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Karachi, Thu February 2, 2017

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he number of transactions on immovable properties made by sellers under section 236-C of the Sales Tax Ordinance, reached 97,058 during the Rirst half of the current Riscal year from 88,088 transactions in the corresponding period of the Riscal year 2015-16.

“Therefore, the enhancement in holding period of immovable property subject to Capital Gain Tax (CGT) from two years to three years has cast no adverse impact on the real estate market /sellers of immovable property,” sources at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) told Customs Today on Monday. The sources said that the withholding tax on the purchase of property under section 236-K of the Ordinance, which was previously 1 percent and 2 percent for

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Rilers and non-Rilers respectively (in cases where value of immovable property exceeds Rs 3 million) had now been enhanced to 2 percent and 4 percent for Rilers and non-Rilers respectively through the Finance Act, 2016. “The rationale behind such increase is that a large quantum of untaxed money is being invested in the real estate sector whereas the tax contribution of this sector is not commensurate with its revenue generating potential,” the sources added.

Collector Dr Arslan collects Rs21.78m more Sales Tax than assigned target

Inland Revenue Intelligence seizes non-duty paid cigarettes worth Rs7m

CPEC won’t affect local industry, says Punjab Rafique Rajwana

Customs Preventive undertakes large scale transfers, postings

Faisalabad ASO seizes green tea, socks worth Rs3,50,000

Collector of MCC, Islamabad, Dr Arslan earned a revenue Rs218.68million | See pAge 02 |

The Directorate of Intelligence IR seized non-duty paid cigarettes worth Rs7m | See pAge 03 |

Rajwana has said that CPEC is a game changer for Pakistan and it will not affect | See pAge 04 |

Customs Preventive has undertaken large scale reshuffling at the Customs | See pAge 14 |

The ASO has seized non duty paid foreign origin socks and tea worth Rs3,50,000 | See pAge 16 |

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RCB decides to recover outstanding property tax Thursday, February 2, 2017

National

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has decided to recover outstanding property tax.

This was decided during the monthly meeting of RCB, which also approved recovery of water charges and carrying out various development schemes.

The meeting was presided over by RCB President Brig Syed Hassan Raza.

Executive Officer Dr Saima Shah and Vice President Malik Munir Ahmed and elected members Malik Sajid Mehmood, Muhammad Shafiq, Haji Zafar Iqbal and others were present on the occasion.

collector Dr Arslan collects Rs21.78m more Sales tax than assigned target

KARACHI

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to tax authorities and deputy attorney general of Pakistan on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Lucky Knits Private Limited challenging Sindh Development and Maintenance of Infrastructure Rules fixing the duty and taxes on imported goods entering the province from outside the country.

While hearing the petition, a twomember bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi passed interim order and restrained the tax authorities from collecting such duty and taxes. The court also directed them to file their respective comments on next date of hearing. The Court has adjourned the hearing for January.

The counsel for the petitioner stated that it is a private limited company and engaged in business of manufacturing and cum importer and exporter of garments. The petitioner is also importing all sorts of garments, textiles, yarns, fabrics and other textile products worth millions of rupees every year through Karachi. He informed the court that Sindh Government has introduced Sindh Development and Maintenance of Infrastructure Rules.

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ollector of Model Customs Collectorate (MCC), Islamabad, Dr Arslan Subaqtaqeen, earned a revenue Rs218.68million and surpassed the above assigned target with Rs21.78million more collection under the head of Sales Tax during 15 days of January, Financial Year (FY) 2016-17.

According to details, the collector MCC Islamabad was assigned the collection target of Rs196.90million of current month of FY16-17.

The collector said during the last Financial Year 2015-16 the collectorate got revenue of Rs150.58million under the head of Sales Tax whereas the collectorate of Islamabad Customs had assigned Rs436.00million target under the head of Sales Tax for the month of January FY16-17.

The collector is optimistic about achieving more collection than the assigned target. He added that the collectorate achieved revenue amounting to Rs293.52million under the head of Sales Tax (ST) against the assigned collection target of Rs.191.03million during 15 days of December FY16-17. He further said the collectorate was assigned collection target of Rs193.95million for same period during the last Financial Year 201516 under the head of the ST.

Sindh High court issues notice on petition filed by M/s Lucky knits

He said the collectorate not only surpassed its assigned target of initial 15 days but has also paid rebate/refunds of Rs5.0million, adding the MCC has allocated

Rs23million to pay refunds/rebates to exporters during the month of January FY16-17.

The collector told Customs Today that the collectorate is making new

planning to meet all duty taxes targets. The assigned revenue collection targets will be higher against the past months’ targets in the coming months of FY2016-17.

Sialkot customs seizes nylon rope worth Rs 1 million G

SIALKOT

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ujranwala Customs Intelligence and Investigation has confiscated Iranian origin nylon rope worth Rs1 million and impounded trailer during vehicles checking at Grand Trunk (GT) Road at kamokey Check post.

Under the directions of Deputy Director Ali Zeb Khan the Superintendent Customs Intelligence

Tahir Rafique constituted a team under the supervision of Inspector Mian Muhammad Yousaf to check vehicles on GT road at Kamokey Check Post under Iran Transit Trade. The inspector along with his team members constables Usama, Sajid Raza, Boota, Mubashir checked various vehicles meanwhile team intercepted a 40 feet trailer bearing registration number TLQ-237 which was coming from Quetta and going to Rawalpindi. During the checking of

the trailer the team recovered 592 bundles of Iranian smuggled nylon rope worth about Rs1 million from the trailer. The team asked driver Gulzar Khan about custom-duty paid documents of nylon rope but the driver was failed to produce said documents.

The driver told team that the nylon rope was loaded from Trailer stand of Quettea and I don’t know about documents rather the manager is responsible for loading and unloading of any luggage.

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Customs Export issues show-cause notice to recover evaded tax amount KARACHI: The Model Customs Export issued a show-cause notice to M/s Shafiq Garments and Knit Wear, located at Sharfi Goth, Karachi for the recovery of evaded tax amount.

According to details, the company evaded tax money by using wrong PCT Heading to get clearance of a consignment of ladies fabric in November 2016.

During the scrutiny of clearance documents, the customs authorities found that the company evaded Rs134,000 duty and taxes in the above said consignment.

After finding the fraud in duty payment, the customs authorities issued a show-cause notice to the company and ordered to submit the payable amount within fortnight.

customs Appellate tribunal adjourns hearing of three references

Thursday February 2, 2017

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inland Revenue intelligence seizes non-duty paid cigarettes worth Rs7m

ISLAMABAD

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single bench of the Customs Appellate Tribunal on adjourned the hearing of three customs references filed against Model Collectorate of Customs and Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation, Islamabad. The single bench comprising member, Syed Muhammad Anwar, heard the cases. The bench adjourned the hearing of the cases after hearing arguments by the appellants. M/s Lucky Enterprises, Haq Nawaz and Wasif Hussain had filed these cases. All of these cases had been filed during 2016. M/s Lucky Enterprises had had filed the case against MCC.

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fto striving for promotion of tax culture FAISALABAD

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ederal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Secretariat is trying to promote tax culture in the country by facilitating taxpayers. This was stated

by FTO Secretariat Director General Irshad Sheikh, while addressing an awareness session regarding FTO. He said the patriotic business community was fully aware of its genuine tax liabilities. Similarly, the FTO Secretariat is also trying to bridge difference between the taxpayers and tax-collectors with efficient system to address complaint. He said that taxpayers could approach the FTO Secretariat in case of any maladministration by income tax or sales tax officials. He assured that these complaints would be immediately resolved and FTO Secretariat will also take measures to avoid any recurrence of such complaints in future.

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FAISALABAD

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he Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Inland Revenue seized nonduty paid cigarettes worth Rs7 million from an illegal warehouse during an action in Toba Tek Singh.

While talking to Customs Today Deputy Director Tariq Javed said that in pursuance of intelligence shared by Director Aqeel Ahmad Siddiqui the customs intelligence constituted a special team to crackdown foreign origin cigarettes.

Tariq said that, following the lead, the team raided a warehouse and recovered 325 cartons of nonduty paid cigarettes and arrested the owner of the warehouse who was identiRied as Badshah Khan. He added that the market value of the seized cigarettes is Rs7 million.

The team participated in this seizure operation comprised of Intelligence Inspector Ijaz Ahmad Awan, Israr Ahmad Awan, Wajahat Hussain, Awais Siddiqui, Mukhtar Ali, Shahid Ghani and Khurram Shahzad.

Meanwhile, The Customs Intelligence and Investigation has conRiscated smuggled goods worth Rs11 million involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs4.6 million during second week of January 2017.

According to details, the intelligence team, following the directions of Rubab Sikandar, con-

ducted various raids to foil smuggling attempts in the region. However, two cases of smuggling were registered against suspects. The Customs Intelligence seized a huge quantity of personal used computer systems, allegedly smuggled

by Gul Wali Khan worth Rs4 million involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs885,900.

The Field Investigation Unit (FIU), Khushab, seized motor oil made in Iran (360-Dram) worth

tariq said that, following the lead, the team raided a warehouse and recovered 325 cartons of non-duty paid cigarettes and arrested the owner of the warehouse who was identified as Badshah khan. He added that the market value of the seized cigarettes is Rs7 million

customs court acquits 6 involved in smuggling

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KARACHI

M BiLAL

www.customsbulletin.com ustoms Taxation and AntiSmuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has acquitted six suspects who were booked for attempting to smuggle cellular phones in a courier service van.

Earlier the suspects, including Syed Wasif Iqbal s/o Syed Muhammad Iqbal, Saleem Ahmed Baloch s/o Muhammad Siddique, Zubair Ahmed Siddiqui s/o Shabir Ahmed

Siddiqui, Adnan Younas s/o Muhammad Younas, Dilawar Abbas s/o Ghulam Abbas and John Kashif s/o Bashir Ghori, were granted bail in the case and had appeared in the court on Thursday along with their lawyers.

The court heard the final arguments from both sides and absolved all of them of the charges of smuggling.

On February 13, 2015, the staff of the Anti-Smuggling Organization, Karachi, intercepted a TCS

cargo delivery van having registration no KM-0852 loaded with sacks of foreign origin mobile phones.

The driver was asked to prove the legal import of the goods but he failed. As per the FIR, all the suspects were representatives of M/s TCS (Private) Limited and were allegedly involved in handling of smuggled goods in different official capacities. A case was registered against them under Section 156 (1) (8) & (89) of the Customs Act-1969.

Rs7 million involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs3.8 during the abovementioned period.

The accused is identified as Muhammad Hassan, a resident of Sargodha.

The customs has made confiscations under Section 156(1)89 and 90 ibid read with Section 3(1) (3) of the Import and Export Control Act-1969 after the owners failed to produce any document of legal import of the items.

kp govt slashes 19.5pc tax on mobiles he Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has removed the internet broadband tax on mobiles. The KP government had directed KPITB MD Sheryar Khan to submit proposals on the matter so that it can remove 19.5% tax on mobile broadband.

Before this, in Jan 2016, the digital publishers demanded the KP govt to remove 19.5% tax on mobile broadband and data services.

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SECP tightens discretionary trading requirements for PMEX brokers ISLAMABAD: In order to ensure investor protection and their confidence in the futures market, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has directed all brokers of Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX) to comply with certain requirements while exercising discretionary authority over their clients’ trading accounts. Key requirements imposed on commodity brokers include; loss threshold limit of 25 percent of the investment amount, timely intimation to clients via Short Messaging Service(SMS) and email for all trades executed as well as weekly reporting to the clients communicating rationale for those trades.

Thursday February 2, 2017

Business

cpec won’t affect local industry: Rajwana ISLAMABAD

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unjab Governor RaRique Rajwana has said that ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a game changer for Pakistan and it will not affect the local industry. He said that Chinese authorities had assured they were interested in joint ventures with Pakistan in CPEC projects and this arrangement would enable the local industry to Rlourish. He said this while addressing the business community at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said there was a need to provide vocational training and skill develop-

cotton prices stay unchanged KARACHI

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ment to youth to produce skilled labour for CPEC projects and curb unemployment.

He said the business community was the backbone of the economy

Rupee rises against major currencies, except dollar

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ising cotton prices inhibited buyers from entering into big deals on as ginners remained reluctant to dispose of their stocks at current rates. Consequently, the trading volume remained restricted although lint prices closed on the higher side. Global cotton markets gave mixed signals, with Indian cotton suffering a fresh fall owing to the higher arrival of phutti (seed cotton). New York cotton ended on a mixed note.

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and the government would take measures to create conducive environment for business activities. He said that all economic indicators were showing positive trend and

this had been recognised at international forums.

He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had offered the Kissan Package and an incentive package for exporters. He said the government wanted to take further initiatives to facilitate the growth of business activities.

He said the ICCI should send a written proposal and he would take up it with relevant authorities for establishment of a new industrial estate in the Islamabad Region. He said the FBR should take measures to minimise the trust deficit between tax collectors and taxpayers. He assured that he would take up the highlighted issues of the business community with the concerned departments for remedial measures.

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KARACHI

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he rupee has been appreciating against all major international currencies, except the dollar, making it harder for exporters to keep their products globally competitive. The monetary Policy Information Compendium for January issued by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reveals that the Pakistani currency appreciated against global currencies during the Rirst seven months (July-Jan) of the cur-

rent Riscal year. According to the report, the rupee appreciated 3.63 per cent against the euro during the period under review. The European currency matters signiRicantly for Pakistan because exports to the European Union have a sizeable volume. Pakistan’s exports have been declining for the last three years as exporters claim the high cost of production has rendered their products uncompetitive.

China and India have emerged as the biggest competitor of Pakistan in the international market. Both countries are taking advantage of

the economies of scale and producing cheaper products. The rupee also appreciated 7pc against the pound in the seven-month period. It is reRlected in the decline in exports to $784m in the Rirst half of 2016-17 compared to $822 a year ago. Pakistan’s exports to the United Kingdom in 2015-16 were $1.628 billion. Exports to entire Europe in 2015-16 were $7.073bn. The local currency also appreciated 10.5pc against the yen during the period under review as opposed to a deprecation of 5.5pc in the same period of the last Riscal year.

DRAp appreciated for resolving poultry issues LAHORE

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he Pakistan Poultry Association Pharmaceutical Wing has appreciated the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Chairman Dr Aslam Afghani for his commitment to resolve the poultry sector issues on priority basis.

The members of PPA North Zone Pharma Wing, in the lead of Khalid Saleem Malik, met with the DRAP chairman and apprised him the issues faced by the poultry sector of the country. The PPA delegation urged him to expedite the process of enlistment of poultry products and lift undue sanctions on the poultry medicines as it could cause severe shortage of poultry medicines in the country. The association members said that poultry is one of the biggest employment-provider and source of revenue to the government but it could face crisis-like situation due to some scrupulous elements in the industry. The delegation said that current regulation to enlist the importer and products may create a crisis leading to shortage of these basic products used by the poultry farmers. The delegation suggested that the poultry alternative medicine and health products which have been already legally imported may kindly be allowed to be sold.

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kp govt fails to exploit marble project ISLAMABAD

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he Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government failed to capitalise on a donor-assisted project for the development of marble stone, with actions taken by the provincial Department of Mines and Minerals practically halting the programme, an evaluation report of the World Bank said.

The ‘Competitive Industries Project for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’ aimed at improving the competitiveness of the marble and food processing sectors in the province by providing shared infrastructure and relevant skills along the marble sector and food processing value chains.

According to the report – issued by the independent evaluation group of the World Bank – the project management unit (PMU) lacked full-time leadership for half of the

project. The project only partially achieved its outcomes, had major shortcomings and did not fully realise the project development objective, the report concludes. The project cost was estimated at appraisal at $9 million. However actual project at closing was $5.69m.

The International Development Association (IDA), acting as administer of the KP-FATA and Balochistan Multi Donor Trust Fund (MTDF), Rinanced the project with a grant of

$9m, whereas only $5.69m of the grant was disbursed. The project approved in 2013 with the actual closing date of June 2015 but was restructured with a six months delay in closing. The development objectives of the project were to improve the competitiveness of the marble sector, and to improve the competitiveness of the food processing sector in KP. The project established and procured the equipment, including excavators and compres-

sors, for the machinery pool, which aimed to support the marble miners with modern technology in marble quarrying and processing. The agreement between PMU and Pakistan Stone Development Company directed the project management to make the equipment available for rental to marble enterprises. Although it managed to procure the equipment for the machinery pool, it failed to establish a common training and facility.

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SIALKOT

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he Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Sialkot has collected revenue of Rs17.82million under head of customs duty in seven months starting from July 2016 till January 2017.

According to detail, the MCC Sialkot has surpassed the revenue collection under the head of customs duty made by it during the corresponding period of last year to the tune of Rs14.96million. OfRicial sources said the Sialkot region had collected Rs7.63million as customs duty during June 2015.

The official of MCC Sialkot said the department is striving to achieve the revenue collection target under all heads for the running Fiscal Year FY2016-17.

The official also denied the impression that customs officials receive customs duty in advance from the importers to

Thursday, February 2, 2017

meet the targets. Responding to a Anwar Abro told Customs Today that query, the official said the Federal the MCC Sialkot will not only achieve Board of Revenue (FBR) has to rethe target assigned by the FBR but it vise the revenue collection tarwill surpass the target during Fisgets sometimes keeping in cal Year FY2016-17. view the unfavourable circumstances.

He added that the tax collection is increasing every year due to effective policies of the department. He said the MCC Sialkot has got the best reputation and good as name in the books of the Fedlkot h a i S c eral Board of Revenue (FBR). er e Mc n und ail, th o t i e He said MCC Sialkot Customs t c d e l o ng t it e col Collector Ahmed Reza Khan ccordi de by evenu A a r e m h y t t is taking keen interest in du last ssed stoms achieving the target. He surpa iod of u r c e f p o g ad in n. said the ofRicers and ofRithe he correspond millio 6 9 . cials will get awards and 4 e 1 g th f Rs gion cash prizes if they get sucdurin tune o kot re l e a i h S t o he ms cess to achieve target. year t custo said t s s a e c Deputy Collector Waheed n r sou illio

l .63m oďŹƒcia 5 d Rs7 e t e 201 c n e l u l J o c g urin had duty d

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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

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Journey towards emerging market

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he economy of Pakistan is likely to turn around this year due to various positive indicators in business, trade and industrial sectors. The Chinese investment is pouring in, the Export and Import Bank has been set up to arrest the falling exports and incentives for the industrial sector are expected to augur well for overall performance of the economy. However, one should not forget the inherent faults in policies and the government will have to launch crash programmes for capacity building of the government oďŹƒcials. The country has so far been regarded as the frontier economy and prudent policies are required to break this barrier to enter the emerging economy.

Keeping in view the government’s lack of interest in introducing the structural reforms in its taxation system, business and trade policies as well as creating a conductive investment climate, the achievement of the cherished goal of emerging market seems to be years away.

The economy of Pakistan is resilient and is able to absorb internal and external shocks. But policies are the driving force not only to increase foreign investment, but also make the country as the best destination for business and trade.The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and various other world agencies have predicted that the economy of Pakistan will grow fast this year. They project the GDP growth to around $300 billion this year to push Pakistan into the group of emerging markets.

However, it will be up to the country’s policymakers how to deal with the emerging situation. Experience show they are very bad in doing homework and are always caught in the middle of crisis. According to reports, the foreign direct investment this year will cross $1 billion mark and remittances, sent by expatriate Pakistanis will reach $20 billion a year. However, dark side of the situation is that the volume of foreign loans has crossed $73 billion mark and debt-to-GDP ratio has reached nearly 65 percent. The only panacea for the situation is to stimulate industrial growth and push the exports of value added goods.

Attracting the foreign direct investment is the need of the hour as foreign investors can be invited to reap the benefits of industrial zones along the China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The Chinese investment in the Pakistan Stock Exchange is a good omen, but the government will have to ensure that it should not have negative impact on the economy.

institute for development of infrastructure F

LAHORE

DR AftAB AfZAL

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inance Minister Ishaq Dar has sought Rinancial help from the International Finance Corporation and various other organizations for the establishment of a new institution in Pakistan to mobilize its long-term Rinancial requirements for infrastructure projects which it wants to launch with the assistance of the private sector. No doubt development of infrastructure is the basic requirement for the business, trade and industry which Pakistan lacks in every level. The civic amenities are linked with infrastructure, but the way the government wants to implement its

plans is questionable by economists. The country is already burdened with loans in the absence of real industrial growth and is facing difRiculties in maintaining the foreign exchange reserves at satisfactory levels. In this situation, the proposed institution, which will be a private sector led Rinancing platform, should not be allowed to become a liability than an asset. This government, which came to power with an agenda of economic development, could not take effective steps to control corruption. Though the country has slightly improved its position in the world corruption perception index, it still has to go a long way to clean the government institutions of corrupt practices.

Pakistan already has various in-

stitutions to deal with the situations, but the ofRicial machinery is not willing to take proactive approach and work with full zeal. It is more concerned about their salaries and perks than doing anything good to this nation. It is true that the private sector investment can act as engine of economic growth but business community always needs conducive environment where the government should have minimum interference in their affairs. In fact, it is difRicult to start a business in the country in a fair manner. Unless the palms of the ofRicials concerned are greased, it is difRicult for an entrepreneur to take even a single step. The corporate sector has many evils in it, but even than it is the only choice for the

progress of the country. If the Rinance minister is serious in the development of the nation, he should work to minimize the government interference in the private sector investments. The business community needs encouragement and facilities and they should be involved in the development of infrastructure. It is not a secret that only 40 percent of the allocated amount is spent on a project and the rest goes into the pockets of the government employees concerned. In a country as is Pakistan, more is the ofRicial involvement in the private business, more will be corruption. Therefore, instead of beating about the bush, the government should curtail the authority of the ofRicial machinery by softening the laws.

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Australia to resume Japanese beef imports CANBERRA: Australia looks set to lift a 16-year ban on imports of Japanese beef by the end of this year, now that the country’s government has confirmed the meat is safe for human consumption. The Japanese government has set a goal of increasing the value of exports of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products to 1 trillion yen ($8.68 billion) in 2019. That would be a 30 per cent increase from 2015 levels. Japanese beef – and getting import bans on it lifted – is key to reaching this goal. Australia in 2001 halted imports of Japanese beef due to a mad cow disease outbreak in Japan. The Japanese government has been pressing Australia to resume imports ever since. Australian government officials will inspect Japanese slaughterhouses as early as summer as a prelude to resuming the imports. There are an estimated 1,600 Japanese restaurants in Australia, where per capita beef consumption is three times higher than in Japan.

capital market development must for industrial growth: fcci FAISALABAD

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evelopment of capital market on sustained basis is a prerequisite to give a quantum jump and reinvigorate the economic and industrial growth in Pakistan, said President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) Engineer Muhammad Saeed Sheikh. He was addressing Pakistan Capital Market Expo2017, organised by the Capital Development Company (CDC), for creating

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awareness among potential investors here on Friday. He termed the stock market a barometer to evaluate economy of any country. “The economic decisions have immediate impact on the stock market, which is indicated by the bullish or bearish impacts,” he added.He said that due to prudent policies of the government, industrial and economic activities are gaining momentum in the country. He appreciated the CDC management for holding functions to create awareness among investors. Meanwhile, Vice President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) Engineer Ahmed Hassan said that the share of Pakistani export in overall imports of African countries is hardly 1 % and needs immediate steps to enhance it. Chairing a meeting of FCCI standing committee on Liaison with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), he said that government through TDAP is making strenuous efforts to increase Pakistani exports. Similarly FCCI is also making efforts to contribute its role in enhancing exports from Faisalabad. He told that FCCI despite of its limited resources had arranged many foreign delegations providing opportunity to its members to explore the export potentials of various international markets. –CB Report

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Chambers

govt to focus on growth of economy: Muhammad Zubair P

ISLAMABAD

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rivatization State Minister Muhammad Zubair has said that with the efforts of government, economy has been stabilized and now the focus was on accelerating its growth. He said after coming into power, government accorded top priority to improving security and energy as without improving these areas, it was not possible to revive the economy. Highlighting the achievements of his government, he said Riscal deRicit has been cut, inRlation reduced and tax collection improved by 60%. If this year was included, tax collection has improved by 80%. He said indicators of the economy were showing positive trends which was acknowledged by international publications. He said for sustainable economic growth, bringing women into the mainstream of economy was necessary and government was determined to enhance their role in the economic development of the country.

He expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of 3-day “Islamabad Handicrafts and

Women Entrepreneurs’ Exhibition, which has been organized by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with Handicrafts Association of Pakistan.

Diplomats of Germany, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, South Korea, Cuba, Tunis, Bulgaria, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Palestine and Austria while representatives of USA and Malaysia were also present at the occasion.

Muhammad Zubair said that government was responsible to facilitate

the growth of business activities through policymaking and stressed that private sector should play leading role in the economic growth of the country. He lauded the initiative of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) for organizing women entrepreneurs’ exhibition and hoped it would enhance their role in economic activities. In his welcome address, ICCI President Khalid Iqbal Malik said that ICCI has taken many initiatives for the promotion of

DRAp slams for inappropriate laws and bureaucratic hurdles for poultry industry

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LAHORE

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he Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to expedite the process of enlistment of poultry products and lift undue sanctions on the poultry medicines as it could cause severe shortage of poultry medicines in the country.

While talking to a delegation of poultry industry, led by Shahid Iqbal and Dr. Ghulam Mahboob, the LCCI President Abdul Basit said that poultry is one of the biggest employment provider and source of revenue to the government but because of bureaucratic hurdles it is facing crisis-like situation.

He said that there must be discrimination between the drugs for human lives and veterinary medicine but unfortunately, both are being treated in same way. He said that because of hard and inappropriate rules and regulations of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), consignments of veterinary medicines are held at ports, causing huge damage to the importers.

The delegation informed the LCCI President that so far only limited number of companies have been issued Form No. 06 (Enlistment as Local Importers/ Agents) while none of Companies /Importers have been issued Form 07 for enlistment of products. They said that the provincial Drug Authority as well as Local representatives of DRAP are strictly regulating sales of these products.

They require Form No.06 and Form No. 07 from importers and warranties from traders. Although limited number of Form No. 06 and Form No. 07 have been issued.

They said that the documentation for human and veterinary, poultry alternative and health products have same requirements for enlistment as per the SRO 412 (1). Although the nature and use of poultry products is different from the human products.

The poultry products are regulated differently in EU and USA (under directive (EC) No. 1831/ 2003). The current regulation to enlist the importer and products is creating a crisis leading to shortage of these basic products used by the poultry farmers. These products are exclusively used by poultry formers and there is no misuse in humans.

women entrepreneurs and organizing this exhibition was another step in that direction. He said ICCI has established a Women Business Growth Centre in collaboration with UNIDO and it was planning to set up a separate web portal for women entrepreneurs to provide them better outreach in local and international markets. He hoped that the exhibition will provide women entrepreneurs a good platform to introduce their products and improve their business prospects.

origin revenue receives boost ustralian LNG exports have been boosted from Gladstone as Origin Energy’s Australian Pacific LNG plant nears full output. Australia logged record LNG export revenues of AUS$1.9 billion in November, despite international oil prices remaining depressed. Data shows that the APLNG plant at Gladstone, which is operated by a joint venture between ConocoPhillips and Origin, has nearly doubled its gas intake since September, just before the second of APLNG’s two trains started. Between July and November, monthly Australian LNG revenues grew from AUS$1.39 billion to AUS$1.9 billion. While the surging exports are good news for the LNG companies and Australia’s balance of trade, they are likely to fuel some criticism. On the east coast, domestic gas buyers have been calling for action on high prices. –CB Report

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Customs foils bid to smuggle 1,055g gold worth Rs 4.3m at Torkham border Thursday February 2, 2017

National faisalabad excise collects Rs106.31m in December 2016 FAISALABAD

iQRA SHeHZADi

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PESHAWAR: The Customs authorities at Torkham border have foiled an attempt to smuggle gold jewellery to Afghanistan.

The Customs officials seized 1,055g gold jewellery worth Rs 4.3 million and arrested the accused, an Afghan National. An FIR has been lodged for criminal proceedings against the accused. Pakistan Customs is the guardian of economic frontiers of the country generating revenue and combating the menace of smuggling. The instant case is preceded by a number of other seizure cases of narcotics, gold, local & foreign currency, fertilizers and mobile phone sets worth billions of rupees.

customs, khasadar force seizes 900,000 Saudi Riyal I

PESHAWAR

nADiR kHAn

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he Excise and Taxation Department collected Rs75.98 million in the head of property tax and Rs30.33 million in the head of motor tax during the month of December 2016. According to details, the excise department collected Rs63.15 million as property tax from Faisalabad during the above said period. Whereas Rs4.31 million from Jhang against the assigned target of Rs5.5 million.

Sources said that the department collected Rs5.61 million from Chiniot against the assigned target of Rs5.63 million and Toba Tek Singh region collected Rs2.89 million against the assigned target of Rs7.1 million during the above said period. Sources said that the excise and taxation department has formed teams comprising Inspector Muhammad Shahid Gilani, Faisal Aziz, Muhammad Sadiq and others to recover property tax from defaulters.

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fiA apprehends three human traffickers he Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Gujranwala on Friday conducted raids in different areas and arrested two agents involved in human-trafficking business. According to FIA spokesman, the team arrested Nazir, a resident of Sialkot, Ghulam Qamer of Mandi Bahauddin, and another accused Abdul Ghaffar of Hafizabad. FIA team has detained the accused and filed case against them. Further investigation is under way. Meanwhile, The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two passengers from Allama Iqbal International Airport. Both passengers were arrived Lahore from South Africa on forged documents.

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n a joint operation Customs and Khasadar force have foiled a bid of smuggling of 900,000 Saudi Riyal from Pakistan to Afghanistan by recovering the currency from Afghan citizen at Torkham border.

Naib Tehsildar Passport Torkham,Shams-ul-Islam told Customs Today that on duty Khasadar stopped an Afghan national in routine checking. During the search of the luggage the official recovered 900,000 Saudi Riyals.

One currency smugglers identified as Naeem Shah s/o Shundi Gul, resident of Achin District of Ningrahar province of Afghanistan.

Case was registered against him and the currency along the

detainee was sent to Landi Kotal lock for further investigation, Khasadar sources informed. It is to be stated here that since long,

gold and the currency smuggling of Pakistani rupees, Dollars, Saudi Riyals and other foreign currencies on rise via Torkham border

and big fish in Peshawar are involved in the mal-practice and they execute their schemes through their touts.

Dry port earns Rs168m more than assigned target T

ISLAMABAD

tARiQ DeRYA

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he Dry Port Islamabad surpassed its assigned target of Rs1685million under head of customs duty during 28 days of January, Financial Year (FY) 201617. According to details, Assistant Collector Islamabad Customs Dry Port Amanat Khan said the performance has been tremendous during 28 days of January FY201617. He added that during said period, the dry port collected revenue of Rs1853million against the assigned target of Rs1685 for the whole month of January FY16-17.

The assistant collector said the dry port exceeded the target before the end of January with more revenue collection of Rs168million, adding Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad Dr. Arslan held a meeting with him at collector ofRice on Monday and asked him to formulate a strategy regarding the recovery of maximum collection to achieve the upcoming target of 3rd half of Financial Year

2016-17 and release the withheld government revenue through recovery. Amanat Khan said the dry port administration has tightened the checking of consignments of old auto-parts as there were some com-

plaints by customs ofRicers that some of auto-part dealers showed wrong entries of spare-parts. He said the Collector MCC asked the dry port staff during the meeting to clear importers’ consignments

speedily and promote the legitimate trade. He further said the dry port administration believes in providing best facilitation to business community so as to develop a friendly at Islamabad Dry Port.

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Faisalabad FIA arrests illegal money changer FAISALABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested an illegal money changer during an operation. The accused was running business of hawala and hundi in Faisalabad.

Sources Told Customs Today that Deputy Director FIA Syed Imam Zaidi along with Sub Inspector Ajmal Hussain followed a lead regarding a business of hundi and hawala at Katcheri Bazar, Faisalabad and arrested the accused. The accused was identified as Kamran Aslam son of Muhammad Aslam having CNIC No: 34101-2600404-3 a resident of Faisalabad.

The FIA team recovered huge amount of foreign and local currency being use in the illegal business. The FIA team also confiscated the mobile phones of the accused as evidence.

The FIA team registered a case and bar the accused.

fto adjourns hearing of case filed by M/s Shaheen electric Services against Rto-ii LAHORE

MuHAMMAD nAwAZ www.customsbulletin.com

he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has adjourned the hearing of a case filed by M/s Shaheen Electric Services Lahore against Regional Tax Office-II (RTO-II) until the next date. According to the details, FTO Advisor Tariq Yousaf heard the case of M/s Shaheen Electric Services Lahore in which the counsel for the appellant argued that the RTO had failed to release the sales tax refund of the last two years claimed by the company. He said that the RTO collected excessive tax from the company during the last two years.

They approached the commissioner concerned many times for issuance of the re-

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funds but the RTO-II officials did not pay the refunds after the passage of reasonable time. At the end, the company decided to approach the FTO seeking interference in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the RTO-II to clear the refund claims. The counsel further said that the RTO should refund the excess collection in wake of taxes by the end of financial year but the situation is quite otherwise. Delay in issuance of refunds put burden on the taxpayers, he said, adding that the RTO should make audit of the cases and release the extra amount collected by it from the taxpayers.

On the other hand, counsel for RTO argued that the appellant M/s Shaheen Electric Services Lahore has not submitted all record in the office on which basis it is claiming for refunds. If appellant provides accurate record, the RTO will issue the refunds if any after proper assessment. After hearing the arguments from both sides, Adviser Tariq Yousaf adjourned the case until for further hearing and directed the parties to appear on the date to present arguments in the case.

National

Multan customs collects Rs1413.303m revenue during first 18 days of January T

MULTAN

iMRAn ALi

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he Model of Customs Collectorate Multan collected revenue of Rs1431.303 million during the first 18 days of January against the assigned target of Rs4364 million for the month of January. The Collectorate of the Multan Customs has been given different revenue collection targets for the customs duty, sales tax, federal excise duty (FED) and withholding tax (WHT).

The Federal Board of Revenue has assigned revenue collection target of Rs678 million under the head of customs duty for January 2016 while Multan Customs collected Rs304 million under the head of customs duty so far. The Federal Board of Revenue has revised the yearly target of customs duty collection on the request of Multan Customs Collectorate after assessment of trade situation in South Punjab regarding their imports.

The FBR has assigned revenue collection target of Rs3560 million to Multan Customs in wake of sales tax for the month of January. On the other hand, Multan Customs has col-

lected Rs658 million in wakes of sales taxes for the period of 18 days of January 2016. The Customs Collectorate Multan was assigned collection target of Rs24 million under the head of federal excise duty (FED) for January and MCC Multan has poised Rs7.395 million from collection of federal excise duty (FED) during the current month of January 2016. Multan Customs allocated revenue collection target of Rs.92 million under the head of withholding

Thursday February 2, 2017

tax (WHT) for the said period, while it has collected Rs8.585 million as withholding tax so far in current month of January.

During January, Multan Customs has also collected petroleum development levy of Rs453.323 million from the clearance of High Speed Diesel (HSD) so far in January. The Model of Customs Collectorate Multan is using all available resources to recover outstanding amount from defaulters.

Hyderabad customs collects Rs572.173m during 19 days of January 2017 HYDERABAD

ASLAM AnJuM QuReSHi www.customsbulletin.com

he Model Customs Collectorate collected revenue of Rs572.173 million during first 19 days of January 2017 against the assigned target of Rs1220.00 million for the month of January 2107.

The Collectorate has collected revenue Rs1493.26 million under the head of customs duty against the assigned target of Rs1359.00 million in the month of December 2016.

Additional Collector Rehmatullah Vistro told Customs Today that the Collectorate has collected Rs166.063 million in the head of customs duty against the assigned target of Rs252.33 million so far adding that under the head of sales tax, the Collectorate has collected Rs448.28 million against the assigned target of Rs966 million for the current month.

He said that in the head of federal excise duty, the Collectorate has collected Rs0.250 million against the assigned target of Rs2.0 million adding that in the head of withholding tax, customs collected Rs7.824 million against the assigned target of Rs95.0 million.

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Dg Valuation revises customs values of dates

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KARACHI

wAQAR AHMeD AnSARi www.customsbulletin.com

he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of dates through Valuation Ruling No 1014/2017 under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969.

Earlier, the customs values of dates were determined vide Valuation Ruling No. 501/2012 on December 4, 2012. Since, the applicable values for dates were determined more than four years ago, and recently, MCC Quetta has also determined the customs values of dates of Iranian origin imported

via land route. It is, therefore deemed appropriate to re-determine customs value of dates in order to reRlect the prevailing price trends in the local and international markets. This prompted an exercise to re-determine the customs values of subject goods. In this context this Directorate General initiated an exercise for determination of customs values of dates.

During a meeting for the determination of customs values of dates with stakeholders was held on 3¬012017 which was duly attended by all the stakeholders. All the stakeholders strongly contended and requested that the said valuation ruling may be reviewed in the light of prevailing in-

ternational and local market prices.

The view point of all participants was heard in detail and considered to arrive at fair value of subject goods. It was also highlighted that the subject goods are perishable items and therefore have got limited shelf life, consequently, near the expiry dates, these perishable items are sold on sale and discounted prices. It was further contended by the traders that since the subject goods are mainly being sold on super and general stores, therefore, a lot more expenses (shelf rent, marketing expenses, refrigeration cost etc.) are contributed at retail level which cannot be managed without adding extra value to the subject goods. The importers contended that

all these factors may also be considered in Rixing value of subject goods.

Prices are also veriRied on the basis of location of market in the city and date of expiry of the product in question.

Valuation methods provided in Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969 were duly followed and applied sequentially to address the valuation issue at hand. Transaction value method provided in Sub-Section (1) of Section 25 was found inapplicable because it is generally known to all that majority of invoices produced at import stage are manipulated/fabricated and hence the requisite information required under the law was not available to arrive at the correct transaction value

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Iraq vegetable export value fell by 9% in 2016 Thursday February 2, 2017

World

BAGHDAD: Agricultural exports from Iraq decreased seven percent to reach $200 million last year. The value of vegetable exports in tons decreased nine percent from 445,054 to 405,000 tons. Agricultural exports decreased 13 percent compared to 2014.

Real exports decreased by 14% last year in Iraq, compared to 2015, registering $2.1 billion, according to figures published by customs. This fall also included agriculture exports.

Exports also decreased 14 percent in terms of weight, registering 1.6 million tons last year. Naim Khalil, Chairman of the Syndicate of Fruits and Vegetables Exporters and Importers, said: “Agricultural exports have started dropping drastically since the closure of the Nassib border crossing in April 2015.”

Afghan security forces nabs drugs smuggler

Bangladeshi customs arrests gold smuggler

KABUL

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cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

Real exports down 14% last year ndustrial and agricultural ‘real’ exports decreased 14 percent last year, compared to 2015, registering $2.1 billion, according to figures published

by Customs. The ‘Real’ export figures exclude pearls and precious stones, which registered $828 million compared to $434 million last year. It also exclude mineral products (mostly oil products, mainly re-exported to Syria), which decreased to $19 million from $30 million in the previous year. Exports also decreased 14 percent in terms of weight, registering 1.6 million tons last year. Total exports, including pearls and precious stones and mineral products, increased one percent. Mounir Bissat, Chairman of the Industrial Exports Development Council at the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, said: “Producers are facing difficulties in exporting to Iraq, mainly because of customs barriers, as well transportation constraints.” –CB Report

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smuggler was arrested and 11 kilogram hashish has been discovered by Afghan security forces in western Farah province. Security Command ofRicer said that anti-narcotic police followed a tip-off and raided in western Farah province. The police recovered 11 kilogram hashish from the house of a suspect who was identiRied as Shaikh Ahmad.

The police registered a case and arrested the accused. Meanwhile, Anti-narcotics sleuths have detained a Brazilian woman and an Afghani national for allegedly “swallowing” contraband capsules and acting as couriers for some high quality party drugs during the New Year in the national capital. The two, apprehended few days back, have been admitted to a government hospital

DHAKA

here and till now they have ejected 65 and 90 capsules each.

“Both the swallowers do not look inter-connected as of now. We have detained both of them and investigations under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act are ongoing,” NCB Deputy Director General R P Singh said here. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) identiRied the woman as J Da Silva (38)

while the Afghanistan national has been recognised as M Qasem (50).

While Da Silva has ejected 65 capsules of cocaine till now and few more are expected to be extracted further, Qasem has ejected 90 capsules containing heroin after medical procedures, they said. OfRicials said the duo will be arrested under NDPS laws once they are discharged from the hospital.

new uk envoy to taiwan optimist on bilateral trade

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he new U.K. ambassador to Taiwan said that her country’s decision to leave European Union (EU) would allow it negotiate trade pacts with partners beyond Europe and become a global power.

The British OfRice in Taipei’s new representative Catherine Nettleton quoted U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May’s speech from last week to emphasize that leaving the EU was not a decision to turn inward. “Quite the opposite: it was a decision to be-

come even more of global power with the freedom and desire to negotiate trade agreements beyond Europe,” she said during her Rirst press event with local media in Taipei. The British OfRice represents U.K. interests in Taiwan in the absence of ofRicial diplomatic ties. Nettleton sought to underline that Britain’s economy was still strong despite the pessimistic predictions about the impact of Brexit, the tumbling pound and the UK. –CB Report

he Dhaka Customs House Preventive Team detained a passenger returning from Singapore for attempting to smuggle in one kilogram of gold bars concealed in his rectum.

According to details, the passenger, identified as Fazlul Haque, arrived in Dhaka, on board Singapore Airlines flight SQ-446, said Dhaka Customs House Assistant Commissioner HM Ahsanul Kabir.

“The suspect was called in for a search due to suspicious activity.

Ten gold bars were recovered from his rectum.” The gold weighed 1kg and its estimated market price was Taka5 million.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh plans to impose Value Added Tax (VAT) on grave preservation fees as per a recent decision of the government.

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Finance minister AMA Muhith recently turned down a proposal put forward by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) for VAT exemption on such fees. From now on, 15 per cent VAT will be imposed on grave preservation fees. According to the officials, the finance minister rejected the proposal saying that as well-off people preserve graves, so there is no justification for waiving VAT on its maintenance fees. Issue of exemption from grave preservation fees came under consideration after the revenue board received an application from former finance secretary Md Matiul Islam in this regard. In October last year, the Dhaka North City Corporation permitted the relatives of some deceased persons for preserving the graves for 25 years on the condition of paying 15 per cent VAT on the fee at Tk 1.5 million. However, grave preservation fee for Uttara graveyard is Tk 1.1 million for the same time excluding the VAT.

iraq to triple its Lpg exports in 2017

raq expects to more than triple exports of liqueRied petroleum gas, and to double exports of gas condensates in 2017 as it collects more of these fuels at its southern oilRields, the head of the state-run South Gas Company said.

LPG exports are set to increase to 100,000 tonnes this year, from 30,000 tonnes in 2016, South Gas director general Ihsan Abdul Jabbar said in an interview with Reuters on Sunday. Gas condensate exports are set to rise to 400,000 cubic meters this year, from 200,000 cubic meters in 2016, he said, speaking at the company’s headquarters in Basra,

southern Iraq. He gave no Rigures for the value of the exports.

Iraq started exporting gas liquids, processed by the Basrah Gas Company, a joint venture between South Gas, Shell and Mitsubishi, last year.

Abdul Jabbar is also chairman of Basrah Gas. The company collects gas associated with oil produced from Rields in southern Iraq, processing it into fuel for power plants, cooking gas and liquids for exports.

Basrah Gas will be able to capture more associated gas as the government has resumed payments to the company for the fuel purchased to supply the local market. –CB Report

france to triple tax on second home owners in paris

S PARIS

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

econd homeowners in Paris will be hit next week with an increase in property taxes, as the city’s policymakers attempt to tackle its chronic housing shortage, but several experts believe the measure’s impact will be minimal.

Reportedly, hot on the heels of other major cities, including Vancouver, that has made similar moves, Paris’s second homeowners, who currently pay an extra 20% tax in addition to regular property taxes, will see that jump to 60%.

This is part of Paris City Hall’s plan to reduce the number of vacation homes in the city, with the hope being that these measures will en-

tice more well-off homeowners to either rent their properties to permanent tenants to recoup some of the costs, or sell them altogether.

According to The Atlantic’s CityLab, there are more than 100,000 second homes in Paris, accounting for almost 10% of the city’s housing stock, and the city is concerned that many of these will remain empty for large parts of the year.

However, several experts are skeptical that the upcoming property tax increase will have the desired effect. “It isn’t going to have the desired effect because if your second home is worth around €3 million and you have to pay an extra €1,000 a year in tax you’re not going to be that bothered,” Mark Harvey, a partner at real estate consultancy Knight Frank, said.

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ANF seizes 3-kg heroin, 5-kg hashish in two different raids LAHORE: The Anti Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), Lahore airport team detained a suspect identified as Muhammad Asif resident of Gujranwala at Allma Iqbal International Airport, Lahore. During the investigation of the accused the team recovered 3-Kg heroin in his luggage. The accused was to board for Netherland via Doha by Qatar Airline Flight No QR-821.

In another operation, ANF Lahore during routine checking near Kot Abdul Malik Motorway Interchange, intercepted a car and arrested Raheel Abbasi resident of Rawalpindi and Waqar Ali resident of Karachi on recovery of 5Kg hashish seized from their car.

pcA detects Rs1m tax evasion by Abdullah Haseeb Agro chemical

Thursday February 2, 2017

National

govt decides not to issue license to foreign trawlers in pak boundaries

customs ASo impounds 154 vehicles worth Rs203.92m in 1H ISLAMABAD

LAHORE

M HAYAt

tARiQ DeRYA

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he Post Clarence Audit (PCA) has detected Rs1.02 million tax evasion by M/s Abdullah Haseeb Agro Chemical, Karachi on account of inadmissible exemption of SRO 567 ()I

he Customs Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) and Car Cell impounded 154 vehicles worth Rs203.92 million during first half of financial year 2016-17. According to details, the ASO and car cell departments are strictl following the instructions of FBR and working efficiently to achieve their assigned revenue target for the finanacial year 2016-17. Sources told Customs Today that the ASO impounded 88 non-duty paid as well as offending vehicles worth Rs94.05 million in different operations during the above said period whereas the customs car cell impounded 66 vehicles worth Rs109.87 million in the first half of FY2016-17. Sources said that the impounded vehicles during different operations includes Hino trucks, Bed ford trucks, Mazda trucks, Toyota Corolla cars, Toyota Hiace, Suzuki pickups, Honda cars, Pajero jeeps, Mercedes cars, Toyota Vitz cars, Toyota Hilux Surf, Toyota Prado, and public transport vehicles adding that as the ASO and car cell have foiled various attempts of smuggling goods through private vehicles, now the smuggling of goods in public transport vehicles is trending. The customs Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) and car cell departments are optimistic to add a handsome amount in the revenue by achieving their assigned target.

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2006 and SRO 1007 (1)/ 2005. The Directorate of PCA observed that certain importers having their principal activity of manufacturer of pesticide and other agrochemicals are involved in the evasion of duties and tax. During customs clearance of Zinc Sulphate 33 percent which are classified under PCT heading 2833, 2940 by availing irregular exemption of customs-duty under S.No.4 of SRO567 (1)/2006 and exemption of sales tax S NO 5 of table -II of SRO 1007 (I) 2005.The PCA observed that the said SROs were meant for poultry ingredients only. It was observed that M/s Essa Agro, Karachi has imported two consignment of the aforesaid impugned goods which were prima facie are fertilizers and as such not entitled for the exemption of customs duty and sales tax under the said SSROs cleared from Appraisement-West during calendar year 2014. The PCA said that the mis-declaration resulted in the duty and taxes evasion to the tune of Rs1.020 million and added that it is directed that the above mentioned short paid amount of duty and taxes may be deposited positively. The directorate said that in case of disagreement with the audit observations, the company may provide a written clarification along with supporting documents including goods declaration, commercial Performa invoice, L/C invoices, packing list contract purchase order and other relevant documents.

ISLAMABAD

M ARSHAD

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he Ministry of Ports and Shipping is not considering on any proposal for issuance of 100 licenses to various foreign Rishing vessels for Rishing in Pakistani territorial waters.

Deep Sea Fishing Policy 1995, amended in 2009, allows foreign trawlers Rishing in Pakistan’s EEZ, but obligates operators to also engage Pakistanis as crew members so that they could be trained in deep sea Rishing. Reportedly, Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), a federal government department, plans to issue 100 licenses for various Rish-

ing vessels in the EZZ between 20200 nautical miles. 25 licenses for Tuna Longliners Rishing vessels of up to 350 gross tonnages (GT), followed by 25 licenses for Tuna Longliners from 351-1,000 GT. MFD will issue 30 licenses Stern Trawlers (Single Boat Pelagic/Midwater Trawling) up to 350 GT, 15 licenses for Squid Jiggers up to 350 GT and Rive licenses for Tuna Purse Seiners up to 700 GT were to be issued.

There have been reports that Chinese and other countries’ deep sea Rishing trawlers had been in contact with Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) to get Rishing licenses in Pakistani maritime boundaries.

However, a well placed ofRicial source while talking to this scribe here on Friday categorically turned down the reports, saying, since no li-

censes was being issued as explained above no further comments were required.

On the other side a well placed ofRicial diplomatic source told Customs Today that the Chinese Consulate General in Karachi had reminded MFD about presence of Chinese deep sea Rishing trawlers at Karachi and asked for the Rishing licenses for them. In this regard 14 stern trawlers were issued letter of intent (LoI) last year, yet the Rinancial loss being incurred by the owners of these vessels.

The source further said that Rish processing industry (exporters) and local Rishermen were staunch opponents of the issuance of licenses to foreigner deep-sea Rishing trawlers for operating in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

customs export to start issuance of rebate claims soon

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KARACHI

S R kHAn

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he Model Customs Collectorate Export is going to start the second phase of issuance of rebate claims to the exporters.

According to sources, the Collector Export Muhammad Yaqoob Mako has asked the Collectorate to start the second phase of issuance of rebate claims from next month.

The sources informed Customs Today that the federal government

has taken serious interest in order to issue the rebate claims to the exporters which are in pending since long, adding that the Collectorate has already issued billions of rupees rebate claims to the exporters on the directives of Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar. Responding to a query, the sources said that the Collector-MCC Export Yaqoob Mako has asked to start the second phase by the month of February-2017. “In the second phase, the Collectorate would issue rebate claims worth millions of ru-

pees to the exporters and third phase of issuance of claims to the exporters would be started by the start of fourth quarters of the Fiscal Year2016-17”, sources added.

Meanwhile, The Model Customs Export issued a show-cause notice to M/s ShaRiq Garments and Knit Wear, located at SharRi Goth, Karachi for the recovery of evaded tax amount. According to details, the company evaded tax money by using wrong PCT Heading to get clearance of a consignment of ladies fabric in November 2016.

During the scrutiny of clearance documents, the customs authorities found that the company evaded Rs134,000 duty and taxes in the above said consignment.

After Rinding the fraud in duty payment, the customs authorities issued a show-cause notice to the company and ordered to submit the payable amount within fortnight.

Whereas, the customs authorities issued another show-cause notice to M/s Shams Al-Raza Bengal and ordered to submit the evaded tax amount of Rs96,000 within a week.

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FIA unearths fake stents sale scam Thursday February 2, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) unearthed a fake stent selling scam in different hospitals and seized fake stents worth Rs 40 million.

According to details, the FIA team on a tip-off raided the Mayo Hospital and found the hospital staff selling fake stents to heart patients and extracting money from them. The gang sold a fake stent at Rs 200,000 while its actual price in the open market is Rs 6,000. A citizen named Khizar Hayat, a resident of Upper Mall Lahore, approached the FIA to register a case against the Lahore Medical Complex. He told the FIA that the hospital management charged him the price of original stent but had not provided the promised one.

customs court approves physical remand of two female smugglers LAHORE

M iMRAn MeHAR

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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling adjourned hearing of a case Riled against two females suspects who are involved in smuggling of 14 kilogram gold and currency from Multan International Airport. Sources told Customs Today that, a few days ago, the customs team recovered 14 kilogram gold from two females in the shape of jewelry along with huge quantity of foreign currency.

It is necessary to mention here that earlier Customs Special Judge Chaudhry Ameer Muhammad Khan rejected their bail plea and approved physical remand.

Meanwhile, Chairman NAB Qamar

customs collects Rs277m as federal excise duty in H1 he Customs Central Region has collected Rs277 million in the wake of federal excise and taxation revenue during the first half of financial year 2016-17. As per details, Lahore Appraisement collected Rs46 million on account of federal excise duty during first six months of the period while the Lahore Customs Preventive collected Rs120 million as federal excise duty. Similarly, Multan Customs generated Rs110 million as federal excise duty during theabove mentioned period. On the other hand, the Faisalabad Collectorate collected Rs0.17 million on account of federal excise duty during the six months of financial year 2016-17. Overall the customs central region collected Rs277 million in the wake of federal excise duty during the said period. Sources told Customs Today that Central Region Chief Collector Samaira Nazir has urged all Collectorates to meet financial year’s targets and speed up collection all the taxes.–M Imran Mehar

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Zaman Chaudhry visited the under construction site of the NAB Headquarter at Sector G-5/1 Islamabad and review the physical progress and inspect the quality of work.

Meanwhile, The Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling heard 17 important cases on Tuesday and adjourned most of the cases until next hearing.

According to the details, 17 cases of different types, including pre-arrest bail pleas Riled by different accused persons were scheduled for hearing on Tuesday. The court adjourned bail pleas of Azhar Mehmood and Shahbaz until next hearing. The cases, including tax evasion, customs, smuggling and narcotics, were scheduled for the day. A case of Tariq Kazmi who is allegedly involved in mobile smuggling was also scheduled for the hearing. The cases of Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Jhelum were scheduled for the day.

customs preventive undertakes large scale transfers, postings

LAHORE

M HAYAt

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he Collectorate of Customs Preventive has undertaken large scale reshufRling at the

Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization, Chief Collector OfRice, Chief Accounts OfRice, and Drug Enforcement Cell. According to details, Mumtaz Ajmal Mian has been posted as Superintendent Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization while Waqar Ahmd Cheema has been transferred to Customs Intelligence and Investi-

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gation Lahore. Agha Qadeer Haider Qazal Bash, Israr Hussain, and Muhammad Salim Akhtar have been posted as deputy superintendents at the Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization. A number of inspectors have also been transferred and posted at the Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization. Abdul Ghaffar, Mansab Shah, Mughal-e-Azam, Muhammad Arif Mayo, Muhammad Aslam Iqbal, Muhammad Khalid Butt, Rai Khalid Javaid, Raza Tufail and Syed Sajjad Hussain Bukhari were posted at the Anti-Smuggling Organization whereas the Collector Preventive also reshufRled the staff.

Rafaqat Hussain, Shahid Farooq, Asad Khan Muhammad Abid Saddique, Nadeem Mehmood, Shahid Bukhtiar and Syed Rehan Iqbal were posted at CDU, Chief Accounts OfRice, Chief Collector OfRice. Similarly, superintendent, deputy superintendent and inspectors were posted at the Drug Enforcement Branch and General Duty Staff.

28.50 percent sales tax on petroleum customs court adjourns hearing of St matter he special federal court of Cus- under Pakistan sales tax act 1992. products challenged in LHc toms taxation and anti smugInland Revenue presented him

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n application has been Riled in the Lahore High Court (LHC) to stop sales tax from more than 17 percent. According to appellant, the government can collect up to 17 percent sales tax on petroleum products. The application has been Riled by the Judicial Activism Panel, Civil Society Network and Pakistan Justice Party. The appellant mentioned in the application that common interest counsel allowed the government of Pakistan to maintain the petroleum products prices in one time in the

month but government of Pakistan has started to set prices after 15 days, which is violation of the constitution and laws and exploitation of the public. Added more according to the law government cannot collect more than 17 percent but it collecting 28.50 percent sales tax on petroleum that implemented from 16 January. Government already collecting 25 percent sales tax from January 1, 2017 that is violation of article 9, 14 and 38 of Pakistan constitution Appellant mentioned. –Muhammad Nawaz

gling has adjourned case of an accused arrested on charge of sales tax evasion. According to details available to customs today accused Wamiq Zaka was arrested by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Inland Revenue in huge sales tax evasion. Sources said that accused was arrested after intelligence information that he is evading sales tax in millions of rupees.

After conRirming the evasion of tax Inland Revenue got arrest warrants of the accused from Customs Court and booked him from Lahore

before the court after physical remand where customs court ordered to send him jail on judicial remand.

He also got bail from the court after judicial remand.

Accused wamiq zaka is involved in evasion of sales tax in millions or rupees in his trading and manufacturing business.

Meanwhile, The Special Court of the Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling heard proceedings of 17 important cases on Friday and adjourned most of the cases’ hearings till next dates. –M Imran Mehar

pcA detects Rs2.4m duty, tax evasion by M/s essa Agro

D LAHORE

M HAYAt

www.customsbulletin.com

irectorate of Post Clarence Audit has detected Rs 2.4million tax evasion by M/s Essa Agro, Karachi on account of inadmissible exemption of SRO 567 ()I 2006 and SRO 1007 (1)/ 2005.

According to the details, the Di-

rectorate of Post Clearance Audit Lahore observed that certain importers having their principal activity of manufacturer of pesticide and other agrochemicals are involved in the evasion of duties and tax during customs clearance of zinc sulphate 33 percent which are classiRied under PCT heading 2833, 2940 by availing irregular exemption of customs duty under S. No. 4 of SRO567

(1)/2006 and exemption of sales tax S No. 5 of table -II of SRO 1007 (I) 2005. The PCA observed that the said SROs were meant for poultry ingredients only.

It was observed that M/s Essa Agro, Karachi has imported two consignment of the aforesaid impugned goods which were prima facie are fertilizers and as such not entitled for the exemption of cus-

toms duty and sales tax under the said SSROs cleared from Customs Appraisement Karachi (West) during calendar year 2014.

The PCA said that the mis-declaration resulted in the duty and taxes evasion to the tune of Rs24,693,82 and added that it is directed that the above mentioned short paid amount of duty and taxes may be deposited positively.

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King Abdullah Port throughput up 8% RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Port, located in King Abdullah Economic City on the Red Sea coast, has reported an annual throughput of 1.4 million TEU by the end of 2016, which represents an increase of around 8 per cent compared to 2015. The annual throughput increase comes despite the challenges facing the markets and the slowdown of global economic growth. In addition, King Abdullah Port received 729 vessels in 2016 compared to 637 vessels in 2015, said a statement from the port. With the completion of the infrastructure works for Berth 5 and Berth 6, the port’s annual capacity increases to 4 million TEU after making preparations and operation of the two new berths that will begin in 2017.

Dp world warns against new indian port developments P World group chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, has warned against India pursuing a strategy of greenfield port developments. Instead he believes that the country’s strategy should focus on upgrading existing ports and transport infrastructure.

Last year, the Indian government launched its National Perspective Plan (NPP) featuring proposals for six to eight new ports, over 40 portcapacity enhancement projects and more than 80 port connectivity projects amongst others. Sulayem stated: “DP World has invested in the development of five international gateway ports in India and

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we believe making ports more productive across the country rather than building more greenfield sites is the way forward.” “There is also a great need to reach internal markets, invest in cold storage facilities and networks, using coastal and inland waterways to increase efficiencies and lower costs,” he added. The Dubai-based terminal operator’s has facilities in India’s largest ports: Nhava Sheva, Mundra and Chennai.

Potential ideas for ports mooted for India’s Sagarmala maritime strategy include Vadhavan in Maharashtra, which would act as a satellite port for Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNP) in Mumbai. Another proposal is for a port in Enayam in southern India, which would act as a transhipment hub competing with Colombo. “We are also looking for investment opportunities worth over US$1bn over the next few years offering our partners the opportunity to grow and expand their business,” added Sulayem. –CB Report

Ports & Shipping

port of oakland sees record volume in 2016

king Abdullah port’s throughput rises 8% to 1.4m teu in 2016 ing Abdullah Port announced the increase of its annual throughput to 1.4 million TEU by the end of 2016, representing an increase of around 8% compared to 2015. The annual throughput increase comes despite the challenges facing the markets and the slowdown of global economic growth. In addition, King Abdullah Port announced receiving 729 vessels in 2016 compared to 637 vessels in 2015. With the completion of the infrastructure works for Berth 5 and Berth 6, the King Abdullah Port’s annual capacity increases to 4 million TEU after making preparations and operation of the two new berths that will begin in 2017, providing greater competitiveness and further access to the most important trade capitals in the region and the world. “King Abdullah Port is looking forward to a bright future and is taking steady steps toward becoming a prime East-West hub on the main trade route between Asia and Europe, especially that around 30% of world trade. –CB Report

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LAMITAN CITY

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

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he Port of Oakland saw a record level of loaded shipping container volume in 2016, despite having consolidated its number of shipping terminals earlier in the year. The port said Monday it handled the equivalent of 1.83 million loaded 20-foot containers in 2016, a 7.6 percent increase from 2015, surpassing the previous record of 1.82 million 20footers set in 2013. According to port ofRicials, a year-long growth clip in exports — particularly agricultural products — has driven the overall increase in cargo volume, as well as an increase in imports. Top export commodities from the port include wood pulp and waste paper and agricultural products, including fruits, nuts, meat, cereals and beverages and spirits. Agricultural products make up 40 percent of the port’s total export volume.

The port has attributed much of its export growth to demand from Asia

Thursday February 2, 2017

for high-quality farm products. Its top Rive export destinations are China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. While other ports across the country skew toward imports, Oakland’s position near California’s growing regions like the Napa and Central valleys, as well as its position as a departure for Asian-bound ships, help boost its export business. Export volume jumped 10.5 percent in 2016, the port said. Exports were up 13.5 percent in December, marking four

consecutive months of double-digit growth. Import volume increased a more modest 4.7 percent in 2016, and December imports were up 6.1 percent. Port ofRicials said the record-high cargo volume is important because loaded container volume is a key metric used for calculating fees at the port. The port leases its terminals to operating companies, and in most cases, lease payments are based on the number of loaded containers handled.

Annual cargo turnover down at Riga port L

WASHINGTON

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ast year cargo turnover at the Freeport of Riga dropped 7.5% from 2015 to 37.1 million tons, while the number of passengers grew 3.5% the port said. Bulk cargos were reloaded in the amount of 22.4 million tons in 2016, down 3.7% year-on-year. Handling of liquid cargos fell 23.1% to 8.1 million tons. General cargos increased 5.1% year-on-year to 6.5 million tons. The port administration said that, even though the cargo turnover dropped, it still was the third best turnover in the history of the port, and just in 2014 and 2015 turnovers were higher, when a record large amount of energy resources were handled by the port. Reduction of the coal and oil product cargos affected the port’s results in 2016. At the same time, it is a positive fact that han-

dling of other cargos increased by 4.6%, gradually diversifying and balancing reloading of different cargos at the Riga port, and reducing dependence on Russian transit ports.

“Considering the geopolitical situation, the situation in the world markets and drop of cargo handling in the region, operations of the Riga port were successful in 2016,” said Riga Freeport board chairman Andris Ameriks (Honor to Serve Riga).

More than half or 59.4% of reloaded bulk cargo was coal. In 2016 handling of coal cargos reached 3.3 million tons. Coal was shipped to 22 ports from Riga. The next big bulk cargo group was mineral fertilizers, reaching 2.8 million tons, which is the highest annual turnover of thus type of cargo in the history of the port. In 2016 there was also a new record registered for grain cargos – 1.3 million tons, up 23.6% from 2015. Increase in the handling of

general cargos is related with positive results of container cargos. In 2016 as many as 385,900 TEU units of container cargos were shipped through the port, which is by 8.6% more than in 2015. There were also positive results for ro-ro cargos and metals – by 5.3% and 48.9% more respectively. At the same time, 99% of liquid cargos were oil products, and drop of handling of these cargos affected the whole segment.

In December 2016, the port reloaded 3.7 million tons of cargos, up 27.6% from November, and it is the best monthly turnover in 2016. The main reason for growth is increase in handling of coal cargos – to 1.6 million tons in December, which also is the largest monthly turnover of coal in the history of the port. In 2015, cargo handling reached 40.056 million tons, down 2.5% from 2014. Previously port boss Andris Ameriks told LTV that the pro-

jected decline, steep as it may be, is actually less than expected. Meanwhile, The biggest container cargo shipping line in the Caribbean is ditching Saint John for Halifax with a Rirst ship, the Vega Omega, to call on the Port of Halifax early Monday morning. “We were operating out of the Port of Saint John,” Gordon Cole, assistant vice-president of Tropical Shipping, said in an interview Thursday. “This is a complete switch.” Although Tropical Shipping’s roughly 20-person Canadian head ofRice will remain in Saint John, the shipping line’s vessels will now be calling on the Port of Halifax.

The Port of Halifax’s strong network of trucking companies and the service offered by CN Rail was also a big draw for Tropical Shipping. The company is currently building six new vessels, including two that will be plying Canadian waters, said Cole.

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Sialkot Customs seizes Indian cloths valued Rs150000 SIALKOT: Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) of Model Customs Collectorate (MCC), Sialkot, has confiscated Indian origin smuggled cloths worth Rs150000 during vehicles’ checking at Sambrial under the Kashmir Transit Trade the other day. Under the direction of Assistant Collector and ASO Incharge Ali Mohatshim Mihas, Superintendent ASO Sardar Manzoor constituted a team under the supervision of Inspector Maqbool Arshad to check vehicles on Smabrial Road. Inspector intercepted a vehicle with registration No: MR2132 (AJK) which was going from Mirpur (AJK) to Sialkot.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

faisalabad ASo seizes green tea, socks worth Rs3,50,000 during crackdown FAISALABAD nAeeM SHeikH

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he Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized non duty paid foreign origin socks and tea worth Rs3,50,000 involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs 55000.

Sources told to Customs Today that Collector ZulRikar Ali Chaudhary received credible information about some smuggling attempts.

The collector immediately constituted a special team, comprising Superintendent Saeed Akhtar Joiya and Inspectors Ali Zahid, Mehmood Ahmed Dogar, Dilawar Hussain, Liaqat Ali, Muhammad Naeem and Muhammad Ashraf.

The ASO team intercepted a Mazda vehicle bearing registration no: LES-11-3885 near Sabzi Mandi Jhang Road and recovered 500 kilogram of smuggled socks made in China and green tea 175 kilograms from the bus. The ASO seized all the items under Section 2(s) read with SRO 566(1)/2005 and Section 16, 18 of the Customs Act-1969 with Section 3 of Sales Tax Act-1990, Section 148 of Income Tax Ordinance2001. The consignment was being transported from Jhang city to

Faisalabad. The team asked the driver who was identiRied as Abdul Wahab son of Abdullah and his ac-

complice Bashir Khan son of Hakeem Khan to produce legal documents of the loaded goods but he

failed to show any legal documents.

The Anti Smuggling Organization, after registering a case against ac-

cused, forwarded the case to the Customs Adjudication for further proceedings.

Dg Valuation revises customs value of citric acid KARACHI

wAQAR AHMeD AnSARi www.customsbulletin.com

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he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of citric acid through Valuation Ruling No 1015/2016 under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969. The values of the citric acid for reference/guidance were earlier determined vide Valuation Data Base letter No.157 issued on

January 12, 2017. There were several representations from different importers/ traders and trade bodies i.e. Pakistan Chemicals and Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA), for determination of customs value of the citric acid afresh.

The importers have claimed that the prices of Citric Acid are showing downward trend in the international market, hence an exercise was initiated to re-determine the values of citric acid.

Meeting with all the stakeholders including importers, trade bodies i.e.

Pakistan Chemicals and Dyes Mer-

chants Association (PCDMA) and representatives from clearance Collectorates was held on 18.01.2017 to discuss the current international prices of the Citric Acid. The view point of all participants was heard in detail and considered to arrive at Customs value for citric acid valuation methods provided in Sect on 25 of the Customs Act, 1969 were duly applied in their regular sequential order to address the particular valuation issue at hand. The transaction value method as provided in SubSection (1) of Section 25, found inapplicable in light of the wide variety of invoices submitted at import stage

the veracity of which could not be ascertained fully, hence requisite information required under law was not available to arrive at the correct transaction value. Identical goods value method provided vide SubSections (5) & (6) of Section 25 ibid were examined for applicability to determine Customs value of subject goods, this data provided some references_ however, it was found that the same cannot be solely relied upon due to the absence of absolute demonstrable evidence of qualities, and quantities of commercial level etc. Meanwhile, Director General Customs Valuation

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Syed Tanveer Ahmed issued Order in Revision No.292/2017 under section 25-D of the Customs Act, 1969 against Valuation Ruling No. 952/2016 dated October 13, 2016 on the petition Riled by M/s AlNafay Traders & Others. According to details, the petitioner stated that the Valuation ruling is contrary to the mandatory provisions of Section-25 read with Section-25-A of the Customs Act, 1969 as well as the principles laid down by the Sindh High Court in the case of M/s Bearing Sale Centre and others (CP No: D-3353 of 2010) that a uniform price of goods.