentiUied smugglers according to Customs Act-1969.

According to details given by Deputy Director I&I Peshawar Wajid Khan while talking with Customs Today that Directorate of I&I Peshawar had received a tip-off that a big quantity of foreign origin narcotics would be smuggled into Punjab by a vehicle via Motorway. In anticipation, the ASO Drug Cell staff established a picket near Rashakai Interchange on M-I Motorway near Nowshera to intercept the smuggling drug. A suspected Suzuki Swift car with registration No: LEH-144080 was seen coming from Peshawar side. It was signalled to stop but the driver ignored the signal and

Thursday September 28, 2017

sped away. On chasing the same, the driver of the car abandoned the vehicle on the Motorway and Uled the spot. The vehicle was searched and found with heroin powder tactfully concealed in the secret cavities, specially designed into the Uloor of the car. The motor car was brought to the premises of the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation (Customs)-FBR Peshawar where a thorough search led to the recovery of 13.700-Kg heroin.

Meanwhile, The Torkham Gate at Pak-Afghan border has been re-

opened on Saturday after a day’s closure due to attack on border management forces. The Torkham Customs station will remain open on Sunday to facilitate the stranded trade cargo on both sides of the border after the announcement to close the border for every kind of border crossing activities. Deputy Collector Torkham Customs Station informed Customs Today on Saturday that the decision to open the border was taken after consulting the political administration, armed forces and border forces of Afghanistan.

over 100 Inland Revenue officers reshuffled

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ISLAMABAD

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has transfers and postings of over 100 Inland Revenue Service (IRS) ofUicers of BS 1620 with immediate effect and until further orders.

Imtiaz Ahmed (IRS/BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (HRM) Regional Tax OfUice, Rawalpindi from Commissioner, Inland Revenue (Appeals-I), Islamabad. Qaiser Mahmood (IRS/BS-20) who is currently posted as Commissioner-IR (IP/TFD), LTU, Lahore has

been assigned the additional charge of the post of Commissioner, (HRM) Large Taxpayers Unit, Lahore.

Rizwan Ahmed UrUi (IRS/BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue Inland Revenue (Appeals), Gujranwala from the post of Commissioner, Inland Revenue (Appeals), Bahawalpur. Shahid ul Hassan Chattha (IRS/BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (Zone-II) Large Taxpayers Unit, Lahore from the post of Commissioner, (Zone-VI) Corporate Regional Tax OfUice, Lahore.

Imtiaz Ali Solangi (IRS/BS-20) has been transferred and posted as

Commissioner Inland Revenue (Zone-I) Large Taxpayers Unit, Islamabad from the post of Commissioner, (Zone-IV) Corporate Regional Tax OfUice, Karachi.

Aqeel Ahmed Siddiqui (IRS/BS20) is current posted as Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation (Inland Revenue), Faisalabad has been assigned the additional charge of the post of Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation (IR), Lahore till the posting of a regular incumbent.

Zubair Bilal (IRS/BS-20) is currently posted as Commissioner, (Corporate Zone) Regional Tax OfUice, Multan has been assigned the

additional charge of the post of Commissioner-IR (Multan Zone), Regional Tax OfUice, Multan till the posting of a regular incumbent.

Amjad Farooq (IRS/BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (Zone-IV) Regional Tax Office II, Lahore from the post of Commissioner, Inland Revenue (Appeals), Gujranwala.

Zafar Iqbal Khan (IRS/BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (Corporate Zone) Regional Tax OfUice, Rawalpindi from the post of Commissioner, (Zone-I) Large Taxpayers Unit, Islamabad.

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Iraqi farmers fight against imported goods, corruption

World Customs

BAGHDAD: The Tureibil crossing, or more commonly known as the Karameh border crossing, between Jordan and Iraq reopened in early September in tandem with the opening of another border crossing with Saudi Arabia. This means that more foreign goods are likely to flow into the Iraqi market, which already lacks national products, especially food and agricultural goods.

The prospects for increased imports, which is not good news for the local production industry in Iraq, prompted parliament’s Agriculture, Water and Marshlands Committee on Aug.

Thursday September 28, 2017

police seize Nt$45.5 million worth of drugs in Yilan

pm reasserts new tax law will not affect middle class AMMAN

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TAIPEI

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olice recently seized 70 kilograms of hydroxylimine hydrochloride, a substance used to make the recreational drug Ketamine, foiling an attempt to smuggle it into the country, prosecutors in Yilan said Tuesday.

The raid was carried out Sept. 5 based on a tip off in June 2016 about a drug smuggling operation in Yilan, the county’s District Prosecutors’ OfUice said in a press release.

In a joint operation by Luodong precinct police, and customs and the coast guard ofUicers, the hydroxylimine hydrochloride was found hidden in water Uilters being imported into Taiwan in shipping containers, according to the statement.

A total of 70 kilograms of hydroxylimine hydrochloride, with a street value of NT$45.5 million

ADeS profit falls as Ipo costs offset revenue rise DES International Holding Ltd. (ADES.LN) reported an 11% fall in pretax profit for the first half of 2017, despite increased revenue due to costs associated with its initial public offering. The Middle East and Africabased oil and gas drilling company made a profit of $16.6 million for the six months ended June 30, compared to $18.7 million in the year-before period. Revenue was up 46% to $87.8 million. The company attributed the fall in profit to the one-time cost of its May IPO totaling $4.6 million. The revenue increase was driven by high utilization of employed rigs, the company said. ADES said that new contracts won in the first half of the year will not begin until 2018, as a result of which the company expects the second half of the year to be broadly in line with first-half results. –CB Report

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(US$1.51 million) was seized, and four suspects were arrested, the prosecutors’ ofUice said.

The ofUice said Keelung Customs ofUicers and the investigators who worked on the case must also be commended for their level of alertness and swift action.

Meanwhile, A 31-year-old Taiwanese man was arrested by Viet-

namese ofUicials on Sunday in a case involving the alleged illegal smuggling of military equipment.

According to a report from VnExpress.net, local police and airport security at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport discovered abnormalities with the luggage of a Taiwanese national Ulying to Kaohsiung City.

Switzerland’s SIX looks at potential $2 billion sale of payments unit

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wiss stock exchange operator SIX Group has hired JPMorgan (JPM.N) to look at options for its payments unit, including a sale worth up to 2 billion Swiss francs ($2.1 billion), sources familiar with the plans told Reuters. The decision to kick off a strategic review comes amid a wave of mergers and acquisitions in the fragmented payments industry as consumers increasingly switch to card and mobile payments and as regulatory

changes promise to open the market to more competition. Several private equity groups have bought payments businesses to merge them with peers while some European companies are currently carrying out strategic reviews or have already hired banks to Uind new investors amid rising industry valuations. Zurich-based SIX helps process payments and provides debit and credit card terminals to retailers, restaurants and hotels. –CB Report

rime Minister Hani Mulki on Monday said that reconsidering the Income Tax Law would not affect the exemptions given to vulnerable segments, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. During a discussion panel organised by the Jordan Strategies Forum, Mulki said that the middle class will not be affected by amendments of the taxation system, which, he noted, have not been decided yet, and the government will study other measures to prevent tax evasion and improve collection efUiciency.

He noted that a comprehensive discussion of the law will be conducted, stressing that the law must include deterring penalties to prevent tax evasion.

“The government’s message to the International Monetary Fund

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[IMF] was that the law should be reconsidered without affecting the middle class and the segments that are exempted under the current law”, said the premier, in reference to correspondence with the fund, which has set tax reforms as criteria of Jordan’s economic correction programme the IMF supervises.

Mulki stressed the importance of addressing the tax imbalances and rationalising exemptions that are given to investors, noting the low revenues as a result of existing tax incentives. Mulki’s remarks came as a heated debate is under way over the new version of the law, which has yet to be finalised by the Cabinet.

On Monday, a parliamentary bloc joined a chorus of critics of the expected government’s move.

Spokesperson of Wifaq (Concord) Bloc Mutaz Abu Rumman said in a statement that the group would work to block any tax legislation that might affect the low- and middle-income segments.

French revolt over proposed HFc tax wenty ac and refrigeration manufacturers, contractors, and end user associations have announced opposition to the French government’s plan to introduce a tax on HFC refrigerants. In July, the French environment minister Nicolas Hulot announced a proposed tax on HFCs as part of its Climate Plan. In an industry reeling from huge increases on high GWP refrigerants this year, the new tax, which is expected to be included in the budget for 2018, could add well over €100/kg on a refrigerant like R404A. The 20 associations listed in the opposition document covers food processors; air conditioning, refriger-

ation and heat pump manufacturers, distributors and installers; refrigerant distributors; refrigerated transport and warehouses, small traders and catering companies. The groups argue that the answer to the issues of reduction of F-gases is already covered by the European F-gas regulations which will signiUicantly decrease the quantities of HFCs placed on the market. In addition, the French government has previously undertaken not to exceed European laws. They also maintain that HFC quotas not used in France will only be used elsewhere in Europe, thus negating any effect of the tax. –CB Report

Bangladesh Bank elected AFI vice-chair for two years

B DHAKA

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angladesh Bank (BB) has been elected the vice-chair of Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Board for two years (2017-18) among 114 institutions of 95 countries. The BB, the country’s central bank, was elected in the second an-

nual general meeting (AGM) of AFI during its Ninth Global Policy Forum (GPF), held in Sharm El Sheikh of Egypt on September 12-15, according to ofUicials. This achievement has come through the persistent successes of BB in promoting Uinancial inclusion aligning with the nationallevel or the government’s vision of inclusion and sustainable development under the leadership of Prime

Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina. This very statement has been widely pronounced in different high-level panels of AFI GPF 2017 by the team leader of Bangladesh contingent and BB Deputy Governor S K Sur Chowdhury, they added. The team leader projected the innovative leadership initiatives of the PM in sustainability and inclusion, which have been highly applauded by the esteemed

participants. Following the PM’s ‘climate-sensitive development vision’, BB has been pursuing AFI to address climate change in Uinancial inclusion.

It resulted in ‘Sharm El Sheikh Financial Inclusion, Climate Change and Green Finance Accord’, agreed by all member institutions of AFI to go for climate-sensitive policy initiatives for Uinancial inclusion, the ofUicials added.

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Ports of Jersey appeal for aid for people in Caribbean WASHINGTON: The Ports of Jersey are appealing to islanders to donate items to help people in the Caribbean who’ve been affected by the hurricanes.

Collection points will be open today (Monday) and tomorrow between 8am and 3pm at the Ports engineering depot at the Airport Cargo Centre in St Peter. Once they have collected a sufficient amount of items, the Ports of Jersey say they will then make arrangements to have these items transported to Guadeloupe and then transferred onto the affected regions.

cosco Shipping ports buys over Zeebrugge terminal from Apm terminals osco Shipping Ports has completed a deal to take over all of APM Terminals’ Zeebrugge Terminal in Belgium for EUR35m, expanding from its current 24% stake in APM Terminals Zeebrugge (APMTZ). The Hong Kong-based container ports specialist said in a stock market announcement that the deal involves first the acquisition of Shanghai International Port Group’s (SIPG) 25% stake in the terminal by APM Terminals, which will then sell its own 51% stake plus SIPG stake to its unit Cosco Shipping Ports Development. Cosco Shipping Ports noted that Port of Zeebrugge is a natural deep-water harbour which can accept mega-vessels, and the second largest port in Belgium as as being well-located within key ports in Europe such as Hamburg, Le Havre and UK ports. In addition, it is also a transportation

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hub and has a good network of road and rail connections throughout Continental Europe and to other ports in Northwest, Central and Eastern Europe. The deal will see Zeebrugge Terminal becoming the first terminal in Northwest Europe in which Cosco Shipping Ports holds a controlling stake. and will help establish a major hub ports and global strategic focal point. Explaining the rationale for the move the company: said: “The board believes that, holding a controlling stake in APMTZ aligns with the company’s stated strategy of “developing a comprehensive and well-balanced global terminals network” and “strengthening control and management of the terminals”, and also allows the company to effectively track the future routes development of Cosco Shipping Lines. –CB Report

Ports & Shipping

klang business hit as key firms shift operations to Singapore WASHINGTON

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usiness at Malaysia’s main shipping hub in Port Klang has taken a hit this year as major shipping companies shift their operations to Singapore under new alliance agreements, industry ofUicials say. This has raised questions over the aggressive plans by Kuala Lumpur to build new harbours and rail links along the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. Many of these are partnerships with Beijing, yet the Ocean Alliance – which includes state-owned China Cosco Shipping, the world’s fourth-largest player – made a huge shift from Klang to PSA Singapore’s terminal in April. The Straits Times understands that this has added to concerns in the industry over China’s commitment to supporting the logistics industry in Malaysia.

Beijing and Kuala Lumpur had been talking up joint transport in-

frastructure in Malaysia, such as last month’s launch of the RM55 billion (S$17.6 billion) East Coast Rail Link to be built and Uinanced by China.

The project will link Port Klang to Kuantan Port which faces the South China Sea, in what Prime Minister Najib Razak called an “alternative trade route” to Singapore. “Only Kuantan Port has Chinese equity so far because it also aids Beijing’s South China Sea claims. Other infrastructure plans have either not taken off or are only loans, or worse, just Chinese companies winning construction deals,” former Port Klang Authority chairman Lee Hwa

Beng told The Straits Times. Data compiled from Northport and Westports, the two operators in Klang, showed that after nearly four years of increasing loads, cargo throughput was down a sharp 8.4 per cent in the second quarter of this year to 3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). This followed a Ulat Uirst quarter of 0.9 per cent growth.

Westports, which controls threequarters of Klang’s total capacity, “is now conservatively guiding 2017 volume may decline 7-12 per cent”, and next year’s prospects remain “murky”, according to UOB-Kay Hian’s analyst Kong Ho Meng.

Thursday September 28, 2017

Benghazi port to open in october he port of Benghazi will reopen on 1 October, according to port authority spokesman Muftah AlShuaiby. It has been closed for more than three years. In 2014, it was effectively controlled by the militants opposed to Operation Karama and at the time the Libyan National Army (LNA) even threatened to bomb it to prevent it being use to supply them. “We will bomb any ship approaching the coast and hold the port director responsible for it,” LNA air force head Major-General Saqr Geroushi said at the time. Since the rebels’ defeat in July, the authorities have been keen to see the reopening of the port which was the main entry in the east of the country for many imports including wheat and other comestibles. It had suffered major damage during the conflict in Benghazi due to its close proximity to much of the fighting. In mid-July, the chief of staff and military governor from Ben Jawed to Derna, Major-General Abdul Razzaq AlNazhuri, visited it to assess the damage and what needed to be done before it could be operational again. –CB Report

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two eU ports plan $1.2 b illion merger WASHINGTON

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he authorities of the Belgian Port of Ghent and the Dutch port of Zeeland have penned a merger agreement for submitting to shareholders and works councils. The joint merged entity will have a value in shares of around US$1.2 billion. If proposals are accepted, a new name for the unified cross-border port area and the merged company will be announced. This is provisionally planned for December 8, 2017.

Ghent port is expecting the proposal will be green lighted, given environmental recommendations by the Samsom committee and changes to the Flemish port decree being put to a vote in 2018.

Next week the two port authorities plan to present these propos-

als to their shareholders and in three months the stakeholders will return their verdict on the merger between the two port authorities to create a unified, international port authority. Shareholders for both port authorities were presented with the outline of a possible merger in June, 2017. Then the outline accord was worked up into a merger agreement, articles of association and a shareholders’ agreement. The ports initially announced a possible merger on November 7, 2016 at a summit attended by the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and the Flemish Prime Minister Geert Bourgeois. Politicians, businesses and port experts have been enthusiastic about the announcement because of the benefits for the region, said Ghent Port. It is expected that politicians will put the merger plan on the agendas of their municipal

and provincial executives in October and November. The recently authored merger agreement lays out how the merger will be given shape on the basis of equality. The starting point for the merger agreement is to achieve a merger on a 50%-50% basis, and thus create a single cross-border port area and a single new unified port authority. A 76% majority of all shareholders would be required for important decisions. The corporate headquarters of the European company will be in the Netherlands, but it will also have an office in the future port authority building on Graslei in Ghent, Belgium. Each port authority will continue to exist and pay tax in its own country. There will ‘be no redundancies as a result of the merger, and employment conditions will remain the same, Ghent port said. Port authorities to be

subsidiaries of a European company, exchanging their own shares for those of the European company.

In this way, the port authorities will retain their own assets (land, buildings and infrastructure) as subsidiaries of this European company. The subsidiaries will also remain responsible for public tasks such as the maintenance of roads in the port area, directing nautical traffic and safety in the port. Based on the principle of equality, after the merger the shares will be divided among different public districts as follows: Zeeland province 25%, Borsele 8.33%, Terneuzen 8.33%, Vlissingen 8.33%, Ghent 48.52%, Evergem 0.03%, Zelzate 0.005%, East Flanders province 1.444%. In the valuation of the merger partners, all interests were taken into account, with good and workable solutions being found to some tricky and complex issues.

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IRSA releases 178,900 cusecs water ISLAMABAD: The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Tuesday released 178,900 cusecs water from various rim stations with inflow of 100,000 cusecs.

According to the data released by IRSA, water level in the Indus River at Tarbela Dam was 1505.25 feet, which was 125.05 feet higher than its dead level 1380 feet. Water inflow in the dam was recorded as 61,300 cusecs while outflow 95,000 cusecs.

The water level in the Jhelum River at Mangla Dam was 1208.95 feet, which was 158.95 feet higher than its dead level of 1040 feet whereas the inflow and outflow of water was recorded as 9,800 cusecs and 55,000 cusecs respectively.

Thursday September 28, 2017

Business

court indicts Dar in graft reference KARACHI

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n accountability court on Wednesday indicted Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in a reference Uiled against him by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for acquiring assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Judge Muhammad Bashir read out charges against the minister, which he denied and opted to contest them. Accompanied by State Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Anusha Rahman, Barrister Zafarullah and other party leaders, Dar reached the court amid tight secu-

NAB arrests absconder LAHORE

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rity. The main entrance to the complex housing the accountability court was shut for journalists, advocates and other people, which created chaos. After being kept waiting for around 20 minutes outside the building, he was allowed to enter

wB $3.8 m ReDD + programme to boost forest cover in pakistan

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ational Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore while taking action on an intelligence report and arrested absconder Rashid Ashraf from Lahore. According to NAB spokesman, the accused was declared as proclaimed offender by the court in 2015, in Rs 15 million cheating public at large case. Looking into further details, accused Rashid Ashraf was operating different Forex Trading offices to lure general public for investment in an alleged Forex Company with promise of delivering profits on exorbitant rates.

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via backdoor. At the previous hearing, Judge Muhammad Bashir had provided a copy of the reference to the minister’s counsel along with copies of relevant documents, comprising 23 volumes and said the accused would be indicted on next

hearing on Sept 27 (today).

The court had rejected a request

by Dar’s counsel, Amjad Parvez, to adjourn the case for a week so that he could peruse the voluminous report. It observed that it would conduct day-to-day hearings in the reference, so that the trial is concluded within six-month deadline set by the Supreme Court. The Uinance minister had appeared before the court after it issued bailable warrants for his arrest. He had submitted a surety bond worth Rs1 million to seek bail in the case. According to the NAB reference, the accused had acquired assets and pecuniary interests/ resources in his name or in the name of his dependents of an approximate amount of Rs831.678 million as per the investigation conducted so far.

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ISLAMABAD

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he World Bank’s programme of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) $ 3.8 million will help boost forest cover and protect and control their shrinkage in Pakistan. “World Bankfunded REDD+ programme has already been launched in the country that will help forest owners to access money for forest protection,” an official of Ministry of

Climate Change.

“We cannot protect the country from devastating impacts of global warming-induced climate change, as long as our forests continue to remain chopped down. Forests are the best way to achieve enhanced climate resilience against fallouts of the climate change impacts.”

REDD+ is a UN-led mechanism that aims for countries’ efforts to reduce heat trapping carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and foster conservation, sustainable management of forests, and en-

hancement of forest carbon stocks.

He said, international studies show that deforestation and land degradation accounts for a major share in overall global carbon emissions annually. “Most people assume that global warming is caused by burning oil, gas and coal. But in fact between 25 and 30 percent of the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere each year or estimated 1.6 billion -tons of carbon dioxide – is caused by deforestation, mainly the cutting and burning of forests, every year.

motorcycle production surges 34.81% MULTAN

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he motorcycles production in the country witnessed a sharp increase of 34.81 per cent during first two months (July-August) of the year 2017-18 as compared to same period of last year. The motorbikes production jumped to 324,824 units in July-August (2017-18) from the production of 240,937 units in same period of last year, according to latest data released by Pakistan Automotive Manufacturing Association (PAMA). The breakup figures show that production of Honda motor bikes increased by 36.9 during the corresponding period as it went up from 136,890 units in JulyAugust (2016-17) to 187,410 units in same period of current year. Similarly, the production of Yamaha two wheelers, also witnessed an increase of 130 per cent as it increased from 1334 units in first two months of fiscal year 2016-17 to 3,068 units this year. Suzuki manufactured 3,488 two-wheelers during the period under review while during same period of last year, 3,137 units were produced. The production of United Auto motorcycles also increased from 49,464 units to 66,574 units this year, thus showing an increase of 34.6 per cent during the corresponding year.

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Nawaz to be indicted on oct 2, arrest warrants issued for kids ISLAMABAD

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ormer prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday appeared before an accountability court in three graft references Uiled by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with his family’s offshore properties.

After a brief hearing, Judge Muhammad Bashir allowed Sharif

to leave. Sharif informed the judge that his wife is not well. He added his children are in London, looking after their ailing mother.

The court handed over copies of the references along with relevant documents to Sharif ’s counsel Khawaja Harris and said it would indict him on next hearing on Oct 2.

The judge also issued bailable warrants for the arrest of Sharif’s children and son-in-law retired Capt Muhammad Safdar after their fail-

ure to show up in the court. He warned that if they failed to appear on next hearing, he would issue their non-bailable arrest warrants.

At this, Harris said it appeared that the court is under pressure. To which, the judge remarked that it was not about pressure, but the cases had to be decided within sixmonth deadline set by the apex court. Sharif arrived in the court amid tight security and an extensive protocol comprising more than 30

vehicles. Special security arrangements had been made with around 1500 personnel of the police and Frontier Constabulary deployed outside and along the road leading to the court.

A number of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leaders and workers accompanied the former prime minister during his Uirst appearance before the accountability court. The court had also summoned members of his family, in-

cluding Hussain Nawaz, Hassan Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz and her husband retired Capt Safdar, but they did not appear today since they are still in London in connection with treatment of their mother Kulsoom Nawaz. The former prime minister would also hold a key press conference after his appearance before the NAB court, according to his political secretary Asif Kirmani. A day before, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar appeared before the court.

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Mail slammed for canceling Gulbagh farm agreement KABUL: Operators of Gulbagh Farm – in the southeast of Kabul – said this week that government has reneged on a contract signed in 2012 and cancelled their lease agreement despite them having invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into the project.

Abdul Mujib Mansouri, head of Paiman-e-Afghan Pioneer Company that runs Gulbagh Farm, said the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) canceled the contract unilaterally and that as a result they would have to move hundreds of cattle and chickens from the farm.

As one of the biggest farms in the country, Gulbagh Farm was first established by the Bulgarian government fifty years ago. The farm has over the years supplied hundreds of thousands of liters of milk to Kabul and bed thousands of cows.

‘AfghanistanAzerbaijan trade ties improving’ KABUL

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Thursday September 28, 2017

Chambers

experts demand end of joke of consensus on kBD

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fghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) has said that the trade relations between Afghanistan and Azerbaijan have improved in the past two years.

The ACCI suggests that the Afghan government should use the chance in its favor and send more Afghan goods to European countries. The annual trade volume between Afghanistan and Azerbaijan is at least $14 million USD, the ACCI said. The ACCI spokesman Siyam Psarlai said Azerbaijan route will enable Afghanistan to send its goods to European markets. “We are using the strategic location of Azerbaijan. We transit our goods from Azerbaijan and we send them to Turkey and other countries,”

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he said. Economic affairs analysts said the Afghan government needs to improve its trade relations with neighboring and Central Asian countries by implementing clear policies. “Before starting trade relations with a country , strategic studies should be done.

The weak points and the strong points as well as opportunities and challenges should be assessed by the government when it comes to trade ties with other countries,” said Abdul Wase Haidari, an analyst. This comes after the ACCI officials said this week that Afghanistan imports the bigger percentage of its goods through three of Iran’s ports. According to the ACCI, Afghanistan imports goods worth $1.5 billion USD every year through Bandar Abbas, Imam Khumaini and Chabahar ports in Iran. Chabahar port is closer to Afghanistan compared to the other two ports.

LAHORE

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ne million acre feet of water gives beneUit $2 billion annually to the economy while Pakistan is throwing away 35 million acre feet of water just because of delay in construction of Kalabagh Dam that’s mean that we are wasting $ 70 billion annually to the sea that are equal to the country’s external debt. KBD was due to be completed in 1993 that mean that delay in its construction has already cost $ 288 billion to the country. Joke of consensus on Kalabagh Dam should be stopped and government should take Uinal decision of its construction. It was upshot of the speeches delivered at a seminar on “Water & Energy Crisis & Solution” at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The LCCI President Abdul Basit, President Pakistan Engineer Congress Ch. Ghulam Hussain, Amin Jarwar, Muhammad Suleman Khan, Suleman Najeeb Khan, Nisar Safdar, Engineer Sohail Lashari and Col. Abdul Razzak Bugti spoke on the occasion. All the experts lamented that

Kalabagh Dam is being sacriUiced to the vested interests despite the fact that it is not just the name of a water reservoir, it is the name of a Ulood-savior, it is the name of a energy-producer and it is the name of drought-avoider. They said that government should not bow-down to those who always remained paralyzed to the Indian water aggression and are protecting the interests of Pakistan’s enemies.

Abdul Basit said that Kalabagh dam should have been built soon after the Indus Water Treaty because it was inevitable after losing the Rivers Ravi and Satluj to India but past governments ignored it completely. He said that under ground water level has been gone more than 80 feet below due to plantation of tube wells in the valleys of Ravi and Satluj. He repeated that one million acre feet of water gives

FpccI concerned over taxpayers’ data security KARACHI

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ederation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has express concerns over access of private information of taxpayers to unscrupulous persons.

“Electronic frauds are very common in world and responsibility lies with the tax department to ensure proper security of the confidential data of the taxpayers,” said Manzoor-Ul-Haq Malik, Acting President of FPCCI in a statement issued on Tuesday.

He said that the business community is perturbed and has urged the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Tariq Mahmood Pasha to take immediate measures

to stop illegal/fake emails being issued by the unscrupulous elements for their ulterior motives using name and logo of FBR, to the taxpayers and asking them to claim tax refunds as the tax paid in their electronically Uiled tax return is more than their tax liability.

He added to take stern action against them to remove the confusion prevailing in the business community of the country and restore the conUidence of the taxpayers in the taxation system.

The Acting President FPCCI elaborating the electronics tax fraud to extort money from a taxpayer in the name of tax refunds said that fake emails are sent to the taxpayers, using FBR name and logo illegally, from the different email addresses i.e other than FBR email address, wherein the taxpayers are informed that due to FBR

miscalculation of tax, the amount deposited by them (assessees) in their tax return are more than their liability and assessees are asked to click the link “Claim My Refund”.

He said, “The system upon clicking the link shows FBR page containing its official logo and name and logo of the five private Banks are appeared. When the logo of any one of the banks is clicked, account log-in page is opened which seeks the option of registration of direct login or credit login.”

Manzoor-Ul-Haq Malik, Acting President FPCCI recalled that earlier in July 2017, the fraud Mafia was active to cheat the taxpayers as well, however, after taking necessary measure by the FBR, these illegal activities were stopped. He demanded FBR to create proper security protocol to avoid such malpractices.

collective economic beneUits of $ 2 billion. Kalabagh Dam will store 6 millions acre feet of water and will give beneUit of $ 12 billion annually to the economy. He said that Bhasha and other dams should also be built but these are not alternative to the Kalabagh Dam as even after Basha and other dams, Uive districts of KPK including DI Khan, Tank, Banu, Lucky Murawat and Kurk would be facing water scarcity.

tDAp endeavouring to strengthen trade sector he Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is endeavouring to strengthen the trade sector of the country through assistance and facilitation to exporters. Director General TDAP Mian Riaz Ahmad stated this while addressing the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), said a news release issued by the TDAP. The DG said that Expo Pakistan 2017 would provide a massive opportunity to business practitioners to get themselves engage with local and foreign buyers for the improvement of their business and trade.

Talking about refund claims of the exporters, the DG said the TDAP had already taken up this issue at the high level for early resolution. –CB Report

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ASO impounds huge quantity of coriander seeds, Mazda loader FAISALABAD: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Faisalabad has seized the contraband coriander seeds worth Rs990000 involving duties and taxes amounting to Rs367274 besides impounding a Mazda truck valued at Rs800000. Deputy Collector Muhammad Rizawan received a tip-off that coriander seeds were being smuggled. He immediately constituted a team, which intercepted a Mazda truck with registration No: FDK4422. The officials, while searching the vehicle, recovered 5,500 kilograms of foreign origin coriander seeds.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

ASo Hyderabad confiscates 12 sacks of contraband ladies polyester fabrics HYDERABAD ASLAm ANJUm QUReSHI www.customsbulletin.com

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), Customs Preventive Hyderabad, has seized the foreign origin 12 sacks, 1,445 kg, 5,500 meter of non-duty-paid smuggling ladies polyester shirting fabric/cloth worth Rs1.2million along with duties and taxes during an action at Badin Road near Golarchi Hyderabad 10 days ago of September 2017-18.

Following the direction of Model Customs House Hyderabad Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq, the ASO team is carrying out various operations in the region to frustrate the smuggling bids.

Sources told Customs Today that Collector Hyderabad Akhlaq Ahmad Khattak received a tip-off regarding the smuggling attempt. He formed an ASO team under the supervision of Additional Collector Aamer Nawaz Hamid. Other subordinate staff comprised In-Charge Inspector Shakeel Khan, Inspector Abdul Majeed Barich, Inspector Muhammad Iqbal Mughal, Inspector Muhammad Abid, Inspector Mushtaque Ali Lakho, Sepoys Siddiqui Ali

Khaskheli, Nenomal, Ghulam Sarwar and Driver.

The ASO team intercepted a ve-

hicle near Badin Road near Golarchi Hyderabad and conUiscated smuggling foreign origin12 sacks of poly-

ester ladies shirting fabric/cloth, which also involved duties and taxes amounting to Rs1.1million. The ASO

made a seizure report and deposited the ladies cloth into Hyderabad State Warehouse.

Seafood exports grew by 19.63 percent in two-months HYDERABAD

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ish and Uish preparations exports from the country during Uirst two months of current Uinancial year increased by 19.83 percent as compared the exports of the corresponding period of last year.

About 13,648 metric tons of Uish and Uish prep rations worth US$ 35.273 million exported during

the perido from July-August, 2017 as compared the exports of 10,107 metric tons valuing US$ 29.488 million of same period last year.

On month on month basis, the exports of Uish and Uish products also grew by 24.13 percent in month of August as compared the same month of last year, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. In last month about 8,827 metric tons of Uish and Uish products worth of US$ 22.800 million exported as compared the exports of 6,410 metric tons valuating of US$ 18 million of same period last year.

However, the exports of meat and meat products reduced by 3.46 percent as around 7,781 metric tons of meat and meat preparations exported in last two months of current Uinancial year as compared the exports of 9, 339 metric tons valuing US$ 31.625 million of same period last year.

Meanwhile, the country earned US$ 512.321 million by exporting different food commodities during Uirst two-months of current Uinancial year as compared the earnings of the corresponding period of last year. During the period from JulyAugust 2017, food group exports

from the country increased by 30.6 percent as compared the exports of the same period of last year.

During last two months exports of rice grew by 40 percent as around 428,993 metric tons of rice worth US$ 223.937 million exported. The rice exports during Uirst two months of last Uinancial year was recorded at 3810,861 metric tons valuing US$ 159.543 million, it added. Meanwhile, the exports of basmati rice grew by 10.35 percent and about 59,433 metric tons of basmati rice worth US$ 62.741 million exported as compared the exports of 59,192

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metric tons valuing US$ 56.857 million of same period last year.

The exports of rice other then basmati also witnessed an increase of 58.98 percent, around 369.580 metric tons of rice costing US$ 161.198 million exported as compared to the exports of 251,669 metric tons worth US$ 102.888 million of last year. From July-August, 2017-18, fruit and vegetable exports increased by 8.74 percent and reached at 56,280 metric tons worth of US$ 20.583 million as against the exports of 73,751 metric tons of US$ 18.888 million of same period last year, it added.