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Karachi, Sat September 23, 2017
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irectorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Rawalpindi has seized 750 cartons of foreign origin smuggled cigarettes worth Rs.5.46 million. Sources told Customs Today on tip off a team of Customs I&I comprising
Intelligence ofSicer Maqbool ur Rehman, Intelligence OfSicer Shahid Majeed intercepted a Suzuki Pickup bearing registration no: RIS 2694 near Golra More, G.T. Road Islamabad, but the driver of vehicle ignored the signal and accelerated the speed of the vehicle. The staff chased the said vehicle and after some distance, the driver parked the said vehicle on road side and Sled away from the scene. De-
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spite hectic efforts the staff could not trace out the said driver, so the vehicle was taken into custody in presence of the witnesses and after detail search team of Customs I&I Rawalpindi found Pine lights King size class A Silter cigarettes (Made in Korea) 500 cartons, original international Silter cigarettes American Blend 100 cartons and foreign origin Silter cigarettes Milano King Edition 150 cartons.
Collector Saeed orders construction of market on dept’s neglected land
Surriya to revise Valuation Ruling No: 789/2016 on 29th
FTO hears case of M/s Mughal Iron & Steel Mills against LTU
Sindh CM orders recovery of Rs6b deducted by FBR
Gwadar Customs confiscates NDP items worth Rs 12.35 million
Collector Saeed MCC Islamabad, visited a neglected old property land at Attock | See pAge 02 |
DG Valuation has decided to revise the Valuation Ruling No: 789/2016 | See pAge 03 |
The FTO has postponed the hearing of a case filed by M/s Mughal Iron & Steel Mills | See pAge 04 |
Sindh CM has expressed displeasure over direct deduction of around Rs6 billion | See pAge 14 |
Gwadar Customs confiscated various NDP items, including hashish, bottles | See pAge 16 |
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IHC adjourns hearing of case filed by M/s Aftab Traders till next week Saturday, September 23, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court on Wednesday dated in office hearing of a tax petition challenging decision announced by Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR). According to the details, IHC division bench comprising Justice Shaukat Aziz and Justice Muhsin Akhter Kyani heard the case and adjourned hearing for coming week. This case, filed by M/s Aftab Traders, was heard by a single bench of IHC earlier. M/s Aftab Traders had contested show cause notices issued by the field offices of Federal Board of Revenue.
Islamabad
collector Saeed orders construction of market on dept’s neglected land
customs tribunal dismisses reference filed by M/s Five Star trading ISLAMABAD
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ustoms Appellate Tribunal dismissed a customs reference filed by M/s Five Star Trading against Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigations, Islamabad. According to the details, Customs Appellate Tribunal’s bench comprising Members Tribunal, Syed Muhammad Anwar and Muhammad Nasir Khan had reserved the decision of the matter. Counsels from M/s Five Star Trading had appeared before the bench and demanded time from the bench for finalizing and preparations for the case. Tribunal had earlier dated in office hearing on Raja Nabeel case filed against Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation, Islamabad. The tribunal had also heard cases filed by M/s Trade Master, M/s Waseem Autos, M/s Nisar Traders, M/s Parts and Parts, M/s Chief Autos, M/s Aman Elahi, and M/s Kohinoor Traders had filed these references. M/S Trade Master had filed case against MCC only. All of other appellants had filed cases against DGI&I. M/S Kohinoor Traders had filed two cases against DGI&I, Islamabad.
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r Saeed Khan Jadoon, Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad,
visited a neglected old property (land) at Attock district and ordered his staff to formulate a plan for construction of a market there. According to details given by Dr. Saeed Khan Jadoon after visiting the one kanal land acquired by the MCC Islamabad some 20 years ago, he told Customs Today that he had a
mission to locate the lands of the Islamabad Customs and use them for the betterment of the department. Regarding the land traced out at Attock district, he said he has ordered Customs House OfSicer Shahrukh Butt and Superintendent Nasir Barlas to formulate a plan as to how MCC Islamabad can make a market on this
land. He said the MCC Islamabad can offer the shopkeepers to pay advances to get rental shops there. In this way, the MCC Islamabad can build there a building. He further said that the plan will be Sinalized within few months. Assistant Collector Preventive Majid Hussain Gadd also accompanied the Collector MCC Islamabad.
Agp detects over rs275b irregularities in FBr’s tax collection
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ISLAMABAD
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he Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has unearthed irregularities in the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Inland Revenue tax collection worth over Rs275.55 billion. The audit report for 2016-17, identiSied cases of non/short assessment of taxes, grant of incorrect exemptions, wrong adjustment of brought-forward losses, non-levy of
default surcharge, non-recovery of adjudged revenue, inadmissible adjustment of input tax, incorrect sanction of refund. The report includes audit observations in respect of compliance with authority, audit of receipts and expenditure relating to Inland Revenue 2014-15 and 2015-16 audited between Jan-Nov 2016 as well as systemic deSiciencies. The revenue loss was reported at Rs1.30 billion due to likely fraudulent and collusive non-deduction of
withholding tax on contractual receipts. In a departmental audit meeting, FBR tried to twist the issue but could not provide justiSication as to why it could not recover the amount involved despite lapse of about a year. The report noted that income tax amount of Rs245.59m was not deposited into the government exchequer and an amount of Rs855.3m stood as loss of revenue due to concealment of income. The report identiSied non-recovery of adjudged dues/arrears of
Rs55.74 billion. The audit recommendations suggested expediting recovery and pursuing sub-judice cases at an appropriate level. An amount of over Rs4 billion loss was reported due to non-implementation of statutory provision resulting in inadmissible adjustment of input tax; another amount of Rs2.18 billion due to inadmissible adjustment of input tax against exempt supplies and Rs2.34 billion was not realised from retailers. In two other cases, the non/short realisation of sales
tax caused a revenue loss of Rs5 billion. Non-registration of taxpayers in sales tax regime resulted in potential loss of sales tax amount of Rs1.615 billion. The non-realisation of further tax, and extra tax due to non-implementation of statutory provisions. In the income tax department, the non-levy of minimum tax on income caused a loss of Rs1.45 billion due to weak internal control. The loss of revenue due to concealment of income or assets was reported at Rs16.09 billion.
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Customs Court seeks investigation in mega tax evasion case KARACHI: Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has directed investigation officer to compete investigation and submit a charge sheet against suspect namely Usman Shahid, who was booked in a case of money laundering, concealment of assets and evasion of Rs 576 million taxes. According to the prosecution, a money laundering case was registered against Usman Shahid on the ground that the suspect allegedly concealed his income and acquired assets by tax evasion. The investigation officer informed the court that the accused also knowingly and willfully submitted inaccurate/ wrong particulars to te federal government.
Adjudication-I issues show cause notice to M/s Zareen traders
Saturday September 23, 2017
Karachi
Surriya to revise Valuation ruling No: 789/2016 on 29th
KARACHI
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he Collectorate of Customs Adjudication-I collector has issued a show-cause notice to M/s Zareen Traders for allegedly evading duty and taxes of Rs 6.2 million. According to the show-cause notice, during the scrutiny of import data related to the imports of surgical items, it was revealed that M/s Zareen Traders, with active connivance of their clearing agents M/s Shamin Ahmed and Company, imported five consignment of different surgical items under PCT Heading 9624.2100 and cleared the subject goods at lower values than the values determined vide valuation database letter no 36 issued by Directorate General Customs Valuation dated 08-07-2016.
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Shc orders release of consignments in different cases KARACHI
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Singh High Court appellate bench has heard a dozen of identical petitions and ordered release of the consignments as per rule of consistency in different cases. The appellate bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omar Sial, heard the cases, in which the petitioners sought release of consignments detained by Pakistan Customs on ground that import of the items in dispute is importable under license from DRAP. Faisal Agha advocate and others argued for Shama Communication, Pakistan Tibbi Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers, Pakistan Chemist & Druggist Association, Mple Pharma and ten other pharmaceutical companies/importers after which further hearing was put of till when Deputy Attorney General Salman Talibuddin would rebut the arguments by the petitioner side.
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irectorate General, Customs Valuation, Director General Surriya Ahmed Butt, has decided to revise the Valuation Ruling No: 789/2016 on 29th of September, it is learnt here. Director General Surriya Butt has said the department is reviewing suggestions from importers to set new prices. She further said some valuations, issued in 2016, were being overviewed from the beginning. Moreover, the valuations will be set in view of rising prices in the international markets. Sources told CT that a petition was submitted by the importers to Customs Valuation in which changes in prices of whey powder and permeate whey powder was requested. Sources said the Valuation Ruling No: 789/2016 of infusion giving set was issued on January 08, 2016. A meeting was held with the stakeholders on 8th of 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 items in question through which the actual current value could be ascertained. Source said that from next month only 10 previous valuations will be revised according to the suggestions from importers to set new prices. Mean-
while, Directorate General, Customs Valuation, Director General Surriya Ahmed Butt, has decided to revise the Valuation Rulings No 709/2011 next week, it is learnt here. According to the details, Director General Surriya Butt has said that the department is reviewing suggestions from importers to set new prices. She further said that some valuations, which were issued in 2015, were being over viewed from the beginning. Moreover, the valuations
Director general Surriya Butt has said the department is reviewing suggestions from importers to set new prices. She further said some valuations, issued in 2016, were being overviewed from the beginning
customs exports issues notices on tax defaulters
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KARACHI
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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, the Customs Exports team detected that the company used wrong
PCT heading for which it was issued with a show-cause notice No: 208/2017 to pay the evaded amounts of tax and duty. Meanwhile, 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.
will be set in view of rising prices in international markets. Sources told that a petition was submitted by the importers to Customs Valuation in which changes in prices of Polyester Yarn was requested. Sources said that Valuation Ruling No. 709/2015 of infusion giving set was issued on January 23, 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.
human smuggler arrested ederal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested a human trafficker for extorting money from a citizen for sending him abroad. An official said here that accused Muhammad Zeeshan resident of Kot Abdullah GT Road Lahore extorted Rs 500,000 from Ghulam Mustafa resident of Faisalabad for sending him to Dubai, but he neither sent him abroad nor returned his money.
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Customs foils attempt to smuggle foreign currency from Lahore Airport Saturday September 23, 2017
Lahore
LAHORE: The Custom team deputed at Allama Iqbal International Airport has foiled a bid to smuggle a huge quantity of foreign currency abroad and arrested two suspects. Sources told Customs Today that two suspects were detained after recovery of currency. Custom sources said that during baggage search of two Bangkok-bound passengers, at least $5,000 were recovered from them. The customs officials confiscated the money and arrested the suspects for interrogation. On the other hand on Monday morning, an accused was also arrested while making an attempt to smuggle gold. The passenger was going to Bahrain. According to details, the security personnel recovered 1.5 kilogram of gold from him.
customs court sends accused to jail on judicial remand of 14 days LAHORE
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he Special Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has approved fourteen days judicial remand of an accused in case of cigarettes smuggling. According to details available to Customs Today, customs team presented accused Rameez Iftikhar before the Court of Customs Taxation and Anti Smuggling judge. Customs investigation team asked the court that they have completed investigations from the accused in five days physical remand. On request of customs team, Sabir Iftikhar judge of the customs court sends him to jail for judicial trial. Sources told that accused
FIA arrests 25 pakistanis deported from greece
he Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration Officers arrested 25 Pakistanis deported from Greece. The detainees were sent to the Anti Human Trafficking Cell (AHTC) for further action, an official said, adding that the cell would probe the matter to nail the human smugglers. He said that it was the second batch of deportees from Greece in a week. App reported: FIA also arrested four proclaimed offenders (POs) during a crackdown. According to an FIA spokesman, the arrested POs were Muhammad Asif Sohail, Wasim Akhtar, Noman Amjad and Nadeem Zafar, while cases against them were registered in 2016. –CB Report
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Rameez Iftikhar was arrested on charges of smuggling of cigarettes to America by declaring the same as cloth.. Sources said that worth of the seized goods is more than Rs1.3 million. On the other hand 17 other cases were also scheduled for hearing on Tuesday. Most of the cases were adjourned without any proceedings. Framing of charges against Rasheed also adjourned for next week. Final arguments and statements of the concerned parties in a case of smuggling against RaSique Ali also scheduled for hearing which is rescheduled for next week. Meanwhile, The Special Court of the Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has approved a 14-day judicial remand of an accused in a case of cigarette smuggling case. The customs investigation team presented accused Rameez Iftikhar before the court of customs taxation and anti-smuggling judge.
Fto hears case of M/s Mughal Iron & Steel Mills against Ltu LAHORE
SAJID NAwAZ
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he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has postponed the hearing of a case filed by M/s Mughal Iron & Steel Mills against the Large Taxpayer Unit (LTU) until the next date of hearing. According to the details, FTO Consultant (I&M) Tariq Yousaf heard the case in which the counsel for the appellant argued that the LTU had failed to satisfy the appellant in refund case. He added that the LTU collected excessive tax from M/s Mughal Iron & Steel Mills during the last three years. He approached the officer concerned many times but the LTU officials did not pay the refunds after the passage of a reasonable time. At the end, the appellant de-
cided to approach the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) seeking interference in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the LTU to clear the refund claims. On the other side the respondent denied all allegations by M/s Mughal Iron & Steel Mills.
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After hearing the arguments from both sides, FTO adjourned hearing the case until next date for further hearing and directed the parties to appear on the said date to present arguments in the case. The same case will be heard on the next reserved date. Hearings are adjourned till next week.
hearing of case filed by M/s khyber customs tribunal hears 21 cases petroleum & cNg Services adjourned he Customs Appellate Tribu- Collector Customs Faisalabad versus
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he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has heard the case Siled by M/s Khyber Petroleum & CNG Services against the Regional Tax OfSice, (RTO-II) Lahore until the next date of hearing. FTO Advisor Tariq Yousaf heard the complainant number: 191/LHR/IT (143)/ 567/2016 Siled by M/s Khyber Petroleum & CNG Services. The counsel for the appellant argued that the RTO had failed to release the sales tax refund to the appellant for the last two years.
He said that RTO-II collected excessive tax from the company during the last two years. The petitioner approached the ofSicials concerned several times for issuance of the refunds, but the RTO ofSicials 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 chief commissioner RTO-II to clear the refund claims. –CB Report
nal heard 21 cases on Monday and adjourned all the cases to different dates. A special single bench comprising Chairman Justice Manzoor Hussain heard four cases, including Collector Customs Lahore versus J.P Construction, Collector Customs Lahore versus H Ali Construction, Zulifqar Ali versus Customs Lahore and Fahad Jabbar versus Customs Lahore. Special Division bench-II comprising Justice Manzoor Hussain Chairman and Imran Tariq Member Technical bench-II heard Sive case including
Chenab Limited, Collector Customs Lahore versus J.S. Brothers, Khawja Muhammad Younis versus Collector Customs Faisalabad, Infomax Pakistan versus Collector Customs Faisalabad and Viva International versus Collector Customs Lahore. Similarly, division bench-II comprising Omer Arshed Hakeem, Member Judicial and Imran Tariq Member Technical heard eight cases Raaz Muhammad versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Multan Al- Rehman Fabrics versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad. –CB Report
Dc Adjudication declares seizure of NDp vehicle legal
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LAHORE
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ollectorate of Customs Adjudication Deputy Collector Mohammad Hasan Farid has issued an Order-in-Original (ONO) no: 237/2017 by declaring the seizure of non duty paid Honda Civic car as legal. According to the
details, Superintendent Anti Smuggling Organization forwarded the case to Customs Adjudication by stating that on 4.4.2017 the Anti Smuggling staff intercepted a Honda Accord bearing registration no: NV-542 (Islamabad) opposite Moon Market, Allama Iqbal Town Lahore. The person on the driving seat claimed the ownership of the above said car and introduced him-
self as Ahsan Rehman son of Abdul Rehman. On demand the said owner failed to provide any documentary evidence showing legal import and possession of the above said vehicle and sent it chassis number and engine to FSL. The ASO team impounded the vehicle and forwarded the case to Customs Adjudication for further proceedings. Customs Adjdudication Deputy Col-
lector Mohammad Hasan Farid has issued a show cause notice to the owner of the vehicle asking him to appear and prove his innocence but despite issuing of several notices no one appeared to claim the ownership of the above said vehicle. The forensic test shows that the chassis and engine of the above said vehicle was tempered with the original one.
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he Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has shown outstanding performance during the current month of September and detected eight cases involving a revenue of Rs 8.45 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 antidumping duty, additional sales tax, federal excise duty and income tax. The Directorate served three contravention reports and Sive observations during the 20 days of September involving total duty and taxes of Rs 8.45 million. The companies served audit observations or contravention M/s K K enterprises,
Saturday, September 23, 2017
M/s Areeb Chemicals , M/s Famous garments, Sabahat and Sons and others. 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 mis-declaration. It is necessary to mention here that the directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected six cases involving revenue of Rs 7.32 million in the Sirst 15 days of September Directorate served two contravention reports and four observations during the 15 days of September involving total duty and taxes of Rs7.32 million. The companies served audit observations against importers, M/s Inayat and Sons, M/s Zareen Brouchi, and others. Meanwhile, Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed
Faiz Rasool Rashdi has directed investigation ofSicer to compete investigation and submit a charge sheet against suspect namely Usman Shahid, who was booked in a case of money laundering, concealment of assets and evasion of Rs 576 million taxes. According to the prosecution, a money laundering case was registered against Usman Shahid on the ground that the suspect allegedly concealed his income and acquired assets by tax evasion. The investigation officer informed the court that the accused also knowingly and willfully submitted inaccurate/ wrong particulars to te federal government in his income tax returns filed for te tax year 2011 to 2016. He concealed his true revenue/ turnover/ income from the government with intention to evade taxes. Therefore, the case was registered against him under money laundering and income tax ordinance.
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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
performance of banking sector
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The State Bank of Pakistan has released its quarterly performance review of the banking sector for the last quarter of the financial year ended on June 30, hoping a robust growth in private sector. It labels key development in the quarter as broad based which is a prime reason behind 8.3 percent in the asset base growth. The review also observes an increase of 6.1 percent in gross advances which had recorded mere a 4 percent growth in the corresponding period of the last year. The demand for financing came from chemical, production and transmission of energy, agribusiness, food and allied products, construction, transport, storage etc, indicating rising growth perspective in various sectors of the economy. It also observes improvement in the asset quality of the banking sector as the ratio of gross non-performing loans has come down from 9.9 percent in the third quarter to 9.3 percent in the quarter ending June 2017.The deposit base has moved up by 6.5 percent, which is lesser than 6.8 percent recorded in second quarter of the last year, but deceleration in deposit growth is attributed to dip in deposits by financial institutions. The banking sector of the country is growing day by day with growth of business and economy. The consumer financing has been increasing in many ways as growth in auto financing and other commodities are raising consumer financing up. A biggest hurdle in the growth of banking sector is its interest based system which is incompatible with our ideological considerations. The finance managers should have clear understanding of the Islamic banking and find a way out to deal with foreign banks. The 54 Islamic countries of the world have failed to set up a single institution on the patter of International Monetary Fund or the World Bank. The country’s banking system also needs structural reforms and proactive approach, keeping in view drastic changes in the rules of business and finance. The world is coming closer and we should have to keep ourselves updated to facilitate fair business transactions with other countries. Pakistan needs online banks like PayPal to facilitate small and medium size organizations. Population wise, Pakistan is the fifth largest country of the world, but access to banks is still very low.
New global economic order I
LAHORE
Dr AFtAB AFZAL
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n its Trade and Development Report 2017, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has stressed the need for concerted efforts to crowd in private investment to rev up the engines of growth and help rebalance economies and societies across the world.The report adds that no country can do this on its own without risking capital flight, a currency collapse and the threat of a deflationary spiral in this age of mobile finance and liberalized economic policies. Therefore, there is a need to devise a global strategy to in-
crease public expenditures and all the countries should be offered equal opportunities to benefit from their domestic and external markets.The world economy has been stunted by years of austerity and growing inequalities, with destabilising and dangerous effects on the political, social and environmental health of the planet. An urgent new global deal is need of the hour. The report calls for an equally ambitious effort to tackle the inequities of globalisation to build inclusive and sustainable economies. Special emphasis should be laid down on job creation and the expansion of tax bases to enable redistribution of wealth among
various segments of society. According to the report, the global economy will register a growth of 2.6 percent this year, which will be slightly higher than the 2.2 percent registered in 2016, and below 3.2 percent average seen in the years leading up to the financial crisis. It says the growth in developed countries is expected to tick in at 1.9 percent this year, up from 1.7 percent from the last year. The report holds the sluggish growth in richer nations responsible for limited growth in developing countries, and forecasts a growth of 4.2 percent this year up from 3.6 percent last year. Pakistan’s economy is facing
serious challenges from internal and external factors. A steep rise in fanaticism and jingoism in India has adversely affected regional peace and economic stability. The Indian politics revolves around Pakistan and it has not only threatened regional peace, but also slashed economic growth in the region. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation has been rendered ineffective deliberately by Indian policymakers, barring any effort to boost regional trade and cooperation. The initiative by United Nations is a welcome step and it is hoped the new global economic order may bring a paradigm shift in people’s lives.
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Pakistan’s services export increase by 15% ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s exports of services recorded a growth of 15.32 per cent year-on-year to $403.71 million in the first month of the current fiscal year, the Pakistan Bureaus of Statistics said. The export of services entered positive growth in the past couple of months after recording negative growth in the previous months. Pakistan’s exports of services recorded a growth of 1.76pc year-on-year to $5.55bn in the fiscal year 2016-17. The services sector has emerged as the main driver of economic growth. Its share increased from 56pc of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2005-06 to 57.7pc in 201415. Major sub-sectors include finance and insurance, transport and storage, wholesale and retail trade, public administration and defence. The import of services was up 28.6pc to $893.13m in July 2017 as against 694.49m over the corresponding period last year.
Shc seeks remarks on plea filed by M/s kinijhar seeking exemption of duty
Saturday September 23, 2017
National
Islamabad Accompanied Baggage Section confiscates different items
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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed parties to file their comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Kinijhar International, seeking exemption of duty and taxes on consignments of LED bulbs etc as entitled under 5th Schedule of the Customs Act 1969.Ac cording to the details, counsel for the petitioner stated that THE petitioner is engaged in the lawful business of import of LED Bulbs etc and always fulfills all the liabilities properly. He said that in routine, te petitioner imported consignment of LED bulbs 12 watt, 15 watt, 18 watt, 25 watt 40 watt and other related
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goods and filed goods declaration under availing exemption as entitled under 5th schedule of the Customs Act 1969. He further informed the court that however, officials of the Customs Collectorate of Appraisement West who has not accepted the assessment made by the petitioner on the pretext that the petitioner’s goods are not entitled for relevant exemption as per assessment. Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Collectorte Appraisement West, the Engineering Development Board Alternate Energy Department Board as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary. He also pleaded the court to declare that the above mentioned goods are entitled under 5th Schedule of the Customs Act 1969.
ISLAMABAD
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tArIQ DerYA
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he Customs Accompanied Baggage Section of the Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad seized various smuggling goods worth Rs6.398million while the AB collected Rs5.02million of duties and taxes from 1st of August to 13th of September Financial Year (FY) 2017-18. According o details given by Assistant Collector AB Sadia Usman while talking with Customs Today that, during 13 days of September FY17-18, the AB generated Rs0.83million of duties and taxes applied on accompanied goods whereas the AB Section conSiscated 95 bottles of liquor valued at Rs0.19million. Assistant Collector AB said that, during the month of August FY1718, the AB received Rs4.19million of duties and taxes on the luggage while the AB impounded foreign currencies including $40,000, 50,100 PKR and 67,000 Chinese Yens. The total valued of the seized foreign currencies was estimated Rs4.39million.
During the month of August FY1718, the AB conSiscated 120 smuggling mobile priced at Rs1.4million whereas the customs staff of the AB
seized 209 bottles of liquor valued at Rs0.418. The AB has been assigned the revenue collection target of Rs3.05million for the month of Sep-
tember FY2017-18 which is expected to be met under the head of duties and taxes on baggage for the month September FY17-18.
Facilitating agri trade govt’s top priority: pervaiz ISLAMABAD
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inister for Commerce Muhammad Pervaiz Malik on Monday said the government was prioritizing to facilitate the trade of dates and value addition to the sector. Pakistan has a huge potential in Agri trade that needed to be exploited for the modernization, technological development and value addition in this sector, he said addressing as a chief guest in dates festival organized by Trade Development Authority (TDAP) here.He said Pakistan was the fourth largest grower of date in the world and value addition was must for enhancing export of the product. The minister said for enhancing foreign trade, the government was
committed to improve the standards according to the international market. Infrastructure development and value addition in date growing areas would increase the employ-
ment opportunities and support for poverty alleviation in Balochistan and Sindh. “We can attract the foreign investment through value addition in agriculture, which also in-
creases the country’s foreign reserves,” he said. Pervaiz Malik said the government had planned to form strategy for research and workplace strategy to introduce the modern technology for enhancing the yield of date and modernize the export system. On the occasion, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Textile, Syed Shibli Faraz said Pakistan was a agricultural country and “We need to enhance our export in this sector. “We need to focus on value addition as 300 items of dates growing in the country,” he said. Secretary TDAP, Inamullah Khan said on the occasion that Pakistan has exporting worth $ 106 million to the world. “We are focussing to explore the new market to counter the other competitor in Agro trade and enhance the country’s trade.
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Chief Commissioner Syed Imran Kazmi to retire on Dec 31 Saturday September 23, 2017
National Addl collector Muneeza’s performance allowance restored
ISLAMABAD: Syed Imran Raza Kazmi, a BS-20 officer of Inland Revenue Service, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation. The officer, presently posted as Chief Commissioner-IR (OPS), Regional Tax Office II, Lahore, will stand retired from the government service with effect from December 31.
Four Ir officers made commissioners in karachi
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erformance allowance in respect of Muneeza Majeed, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-19, has been restored. The performance allowance (equivalent to 100 per cent of basic pay) in respect of the officer, presently posted as Additional Collector, Model Customs Collectorate (Preventive), Lahore, has been restored with effect from July 24. Meanwhile, Muhammad Amir Thahim, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-19, assumed charge as Additional Collector. The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No.2242-CI/2017, dated 22.08.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad with effect from August 21 and took charge of the post of Additional Collector, Model Customs Collectorate (Preventive), Karachi on the same date.
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Shaban Bhatti takes charge as commissioner-Ir haban Bhatti, a BS-20 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has taken charge as CommissionerIR (IP/TFD). The officer, pursuing the Board’s Notification No. 2143-IRI/2017, dated 10.08.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Commissioner-IR (Zone-VI), Corporate Regional Tax Office, Lahore with effect from September 5 and assumed the charge of the post of Commissioner-IR (IP/TFD), Large Taxpayers Unit, Lahore on the same date. Meanwhile, Muhammad Nasir Khan Ghouri, a BS-20 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has assumed the charge as Director, Directorate General of Training & Research (Inland Revenue), Lahore. –CB Report
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ederal Board of Revenue has transferred/posted four Inland Revenue Service ofSicers of BS 19-20 with immediate effect and until further orders. Mohammad Farooq Azam Memon (BS-20) has been transferred from the post of Commissioner-IR, (IP/TFD/HRM) Regional Tax OfSice III, Karachi and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (IP/TFD) Regional Tax OfSice III, Karachi. Maqsood Jahangir (BS-19) has been transferred from the post of Commissioner-IR, (OPS) (IP/TFD/HRM) Large Taxpayers Unit-II, Karachi and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (IP/TFD) Large Taxpayers Unit-II, Karachi.
Hasnain Brohi (BS-19) has been transferred from the post of Additional Commissioner, Large Taxpayers Unit-II, Karachi and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (OPS) (HRM) Large Taxpayers Unit-
II, Karachi. Muhammad Nabeel Rana (BS-19) has been transferred from the post of Additional Commissioner, Regional Tax OfSice II, Karachi and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (OPS) (HRM)
Regional Tax OfSice III, Karachi. According to the notiSication, the ofSicers who are drawing performance allowance they will continue to draw this allowance on the new place of posting.
Mcc Quetta collects rs313m as all duties & taxes in 15 days out of rs1003 million T
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tArIQ DerYA
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he Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Quetta received Rs313million of all duties and taxes from 1st to 15th of September Financial Year (FY) 201718. The collectorate has been assigned Rs1003million as all duties and taxes for the entire month of September FY17-18. According to details given by sources of the MCC Quetta that, during above said period, the collectorate got Rs116million of Customs Duty whereas it did Rs113million of Sales Tax (ST). During the initial 15 days of September FY17-18, the collectorate collected Rs06million of Federal Excise Duty (FED) while the Quetta Collectorate did Rs58million of With Holding Tax (WHT). The MCC Quetta gener-
ated Rs839million of all duties and taxes from 1st to 20th of August FY2017-18. During the initial 20 days of August, the collec-
torate earned Rs329million of CD while it did Rs354million of (ST). The sources told CT that, during 1st to 20th of August
FY17-18, the Quetta Collectorate received Rs17.00million of FED whereas MCC Quetta did Rs139.00million of WHT.
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OGDCL registers Rs63.803b profit after tax ISLAMABAD: Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Friday, announced the financial results for the fiscal year 2016-17. The Company’s net sales revenue registered Rs 171.829 billion and Profit after tax stood at Rs 63.803 billion translating into Earnings per share of Rs 14.83. The Board of Directors of Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) here announced these results. BoD also announced Final interim cash dividend of Rs 2.00 per share (20%) for the Fiscal Year 2016-17. The cash dividend will be paid to the shareholders whose names will appear in the Register of Members on Tuesday, October 17, 2017. During the period under review, the Company paid Rs 25.334 billion on the account of Taxes.
govt releases rs93m for revenue Division projects ISLAMABAD
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he government has so far released Rs 93 million for various projects of Revenue Division under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the current financial year (2017-18). In total the government has earmarked Rs790.100 million for Revenue Division Projects in the federal PSDP for the current year, with foreign component of Rs105 million, according to official sources. As per the breakup figures, the government released Rs35 million for Development of Integrated Transit Trade Management System (ITTMS) under Asian Development Bank Regional Improving Border Service Project. In total Rs255.377 million have been earmarked for this project in
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the current fiscal year with foreign component of Rs 100 million. The total cost of the project has been estimated at Rs 31,626 million, according to data of Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform. The government also released Rs40 million for establishment of Inland Revenue Offices in Pakistan for which an amount of Rs148 million have been sanctioned in the current PSDP. An amount of Rs15 million has been released for project for security improvement in Karachi Port and Port Qasim for Installation of three fixed and one Mobile Scanner. In total Rs55 million have been earmarked for the project in PSDP2016-17 including Rs5 million assistance of JICA. The government also released Rs3 million for construction of Regional Tax Office at Dera Ismail Khan, for which Rs10 million have been earmarked in the current PSDP. It is pertinent to mention here that the government has so far released over Rs 132.87 billion under PSDP for the fiscal year 2017-18.
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court adjourns hearing of case filed against suspect involved in filing forged IgM data
IDp’s performance comparatively remains poor in 11 days of September ISLAMABAD
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he Dry Port of Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad collected Rs16.32million of Customs Duty (CD) during the 1st to 11th of September Financial Year (FY) 2017-18. According to details explained by the sources of Islamabad Dry Port (IDP) that, during above said period, the performance has been poor against the same period of corresponding FY16-17 due to long holidays of Eid-ul-Azha. The sources told CT that the IDP was allocated the revenue collection target amounting to Rs271.60million of CD while IDP’s proportional target for 1st to 11th of September FY17-18 was assigned Rs99.59million. During initial 11 days of September FY16-17, the IDP generated Rs136.87million whereas it did Rs2.292million surplus revenue against the earmarked revenue collection target for the month of August FY 17-18 under the head of CD. The IDP was assigned Rs271.74million while it earned Rs274.669million of CD. Sources said the Islamabad Dry Port earned Rs274.74million of CD during August FY17-18 while the Islamabad Dry Port did Rs273.659million during the same period of previous August FY16-17.
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ustoms Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has adjourned the hearing of a case Siled against directors of M/s ATS Synthetic (Private) Limited, M/s Inservey Pakistan (Private) Limited and owners/partners of M/s SK Enterprises who were booked in a case of Siling of incorrect Import General Manifest (IGM) data in Pakistan Customs Computerized System (WeBOC) system of three different consignments to evade duty and taxes of Rs 998,245. According to the prosecution, the companies imported different types of polyester, including special tricot, woven and jersey (knitted) and and declared them ‘fabric’. An information in this regard was received from Customs Appraisement West, Karachi and after investigation, it was learnt that M/s Inservey Pakistan (Private) Limited has committed a fraud by issuing fake ‘Bills of Landing’ in place of the original ones. The investigation ofSicer informed the court that, it was observed that freight forwarders/coloader/shipping agent M/s Inservey,
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in connivance with the importers, got the goods cleared by misleading the vital information with regard to the shipper’s name, port of landing, country of origin, etc. “The goods were actually shipped from Korea but M/s Inservey Pakistan (Private) Limited, while issuing of House Bills of landing and Siling the IGM in WeBOC, fraudulently manipulated the shipper’s name as ‘Huzhoucathe Textiles Company Ltd, Huzhou, China, and port of loading as Shanghai. China.” These consignments were shipped from
Kwangyang, Korea through M/s Korea Marine Transport Co. Ltd., whose master shipping agent was M/s United Marine Agencies (Pvt) Ltd., Karachi. FIR mentioned that M/s Inservey Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd., Karachi in connivance of the importer electronically feed incorrect/false information with ulterior motives in the WeBOC. The Bill of Lading, showing wrong shipper’s name and country of origin as China instead of actual particulars information mentioned in the Master Bill of Lading by M/s Korea Marine Transport Co. Ltd.
NAB chief Qamar Zaman starts farewell visits
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ational Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhary started his farewell visits to regional offices after the prime minister and the opposition leader in the National Assembly held a consultative meeting for the appointment of a new chief of the bureau. As part of the farewell visit, Chaudhry on Friday visited NAB Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where he said that the bureau was committed to rooting out corruption and recovering the looted money
by mobilizing all its resources. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah met on Wednesday in the Parliament House and discussed the appointment of the new NAB chairman. The three years tenure of the incumbent chairman ends on October 10. The NAB chairman will also visit regional bureaus Quetta, Karachi, and Lahore next week. KP NAB Director General Brig Farooq Nasar Awan told the NAB chief that from 2014 to 2017, NAB KP received 3,775 complaints and all of them were disposed of as per law. Of which, 126 inquiries, 51
investigations, and 38 corruption references were sent to the accountability courts. He said that the KP NAB recovered Rs12.4 billion and arrested 102 accused. He said that the overall conviction ratio of the KP NAB remained at about 72 percent. The NAB chief was told that the regional bureau was actively perusing the cause of elimination of corruption and corrupt practices through a holistic approach of awareness, prevention, and enforcement by adopting zero tolerance policy across the board. The NAB chairman said that corruption was the mother of all evils. “The NAB is committed to
eradicating corruption by using all its resources for a corruptionfree Pakistan as the eradication of corruption is our national duty,” he said. He said that corruption was one of the major factors that hampered the progress and prosperity of the country. “It creates injustice, poverty and destroys merit, depriving a deserving person of his or her due right. He said that corruption affects the country just like cancer. He said that corruption not only causes delays in the early completion of development projects but also causes huge losses to the national exchequer.
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China helps drive Spain’s wine exports
MADRID: Spain’s wine exports in the first half of the year have reached a record high to €1.3207 billion, up by 6% over the same period, driven by strong demand from China. According to a report by national newspaper El País, the increase in export values is a result of a hike in the average price of exported wine despite the fact that in the first half of the year Spain’s export volumes dropped 7.8 million litres. Nonetheless, its average price per litre rose from last year’s €1.11 to €1.18, thus contributing to its value rise.
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two women nabbed attempting to smuggle gold
Irish drinks exports worth €527m so far this year DUBLIN
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ri Lanka Customs ofSicials at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake have arrested two Sri Lankan women, who were attempting to smuggle gold jewellery worth Rs 40 million. The women had arrived in a Slight from Dubai early this morning (13) with the gold strapped around the waist. According to the Customs ofSicials the gold items weighing 7.8 kilograms are worth Rs. 40 million. Further investigations are underway. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will end the practice of charging a 10 percent withholding tax on government securities under a new Inland Revenue Act to be effective from April 2017. During the ‘committee stage’ of legislating the new bill, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera moved changes to clause 84 of the proposed
Doha Bank cuts staff after Qatar’s rift with neighbors UBAI: Doha Bank DOBK.QA has cut around 10 jobs in the United Arab Emirates and plans to put some staff in the region on unpaid leave, sources said, as it copes with the fallout from Qatar’s rift with its Arab neighbors. Qatar’s fifth-biggest lender will decide by the end of the year whether to make those going on long-term leave redundant if conditions have not improved, said two of the sources familiar with the matter. One source said around 100 staff could be put on leave, while another said it might be as high as 200, although the sources said the final number might be different. The sources declined to be named as the matter is not yet public. In a statement to Reuters, Doha Bank said the information was incorrect but declined to elaborate. The bank employs 1,571 staff, according to its profile on Linkedin. –CB Report
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bill last week. The new section d) of clause 84 adds the exemption that ‘discount interest or paid to a person on security of treasury bond under the Registered Stock and Securities Ordi-
nance (Chapter 420) or Treasury bills under the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance (Chapter 417)’. At the moment, a 10 percent withholding tax is in effect for Treasury bills. Interest is quoted in the market net of tax.
portugal warns couples to register, to pay less property tax
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ouples who live together in Portugal are being encouraged to report such to the tax authority, to be eligible for a lower bill under the country’s new municipal property tax. The municipal property tax (IMI) was introduced in January 2017. It is charged at a rate of 0.7 percent for properties worth more than EUR600,000 (USD715,912), with a one percent rate applying to the value of a property beyond EUR1m. A num-
ber of other rules apply. For couples, one of the beneSits of the new tax is they access an exempt threshold that is double that for individuals. Instead of the EUR600,000 allowance for individuals, couples become liable to IMI for properties valued over EUR1.2m, but they are also jointly and severally liable for the tax due. In addition, for couples, the one percent rate is levied on the portion of the property value above EUR2m. –CB Report
he Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI), the representative group for drinks manufacturers and suppliers across Ireland, has today said that newly published CSO Sigures conSirm the massive contribution the drinks industry makes to Ireland’s agri-food exports. The Sigures show that drinks exports have grown by 8.65% since June 2016 and were valued at €527 million for the Sirst 6 months of 2017. Whiskey exports increased by 18.5%, and were valued at €256m for the Sirst 6 months of 2017 while the Irish spirits category saw exports up by 16% since June 2016. The Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) claims the drinks industry has committed itself to achieve the targets set out in Food
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poland sees hike in employment he Polish labour market has recorded a 0.8 percent uptick in the employment rate quarter-on-quarter, Eurostat reported on Wednesday. In the first quarter, the growth amounted to 0.7 percent. In the EU, employment increased by 0.4 percent q/q. The growth in employment figures comes in contrast to the reportedly difficult situation of Polish employers, who say they cannot fill their vacancies. Some 37 percent of Polish enterprises see this as the greatest hurdle to development, according to a study by the European Commission. “The in-
catalonia pushes Spain toward crisis
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he battle for Independence by the wealthy Spanish state of Catalonia hit crisis point on Friday as the country’s Constitutional Court, Spain’s highest legal authority, suspended the vote planned for 1
October. The central government called the move an attack against Spain’s and Catalonia’s institutional order. Although the decision was widely expected, Carles Puigdemont, the regional president, said that neither central Spanish authorities nor the courts could halt their plans and the referendum would still go ahead as
Wise 2025 to increase the value of agri-food exports by 85% to €19 billion. Speaking this week, Director of ABFI, Patricia Callan said, “Meeting the Government’s Food Wise 2025 targets would see the drinks industry increasing exports by at least €700 million. Given the huge potential the industry has for further export led-growth, it is concerning that the Government is planning to introduce the most restrictive and punitive barriers to this growth, in the form of the Public Health Alcohol Bill.” She added, “The restrictions in the Bill on advertising and labelling will severely constrain the ability of small producers and new entrants, like craft distilleries and breweries, to get a foothold in the Irish market and will damage their export prospects generally. We want to work with the Government and other stakeholders to Sind workable measures that will strike the balance between achieving public health objectives and supporting a thriving Irish industry.”
planned, adding that many of his supporters are prepared to go to jail over the issue. “It is worrying that the state is seeking to scare people and make threats, faced with the desire for a vote,” Lluis Corominas, vice president of the Catalan parliament, told national radio. With its own language and customs, Catalonia accounts for
sufficient labour supply is offset by the inflow of workers from Ukraine, but they often don’t feature in statistics, so this does not explain the growth in employment,” Łukasz Kozłowski, an economic analyst with Employers of Poland, told the daily Rzeczpospolita. “It looks as though claims that the labour market has hit a stumbling block in the form of inadequate supply have been exaggerated,” Kozłowski said, pointing to meagre wage growth. The analyst says the Sigures are set to increase “once companies really run out of prospective employees.” –CB Report
about one-fifth of Spain’s economic output, and already has significant powers over matters such as education and healthcare. But in a survey by the Catalan Centre of Opinion Studies in June, 41.1 per cent backed independence while 49.9 per cent rejected it. Some 70 per cent wanted a referendum, however, to settle the question once and for all.
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Port of Long Beach opens community sponsorship application period WASHINGTON: The Port of Long Beach will start its fall round of sponsorship decisions this Friday, A couple of years ago, the Harbor Commission decided to consolidate the process of granting sponsorships instead of considering applications virtually every meeting. Now there are two set periods to apply each year — spring and fall. Last April, in the second call of the 2017 fiscal year, commissioners awarded 136 sponsorships totaling $372,500 to community organizations. The groups receiving funding represented a wide cross-section of the city and supported causes including the arts, environment, social justice and historic preservation.
port of tianjin observes coal, steel drop measure aimed at combatting Beijing’s pollution problem has led to a dramatic drop in coal and steel throughput at the Port of Tianjin as traders and shippers have been forced to divert cargoes to its northern rivals. In the first half of the year, coal handling at the port fell by 24%, steel throughput decreased by 27% and metal ore also handling fell, while noncontainerised business made up just 12% of interim revenue. The port was the was the only one to report lower throughput and volumes of coal and metal ores in H1, Reuters said. The figures come in light of a ban on using trucks at the port to transport coal, which was put into force in March this year. Rail must now be used to deliver coal to the port for long-distance transportation, something which has negatively impacted the port’s non-containerised coal trade, according to Tianjin Port Development Holdings.
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An analysis of results by five major ports operating in the Bohai Rim region, the economic region surrounding Beijing and Tianjin, has shown that traders and shippers have therefore had to divert cargoes to the Port of Tianjin’s rivals such as Tangshan Port Group, which is 100 kilometres to the north, and Qinhuangdao Port Company. Both are in Hebei province. The Port of Qinhuangdao has reported an increase of as much as a quarter in coal and metal ore cargoes, the biggest rise among the five ports. In response to the more stringent environmental and safety policies, as well as competition, the Port of Tianjin said it plans to hasten efforts to develop its container business, expand its logistics business and create a one-stop logistics service, among other measures, according to Reuters. –CB Report
Ports & Shipping
port houston busy on Labor Day amid hurricane recovery P
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ort Houston terminals operated during the Labor Day weekend as the Coast Guard continued to ease vessel restrictions and railroads reported progress in repairing tracks flooded by Hurricane Harvey. The holiday activity came as logistics operations continue to recover from flooding that swamped the fourth-largest US city and caused damage along the Texas coast from Corpus Christi to the Louisiana state line. Houston’s public container and breakbulk terminals escaped serious damage but were knocked out of action by widespread flooding in the metropolitan area and an interruption of vessel traffic on the Houston Ship Channel. The port’s Bayport and Barbours Cut container terminals reopened Thursday, and the port said seven container vessels were due to be worked on Labor Day three at Bayport and four at Barbours Cut. Six others arrived between Friday and Sunday. More
than a dozen vessels skipped Houston calls during the port shutdown. International Longshoremen’s Association members filled assignments to staffed the terminals on Labor Day, which historically has been a no-work day for the union. The US Coast Guard has gradually eased vessel operating restrictions it imposed amid concern about strong currents and shoaling. The Coast Guard said Sunday that ships drawing up to 40 feet of water could transit the Houston Ship
Channel’s section extending up to Baytown Highlands, near the big Exxon Mobil refinery. Sections of the ship channel farther upstream remained limited to tugs and towing vessels. Houston’s public docks and private operators including Coastal Cargo reported no damage, but some private terminals sustained flooding. Vessels were restricted to 37-foot drafts in the Galveston and Texas City harbors, and to 38 feet on daylight-only transits at Port Freeport.
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port of oswego director’s cell phone seized tate investigators seized the cell phone and computer of the Port of Oswego Authority’s executive director in a surprise visit Wednesday, the port’s board chairman said Thursday. The devices were taken Wednesday afternoon by investigators from New York Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott’s office, chairman Terry Hammill said. He said he doesn’t know what the office is investigating. He stressed the port’s employees cooperated fully. His account of what occurred at the port is based on conversations with the executive director, Zelko N. Kirincich, and other employees who saw the agency’s visit. He was not at the port while the IG’s staff was there or since, he said. “All I know is a bunch of IG folks walked in and started their inspector general inspection,” he said. The visit happened early Wednesday afternoon, and investigators stayed until 6 p.m., he said. About a dozen investigators arrived and asked to take the property and said they could bring a search warrant if necessary. –CB Report
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port of Vancouver admits it violated meetings law WASHINGTON
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he Port of Vancouver is taking the unusual step of asking for a ruling against itself in a lawsuit challenging its past interpretation of the Washington Open Public Meetings Act. In a motion for summary judgment filed Wednesday in Clark County Superior Court, port attorneys wrote, “The Port acknowledges that Riverkeeper is entitled to a declaration that the Port of Vancouver USA violated the OPMA during at least one of the executive sessions held between March 2013 and July 2013.” The port is being sued by Columbia Riverkeeper, the Sierra Club and Northwest Environmental Defense Center, which allege it violated the Open Public Meetings Act when it discussed the minimum price for a
real estate lease to the Vancouver Energy oil terminal during executive session. The port’s move caught the plaintiffs off guard. “We’re still evaluating next steps,” said Columbia Riverkeeper Executive Director Brett VandenHeuvel, who added that his organization hasn’t seen anyone else ask for a motion against themselves. The lawsuit is scheduled to be reheard by Judge David Gregerson on Oct. 26. In 2015, Gregerson ruled five of seven executive sessions the port held in 2013 were properly held when they discussed the minimum price of the lease they’d offer Tesoro Corp. and Savage Cos. — the two companies behind Vancouver Energy. But in June, the Washington State Supreme Court reversed his ruling, opined on how the act applies to real estate pricing, offered guidance on public meetings and executive sessions and sent the
case back to Gregerson’s court to be reheard based on their interpretation. “We were acting in good faith and believed we were complying with the law when we held these executive sessions in 2013. But we now have, for the first time, interpretation and guidance from the courts on the timing of public meetings and executive sessions,” port CEO Julianna Marler said in a news release. “Based on this new information, we have asked the Superior Court for a final determination on the executive sessions in question. We believe this is the right thing to do from a transparency and public stewardship standpoint.” Port of Vancouver spokeswoman Abbi Russell said the port also wants to focus its time and energy on new and ongoing projects, rather than putting more time and energy into the lawsuit. “We’ve been at this for four years
and we could be looking at a couple more” if the suit continues, she said. The port argues its motion wouldn’t affect the validity of the lease with Vancouver Energy. But it hopes the motion will hasten the proceedings and result in the case’s resolution by the end of the year. VandenHeuvel said his organization is pleased the port has changed its policy around executive sessions, but his organization, which is an active opponent of the oil terminal, isn’t satisfied.“This feels like it’s just for show and the citizens of Vancouver over many, many meetings explained to the port that it acted improperly, yet the port went forward with this lease.” If built, the $210 million Vancouver Energy terminal would receive oil via 1.5-mile-long unit trains from North Dakota and transfer it into marine vessels in the Columbia River.
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SBP issues import-related directives KARACHI: Importers are no more required to submit original shipping and transport documents to the authorised dealers for payments against imports made on an openaccount basis, said a circular issued by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Earlier, importers were required to present original shipping or transport documents to authorised dealers for effecting the related import payments. The initiative has been taken in the wake of requests from different stakeholders, including various chambers of commerce, importers, banks etc, as international trade is witnessing a shift from physical transfer of original transport documents to electronically.
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Business
Murad orders recovery of rs6b deducted by FBr KARACHI
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indh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has expressed displeasure over direct deduction of around Rs6 billion recently from the Sindh government’s account. Presiding over a joint meeting of the Excise and Taxation Department and Sindh Revenue Board, he said, “This is unacceptable and must be taken seriously to recover the amount, which is meant for the people of Sindh.” The excise department has been keeping the high-ups updated about the latest “unauthorised” deduction by the Federal Board of Revenue
‘Breakthrough’ in Sino-pak FtA talks KARACHI
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(FBR). The department’s legal team is pursuing all the tax matters before the Appellate Tribunal and the Federal Tax Ombudsman.
govt yet to clear pending subsidy claims of fertiliser makers
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hina agreed to address major concerns of Pakistan about the preference erosion of its exports and meaningful market access during the latest round of negotiations over the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) held in Beijing on Sept. The negotiation hit an impasse in the last few rounds, but the eighth meeting of the second phase of negotiations over the FTA concluded with a ‘breakthrough’, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce on Friday.
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The meeting was told that the income tax department of the FBR had been creating demands to recover funds under different heads.
It was noted that the commissioner Inland Revenue through a letter dated June 14, 2017 to the divisional head operations, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) directed him to pay Rs294.5 million. The latter paid the amount out of the funds collected under the head of infrastructure cess. The chief minister directed the excise minister to recover the amount at all costs, adding, “this belongs to the people of Sindh and I would not allow anybody or any institution to usurp their funds unconstitutionally.” Meeting participants agreed that the NBP branch concerned was bound to transfer the deposited funds on a day-to-day basis to the account of Sindh government. However, the branch was not acting according to the prescribed procedure.
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overnment has not settled the subsidy claims of fertiliser makers as yet despite the promise made by the outgoing secretary of food ministry, an industry ofSicial has said. “A more supportive strategy will help in the reimbursement of nearly Rs20 billion that have been continuously stuck in subsidy payments due to complexities of processes,” a spokesman of Fertiliser Manufac-
turers of Pakistan Advisory Council (FMPAC) said in a statement. It was decided in a meeting on July 24 chaired by the Prime Minister’s Secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad that 80 percent of the pending subsidy claims will immediately be released and remaining 20 percent be paid within three months. The Sinance division has already released the requisite amount. “So now, there are no major hurdles in releasing these payments,” the spokesman said. FMPAC’s spokesman said an ‘unnecessary restrictive’ clause, however, is still applied to the
scheme in which the government asks for national tax number (NTN) of every fertiliser dealer. “This clause makes this scheme non-viable as it ignores the fact that a big majority (over 90 percent) of the smaller dealers are operating in far-flung areas and do not have NTNs.” Moreover, the ofSicial added that the subsidy claims are based on general sales tax, which has no relationship with NTN. Such a step may ultimately hamper the distribution of urea, denying the subsidy beneSits to the farmers.
Be&oe registers 262,119 workers ISLAMABAD
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ureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE) has registered 262119 workers so far during the year 2017 (up to June) for overseas employment. According to the data provided by Policy Planning Unit of Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, a total of 144193 workers proceeded to United Arab Emirates, 242 to Algeria, eight to Angola, 3988 to Bahrain, 106 to Brunei, four to Guinea, 24 to Hong Kong, 92 to Iran, 342 to Iraq, 153 to Jordan, two to Kenya and 526 to Kuwait. A total of 15 workers proceeded to Lebanon, 3243 to Malaysia, 32 to Nigeria, 23841 to Oman, 5082 to Qatar, 77600 to Saudi Arabia, 260 to Sudan, 23 to Singapore, 16 to Somalia, four to Spain, 35 to Tanzania and four to Uganda. While 126 workers proceeded to United Kingdom in the same year, 145 to United States of America, 11 to Yemen, two to West Africa, 43 to South Africa, eight to Zambia, 51 to Japan, four to South Korea, 771 to Cyprus, 20 to Turkey, 197 to China, 70 to Italy, 31 to Sweden, three to Switzerland, 27 to Germany, six to Azerbaijan and 769 to other countries.
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SNgpL flays uFg report by independent consultant ISLAMABAD
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ui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) has criticised the findings of an independent consultant appointed by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) on gas losses. The company claimed that the consultant rejected the utility’s views while finalising the report. “KPMG Taseer
Hadi and Company has drawn wrong conclusions in its report, which was clarified during the stakeholders’ awareness sessions conducted by Ogra in all major cities. But the consultants have not made corrections in their final report,” SNGPL said. Interestingly, SNGPL also hired the same consultant on the desire of the government to assess its proposed plans for gas sector reforms, including the unbundling of SNGPL
itself. Yet SNGPL said, “Some of the tasks recommended by the consultants are irrational and against international practices”. The consultant had expressed concerns that actual unaccounted-for gas (UFG) swelled drastically over the past 10 years and that the two gas utilities did not have adequate measurement mechanism to properly quantify UFG contributing factors. “Sui companies are unable to determine the actual difference be-
tween the volume received and despatched for a particular network segment” and their claims about UFG contributing factors were “based on assumptions and estimates”. SNGPL said the report regarding its “inadequate measurement mechanism” was incorrect. It said SNGPL followed international codes and standards applicable in the case of natural gas business where gas is measured at the custody transfer point
(CTP). All CTPs – ie gas sources, sales meter stations and consumer meter stations – of SNGPL are 100 per cent metered, it said. The company also challenged the figure of 15pc UFG and the loss of 550 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd), saying the total input of indigenous gas on the SNGPL network was approximately 1,350mmcfd. This meant the loss of 550mmcfd worked out at 40pc, which was practically not possible, it added.
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Bangladesh buys 50,000 tons rice in tender DHAKA: Bangladesh’s state grains buyer has purchased 50,000 tonnes of rice at $438.00 a tonne CIF liner out which was offered in a tender on officials said on Wednesday. The proposal received approval from Bangladesh’s cabinet purchase committee on Wednesday, officials at the state grains buyer said. European traders said the non-basmati, parboiled rice was likely to be sourced from Thailand. The rice should be shipped 40 days after the contract signing. The seller was Thai-based company Siam Rice Trading. Bangladesh, the world’s fourth-biggest rice producer, has emerged as a major importer this year due to depleted stocks and record local prices following floods which damaged crops. The government is making major efforts to build state reserves. Bangladesh is to buy 100,000 tonnes of rice from Myanmar, putting aside worsening relations over the Rohingya refugee crisis as the government seeks to overcome the shortage of Bangladesh’s staple food.
LccI for downward revision of property tax rates LAHORE
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Saturday September 23, 2017
Chambers
kccI, MccI ink Mou to strengthen pak-Mauritius bilateral trade
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he Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Wednesday called for downward revision of property tax rates for growth of businesses. LCCI President Abdul Basit, Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa and Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan said that they had received complaints from its members against increase in property tax. They claimed that industry located in rural areas was served tax notices on footage measurement basis by the TMOs, adding the area where industry was situated was considered as industrial area. Industry in rural area must not be treated as in urban area, they suggested. Lahore Chamber’s office-
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bearers proposed that both the provincial and federal governments should come out with a formula about the maximum and minimum percentage of one’s income and what the person or people should expect in return. They said the government should initiate Public-Private Dialogue to resolve the issues of business doing people who were backbone of the economy. They cited that in Lahore, Davis Road and MM Alam Road had been put in A category though commercial value of property at M M Alam Road is many times higher than that at Davis Road. Moreover, the Excise Department determined the property tax on the basis of rent charged at M M Alam Road while the rental value at Davis Road was one-third, the added and called for addressing such issues to make the system more transparent.
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he Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding according to which both Chambers have agreed to develop a number of actions aimed to strengthen bilateral trade and relationships between Pakistan and Mauritius. The MoU, which was initially inked by President MCCI Azim Currimjee in Port Louis Mauritius in presence of Charge d’ Affaires of Pakistan’s High Commission in Mauritius Zahid Ahmed Khan Jatoi, was subsequently brought to Karachi by a Board Member of MCCI Shehzad Abdullah Ahmed so that it could ofSicially be inked by President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo who formally signed the MoU at a simple yet impressive ceremony held at Karachi Chamber in presence of Honorary Consul of Republic of Mauritius Sohail Yasin Suleman, Senior Vice President Asif Nisar, Vice President KCCI Muhammad Younus Soomro
and Managing Committee members. According to the MoU, KCCI and MCCI have agreed to initiate establishment of friendly and cordial relations through increased cooperation among industrialists, businessmen and entrepreneurs of the two chambers. They will also recognize the possibilities of growth, development and promotion of bilateral trade, investment and tourism, besides appreciating the scope of further expansion of bilat-
eral trade relations within the framework of laws and regulations prevalent in the two countries. Speaking on the occasion, Honorary Consul of Mauritius Sohail Yasin Suleman termed the signing of MoU between KCCI and MCCI as the Sirst step in the right direction which will pave way for more such initiatives, resulting in enhanced trade between the two countries. He was of the view that Mauritius was an impressive country where the business and
uk pccI assures for promoting pak brands ISLAMABAD
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K Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UK PCCI) here on Wednesday assured for playing its role for promoting “Made in Pakistan” brands in UK market as many Pakistani products have good potential to meet the needs of British consumers. A delegation headed by Jehanzaib Anis, Company Secretary, UKPCCI visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and said that a delegation of their chamber would visit Pakistan in November this year to attend Karachi Expo. He said some members of delegation would also visit Islamabad and Lahore to explore possibilities of further improving bilateral trade between Pakistan and UK. He said
UK PCCI was also planning to organize an Expo of Pakistani products in UK after Ramzan in 2018 and urged that ICCI members should take active participation in that expo to showcase potential of their products in UK. He said based on the interest and response of Pakistani private sector, the size and scope of the expo would be Sinalized. He said UK PCCI wanted to work with ICCI for promoting Pakistan’s trade with UK and assured that it would facilitate
Pakistani delegations in business visas of UK. Speaking on the occasion, Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, ICCI said that Pakistan and UK had had good potential to enhance bilateral trade and both countries should facilitate frequent exchange of trade delegations to explore untapped areas of mutual cooperation. He said UK PCCI should maintain regular liaison with ICCI to strengthen connectivity, especially between the SMEs of both countries that would help in realizing signiSicant boost in bilateral trade. He said that ICCI and UK PCCI should establish virtual liaison to strengthen business linkages between the private sectors of both countries. He said CPEC had started a new era of economic activities in Pakistan and emphasized that investors of UK should visit Pakistan to explore joint ventures and investment in CPEC projects.
industrial community of Karachi can not only do good business but can also explore scenic tourism sites. Board Member of Mauritius Chamber Shehzad Abdullah Ahmed, who is also the President of Pakistan Mauritius Joint Business Council, in his remarks, said that although Mauritius itself was a small country but it was the gateway to 47 countries in Africa which can easily be accessed by the business and industrial community of Karachi via Mauritius.
pIFA’s market visit campaign continues successfully akistan Industrials and Traders Associations Front (PIAF)-Founders Alliance is continuing successfully its campaign for the Associate Class of the upcoming LCCI (Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry) elections. PIAF-Founders Alliance (PFA) candi dates along with their leadership and supporters have, for the last three days, visited main Markets of Lahore including Urdu Bazaar, Gantpat Road, Abkari Road, Rahman Galian and other adjacent markets, according to PFA spokesman Abdus Saboor A Large number of market leaders and traders welcomed the Alliance candidates and leadership and showed complete trust in them, he claimed. –CB Report
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Khushab FIU impounds non duty paid Hino truck KHUSHAB: The Field Investigation Unit (FIU) of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation has seized a non duty paid Mazda truck bearing registration no: BYU-551 (Naseerabad) model 2004 worth Rs 4 million involving customs duty and taxes Rs3.2 million. Sources told Customs Today, that Deputy Director Muhammad Azam received information about some non customs paid vehicles which were plying on the roads. He constituted a team comprising Superintendent Muhammad Tahir, Intelligence Officer Mansoor Nasir driver Tajamul Haq (havaldar) Muhammad Sajjad and Khalil Ahmed (sepoys).
Saturday, September 23, 2017
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gwadar customs confiscates non-duty paid items worth rs 12.35m in 17 days GAWADER wAQAr AhMeD ANSArI www.customsbulletin.com
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ustoms Collectorate Gwadar confiscated various non-duty paid items, including hashish, bottles of wines, non-duty paid machinery, air conditioners, room coolers, imported watches and many other things worth Rs 12.35 million in 17 days of September. Source told Customs Today that on a tip-off regarding the possible smuggling of non-duty paid items, the Collector Gwadar constituted a team of Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) under the supervision of Customs Preventive Inspector Ghulam Kakar. The team, during a search operation, intercepted a truck bearing registration no: SK:3456 which was going to Mirpur Khas. During the search operation, the customs team found 15 kilogram of Sine quality hashish and two packets of opium worth Rs 1.8 million. The team impounded all the items including truck which was being used to smuggle these norcotics and arrested 3 smugglers identiSied who were later identiSied as Gul Rehman, Noman Baheer and Waheed Khaskheli.
DrAp seeks customs, FBr, FIA’s help in drive against spurious drugs ISLAMABAD
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rug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan’s (DRAP) has announced to seek Customs, FBR, FIA and other law enforcement agencies’ help to make its campaign against spurious, fake, counterfeit and substandard drugs a success. In this campaign, DRAP teams will meet with heads of Customs,
FBR, FIA and other law enforcement agencies, for improving coordination for effective and stringent enforcement of regulatory compliance and to resolve various hurdles and challenges in this regard. According to an ofSicial of DRAP, the campaign was launched with a focus on country’s people access to quality assured, safe, effective and affordable medicine. He added that this is another series, following an earlier three months similar campaign along with provinces that proved very effective in reducing the spurious, fake, substandard and counterfeit
drugs from the country. It resulted in sealing of hundreds of sales outlets, illegal and non-compliant manufacturing units, the arrest of many people, over 1,000 FIRs, hundreds of imprisonment and Sines over Rs 100 million, throughout the country, last year. This also resulted in a big deterrent against the involved culprits in this heinous crime against humanity, he added. In addition, this extended campaign will also include a drive for improving drug quality through integrated and systematic regulatory compliance for manufacturing facilities cGMP
and ensuring effective good distribution practices, good pharmacy, and sales practices. In this regard, DRAP teams along with provinces and security agencies will conduct market surveillance throughout the country, through strategic inspections and drug sampling for spurious drugs and will enforce regulatory compliance to a higher level. DRAP teams will also provide guidance to industry and pharma trade for improving the quality of manufacturing, distribution, sales and dispensing of therapeutic goods, he added. He said that the DRAP will also
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organize media engagement and will coordinate with social reformers and consumer protection NGOs to mobilize them for public education and to campaign for not accepting illegal and unregistered products and do not compromise on quality of drugs while purchasing, ensuring to buy only genuine products from pharmacies, maintaining good pharmacy practices and only registered and legal drugs. He added people need to be educated that they should not respond to illegal advertisements for unregistered products with fake claims.