April 15 layout 1

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Karachi, Sat April 15, 2017

ISLAMABAD

M FAIZAN

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he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has organized an awareness workshop regarding its project titled “Public Awareness and Advocacy About Dispute Resolution Mechanism of Federal Tax Ombudsman” for medium and small scale enterprises.

Muhammad Asif, Director General Administration FTO, has shed light on the historical perspective of the ombudsman office. He said the FTO offices are working to instill confidence in taxpayers. At present, there are 150 ombudsman offices in the world. In Pakistan, the ombudsman office was established in 1983 and in year 2000, an independent office of the Federal Tax Ombudsman was established. He elaborated in detail the complaint filing procedure and other available facilities provided by the FTO office to aggrieved taxpayers. He said that the mandate of

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FTO office is to ensure prompt and inexpensive justice to taxpayers against maladministration by the tax employees of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). He said that an average 1,500 complaints are annually being handled by the FTO offices across the country. Asif also highlighted the success stories of the FTO office since its establishment in year 2000. He said the tax-payers can file their complaints by courier, by hand, online or through e-mail.

He said the services of FTO offices are free of cost, citizens friendly and the complaints are decided in 60 days.

POL ‘subsidies’ behind FBR Rs100 billion shortfall: Dar

SHC bars tax authorities from recovery of Rs122.731m from Sunrise Plastic

Malaysia willing to invest in cooperative farming in KP: Khattak

Governor Rajwana inaugurates Ease of Doing Business Conference

Multan Collector Saud Imran approves reshuffling of eight inspectors

Darsaidthatinthefirsteightmonthswasdue to pro-growth incentives offered to various | See pAge 02 |

SHCrestrained the tax department form enforceimpugnedrecoveryofRs122.731m | See pAge 03 |

CM Pervez said that Malaysian govt has expressed willingness for investment | See pAge 04 |

Panelists stressed the need for favorable atmosphere and business friendly policies | See pAge 14 |

MCCMultanhastransferredeightinspectors atdifferentpostsduringamajorreshuffle | See pAge 16 |

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Peshawar dry port receives Rs523.08m all duty taxes Saturday, April 15, 2017

National

ISLAMABAD: The Customs Dry Port Peshawar collected Rs523.08million All Duty Taxes during the month of March of Financial Year (FY) 2016-17. According to Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Peshawar, during March FY2016-17 the Customs Dry Port Peshawar generated Rs188.69million Customs Duty whereas the dry port did Rs12.77million miscellaneous taxes and surcharges.

During above said period, the dry port Peshawar received Rs26.74million Redemption Duty on Imports whereas the dry port earned Rs180.41million Sales Tax. During March, the dry port collected Rs25.61million Sales Tax on imports while the dry port Peshawar did Rs83.08million Additional Income Tax and the dry port got Rs5.71million Federal Excise Duty on Imports.

poL ‘subsidies’ behind FBr rs100 billion shortfall: Ishaq Dar

FAISALABAD

ISLAMABAD

NAeeM SheIkh

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Jhang has seized no-dutypaid foreign origin plastic toys.

The market value of seized items is Rs551730 involving duty and taxes of Rs119541. Sources told Customs Today that Collector Muhammad Sadiq received a tip-off regarding the smuggling of items. The collector constituted a special team comprising Superintendent Saeed Akhtar Joiya, Ali Zahid, Mehmood Ahmed Dogar, Dilawar Hussain, Liaqat Ali, Zulfikar Ali Awan and Muhammad Arshad. The ASO team intercepted a vehicle with registration No: GLTB3577 near Bypass Toba Road Jhang.

The vehicle was loaded with foreign origin (F/O), plastic toys ( 57-bundles) of China made. The ASO seized all the toys under Section 2(s) read with SRO 566(1)/2005 and Sections 16, 18 of the Customs Act-1969 with Section 3 of Sales Tax Act1990, Section 148 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001. The consignment was being transported from Karachi to Lahore. The team asked the driver to produce legal documents regarding the possession and transportation of loaded goods but he failed to prove anything.

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inance Minister Ishaq Dar said that in the Pirst eight months was due to progrowth incentives offered to various sectors of the economy, particularly exports and agriculture. The major reason for revenue gap amounting to Rs100 billion was due to not passing on the full impact of petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) prices to the common man, he added. He said that Pakistan had undertaken two important initiatives.

First, on March 21, 2017, it signed the revised Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with Switzerland. Second, on September 14, 2016, it signed the OECD’s Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters.

The initiatives would help reduce and prevent tax evasion in future.

Development Expenditure: Despite reducing Piscal dePicit over the last three years, the minister said allocation for Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) had more than doubled and during FY 2017, the budget dePicit (borrowing) would be only for its development spending, which was a milestone achievement.

He said the current account dePicit increased to $ 5.5 billion in Jul-Feb FY17. This was largely due to a sizable increase in imports of

Jhang ASo recovers smuggled toys worth rs551730

capital goods, along with delayed receipts of Coalition Support Fund (CSF). Ishaq Dar said the rise in overall import payments was mainly driven by increased purchases and higher prices of fuel. However, there was signiPicant increase in capital goods imports, which, he added, would lead the economy to a higher growth path. He said foreign exchange reserves at present were hovering around $ 22 billion, which were expected to reach over $ 23

billion by end of June, 2017.

“The government is committed to support the poor and the most vulnerable segments of population through BISP. Social safety net expenditures have increased by over 300 per cent through the four budgets of the current government,” he added. He said signiPicant expansion in allocation to BISP had taken place, which was enhanced from Rs 40 billion in FY 2013 to Rs 115 billion in FY 2017 leading to increase

in coverage from 3.7 million to 5.45 million families. Annual stipend, he said, had also been enhanced from Rs 12,000 to Rs 19,336 during the period, while more than Rs 299 billion was disbursed among the poorest families, as unconditional cash transfers. “We continue to diversify Pinancing from both domestic and external sources, lengthen the maturity proPile of domestic debt and improve the balance between domestic and external debt,” he said.

ANF recovers 156.42kg narcotic in 22 countrywide operations

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ISLAMABAD

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nti Narcotics Force (ANF) has recovered 156.42kg drugs and 55,000 Valium Tabs (Diazepam) in its 22 countrywide operations against the menace. The recovered drugs comprised 136.16 kg Hashish, 15.98 kg Heroin, 4.25 kg Amphetamine and 30 gram Opium. During operations, ANF also apprehended 32 persons including

two ladies involved in narcotics smuggling and seized nine vehicles.

According to details here on Thursday, ANF Quetta intercepted a Suzuki Hi-Roof Ambulance No. WAE-263 opposite Sheikh Zahid Hospital, Mustang Road, Quetta and recovered 50 kg Hashish from vehicle while arresting two persons namely Sana ul Haq and Samuel Masih, both residents of Quetta.

ANF Rawalpindi arrested an accused namely Sher Dil Khan, resident of Attock, and recovered 1.5 kg

Hashish from his possession. He was arrested near Hamzaq Petroleum, Kohat Road, Fateh Jhang, Attock.

In another operation ANF Rawalpindi arrested a local drug carrier namely Khurshid Hussain, resident of Peshawar near Jhallah Khan Chowk, Attock and recovered 1.3 kg Hashish from his personal possession. ANF Lahore while acting upon a tip-off intercepted a Suzuki Swift Car at Malik Brothers Goods Transport, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore and recovered 48 Kg Hashish from secret cav-

ities of a car while arresting three persons identiPied as Aamir Khan, resident of Aurakzai Agency, Wajid Meer, resident of Khyber Agency and Muhammad Sajid, resident of Gujranwala. In another operation, ANF Lahore intercepted a Suzuki Car and Motorcycle CD-70 near Mian Channu Tool Plaza, GT Road, Khanewal and recovered 6 Kg Hashish from secret cavities of the car. Two persons were arrested namely Ali Haider, resident of Kohat and Sajjad Aziz, resident of Lodhran. In third operation, ANF La-

hore arrested a passenger at Allama Iqbal International Airport, namely Saif Ullah, resident of Bannu. He intended to travel to United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Sharjah) by PIA Flight No. PK-412 and recovered 460 grams Hashish concealed in his shoes. In forth operation, ANF Lahore arrested a drug carrier namely Sher Muhammad, resident of Sargodha near Dera Sher Muhammad, Village Matila, Tehsil Kot Momin, District Sargodha and recovered three (3) kg Hashish from his personal possession.

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PCA unearths revenue evasion of Rs34m KARACHI: Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has unearthed revenue evasion of Rs34 million under South Asian FREE TRADE Agreement (SAFTA). The PCA also served contravention report on M/S G M Enterprises, M/s Malik Corporation, M/s H.S Unicorn Mart, M/s Horizone International, M/s GNK Enterprises, M/s Al Yousf Enterprises in this regard. PCA Deputy Director Sajid Baloch, during the audit of import data of Polyester Dyed Ladies Suiting Shirting Fabric/ Polyester Dyed Fabric’ classifiable under PCT Heading 5407.5200, found that these importers were misdeclaring the classification of the imported goods by declaring it under PCT heading 5407.4200 in order to avail inadmissible benefit of reduced rate of Customs Duty under SAFTA.

1104 vehicles impounded in road checking campaign

Saturday April 15, 2017

National

Shc bars tax authorities from recovery of rs122.731m from Sunrise plastic

KARACHI

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s many as 1104 vehicles were impounded out of 24,673 vehicles checked during the road checking campaign against the tax defaulting vehicles which was launched performed on March 20 to April 03 across Sindh. It was said by Sindh Minister for Excise and Taxation and Narcotics Control Mukesh Kumar Chawla while chairing a meeting at his office here on Thursday, said a statement.

Secretary ET&NC Abdul Haleem Shaikh and Director General Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui also attended the meeting. While briefing the meeting, DG Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui told that in Karachi 12758, in Hyderabad 4517, in Sukkur 2487, in Larkana 1875, in Mirpurkhas 2423 and in Shaheed Benazirabad 1845 vehicles.

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khushab FIu impounds NDp goods FAISALABAD

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he Customs Intelligence and Investigations Field Investigation Unit (FIU) Khushab confiscated miscellaneous fancy ladies brand items worth Rs3,22,85,575 involving customs duty of Rs1,54,97,076 and also impounded Mazda mini truck. Sources told Customs Today, that Superintendent Zahid Raza Bukhari received information about some smuggling attempts. He immediately constituted a raiding party comprising Muhammad Tahir Iqbal, Muhammad Ramzan, Ansar Saleemi.

The FIU team of Khushab intercepted a Mazda Mini truck bearing registration no: 16-640 near Sial More district Sargodha and seized the smuggled items ladies dopatta, ladies dyed suiting cloth in different colour (90 kilograms), embroidery fancy sari with blouse (1006kilograms), ladies frok, embroidery ladies shawls (74 kilograms).

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KARACHI

M B rANA

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) restrained the tax department form enforce impugned recovery of Rs122.731 million from petitioner on a constitutional petition Piled by M/s Sunrise Plastic Industries Private Limited against impugned demand notice issued by tax authorities.

During the hearing of petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi also issued notices to tax department and attorney general and directing them to file their respective para wise comments.

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner submitted that pursuant to order under section 122 (1) of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, for the tax year 2014 passed by the respondents, petitioner has preferred an appeal along with stay application before commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals IV, he further submitted that in date mentioned in the demand notice for payment of tax is expiring today and there is apprehension that the respondents may adopt coercive action for the recovery of the impugned demand by attachment of bank account of the petitioner.

Citing Secretary Ministry of Law, chairman Federal Board of Revenue, commissioner Inland Revenue, Zone-III, Large Taxpayers Unit,

deputy commissioner Inland Revenue Audit Unit-II Zone-III Large Taxpayers Unit-II as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner including attachment of its bank accounts for impugned recovery.

Meanwhile, The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the Tax Department and deputy attorney general on a constitutional petition Piled by M/s Imperial Metal Indus-

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi issued notices to tax department and attorney general directing them to file their respective para wise comments

NAB rejects raisani plea-bargain request

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QUETTA

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www.customsbulletin.com he National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Balochistan has rejected the plea bargain application of ex-secretary Pinance Mushtaq Ahmed Raisani in a mega corruption case. The NAB Balochistan has Piled an application in Accountability Court Quetta through which the court has been requested to reject the plea-bargain petition submitted by former secretary Pi-

nance over mega embezzlement in local government funds. The application contained the decision which was undertaken in the Executive Board Meeting (EBM) of NAB presided over by its Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, in which the plea-bargain petition of Mushtaq Ahmed Raisani was rejected. The developments might be the ramiPication of chides the bureau had to digest from various political and social quarters over accepting the plea-bargain requests of corrupt bu-

reaucrats. Raisani was arrested last year in May when the NAB authorities raided his residence and recovered a huge cash amounting to Rs347million, prize bounds amounting to Rs 53.3million, US$2.36 million and currencies of some other countries along with gold ornaments. Meanwhile, Irfan Naeem Mangi has assumed charge as new Director General of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Balochistan. According to a press release of NAB Balochistan.

tries seeking restoration of its sales tax registration blocked by customs authorities. During the hearing of the petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, directed them to Pile their respective para wise comments on the next date of hearing. The court then adjourned the hearing for April 7, 2017. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is services providers and paying all liabilities regularly.

ptcL reports 2pc growth in revenues he Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has announced the financial results for the first quarter of 2017 and declared a sequential growth of 2 percent in PTCL’s revenue in Q1-FY17 over Q4FY16. Revenue from PTCL’s flagship Broadband service increased over same quarter last year. Likewise, wholesale services and international revenues also increased.

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Govt urged to tackle threat of water scarcity ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is facing shortage of water while scarcity is increasing with a fast pace therefore the government should take steps to tackle the threat, a business leader said. Continued fall in availability of water is taking toll on masses, industry and agriculture but policymakers seem indifferent, said ICCI former president Atif Ikram Sheikh. He said, “Water scarcity is a bigger threat to our security than militancy as the country may run dry by 2025 resulting in violent conflicts in the country.” He said that the country may face drought-like situation in the near future if immediate and urgent steps were not taken that include containing wastage of water.

Saturday April 15, 2017

Business

Malaysia willing to invest in kp: khattak ISLAMABAD

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hyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak said on Friday that Malaysian government has expressed willingness for investment in cooperative farming in the province. CM said his government is working on a proposal to provide 100,000 acres land to Malaysia in Dera Ismail Khan for this purpose.

Minister highlighted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed with a Malaysian Pirm for initiating halal food project in Haripur.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Khyber

kp NAB Dg calls on governor LAHORE

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hyber Pakhtunkhwa Director General National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Brigadier ® Farooq Nasir Awan had a courtesy called on with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra at Governor’s House Peshawar on Wednesday. He remained with the Governor for some time and apprised him about the performance of National Accountability Bureau Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Governor also congratulated the DG for assuming the office and wished him success in the fulfillment of his responsibilities.

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Pakhtunkhwa, Pervez Khattak inaugurated the newly developed website of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Pak-China Economic Corridor (CPEC) in a ceremony at Chief Minister Secretariat here Thursday. It has been jointly launched by the Planning

& Development and Information Technology Departments. On this occasion, Secretary P&D Shahab Ali Shah briefed the Chief Minister about the Website. He said 100 projects of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government were shown in the web being pre-

sented during the three-day Beijing Road Show starting from 16th of this month. It carried details and information about investment opportunities and potentials in education, health, tourism, culture, trade, industry, energy, mines and minerals, environment, food, agriculture, housing, transport, Information technology, banking and other sectors that would also be regularly updated with every new development in the concerned sectors. The website also covered information on policies, incentives and facilities of KP government in various sectors besides the blue prints and data on the existing and new industrial zones, technology cities, oil rePinery, construction of 14-storey CPEC tower at old bus terminal Peshawar on 12.7 kanals of land, cargo terminal and other relevant details.

rs265m recovered, 47 properties confiscated in rs1.5b Apo scam T

ISLAMABAD

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he Senate’s Committee on Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization was informed that recovery of Rs 265 million had been made so far in the Rs 1.5 billion Abandoned Properties Organization (APO) Pinancial fraud.

“We have made recovery of Rs 265 m, which has been handed over to APO and investigations are going on to trace and get back the re-

maining amount,” an Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) ofPicial told Senate body, which was chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla.

Among others, the meeting was attended by senators Muhammad Mohsin Khan Leghari, Ms Ayesha Raza Farooq, Saud Majeed and Fateh Muhammad Hussaini. It may be mentioned that the amount was transacted from the APO account in National Bank of Pakistan to a fraudulent account in Habib Bank Limited (HBL) through many transactions, facilitated by ofPicials of both the banks. The FIA representative

informed the committee that so far 47 properties, where this amount was invested, had been conPiscated by the agency, including 22 in Bharia Town, and others in Defence and other localities. He said the investigation was going on. One of the accused, who had got possession of about Rs 280 million, had passed away, and the Agency had traced that the amount was initially transacted in his friend’s account and then transferred to his account.

The ofPicial admitted that the Agency did not trace out any trail of the accused.

pak- turkey, FtA agreement to sign in mid of May 2017 ISLAMABAD

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REE TRADE Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Turkey to be signed in coming months of May 2017,which would enhance bilateral trade between both of the countries.

Both sides would share provisional list for reaching the finalagreement for FTA in coming round of dialogue. Both of the countries would hold discussions on agreement on goods, services and investment. Pakistan’s trade balance started decreasing at annual rate of 19 percent after additional duties imposed

by Turkey in 2011, said a senior official from Ministry of Commerce,talking to APP here. The official said that Pakistan will get market space in agriculture and pharmaceutical sectors. The official further said that Pakistan’s major exports to Turkey are denim PET,ethanol, Cotton yarn, fabric, rice, garments, leather, carpets, surgical instruments, sports good, chemicals. Pakistan’s major imports from Turkey are manmade textiles, towels, steel structure, tanning and plastic chemicals, processed milk and whey, the official said. Replying to a question, the Commerce Ministry official said that additional tariff imposed

by Turkey in 2011 have a targeted impact on Pakistan’s major exports, adding that Turkey levied additional duty on 1880 products and Pakistan did the same in response.

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pak- hungary signs agreement to enhance bilateral trade ISLAMABAD

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akistan and Hungary signed an agreement to enhance economic cooperation and trade ties. Economic Affairs Division Secretary Tariq Mahmood Pasha and Hungarian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Szilveszter Bus signed the agreement. The agreement signing cer-

emony was witnessed by Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar. On the occasion, Dar said that it is a step forward towards establishment of a Joint Commission and even closer relations between Pakistan and Hungary. He said that the agreement would facilitate active promotion of economic linkages between the two countries, and realisation of the true bilateral trade potential. Dar also invited the Hungarian companies

to explore business and trade opportunities in Pakistan. He expressed the hope that the governments of Pakistan and Hungary will actively work in partnership to ensure economic cooperation and prosperity for the peoples of both nations.

The Hungarian deputy minister said that signing of the agreement is a major milestone and the next step would be the formation of the joint economic commission. He in-

vited Pakistani businessmen to explore opportunities for cooperation with their Hungarian counterparts. He said that Pakistan is one of the hubs of economic growth and Hungary looks forward to develop strong economic ties with Pakistan.

The agreement will help to promote economic cooperation between the two countries in various areas including machine industry, electronics industry, food and agri-

culture, water management, environmental and energy sector, chemical and petrochemical industry, construction and infrastructure development, transport and logistics, automotive industry, IT and telecom, healthcare, education, and human resource development. The Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation to be established under the agreement will monitor the effective implementation of the agreement.

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he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of Billiard table and parts/accessories through Valuation Ruling No 1126/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act 1969.

It has been observed that the Billiard table and parts/accessories thereof are being assessed at different customs values at different customs stations. For the purpose of uniform assessment, this Directorate General initiated an exercise for determination of customs values of the subject goods.

Meeting with stakeholders was held on 27-03-2017 and the importers were requested to furnish the invoices of imports during last three months showing factual value. Websites, names and e-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value can be ascertained.

Copies of contracts made / LCs opened during the last three months showing the value of item in question. Copies of Sales Tax Invoices issued during last four months showing the difference in price (excluding duty and taxes) to substantiate that the ben-

ePit of difference in price is passed on to the local buyers. The meeting was attended by different importers. The importers, during the meeting agreed that the prices of Billiard Table and Parts/Accessories thereof should be determined under Section 25A in light of prices in the international market, for uniform applicability.

They, however, did not submit any corroboratory evidence/documents in support of their

proposed values. They requested that they might be allowed some time to furnish evidences and other documents in support of their contentions but failed to submit any such document, even after passage of considerable. Valuation methods given in Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969 were followed to arrive at value of Billiard Table and Parts/Accessories thereof. Transaction value method provided in Section 25 (1) was found inapplicable owing to wide variation in the values being declared to the customs and incomplete descriptions.

Meanwhile, The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of ethyl hexanol/octanol and phthalic anhydrite through Valuation Ruling No 1125/2017 under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969.

According to the details, the customs value of phthalic anhyes essori drate was earlier determined c c a / s d part vide VDB No.235/2017 dated, ed at ble an a t d r assess 06.03.2017. Representations a g t n n i Billi e e er re b i a d f were received from comt o a e s e ther s valu se of mercial importers, for dem o o p t r s u u nt c he p t e r termination of customs r e o  F i e t d s. ectora tation value of 2- ethyl hexar s i s D , m t o cust ssmen nol/octanol and phthalic ane for m asse xercis r e o f n i a hydrate afresh. n u es of ated

i s valu al init gener custom f o n o inati ods ject go determ b u s e th

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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

IMF’s concern over trade deficit

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uring their recent meeting with the Pakistani negotiating team, officials of the International Monetary Fund have expressed concerns over the widening fiscal deficit of the country and advised the government to create export surplus. Question is who is the IMF to advise the sovereign government of Pakistan to do this and that? This is the case. When you ask for money for everything, you will have to be answerable for everything. The exports are falling and trade deficit are on the rise. On another note, the energy crisis persists as were at the time the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz took over the rein of the country four years ago. Load shedding and load management still haunt the industrial sector as well as the domestic consumers. The nosediving exports graph has been widening the trade deficit and the government is far from taking any practical step to strengthen the power distribution system. If electricity generation is less than the requirement, the line losses are adding insult to injury. The officials in the water and power development authority are still unclear how many units are produced how much are lost under the head of line losses. The corrupt elements are freely using the national resources and the genuine taxpayers and simpleton domestic consumers are made to pay the exorbitant bills. In the tax collection domain, only less than one million pay taxes in a country of over 200 million and half of the taxpayers are from the salaried classes. The road and streets are narrowing with every passing day with new cars and business centers are infested with branded stores, but tax collection still could not be picked up. The salaried class is obliged to pay taxes and the genuine taxpayers are often forced to pay extra taxes. The policymakers should revisit their steps and revised their policies to identify the reasons as to how people are shy of coming into the tax net. The IMF has every right to dictate and sometime it is blessing in disguise as it pinpoints problem areas in the national economy. According to the Mission of the fund, in the absence of any timely step,Pakistan’s current account deficit could reach 2.9 percent of its gross domestic product during the current fiscal year.The IMF warning came at a time when finance minister himself admitted that revenue collection has been facing Rs100 billion shortfall due several unavoidable reasons.

economy in perspective T

LAHORE

Dr AFtAB AFZAL

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he Asian Development Bank has projected 5.2 percent growth rate in the country’s gross domestic product for the current Piscal year and 5.5 percent for the next year. However, to reap the benePits of the growing economy, it has called for structural reforms in various sectors, including bank has highlighted the potential benePits of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, but warns that Pakistan would only be able to avail the benePits of $55-billion investment if it continues to stride towards economic reforms. The energy sector, tax system and security are

some basic areas of concerns which need to be taken care of.

The report also points out another fact that Pakistan will not be able to fulPill its Pinancial obligations with regard to the CPEC without boosting local and foreign investment as well as producing industrial surplus to enhance exports. There is a need to create business-friendly environment as the current trade and Pinancial policies are not in line with the changing circumstances.

It seems the only option before the government to maintain economic stability and keep foreign exchange reserves at comfortable level is to obtain foreign loans at high markup rates.

The pace of reforms initiated three years ago should continue

and the government will have to take proactive approach to ensure security, macroeconomic stability and sustain economic gains. Earlier, the International Monetary Fund had expressed identical views on the challenges faced by the country in the areas of energy, Piscal dePicit and external sectors. The report says that internal security has improved in recent years, but it needs continued efforts to consolidate theeconomic gains.The country could not set traditions of the diversiPication of products which Japan and other countries carried out to enhance their exports. There is pressure on the government to ‘rationalize’ the CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE and it is very appreciable that the Pinance minis-

ter has braved pressure not only from the international donor agencies, but also from the local exporters. Devaluation is not an answer to the economic woes. Instead, steps are required to increase industrial activities. If energy crisis and cost of production are the apparent reasons for the low export volume, weak global demand and low prices of commodities in the international markets have also played their role in it. Any disproportional increase in current account dePicit could adversely affect the status of foreign exchange reserves, which reached as low as $1.3 billion a couple of months ago. Besides this, there is a need to enhance exports to offset the adverse effects of repayment issue.

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LCCI urges govt to curb smuggling LAHORE: The local business community has urged the government to take more steps to control smuggling and said that Frontier Constabulary (FC), deployed at borders, should be equipped with the latest technology. While talking to media, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Abdul Basit said the prime minister had taken notice of the hurdles and problems being faced by the businessmen and pledged to do away the same, which was appreciable.

Basit called for expeditious export refunds, abolishing tax officials’ discretionary powers under Section 38B of Sales Tax Act 1990, reversing agriculture stagnation, ensuring identical energy prices in provinces and removing bureaucratic hurdles in various matters. Such steps would ultimately boost economic growth in the country, he added.

pakistan-Bahrain to strenghthen economic and trade relations ISLAMABAD

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slamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has hailed the Pakistan-Bahrain Business Opportunities Conference held here on March 30 and considered it a milestone in economic and trade relations between two countries. Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry has signed the Memorandum of understanding (MoU) for enhancing the business to business relations and trade volume between both of the

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countries, Senior Vice President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Khalid Malik stated. He said that Bahrain had important geographical location,situated as gateway for six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries also provided excess to all countries. He said the GCC were comprised of six countries including Saudi Arabia,Bahrain,Oman,Qatar,Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates were full of energy resources and petroleum products. He said that GCC countries had huge potential to emerge a new economic block and would play big role in regional and global trade.

Khalid said that initial frame work on FREE TRADE Agreement with Pakistan and GCC country was completed and in coming months it would be finalized.

He said that this conference was a landmark for enhancing confidence of the business community from both countries. Khalid Malik said that Bahrain in open country for the trade and current regime initiated the economic reforms for trade liberalization and oneness to outer world.

Saturday April 15, 2017

Chambers

uk wants strong trade relations with pakistan: Nigel paul huddleston A

LAHORE

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seven-member British Parliamentary delegation, led by Nigel Paul Huddleston visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and shown keen interest in developing trade and economic relations between the two countries. The LCCI President Abdul Basit and Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa spoke on the occasion while Mian Zahid Javed, Zeeshan Khalil, Khamis Saeed Butt, Dr. Qurat ul Ain, Mian Abdul Razzaq and Haji Muhammad Akram were also present. Head of the delegation Nigel Paul said that visit of British Parliamentarians is a continuation of high level exchanges between the two countries. He said that this visit will further enhance and strengthen Pakistan-UK relations and up-scale existing co-operation in diverse Pields, particularly in areas of common interest. He said that Pakistan has made a signiPicant progress during the past few years in economic and social sectors. The delegation members pledged to work for better visa policies for the businessmen.

The LCCI President Abdul Basit said that UK’s main reason for being such a developed country is their strong socio-political atmosphere where the people and the government work hand in hand for the betterment of the country.

He said that Lahore Chamber has been maintaining good working relations with all the departments working in Pakistan under British High Commission. The heads of British Department for International Development, UK Trade & Investment, British Business Center

etc., keep visiting Lahore Chamber to identify areas and make joint efforts to promote trade & investment relations between two countries.

The LCCI President said that development work under China Pakistan Economic Corridor is being carried out at good pace whose total worth is almost dollar 46 billion.

Gwadar Port has become partially operational. It is a big opportunity with regard to economic future of Pakistan. Many countries including Russia, Germany, Iran are showing interest to be partner in this mega

pak-Bahrain Business conference milestone for economic relations: IccI

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ISLAMABAD

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slamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Friday hailed the Pakistan-Bahrain Business Opportunities Conference held here on and considered it a milestone in economic and trade relations between two countries. Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry has signed the Memorandum of understanding(MoU) for enhancing the business to business relations and trade volume between both of the countries, Senior Vice President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Khalid Malik stated this while talking to APP here.

He said that Bahrain had important geographical location, situated as gateway for six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries also provided excess to all countries. He said the GCC were comprised of six countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates were full of energy resources and petroleum products. Replying to a question, he said that GCC countries had huge potential to emerge a new economic block and would play big role in regional and global trade.

Khalid said that initial frame work on FREE TRADE Agreement with Pakistan and GCC country was completed and in coming months it would be Pinalized.

He said that this conference was a landmark for enhancing conPi-

dence of the business community from both countries. Khalid Malik said that Bahrain in open country for the trade and current regime initiated the economic reforms for trade liberalization and oneness to outer world.

Bahrain would provided a platform to Pakistan for improving trade relations with GCC states and also promote investment opportunities, he added.

He said that Pakistan and Bahrain would expand their economic partnership under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),which also play pivotal role for regional connectivity.Khalid Malik said that Pakistan had huge opportunity for exporting rice, fruit, vegetable and Agro- processing to Bahrain for enhance export.

project. We urge that UK based investors should also participate in it. You can dePinitely play role in this connection.

He said that a large segment of population living in UK belongs to South Asia. For a number of Pakistanis, UK is a second home.

Whenever Pakistanis go to UK, they always feel like that they are in a familiar surrounding. He said that UK happens to be homeland to many Pakistanis because they are generally treated without any discrimination.

SccI stresses need to follow traffic rules resident Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Majid Raza Bhutta said it is a national duty of all of us to come forward and play a role in promotion of traffic rules education among people.

He was addressing the participants in the inaugural ceremony of Traffic Week, held at the SCCI auditorium on Monday. He urged the government to include the traffic rules chapter in the school curriculum to inculcate the importance of traffic rules importance among students. Assistant Commissioner Shahid Abbas said on the occasion, now the troika of Sialkot district administration, academia and Sialkot businessmen would ensure traffic rules implementation in Sialkot city. –CB Report

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Member (Taxpayers Audit) Raana Seerat to retire on 28th Saturday April 15, 2017

National Senior preventive officer Zulfiqar given major penalty for inefficiency ISLAMABAD

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ISLAMABAD: Raana Seerat, a BS-22 officer of Inland Revenue Service, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation.

Raana, presently posted as Member (Taxpayers Audit) at Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad, will stand retired from the government service with effect from April 28. The officer was promoted to grade 22 on February 19. She assumed the charge of the post of Member (Taxpayers Audit) after relinquishing the charge of the post of Chief Commissioner-IR, Large Taxpayers Unit, Islamabad, with effect from February 8.

Muhammad Faheem takes charge as Dy commissioner-Ir M

ISLAMABAD

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ulfiqar Ahmed, a Pakistan Customs Service officer BS-16, has been given major penalty of “removal from service” for inefficiency.

Disciplinary proceedings under Government Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 1973 were initiated against the officer, last posted as Senior Preventive officer at Model Customs Collectorate Preventive, Karachi vide Charge Sheet No.10/5/2013-CusIII dated 13.12.2013. Muhammad Tahir, Additional Collector posted at Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement-East, Karachi, was appointed as inquiry officer to conduct inquiry on account of various acts of omission and commission committed by the accused officer constituting “inefficiency” and “misconduct”. According to the inquiry report, the charges of “inefficiency” and “misconduct” were established against the accused officer.

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Ac-Ir Amna relinquishes charge mna Sharif, an IR Service officer BS-17, has relinquished the charge of the post of Assistant Commissioner-IR. The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Letter No 103(321)/2015-MIR-V/2006 dated 31.03.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Assistant Commissioner-IR, RTO Office, Peshawar on April 4. Meanwhile, Imran Khan, an Inland Revenue Service officer, has taken the charge of the post of DC-IR on promotion to BS-18. Imran, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No.0792-IR-V/2017 dated 09-032017, relinquished the charge of the post of Deputy Commissioner-IR (on acting charge basis) with effect from March 10. –CB Report

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uhammad Faheem, an Inland Revenue Service ofPicer, has assumed the charge as Deputy Commissioner-IR on promotion to BS18. The ofPicer, in pursuance of Board’s NotiPication No.0464-IR-V/2017 dated 15-02-2017, took the charge of the post of Deputy Commissioner-IR at RTO, Abbottabad with effect from February 16. Meanwhile, Ali Raza Khan, an Inland Revenue Service ofPicer, has assumed the charge as Deputy Director of Directorate of Internal Audit on promotion to BS-18. Ali Raza, pursuing the Board’s NotiPication No.0464IR-V/2017 dated 15-02-2017, took the charge of the post of Deputy Director-IR at Directorate of Internal Audit Rawalpindi on regular basis with effect from February 17.

peshawar customs impounds 554 vehicles T

ISLAMABAD

tArIQ DerYA

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he Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Peshawar seized 554 vehicles during nine months of current Financial Year (FY2016-17).

During three quarters (July to March), the performance of the MCC-Anti Smuggling Organization has been satisfactory during above said period.

The ASO Peshawar impounded 345 offending vehicles worth Rs482.00millions during above said period whereas the ASO Peshawar seized 209 NonCustoms Duty Paid vehicles worth Rs305.35million during 09 months of Financial Year 2016-17. During above said period, the ASO arrested 35 offenders involved in smuggling activities whereas the MCC Peshawar convicted 38 persons in different cases.

The ASO MCC Peshawar seized 22 offending (vehicles used to carry smuggled goods) vehicles

worth R23.3million during the month of March FY2016-17

whereas the ASO’s car cell seized 21 Non-Customs Duty Paid

(NDP) vehicles worth Rs27.1million during said period.

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FBR provisionally collects Rs2,265 billion ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue has provisionally collected Rs2,265 billion during the last nine months (July-March) of current fiscal year 2016-17.

However, the FBR faced Rs 157 billion shortfall during the corresponding period.

The total target for third quarter (January-March) 2016-17 was around Rs 834.4 billion.

Under the monthly collection, the country’s top revenue authority collected Rs 343 billion in March 2017 against the target of Rs 350.1 billion. The monthly revenue collection target for March was at Rs 350.1 billion as compared to Rs 250.6 billion target set for February 2017.

Senior preventive officer Munir removed from service ISLAMABAD

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unir Hussain Iqbal, a Pakistan Customs Service officer BS-16, has been given major penalty of “removal from service” for inefficiency. Disciplinary proceedings under Government Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 1973 were initiated against the officer, last posted as Senior Preventive officer at Model Customs Collectorate Preventive, Karachi vide Charge Sheet No.10/5/2013-Cus-III dated 13.12.2013. Muhammad Tahir, Additional Collector posted at Model Customs Collectorate AppraisementEast, Karachi, was appointed as inquiry officer to conduct inquiry on account of various acts of omission and commis-

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sion committed by the accused officer constituting “inefficiency” and “misconduct”. According to the inquiry report, the charges of “inefficiency” and “misconduct” were established against the accused officer. A show-cause notice dated 19.11.2014 was issued to the accused officer and in response, he submitted his defence reply. After considering the inquiry report, reply of the accused to the show-cause notice and his oral submissions during the personal hearing with the authorized officer, the accused officer was found guilty of “inefficiency” under rule 3(a) of the Government Servants (E&D) Rules, 1973, causing huge loss to the Government exchequer. The Member (Admn), being the authority in this case, after having considered all aspects of the case and the recommendations of the authorized officer, imposed the major penalty of “removal from service” upon Munir Hussain Iqbal under rule 4(1)(b)(iii) of the Govt.

National

Ihc directs parties to submit record on plea filed by pakistan tobacco company

Mianwali ASo impounds toyota hiace worth rs2 million FAISALABAD

NAeeM SheIkh

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Mianwali has seized a non-duty-paid Toyota Hiace Ambulance with registration No: JF6952 (Karachi) in golden colour. The market value of the seized vehicle is Rs02.00million involving customs duty and taxes of Rs01.4million.

The ASO team, comprising Superintendent Chaudhary Muhammad Sardar, Mehmood Ahmed Dogar, Azhar Hussain Jafri, (Inspector), Ashraf Khan (Hawaldar) Sher Ahmad, Muhammad Amin, Muhammad Yousaf (sepoys) and Riasat Hussain (Driver), found a Toyota Hiace Ambulance near Chasma Barrage, district Mianwali.

The vehicle was thoroughly examined and checked in the presence of the staff but nothing was found in it except bogus copy of a registration book mentioning the name of Asif Khushhal son of Muhammad Khushhal Khan, a resident of Talagang, district Chakwal. The ASO team seized the vehicle and forward the case to the customs adjudication.

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ISLAMABAD

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division bench of Islamabad High Court directed parties to submit records of the case Piled against Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue and Pield ofPice of Federal Board of Revenue. IHC bench comprising Justice Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard cases Piled by M/s Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited.

M/s Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited had recently Piled this income tax matter.

M/s Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited had challenged a recovery claim made by Pield ofPice of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

M/s Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited had Piled the reference in which the company had challenged a show cause notice issued by the Large Taxpayers Unit, Islamabad.

M/s Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited had prayed the court that FBR ofPice had issued a recovery notice to the company which did not hold lawful grounds.

The appellant had prayed the court to declare the act as illegal and without any lawful authority and an

Saturday April 15, 2017

interim stay may be granted against recovery proceedings.

M/s Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited had also prayed the court to decide the case early as the appellant had to bear Pinancial complications after the case. M/s Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited had also mentioned that departmental obli-

gations were not met amid processing the notice of recovery demand while later the adjudication did not addressed grievances of the appellant. ATIR, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), ofPicers of LTU including commissioner Inland Revenue, and others were made respondent in the tax reference.

Quetta customs I&I foils smuggling attempts

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KARACHI

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he Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Quetta foiled two attempts of smuggling and seized 10 kilogram narcotics and more than 70 fake number plates in two different operations. According to details, Deputy Collector Customs Preventive Junaid Mehmood received a tipoff regarding transportation of smuggled items in a Mazda truck.

He immediately constituted a special team comprising Asghar Khan, Shamim Qaiser, Gul Hakim Ali, Imran Baloch and some other staff

members of the Customs Preventive. The said team started searching vehicles near Noshki. While searching the vehicle, the team intercepted

a Mazda truck bearing registration no: LA-352. The team recovered 8 kilogram Pine quality weed, worth Rs1.2 million, hidden under the

sacks of Plour and sugar.

The Customs officials confiscated the narcotics and arrested two persons named Akbar Ali, and Sultan and registered a case against the offenders. Meanwhile, in another operation, the Customs Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) team raided on a warehouse and recovered more than 70 fake number plates. However no one was arrested in this raid. Sources said that in March 2017, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Quetta confiscated 36,000 liters Iranian diesel, 200 break oil boxes, foreign origin fabric, cigarettes, luxury cars and miscellaneous items worth Rs50 million.

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France, Ghana bilateral trade rises to $1b: Ambassador Saturday April 15, 2017

World

PARIS: Bilateral trade numbers between Ghana and France was nearly $1 billion, the French Ambassador to Ghana, Francois Pujolas said in an interview in Accra.

This figure, he said, is an improvement over previous years.

“The only problem is that the trade is over concentrated in sectors like agriculture, pharmaceuticals and oil refined products. “It is not only about trade but also investment. French expertise is available in many sectors and beyond,” he said. “There are close to 50 French companies in Ghana and we also have 100 companies as members of the Chamber of Commerce. Those French companies have directly or indirectly provided about 50,000 jobs in Ghana,” he added.

2 taiwanese nabbed in Jakarta for drug smuggling

TAIPEI

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wo Taiwanese nationals were arrested at the international airport in Jakarta,

kuwait set to import fuel oil in 2018 uwait is set to import fuel oil to use mainly in power generation for about a year following the start-up of the Clean Fuel Project by 2018, the chief executive of state refiner Kuwait National Petroleum Co (KNPC) said. Fuel oil to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Electricity and Water is currently being produced from the other existing refineries, Mina Abdullah and Mina AlAhmadi, the CEO of KNPC Mohammad Ghazi al- Mutairi told Reuters. Reuters reported last week that with the scheduled decommissioning of the 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) Shuaibah refinery on April 1, Kuwait would be forced to import the residual fuel from next year until the al-Zour refinery starts running in 2019. “The fuel oil import is not linked to Shuaiba’s retirement,” Mutairi said. –CB Report

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Indonesia in mid-March after they were found trying to smuggle nearly 4 kilograms of amphetamine into that country, Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said Wednesday. The bureau said the arrests were the result of cooperation between Taiwanese and Indonesian police, who discovered a total of

3,776 grams of amphetamine that were tied on the legs of the two young men, both at their 20s, during customs checks at the airport on March 13. The two men, one surnamed Lai and the other Huang, Plew from Taiwan to Jakarta that day, the CIB said.

It had informed Indonesian police of possible drug smuggling by travelers from Taiwan earlier that day based on information that a drug ring was recruiting young people with lucrative cash awards to travel in and out of Taiwan with drugs, the bureau said. Meanwhile, Two Taiwanese were arrested last month in Jakarta for allegedly trying to smuggle almost 3.8kg of amphetamines into Indonesia, the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said on Wednesday. Lai Chen-yu and Huang Ming-wei, both 24, were allegedly caught with amphetamine packets taped to their legs when they landed at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on a Plight from Taiwan on , the bureau said.

kabul consumers cry foul over rotten meat on markets

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abul residents this week blasted butchers in Kabul city for the increase in sales of expired and rotten meat. Consumers also blasted government for its failure to monitor and control the industry.

Residents believe that poverty and illiteracy are the main reasons for people buying cheap meat on local markets – which is often expired and sometimes rotten.“Expired meat makes people sick and creates lots of problem and government must pre-

vent those who import expired meat,” said Nadir Khan, one local consumer.

“Most of the people don’t know about expired dates and they are also poor; a number of butchers cheat them and sell them expired meat,” said Sayed Fridon, another Kabul consumer.

Meanwhile a number of importers acknowledge that a huge amount of meat smuggled into the country comes in expired or rotten and have called on government to take steps to prevent this. –CB Report

Jordan-Iraq oil pipeline to cost $5-7 billion BAGHDAD

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study by the Iraqi Government into a planned oil pipeline that would extend from Iraq to Jordan has revealed that the project will cost between 5 and 7 billion dollars.

Jordanian press quoted energy minister Ibrahim Seif saying that a decision over the implementation of the project is expected from the Iraqi side soon.

“The pipeline will extend from Iraq’s city of Najaf, along the Saudi borders, to (Jordan’s) al-Aqaba,” the minister said, adding that both countries will be adopting a buildoperate-transfer (B.O.T) system within 15-20 years in carrying out the undertaking. OfPicials from both countries agreed recently in Amman on the project that is meant to transfer nearly 100 million barrels of oil,

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covering Jordan’s needs of crude oil, which are estimated at 150.000 barrels a day. The remaining amounts are transferred to Egypt and other countries having oil deals with Iraq.

Jordan and Iraq had already signed a deal involving supplies to Jordan at 10.000 barrels of crude oil per day, surging to 30.000. Oil imports from Iraq are on a halt at present, though, due to the unstable security situation in the country.

Meanwhile, Taiwan is increasing oil imports from northern Iraq as local refiners take advantage of an open arbitrage to buy high-sulphur crude that can replace supplies cut by Opec. State-owned CPC Corp bought one million barrels of Kurdish KBT crude for the first time in the second quarter, and Formosa Petrochemical Corp has resumed purchases of this grade after a near nine-month break, company officials said. Oil tanker Kriti Sfakia loaded one million barrels of the crude at Ceyhan, Turkey.

canada-Qatar business council soon n an important step to enhance TRADE AND INVESTMENT ties between Qatar and Canada, plans are under way to set up a joint business council soon. Canada-Qatar Business Council will be launched in September- October this year, says Adrian Norfolk, Canadian Ambassador to Qatar. Trade and investment are among a range of areas Canada is seeking to develop with Qatar, according to Norfolk. Canada is also looking forward to building on existing partnerships with Qatar in areas such as diplomacy, defence, security, education and health. Referring to bilateral ties as “really

good and growing,” Norfolk said the relationship is centred on mutual respect, cooperation on the international stage, shared trade and investment interests, and contributions by individual Canadians and Canadian organisations towards Qatar National Vision 2030. “It’s quite a wide range of areas that we seek to develop, from security, trade and investment consular services, and people to people relationship.

Qatar is also doing humanitarian and development work at many places and it’s a potential area where we have shared interests as well,” Norfolk told. –CB Report

Swiss financial watchdog probes credit Suisse

S BERN

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witzerland’s Pinancial watchdog said it was “in contact” with Credit Suisse after authorities in the country were kept in the dark about a massive international fraud probe targeting the bank.

The Pive-country tax evasion and

money-laundering investigation focusing on clients and top employees of Switzerland’s second-largest bank came as a surprise to Swiss ofPicials when it was announced last week. The head of Pinancial watchdog FINMA, Mark Branson, told reporters that Swiss regulators were now “in contact with the bank”, but declined to discuss details, including whether Swiss investigators were weighing their own

inquiry. Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia have mounted a probe targeting hundreds of people and thousands of Credit Suisse accounts possibly linked to tax evasion. The Swiss attorney general has voiced concern that “Switzerland was speciPically excluded when this operation was organized”. “The customary practices and rules of international cooperation and mutual assistance were

clearly not followed in this case,” the attorney general’s statement said. Bern has demanded a written explanation from Dutch authorities, who have made arrests and seized property in the case. The investigation, which British ofPicials say is targeting senior bank employees and its clients, comes as Switzerland is trying to build more transparency into its notoriously secretive banking sector.

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Singapore, Ghana inks DTA for reduced WHT rates SINGAPORE: Singapore and Ghana signed a double tax agreement (DTA), providing for reduced withholding tax (WHT) rates.

The DTA clarifies the taxing rights on all forms of income flows arising from crossborder business activities and seeks to ensure such income is not taxed twice.

The agreement provides that withholding taxes on dividends, interest, and royalties will generally not exceed seven percent. Withholding taxes on service fees will be capped at 10 percent.

These rates will come into effect on or after January 1 following the year in which the DTA comes into force.

Singapore furniture fair attracts 22,000 traders he 2017 International Furniture Fair Singapore, held in conjunction with the 34th Asean Furniture Show, drew 21,966 trade professionals from the furniture, interior design and furnishings industries, according to results released this week. The visitors included 87 buying delegations from 92 countries from around Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. In the past, the show spanned more than 600,000 square feet, over six halls. Despite the condensed space, there were nearly 80 more exhibitors at this year’s event compared to 2016. “From a business point of view, IFFS has to redefine itself in order to remain relevant and sustainable, and to continue serving the international furniture ecosystem as a premier sourcing platform,”said Ernie Koh, chairman of IFFS Pte Ltd. The show also featured a host of design-themed displays including the Furniture Design Award Showcase that recognizes some of the industry’s top design talent; and the Design STARS Showcase, which displays works from 10 designers around the world.

World Customs

Border guards foil drug smuggling attempt

epal Electricity Authority Managing Director Kulman Ghising says Nepal can start exporting power to Nepal countrues as early as April 2019. Ghising says Nepal will have excess power during the rainy season after 456 MW Tamakoshi hydropower project comes into operation in November 2018. The NEA chief said after Chameliya and Kulekhani III come into operation by the end of this fiscal, Nepal will cut down on power imports from India. “After Tamakoshi comes into operation, we will have to start selling power within six months,” he added.

Ghising said the NEA is now working on a plan to reduce powercuts for manufacturing units. “The dry season is now behind us, we no longer need to worry about power cuts,” he said. –CB Report

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Bangladesh customs seizes BMw car due to tax dodge he Bangladesh Customs Intelligence seized a BMW car, which has been brought to Bangladesh using the ‘Carnet de Passage’ facility that allows tourists to enter one country from another with their vehicles without paying duties.

The blue 525-i, seized from the capital’s Gulshan, has a false registration number, officials say. The owner, businessperson Rukhsana Ameer, did not cooperate with the officials, when they conducted the operation on Mar 30, Moinul Khan, chief of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID), said. The seizure came after Bangladesh Road Transport Authority confirmed that the car’s documents were forged, the CIID chief said. He said formal charges would be pressed under Customs and Money Laundering Acts after the investigation. A cartel is engaged in selling those vehicles with forged documents and false number plates and craft ways for people to dodge tariffs. CIID has seized about 50 luxury cars since it launched a crackdown last year, Khan said. Tourists can enter Bangladesh with their cars without paying duty under the ‘Carnet de Passage’ facility, but the duty has to be paid if the car is not taken out of the country after the time for the facility expires. –CB Report

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Nepal can export power from April 2019

Saturday April 15, 2017

AMMON

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order Guards foiled during the part 48 hours, an attempt to smuggle a large amount of drugs by three people who tried to cross from Syrian into Jordan, according to a military source at the General Headquarters of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army. The source said that the Border Guards applied the rule of engagement forcing the inPiltrators to

Plee back to the Syrian territories.

Upon a search of the area, Border Guards found 542 palm-sized sheets of hashish, 28,000 Captagon pills as well as a number of automatic weapons and referred them to concerned authorities.

Meanwhile, Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, Prime Minister Hani Mulki inaugurated the Amman Customs Centre project in Madouneh, worth JD93 million, Pinanced by the Social Security Investment Fund (SSIF). The project, implemented by the government in cooperation with the private sector on the build-operate-transfer prin-

ciple, is one of the strategic development schemes aimed to increase investments in East Amman, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Mulki said that the project is located on the Amman Development Corridor, a vital highway inaugurated some two months ago, and in an area that needs development to attract more investments and urbanisation.

This project will be staffed by 100 engineers and 300 workers from the local workforce, the premier said, adding that the scheme marks the beginning of genuine cooperation between the public and private sectors in employing Jordanians.

BankDhofar to raise authorised capital to oMr500m

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MUSCAT

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ankDhofar’s shareholders have approved a proposal to raise its authorised capital to OMR500 million from OMR220 million. The decision was taken at the bank’s extra ordinary general meeting. The meeting also approved an update of the setup of the Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) programme, according to a press release. The annual general meeting of shareholders also ap-

proved a proposed cash dividend of 13.5 per cent (13.5 baisa per share) and a bonus share issue of 7.5 per cent (75 shares per 1,000 shares) of the share capital of the bank. The annual general meeting approved the corporate governance report, the report of the board of directors and the Pinancial statements for the Pinancial year ended December 31, 2016. The net proPit for 2016 achieved by the bank was OMR47.62 million as against OMR46.77 million in 2015, showing a marginal growth of 1.82 per cent year-on-year, according to

the annual report. The key profitability indicators showed positive growth with net interest and Pinancing income achieving growth of 8.26 per cent to reach OMR97.66 million for 2016, up from OMR90.21 million in 2015. Non-interest and non-Pinancing income, such as fees and commission, foreign exchange proPit, investment and other income have grown by 18.67 per cent to touch OMR29.69 million in 2016 from OMR25.02 million achieved in the previous year. This strong growth in the current market condition rein-

forces the trust and conPidence of customers towards Bank Dhofar’s products and services. The cost to income ratio in 2016 was managed at 44.58 per cent, compared with 44.43 per cent in 2015. The provision for loan impairment, net of recovery, during the year 2016 jumped to OMR14.56 million, from OMR8.78 million in the previous year. Non-performing loans to gross loans and Pinancing at bank level increased from 2.29 per cent on December 31, 2015 to 2.68 per cent on December 31, 2016.

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FIA arrests wanted human smuggler from Lahore Saturday April 15, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency has arrested a wanted human smuggler.

According to a FIA spokesman, the accused, owner of HRA consultant Rawalpindi, extorted million of rupees from innocent people for providing employment in Qatar.

The arrested human trafficker was included in the Red Book. Siraj, resident of Rawalpindi, had set up a HRA consultant office where he used to deceive people by committing false promises of providing them jobs abroad.

A few weeks ago, a network of human traffickers had surfaced when the chief justice of Pakistan took notice of the case of a woman, a resident of Rawalpindi, who was trafficked after being abducted.

customs Appellate tribunal orders to release goods

rajwana inaugurates ease of Doing Business conference

LAHORE

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ustoms Appellate Tribunal passed the ordered to release goods on payment of duties and taxes along redumption Pine of 20 percent of values of goods, also order to respondent department to ensure to hand over goods to the rightful claimant.

Imran Tariq member technical Bench-II said in the remarks that the appellant failed to produce evidence of legal import of sized goods.

As per brief facts, Director Intelligence and Investigation (I&I)-FBR Lahore was intercepted goods plastic items from the godown near Noor Bari Darbar Shiekupura road, after veriPication the goods were detained under section 2(kk) of Customs Act

NAB recovers amount of rs.200.25 million from tIBL he Privatization Commission of Pakistan has written a letter to Chairman NAB for the efforts of NAB in recovering an amount of Rs.200.25million which was invested by The Privatization Commission of Pakistan in Trust Investment Bank Limited (TIBL). The NAB, on the complaint of Privatization Commission of Pakistan, persuaded the Trust Investment Bank Limited (TIB) which agreed to return Rs404.81million.

The first tranche of Rs200.25million has been recovered by the NAB from the Trust Investment Bank and handed over the cheques to the Trust Investment Bank Limited (TIBL) in a ceremony. The Privatization Commission appreciated NAB’s continued efforts and timely support in recovering the above said money from the Trust Investment Bank. The Privatization Commission has also expressed its gratitude to the NAB under the dynamic leadership of Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB. –CB Report

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1969. The Staff of Customs Intelligence impose Rs17, 35, 052 in taxes on import value of Rs 5, 170, 000 under section 168 (1) of Customs Act 1969. After all legal process, adjudication authority heard the case and decleard that goods was out-rightly conPiscated. The appellant challenged the impugned order before the Customs Appellate Tribunal on the grounds that impugned Orderin-Originals (ONOs) is non speaking and not according to the law. He also challenged the authority of adjudication ofPicer regarding case. on the other side, recipient denied all allegations and prayed before the tribunal for the dismissal of appeal. After hearing arguments, Customs Appellate Tribunal remarks that appellant failed to produce documents regarding lawful import. Tribunal also ordered to the customs department to release goods to right owner on the payment of taxes and duties.

LAHORE

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anelists stressed the need for favorable atmosphere and business friendly policies for conducting business for the local as well as international investors at Ease of Doing Business Conference.

The conference was opened by Governor Punjab Rafique Rajwana at the Pearl Continental HOTEL INLahore, where more than 250 entrepreneurs, along with regulators, industrial experts and diplomats shared their insights, ideas and knowledge.

Federal Minister of Commerce and Industries Khurram Dastagir Khan and several ambassadors, senior diplomats also attended the forum as guests of honor, while the speakers discussed critical topics,

prA signs tripartite Mou to introduce tax reforms in punjab

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n a bid to introduce tax reforms in the province, the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Australian High Commission and McKinsey & Company.

The signing ceremony was attended by Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Secretary Finance Hamid Yaqub Shaikh, PRA Chairman Dr Raheal Ahmad Siddiqi, Australian High Commissioner Jurek Juszczyk and representatives of McKinsey & Company. The scope of the

MoU is to run a diagnostic on PRA and to suggest ways and means to improve tax administration and tax revenues to the tune Rs 150 billion from the current collection of Rs 61.6 billion for Pinance year 2015-16 in the next three years. The company engaged by the for this assignment is the world renowned management consultancy Pirm, McKinsey & Company which will be funded by the Australian government through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. –M Imran Mehar

with the aim to devise an effective roadmap for Pakistan’s brighter future. The US Consul General in Lahore Yuriy R Fedkiw and Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan Jean-Francois Cautain and other distinguished speakers included Telenor Chief of Corporate Affairs and Strategy Muhammad

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Aslam Hayat, to discuss the Telecom Sector in Pakistan.

The President of APBF Ibrahim Qureshi presented the concept of this conference and stated that “We are thankful for the enthusiastic participation of so many industrial leaders and regulatory experts in this insightful forum.

court adjouns hearing of smuggling case

he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has adjourned the case of the accused who was arrested by the customs authorities from Allama Iqbal International Airport. Sources told Customs Today that a suspect, Ibrar Islam, was arrested by the customs Preventive team from Allama Iqbal International Airport while he was travelling for Muscat. During search of his luggage, the customs ofPicials found 550 grams of gold that he was trying to smuggle from Lahore to a Gulf state. The customs team registered a case against Ibrar and seized the

gold. The Customs investigation and prosecution team presented him before the customs court and sought his physical remand that the court approved for three days. He has also got bail from the court later.

The Customs authorities have registered a case against him under Pakistan Customs Act 1969.

Meanwhile, The Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has adjourned the case of the accused arrested from the Sialkot International Airport. According to details available to Customs Today, an accused, travelling from South Africa to Sialkot. –CB Report

customs Appellate tribunal hears 112 important cases

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LAHORE

SAJID NAwAZ

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he Customs Appellate Tribunal heard 112 important cases on Tuesday. The members of all benches from Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Peshawar heard the cases in Lahore and adjourned all the cases until the next hearing. Chair-

man Customs Appellate Tribunal formed special benches to decide the cases. The Customs Appellate Tribunal special division bench comprising Member Judicial Bench-II Karachi Tahir Zia Mehr and Member Technical Bench-II Karachi Nazim Saleem adjourned 8 cases. The adjourned cases includes directorate of intelligence and investigation Faisalabad versus Safder Ali, Collector Customs

Lahore versus Altaf Shaheen, Sohail Sadiq versus customs Lahore, Three Star Hosiery versus customs Multan, Imperial Electronic versus customs Lahore, Bakhtawar Traders versus customs Lahore and M.Nadeem versus customs Multan. Special division bench-I comprising Chairman Customs Appellate Tribunal Justice ® Malik Manzoor Hussain and Member Technical Bench-I Karachi Zulifqar A

Kazmi heard 89 cases including all eighty nine cases against customs Lahore. The Appeals includes Askri Logistics, Rashid Yaqoob, A.S Enterprises, Shakeel Brothers, RBNS Collections, Robin Shrief, International Connecting, Al-Barkat Traders, Mansoor& Co, Ramish International, Mehmood Enterprises, New Lasani Traders, Tawakal Enterprises, A. One Enterprises A.Z & Sons and others.

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UK ports face standstill after Brexit, warns wine trade LONDON: UK ports will be ‘stopped dead’ and wine could be held there for days if a customs deal isn’t reached in Brexit negotiations, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned as the government prepares to trigger Article 50 this week. If customs from the EU have to be declared, there will be significant delays at British ports, turning them into ‘lorry parks’, the WSTA warned.

Currently, only imports and exports from outside the EU are subject to customs controls.

But, if the UK leaves the customs union as well as the single market following its two years of Brexit talks, the volume of cargo subject to inspection at British ports will more than double, according to the WSTA.

cochin port’s outer harbour project to be ready by 2020 f all goes well, the ambitious outer harbour project of Cochin Port Trust (CPT) worth Rs 3,050 crore will be ready by June 2020, says A V Ramana, chairman (incharge), CPT. According to him, the Indian Navy will give Rs 1,050 crore for the project. Ramana says that the central government may provide funding under Sagar Mala project for outer harbour. Once outer harbour is in place, the dredging cost of Cochin Port – Rs 120 crore a year now – will drop to Rs 60 crore. Sagar Mala project is a strategic and customer-oriented initiative of the central government to modernise India’s Ports so that port-led development can be augmented and coastlines developed to contribute towards India’s growth. “Funding outer har-

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bour project under Sagar Mala is just a proposal. If this is through, we will not have to worry about the financial side of the project,” says Ramana. Indian Institute of Technology-Madras will submit the sedimentation status of the sea report for the outer harbour project by June 2017. Then, a committee will be appointed to study the financial viability of the project. Cochin Port will, then, approach both state and the central governments for licence.

It will take about one year. “The viability report is expected by December 2017. We expect to get clearance by the Ministry of Environment and Forests by June 2018.

Then, the project will be awarded by an open tender. The port expects to complete the project by June 2020,” says Ramana. –CB Report

Ports & Shipping

gwadar port crucial for country’s fast economic uplift: NA body

Abu Dhabi ports announces expansion of free trade zone bu Dhabi Ports on Tuesday announced the expansion of FREE TRADE zone to accommodate more industries. Khalifa Port Free Trade Zone (KPFTZ) is a 100 square kilometre free zone area located adjacent to Khalifa Port. “KPFTZ provides numerous advantages to investors including competitive lease prices and some of the lowest utility costs in the world, all under tax free umbrella,” said Captain Mohammad Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports while addressing media at Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit. “Investors can have 100 per cent foreign ownership, full repatriation of capital and profits, competitive prices for shipments and centralised government portal for efficient procedures.” He said many Chinese investors are showing interest to set up their companies in the new zone. “We received one or two delegations from China to look for investment opportunities.” –CB Report

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GWADAR

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

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he National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping has strongly recommended to the federal government to attach top priority to completion of power projects in Gwadar to meet the immediate as well as long term needs of the port and the city.

The recommendations were made during a meeting of the committee under the chairmanship of Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, MNA at Gwadar Port Authority Headquarters here. Addressing the meeting, he said that it was very encouraging that a number of development projects started within a short period of one year had taken shape and were quite visible on the ground. All the committee members duly recognized the hard work and dedication of the managements of both Gwadar Port Authority (GDA) and Gwadar Development Authority (GDA).

Saturday April 15, 2017

On the occasion all the members called upon the Federal Government to immediately start construction of already approved 300-megawatt coal-Pired power plant in order to ensure timely completion of CPEC and non-CPEC projects in Gwadar, especially to make the Gwadar Port fully functional.

The committee also resolved to hold a meeting with the Ministry of Water and Power authorities for this purpose as well as to ask them to immediately take measures for

connecting Gwadar City through a dedicated 100-megawatt transmission line with Iran from Gabd border point. Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah said that Gwadar Port was to play a very important role in the socio-economic development of the country in general and that of Balochistan in particular once the Gwadar Port Free Zone; the New Gwadar International Airport and the Gwadar Port Eastbay Expressway projects were completed in the very near future.

port of Seattle commissioner not seeking re-election

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WASHINGTON

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

ort of Seattle Commission President Tom Albro conPirms he will not seek re-election. It comes just a couple of days after the SODO arena critic acknowledged his Pinancial ties to Seattle Center, and in the wake of the controversial resignation of Port CEO Ted Fick. Albro and the commission approved raises for Fick and hundreds of other port employees. Albro, in a letter to supporters, says he made the decision in January and wants to announce now to allow others to consider their candidacy before the Piling deadline. He says in the letter he’s proud of multiple things during his term, including the creation of the Northwest SeaPort Alliance with the Port of Tacoma to “ensure that Washington State’s economy continues to grow through a strong a direct connection

to the global marketplace.”

It has been my privilege to serve the people of King County over the last seven years as an elected port commissioner. Thank you for supporting me in this role. As my second term entered its final year this past January, I decided I would not seek another. I am announcing this now to provide adequate time for qualified contenders to consider their candidacy before the filing deadline in May. I will be considering other ways to contribute. I believe each of us has a duty to make the world we know a better place by fostering stronger and more vibrant communities through our work. I want to focus my future efforts on two looming challenges – accelerating economic inequality and entrenched political divides.

These issues rise to the top for me because every success we have in addressing them improves our col-

lective ability to take on every other issue. My time as a commissioner has been engaging, challenging, and most of all rewarding.

Early in my tenure the Commission focused the Port on creating 100,000 more port-related jobs by adopting the Century Agenda, which set out the Port’s strategic objectives.

As a result, the Port re-established its Economic Development Division, which is driving economic growth through property development, workforce development and internships, tourism growth, and new initiatives.

The Port is creating opportunities for disadvantaged communities and locally owned small businesses, by thoughtfully soliciting airport concessionaires, construction project contractors, ongoing suppliers, and high school interns. The Commission has asserted its leadership of the institution during my tenure. We reformed the delegation to the executive, specif-

ically retaining responsibility and control as representatives of the Port to the public and other governments.

We called out for the development and annual Commission adoption of rolling Pive-year long-range plans that focus the entire organization on the strategic work of the Port. We strengthened the Commission with a more able Commission ofPice and through direct oversight of public affairs. We reformed internal audit so it is independent of management and overseen by the Commission Audit Committee. Of all the accomplishments during my time at the Port, none will have a more lasting effect than the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma setting aside 100 years of bitter rivalry and forming the Northwest Seaport Alliance. This endeavor will succeed and ensure that Washington State’s economy continues to grow through a strong and direct connection to the global marketplace.

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Rs21.378m recovered from M/s Pakistan Telecommunication Company KARACHI: Directorate of Post Clearance Audit Karachi has recovered Rs21.378 million from M/s Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited, which were evaded/short-paid through mis-declaration of classification. M/s Pakistan Telecommunication Company imported ‘IPTV/OTT Hybrid HD STB B706D ZTE’ by declaring the same under PCT heading 8517.6950 and cleared the imported goods from MCC Appraisement West through their clearing agent M/s Rayan Agencies Pvt Ltd on payment of CD 10%, ST17% and IT5.5%.

Saturday, April 15, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Multan collector Saud Imran approves reshuffling of eight inspectors MULTAN IMrAN ALI

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he Model of Customs Collectorate Multan has transferred eight inspectors at different posts during a major reshufPle. According to the details, Assistant Collector Muhammad Zohaib Sandhila has issued orders for the transfer of eight Inspectors of BS-16 after comprehensive discussion with Collector Saud Imran Ahmad for getting better results in the Collectorate. The Collectorate of Multan Customs has reshufPled these inspectors in various posts to get effective results from Customs employees.

Collector Saud Imran Ahmad has approved the reshuffling of eight inspectors according to their need in their various tasks for the accomplishment of assigned tasks in the Collectorate. The Collectorate of Multan Customs has applied their focus on the Multan International Airport along with other locations of the Jurisdiction to foil any smuggling attempt.

The Model of Customs Collectorate Multan has transferred BS-16 Inspector Rana Ghulam Mujtaba Noon from International Airport (TrafPic) Multan

to Anti-Smuggling Organization Multan. Inspector Muhammad Ali Rizvi has been reshufPled from General Branch Investigation and Prosecution (I&P), Anti-Smuggling Organization Multan. He has been posted Head-

quarters, General Branch, Investigation & Prosecution Branch Customs House Multan in new orders issued recently. Inspector Syed Ali Miqdad Raza has been transferred from security duty of Customs House to Inter-

national Airport (TrafPic) Multan. The Model of Customs Collectorate Multan has posted Pive new inspectors in the Anti-Smuggling Organization on joining of their responsibilities. Inspector Muhammad Tahir Iqbal, Inspector

Muhammad Saleem , Inspector Ahmad Bin Sohail, Inspector Muhammad Ali and Inspector Waqas Hameed have been posted in the Anti-Smuggling Organization Multan on joining their responsibilities.

customs court rejects bail plea of auto parts importer KARACHI

M B rANA

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he Customs Court has dismissed interim bail application of an accused auto par importer, held in a Rs0.59 million misdeclaration case.

Customs Appraisement West had nabbed Mehmood Ayaz of M/s Ayan Enterprises and got seven-day remand from a Cus-

toms Court.

M/s Ayan Enterprises had imported a consignment declared to contain BGF brand, Hydraulic Cylinders for Automotive Vehicles and Brake/wheel/Clutch/Cylinders for fork lifters from Taiwan. The importers electronically filed goods declaration for clearance thereof, by self-assessing and paying upfront duties of Rs589,991.

Meanwhile, Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has sent to women suspects, Samina Rafiq wife of Rafiq

Ahmed Ansari and Shahina Sattar daughter of Sattar Ahmed, to Central Jail Karachi on judicial remand who were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle contraband mobile phones, auto parts etc from Dubai to Karachi.

During the hearing, investigation officer produced the ladies before the court and informed that the Customs staff intercepted the ladies at International Jinnah Airport Karachi and recovery 47 non-duty paid Samsung mobile phones, 18 LG mobile phones, 3 auto parts total worth Rs 14,52,000 from

Samina Rafiq’s possession and 45 Samsung mobile phones and 25 empty boxes of mobile phones worth Rs 961,000 from Shahina Sattar’s possession.

He further informed the court that during the investigation, accused were asked to produce legal documents. However, they failed to show any lawful documents, therefore, after the formalities, the customs authorities seized the goods and arrested both ladies. He argued that prosecution has needs to further investigation; therefore, court may approve their physi-

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cal remand.

However, after his arguments, the court sent them to jail and directed the Jail Superintendent Central to produce them before the next date of hearing. The court also directed the investigation officer to complete investigation and submit challan on the next date.

According to the prosecution, case were registered against them in violation of under section 2 (s) 16 and 139 of the Customs Act 1969 punishable under clauses (8) (9) & 70 of section 156 (i) ibid.