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Karachi, Sat May 6, 2017

MULTAN

IMRAN ALI

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he Customs Collectorate has generated Rs128.5 million from the auctions of confiscated vehicles and miscellaneous goods through different auctions in the on-going fiscal year 2016-17.

According to details, Multan Customs is generating handsome rev-

enue through disposal of conQiscated vehicles and various items through monthly auction held in Customs House Multan.

The Customs Collectorate has conducted seven various auctions of conQiscated vehicles and miscellaneous goods from July to April of the current Qiscal year 201617. Multan Customs have witnessed increase in the number of vehicles sold during auction and it helps customs to boost revenue collection of the Collectorate.

Vol 2, Issue No. 129

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Almost 27 various conQiscates vehicles were sold out along other seized goods during auction of Multan Customs in seven various. The Customs Collectorate has generated Rs36.7 million from the seven various auctions in the corresponding period of the economic year 2015-17. All these auctioned vehicles and goods were seized by the Anti-Smuggling Organization in their various anti-smuggling actions in the jurisdiction.

DG Customs I&I Shaukat Ali hails performance of ASO, Enforcement

CDWP approves development aprojects costing Rs130 billion

ADB to provide $1055m for nine projects in Pakistan during 2017-2019

M/s Sheraz Traders issued notice in duty evasion case

FBR receives 1,120,164 tax returns in 9 months 24 days of FY 2016-17

DG Customs I&I Shaukat Ali hailed the performance of the Customs oďŹƒcers | See pAge 02 |

The CDWP approved development projects worth over Rs 130 billion including | See pAge 03 |

ADBwil estimatedlyprovidefinancingincluding loansandgrantsvaluingdollars1055m | See pAge 04 |

Directorate of PCA has summoned M/s Sheraz Traders in duty and tax evasion | See pAge 14 |

A huge number of new non-taxpayers filed their returns in the current fiscal year | See pAge 16 |

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Faisalabad ASO seizes non duty paid fruit cocktail Saturday, May 6, 2017

National

FAISALABAD: The Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) seized non duty paid Fiesta fruit cocktail). The market value of the said items is Rs180,000 involving customs duty and taxes Rs66,000.

Sources told Customs Today that Collector Muhammad Sadiq received a credible information that a non duty paid Fiesta fruit cocktail in heavy syrup were being transported from Karachi to Faisalabad through New Shadad Goods Transport Company Jhang Road Faisalabad.

Dg customs I&I Shaukat Ali hails performance of ASo, enforcement

FAISALABAD

KARACHI

NAeeM SheIkh

MuBeeN huSSAIN

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he Customs Intelligence and Investigation team confiscated foreign origin grey fabrics worth Rs7,35,000 involving duty and taxes of Rs3,40,818 during road checking. Sources told Customs Today that on credible information Customs Intelligence team raided at M/s Sheikh Goods Transport Company. The customs team on checking found 15 bundles of foreign origin grey fabrics. Sources said that the customs staff asked the munshi of ada namely Ihsan to produce legal documents regarding possession of cloth. He produced a bilty No, 3756 and 3757 issued by M/s Sheikh Goods Transport Company Lahore. During investigation bilties was compared with the recovers goods and it was observed that recovered cloth were brought without paying of customs duty and taxes.

The customs team confiscated the smuggled fabric and registered a case of smuggling against the accused. The Customs Intelligence team forwarded the case to the Customs Adjudication for further proceeding.

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irector General of Directorate General Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Shaukat Ali hailed the performance of the Customs officers. The Director General of Directorate General paid a surprise visit to the Karachi Directorate and held meetings with the director Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Tahir Qureshi as well as Director Enforcement Samina Tasleem Zohra.

During the meeting, the Director General reviewed the progress of the ASO. Director ASO Tahir Qureshi gave detailed briefing on the overall progress and operations of the department.

Shaukat Ali appreciated the ASO team and directed the director to further boost surveillance and beef up checking. He also asked the ASO team to spread the blanket of informers to curb smuggling as well as tax evasion.

The director ASO also informed Director General I&I regarding the issues faced by them on which DG Ali assured his full support to tackle the pressure by any side.

The Director General also held meeting with the Director Enforcement Samina Tasleem Zohra and examined the performance report submitted by the depart-

faisalabad customs Intelligence seizes non duty paid grey fabrics

ment head.

The sources informed Custom Today that the Director General of Directorate General Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Shaukat Ali gave a surprise visit and the Directorate was informed about his arrival only an hour ago.

The Director General Shaukat Ali reached Karachi on a very short visit on Thursday at 10:00pm by

Flight No PK319 of Pakistan International Airline (PIA), the source further informed. Meanwhile, Customs Adjudication has dismissed a show-cause notice served on M/s Aleem Enterprises by Customs Appraisement East. M/s Aleem Enterprises imported a consignment of electronic parts at total invoice value of $4937.04 from China and sought clearance. The imported de-

termined its liability and paid the amount into national exchequer.

The goods declaration was selected for scrutiny and it was reported that the importer has misdeclared the description and quantity of several items with an intention to evade duty and taxes amounting to Rs1.393 million.

That’s why a show-cause notice was served on the importer.

Deputy collector usman reshues three superintendents T

FAISALABAD

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he Customs Collectorate Faisalabad Deputy Collector Headquarters Usman Tariq has reshuffled three customs superintendents with immediate effect.

Sources told Customs Today, that Deputy Collector Usman Tariq issued a notification no: II-A( Admn)/06/2010 P.T/1196

on following the special instruction of Collector Muhammad Sadiq. He transferred Mukhtar Hussain Superintendent from Export, Rebate, and Recovery branch to import appraisement, WeBOC and one Customs Adjudication. Superintendent Dilawar Hussain has been transferred from Faisalabad International Airport to Anti Smuggling Organization, Faisalabad and ASO Jhang.

Furthermore, Deputy Collec-

tor Usman Tariq has transferred Masud Afzal Lodhi after restoration into service to assigned duty at Export, Rebate, WeBOC ID user and addition his duty at GPO Faisalabad with immediately effect.

Meanwhile, FAISALABAD: The Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation confiscated smuggled goods worth Rs28million involving duty and taxes of Rs12million besides impounding offending vehicles

worth Rs04million in different anti-smuggling activities during the second week of April 2017.

Officials said the Customs Intelligence conducted operations on the instruction of Assistant Director Ittrat Hussain against the smuggled goods and vehicles in different areas of its jurisdiction including Sargodha, Khushab and Faisalabad.

The teams confiscated smuggled goods including Indian origin grey fabrics (14500-kg)

worth Rs06million Toyota Coaster (20-Seater) worth Rs06.5 miscellaneous goods worth Rs01.5million, cotton polyester fabrics (18880-kg) worth Rs09.1million and chiffon grey cloth (16131-kg) worth Rs06.1million after the accused could not produce documents regarding the legal import of the items. The seizures have been referred to the Customs Adjudication for further legal proceedings.

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MPs direct FIA to take strict action against officers ISLAMABAD: The lawmakers have directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take stern action against officers involved in beating up two women passengers at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport.

They expressed these views during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control, which met at Parliament House. The meeting was chaired by Rana Shamim Ahmed Khan.

The NA committee asked the FIA Islamabad Zone director to appear before it to brief parliamentarians about the inquiry report.

punjab govt focusing on increasing tax net: Minister

Saturday May 6, 2017

National

cDwp approves development projects costing Rs130 billion

LAHORE

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unjab Finance Minister Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha has said the Punjab government was paying special attention to increase tax net instead of leving new taxes.

Addressing the overseas investors at a local hotel, she said that tax was being received from boutiques, beauty parlous and restaurants having better income, through computerized system while receiving of Board of Revenue had been improved after land record computerization in the province.

Ayesha said the government aimed at including six services in tax net and would bring new tax payers in the net.

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NAB arrests Big Board Advisory Service ceo GILGIT

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ational Accountability Bureau (NAB) Rawalpindi’s Gilgit suboffice has arrested Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the financial company Big Board Advisory Service (pvt) Ltd, Abbas Haider Naqvi. Naqvi was wanted by the Police for minting almost Rs185 million from investors in Gilgit-Baltistan, promising them 18-36 percent return on investment, said a statement. The investors were also promised 100 to 15 % returns on investments for five years. A large number of small savers and investors gave their money to the company over a period of several years and after collecting money, the fraudsters vanished from the screen, cheating thousands of people.NAB had received 1,019 complaints against the Company, demanding return of their investment and punishment for the fraudsters.

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ISLAMABAD

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he Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved development projects worth over Rs 130 billion including a China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Scheme ‘Revival of Karachi Circular Railway’ and a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government’s Peshawar Sustainable Bus Rapid Transit Corridor Project.

The meeting of CDWP was held here under the chairmanship of Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Ahsan Iqbal.

The CDWP also recommended 7 mega projects in Energy, Transport Communication, Water Resources and Manpower Sectors to Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval. The CDWP also accorded concept clearance to two projects including construction of Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M6) worth Rs 238 billion and Sindh Renewable Energy Development Project (SREDP) worth $122 million. Furthermore, CDWP reviewed two position papers of ongoing project in education and water resources sector worth Rs 64 billion.

In transport and communication sector, CDWP recommended 04 megaprojects of worth Rs 102 billion to ECNEC. The forum approved Revival of Karachi Circular Railway worth Rs 27.6 billion, a project included in the

CPEC framework during 6th JCC in Beiging, China.

The project proposed by Sindh Government, envisages revival and construction of 43.2 km double railway track with 24 stations and procurement of 162 locomotos.

The project ridership is estimated at 550,000 passengers per day in the opening year with projected demand of 749,541 till 2030. On the occasion, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Ahsan Iqbal

cDwp reviewed two position papers of ongoing projects in education and water resources sector worth Rs 64 billion

central Region collects Rs 10941m

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LAHORE

M hAYAt

www.customsbulletin.com ustoms Central Region has collected Rs10941 million withholding tax (WHT) during July to April 15 of financial year 2016-17. As per details the Customs Appraisement Lahore collected Rs4773 million WHT during the period from July to April 15 of financial year 201617. Similarly, Customs Preventive Lahore collected Rs5895

million WHT during the period under review.

The Collectorate of Multan collected Rs174 million WHT during the period under review.

The Collectorate of Customs Faisalabad has collected Rs98 million WHT. Overall the Central Region collected total WHT from all the four Collectorate worth Rs 10941 million during the period under review.

It is pertinent to mention here

that the Central Region has been assigned Rs 0941 million WHT collection target against the same target for the period.

Sources said that the collectors of all the four Collectorate has been told to exert their full influence to meet financial year’s targets while the Customs Central Region Chief Collector Zeba Hai Azhar has also been holding meetings with the collectors of all the stations that come under the limits of the Central Region.

advised the Sindh Government to coordinate with Punjab, in order to get beneQits of its experiences in constructing Orange Line Metro. “Cost of the project be rationalized and conditions of the foreign loans must be negotiated properly” Minister instructed. He also advised that the stations and other building to be constructed under this mega project must match the historical architecture of Karachi to ensure beautiQication of this port city”.

Lpg prices reduced by Rs5 per kg he marketing companies on Wednesday reduced the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) by Rs5 per kilogram following decline in price in international market and revision of rates by the OGDC. As a result, prices of domestic cylinder were decreased by Rs50 and commercial cylinder by Rs200, Chairman LPG Distributors Association Muhammad Irfan Khokhar said in a statement issued here.

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Pak Post recovered Rs142m embezzled money in last five years ISLAMABAD: Out of the total amount of Rs624. 46 million embezzled amount, Pakistan Postal Services had recovered Rs. 142 million during last five years. National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications which met here on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Member National Assembly, Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi, the committee was briefed that the amount was recovered from 241 reported cases during the said period. The members were briefed that in year 2012, 43 cases were registered having embezzled amount of Rs. 158 million among which Rs. 15.74 were recovered while in 2013, 52 cases were registered with an amount of Rs. 58.26 million among which Rs. 29.09 million was recovered.

Saturday May 6, 2017

Business

ADB to provide $1055m for nine projects YOKAHAMA

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sian Development Bank will estimatedly provide Qinancing including loans and grants valuing dollars 1055 million for nine projects in Pakistan particularly in water and irrigation sectors during 2017-2019.

Nine projects in the four provinces – Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh and KPK will be Qinanced by ADB after approval during the years 2017-2019, sources at Asian Development Bank said here Wednesday on the eve of 50th Annual Meeting of its Board of Governors, scheduled for May 04 to 07. The projects

e-commerce can boost economy LAHORE

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-commerce sector brings enormous opportunities to the business sector as it makes 24/7 business possible and can boost country’s economic growth. This was stated by speakers during online business workshop “To help SMEs and Young Entrepreneurs to establish their online business”, held here at Lahore chamber of Commerce and Industry Auditorium arranged by Net Solutions. The speakers included Irfan Yaqoob,country manager Net Solutions and others who said.

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which are to be approved by ADB for Qinancing including loans, grants and identiQied co-Qinancing of dollars 1055 million for 2017-2019 are Balochistan Water Resources ($ Qive million), Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Program MFF,

Tranche 01 ($ 200 million), Greater Thal Canal Irrigation Project ($ 50 Million), Balochistan Water Resources Project ($ 100 million), Jalalpur Irrigation Project ($ 150 million), Sindh Urban Development Project $100 million), KPK Interme-

diate Cities Project ($ 100 million), Cholistan Water Resource Development Project ($ 150 million) and Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Program – MFF, Tranche 02 ($ 200 million).

The Asian Development Bank is expected to deliver its concurrence for water projects in Baluchistan province as well as two cities of the Punjab province including Sialkot and Sahiwal during current calendar. BrieQing the media persons ahead of annual meeting of the Board of Governors, Ms Amy Leung, Deputy Director General and Vijay Padmanabhan, Technical Advisor (Urban), Sustainable and Climate Change Department, ADB presented the details of the two projects which are under consideration of ADB board for approval in 2017.

fruit worth $325.63m, vegetables $356.32m exported in last 3 quarters F

KARACHI

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resh fruits worth $325.631 million and vegetables valuing $113.167 million were exported during Qirst three quarters of current Qinancial year as compared the exports of the corresponding period of last year.

During the period from JulyMarch, 2016-17 about 439,797 metric tons of fresh fruits and 386,109 metric tons of vegetables were exported as compared the exports of

same period last year.

During first nine months of current financial year, exports of fruits and vegetables decreased by 8.61 percent and 24.87 percent respectively, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Fruit and vegetables exports from the country during first 3 quarters of last financial year were recorded at 590.671 metric tons worth $ 356.32 million and 508,355 metric tons valuing $ 150.632 million respectively. Meanwhile, 43,125 metric tons of meat and meat preparations valuing $ 163.212

million were exported in last 9 months as compared the exports of 61,656 metric tons worth $ 212.36 million of same period of last year. During last nine months of current financial year, country earned $ 276.269 million by exporting the fish and fish products as compared the exports of 92,046 metric tons valuing $ 240.38 million of same period last year. Meanwhile, Resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is on the cards soon.

Negotiations on pak-turkey ftA to held by May end ISLAMABAD

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he seventh round of negotiations on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Turkey would be held by the end of current month in Turkey to finalize the agreement. Pakistan and Turkey will also discuss specific sectors including textile sector during the negotiation. He said the two sides would exchange provisional lists for a final agreement in upcoming round of dialogue. “Pakistan’s trade balance with Turkey remained positive until 2011, however, it started decreasing since 2011, when additional duties on various commodities were imposed by the two countries,” said a senior official of Ministry of Commerce, while talking to APP here on Tuesday. The official said the two sides will hold discussions on agreement on goods, services and investment. After signing of new FTA with Turkey, both the countries, gain will be able to improve their trade balance, he added. The official said that Pakistan will get market space in agriculture and pharmaceutical sector in Turkey. He said that Pakistan’s major imports from Turkey include manmade textiles, towels, steel structure, tanning and plastic chemicals, processed milk and whey.

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Balochistan offers economic opportunities for europe ISLAMABAD

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hina Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has emerged as a game changer for the Balochistan as the project would bring immense economic opportunities for the province as well as the neighbouring countries of Pakistan, Balochistan’s Minister for Home and Tribal affairs, Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti

has said. According to a message received here Tuesday from Brussels, he was addressing the Pakistani diaspora at the Embassy of Pakistan on the very Qirst day of the four-day visit along with nine-member high level delegation from Balochistan led

by Minister for Irrigation and Energy Nawabzada Changez Khan Marri.

Sarfraz Bugti said being the starting point for One Belt One Road project, CPEC also holds prospects for the European countries. He in-

formed the audience about improvement in law and order in the province and the positive developments in the economic, social and political sectors of the province, reckoning that under the present government, Balochistan was the Qirst province to hold elections of the local bodies and currently national census was also being carried out successfully. The Minister for Health, Rehmat Saleh Baloch apprised the audience of developments in social sector, he

said previously there was just one university in the entire province now there were universities in all the districts of Balochistan. The number of medical colleges had also been tripled during past few years. He said law and order had improved and efforts to protect various communities from targeted violence had shown great success. He pointed out that such violence on the basis of religion and sects was being manoeuvred by the funding from the enemies of Pakistan. Now

terrorists’ networks had been busted and those responsible for killings of innocent people were being taken to task. The minister asserted that there were no separatist movements in Balochistan, such misperceptions were being created by miscreants who receive funding from the enemies of Pakistan. The spokesman of the government of Balochistan, Anwaarul Haq Kakar gave government’s point of view on the several points raised by the community.

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FAISALABAD NAeeM SheIkh www.customsbulletin.com

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ustoms Intelligence and Investigation has seized items worth Rs5,920,000 involving customs duty and taxes of Rs1,744,732 by foiling different smuggling bids during last week of April 2017 besides confiscating one vehicle worth Rs2,300,000 being used for transportation.

Sources told Customs Today that Customs I&I made three seizures in its regions including FIU Khushab, Sargodha and Sara-e-Muhajir by conducting successful operations against the smugglers.

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Assistant Director Syed Ittrat Hussain said the intelligence teams are determined to curb the smuggling in the region and there is no room for smugglers.

He said the customs is taking action against the smugglers with the cooperation of the other law enforcement agencies. He also appreciated the performance of the intelligence teams and vowed to continue such operations against the culprits.

Saturday, May 6, 2017

He added that Faisalabad intelligence seized Suzuki Carry Station Wagon with registration No: WAJ-870 (Quetta), model 1995, worth Rs, 10,00,000 involving duty and taxes of Rs94,5500, tyres (14-Nos) made in China worth Rs420000 involving duty taxes of Rs 239232.

Meanwhile, The Model Customs Collectorate generated Rs04.6million through auction of confiscated miscellaneous goods.

The Faisalabad Customs organized public auctions in a re-

cently week. It presented 87 different lots consisting of tyres and tubes, dismantled vehicles, welding rods, auto parts, kids’ suits, solar panels fans, cloths, plastic granules, computers, 14 vehicles and various fax machines in the auctions. All items were seized by the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO).

During the auctions, only four vehicles and two lots of miscellaneous items were successfully auctioned including Toyota Premio worth Rs01.9million, Toyota Pejaro worth Rs386000, Toyota Fielder Rs01.1million, Toyota Premio car Rs890000 and two other miscellaneous lots No worth Rs394000.

The participants also rejected various goods that will be presented again in the next auction after the revision of prices.

The auction was held through open bidding where everyone was given opportunity for the bidding of imhe t t s pounded goods. n i ga tion a Deputy Collector Rana Falik c f a o g n n aki atio t r s e i Shair supervised the auction p s o co custom ncies. th the i e process to ensure transg w a s t r n le parency along with Superinrceme smugg ance w enfo a l erform r p tendent Muhammad Javed e e h t h o t d the we ated o i v c and UDC Khadim Hussain. e d r n p p sa

oa eam inst he als ence t g i l l ns aga e t o i n t i a r e e of th uch op inue s t n o c lprits to the cu

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

eDItoRIAL

potentials of pak-Iran trade

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ccording to newspaper reports, the consul general of Iran has expressed the desire to enhance trade between Pakistan and Iran up to $5 billion per year. In an official meeting of the Pak-Iran Joint Chambers of Commerce,he informed that efforts are being made to set up a joint banking system to boost trade activities.Earlier, the State Bank of Pakistan had signed an agreement with central bank of Iran to establish a mechanism to facilitate financial transactions between the two countries.A system of formal banking channels will not only facilitate economic cooperation between the two sides, but will also pave the way for Iran to join China Pakistan Economic Corridor.Pakistan and Iran are not only two brotherly neighbouring countries, but also intermingled with historical, cultural and linguistic strings and both should have joined hands to set up a practically and viable trade mechanism for the benefit of the two countries. It is unfortunate that the leadership of Pakistan could not extend a hand of cooperation to Iran as a big country. Instead of finding any positive and common grounds to enhance business and trade, the Pakistani leadership blindly followed the cue given to it by Arab countries in the Gulf. As a matter of fact, Pakistan should have cordial relations both with Iran and Arab countries and a balanced approach is the only option.

At a time when business is the priority for every nation, relations with one country should not be maintained at the cost of the other country. Iran is an immediate neighbor and both Pakistan and Iran can benefit from each other through trade, business and economic cooperation.It is also highly unfortunate that both the countries, despite close affinity, could not established banking channels to stimulate trade activities. The lack of official channels have boosted illegal trade between the two countries. Iranian diesel, petrol, ceramic items and plastic granules are frequently smuggled into Pakistan and the customs department has to assign extra staff and spend hundreds of man-hours to control this menace. If legal trade is increased, it will not only bring positive changes on diplomatic fronts, but will also bring financial gains for the two countries.

Need to invite virtual banks E

LAHORE

DR AftAB AfZAL

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very new idea originates in the United States, but reaches the third world nations after covering a round of the Qirst world nations. Whether it is online banking or any other service, the developing nations like Pakistan are singled out without any apparent reasons. The information technology has been emerging as the largest earning sector for the last few years in various third world countries, including Pakistan, but the mode of payment or Qinancial transactions have come as big hurdle in the way of online working. The world is heading towards integrated

banking system and online banks such as PayPal and Payoneer have presence in various countries of the world, but Pakistan has been singled out.

Pakistan’s information technology sector is growing and Pakistani software developers have already penetrated in the online job market of the United States and the European Union, but payment against their online services has come as big hurdle in the way of their business growth. There is little guarantee that they would get the payment against their services. It happened several times with software developers that they have prepared an application according to the requirement of the buyers, but they were not paid on one pretext or the

other. The most prominent online bank, PayPal, has no presence in Pakistan and the reasons are unspeciQied. The traditional sectors of the Pakistani economy are growing at a fast rate and so is the development in the digital economy.However, the IT professionals have to face difQiculties in receiving payments from abroad due to the absence of e-commerce payment gateways. Why the government is ignoring to invite online banks in Pakistan is unclear. The volume of software exports is in billions and the government has also established certain institutions to help the IT industry, but the lethargy prevails in every government department and lack of will in the government ofQicials is another issue which needs atten-

tion. As part of this nation, the ofQicers won’t change their behavior unless they are pushed and prod by the proactive leadership.

The State Bank of Pakistan, the Ministry of Information Technology and finance division of the federal government, all are in deep slumber otherwise there is no apparent hindrance in bringing the e-commerce payment gateways such as PayPal, Google pay, Samsung pay, Ali-pay or Payneer to Pakistan. Software companies in the United States and elsewhere in the European Union have a good option to hire Pakistani software engineers at nominal rates and get the job done in time, but they also face difficulties in transfer of funds to Pakistan.

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LCCI for promotion of water recycling technologies LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry has urged the government to promote the concept and technology for water recycling that can give immense benefit to the country.

In a statement issued here, the LCCI President Abdul Basit, Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa and Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan said that at global level two people out of ten don’t have access to the safe drinking water. They said that Pakistan is one of water-starved countries. It cannot afford to waste water as resources are depleting rapidly with the passage of time and we have to adopt latest techniques and technologies to get rid of this issue. They said that as water needs will grow, water recycling/reuse technologies will play a great role across the world and various countries are working fast in this regard.

chinese delegation visits IccI to explore business partnerships ISLAMABAD

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15 member delegation of Chinese companies led by Ms. Ling Yaqing, Secretary General, Worldwide Business Culture Exchange Centre visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry to explore joint ventures and business partnerships in Pakistan. The delegation was representing various sectors including manufacturers of hydropower plants, construction machinery and material, petrochemical equipment manufacturers, food machinery, hotel articles, kitchen items, real estate and other fields. Speaking at the occasion, Yin Lin Bing, Secretary General,

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Worldwide Business Culture Exchange Centre (WBCEC) of China said that in pursuit of Chinese President’s One Belt One Road strategy, WBCEC was taking Chinese business delegations to various countries to explore business partnerships with local partners. She said so far WBCEC has taken Chinese delegations to more than 90 countries and signed contracts and MoUs of billions of dollars. She said Chinese investors considered Pakistan a potential market for diversified businesses and have come here to explore opportunities for JVs and investment. She said both countries have good potential to cooperate in many other areas and hoped that their visit to Pakistan would lead to establishment of some good business partnerships between Pakistan and China. Speaking at the occasion, Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that CPEC project has bound both countries into a long-term and sustainable partnership.

Saturday May 6, 2017

Chambers

uAe envoy eyes €20 billion export potential in dairy sector T

ISLAMABAD

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he ambassador of United Arab Emirates Essa Abdullah Al Basha Al Noaimi has said that if developed on modern lines, Pakistan’s dairy sector has the potential to promote €20 billion exports of dairy products to Europe and other countries. He said UAE considered Pakistan an important country of Muslim world and wanted to further enhance bilateral trade with it. He said this while addressing business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said under UAE’s Pakistan Assistance Program, 165 projects were launched in Pakistan in health, education, infrastructure development and other areas that would mitigate the problems of Pakistani people.

He said UAE was going to organize first international level “Expo 2020” in which 80 countries would participate and about 50 million people would visit this event.

He invited Pakistani business community to participate in that Expo and explore new business op-

portunities. He said businessmen could set up pavilions or hire space in that Expo. He said about 600 Pakistani companies were doing successful business in free economic zones of UAE while about 1.1 million Pakistanis were contributing to its economic development.

He assured that UAE would continue to assist Pakistan for its better economic development.

In his welcome address, Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry

said that Pakistan and UAE enjoyed cordial relations while bilateral trade between the two countries in 2014 was around $9 billion. However, he said the two-way trade was still less than the actual potential of both countries. He said UAE’s bilateral trade in 2015-16 with one of our neighbors was over $50 billion which showed that Pakistan and UAE have great potential to improve the trade Qigure. He stressed that both countries should focus on promoting strong connectivity between

their private sectors to further enhance bilateral trade.

Khalid Iqbal Malik said that UAE extended generous support to Pakistan for better health and education facilities which was laudable.

He said UAE had launched Pakistan Assistance Program in 2011 for building schools, colleges and hospitals which was highly appreciable.

He said that there were tremendous investment opportunities for UAE’s investors in various sectors of Pakistan’s economy including infrastructure development, power generation, water management, agro industries. He said that both countries have good prospects to start joint ventures in many areas including aluminum products, horticulture, farming, dairy farming, livestock, Qinancial sector, prefabricated houses and affordable low income houses. He said cooperation between SMEs of Pakistan and UAE could fetch more beneQicial results for both countries. Khalid Malik Senior Vice President, Khalid Javed, Mian Akram Farid, Zafar Bakhtawari, Sheikh Amir Waheed, Zahid Maqbool, Fatima Azeem and others also spoke at the occasion.

fccI to establish textile corner in R&D cell to help experts of Ntu

LccI to promote water recycling technology

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ahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) has urged the government to promote technology for recycling of waste water to meet the water scarcity in the country. LCCI President Abdul Basit, Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa and Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan said in a statement here. They added that at global level, two people out of ten don’t have access to safe drinking water. They said Pakistan was one of water-starved countries. It cannot afford to waste water as resources are depleting rapidly with the passage of time and we have to adopt latest techniques and technologies to get rid of this issue. –CB Report

FAISALABAD

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extile Corner (TC) will be established in the R&D (Research and Development) cell of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) to help out the entire chain of textile sector to get adopt and upgrade new technology with the help of the experts of the National Textile University (NTU).

This was disclosed by Engineer Muhammad Saeed Sheikh President FCCI. He along with Engineer Ahmed Hassan also presented a cheque of Rs. 0.5 million to NTU to carry out the research activities and bring a qualitative improvement in the industry academia linkages.

They also signed an upgraded

MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) which was earlier inked between FCCI and NTU about two years ago. They said that textile is the biggest industry of Pakistan which is earning foreign exchange of $12billion per annum for the country. Out of it $6billion is contributed by the exporters of Faisalabad, they said and added that textile export is declining for the last many years only due to the international recession coupled with energy crisis and inconsistent domestic policies. He termed it an alarm bell and eye opener for the economic managers which demands immediate remedial measures. Continuing, they said that government has successfully controlled the energy crisis. International economy was also on healing track while investment of $55dollar

by China under CPEC has opened new avenues for progress and prosperity. Commenting on the industrial cooperation under fourth phase of CPEC, they said that Industry Academia Linkage is imperative to survive in fast changing economic scenario.

They said that in order to bridge the widening gap between Industry and Academia, FCCI and NTU have agreed to set up a Textile Corner which will provide guidance, awareness to the exporters to adopt new technologies in order to improve the quality of their products. It will also help in sensitizing textilers to promote value addition and earn more proQit from their exportable surplus.

He said that few major industrial concerns have established their own dedicated R&D sections to develop new and innovation products.

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Sargodha Chief Commissioner-IR Shahzada to retire on Oct 4 ISLAMABAD: Shahzada Tahir Zaman, a BS-20 officer of Inland Revenue Service, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation. Shahzada, presently posted as Chief Commissioner-IR, Regional Tax Office, Sargodha, will stand retired from government service with effect from October 04. Meanwhile, Malik Muhammad Yasin, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-17, is going to retire from the government service on attaining the age of superannuation.

Saturday May 6, 2017

Islamabad tausif posted as Director of IpR enforcement (central) in Lahore ISLAMABAD

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fBR notifies transfers, postings of BS-19-20 IRS officers F

ISLAMABAD

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ausif Ahmad Qureshi, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-20, has been transferred from the post of Director, Directorate of IPR Enforcement (North) (stationed at Lahore) and posted as Director, Directorate of IPR Enforcement (Central), Lahore with immediate effect and until further orders. The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No.0905-C-II/2017 dated 16.03.2017, had assumed charge of the post of Director, Directorate General of IPRE (North) (stationed at Lahore) with effect from March 30, 2017. He relinquished the charge of the post of Collector, Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication), Faisalabad and took as Collector at Faisalabad Collectorate on July 21, 2014. After conclusion of ‘Customised Advanced Management Course’ from November 28, 2011 to December 2, 2011 at RIPA, London, Tausif, then BS-19 officer and posted as Collector at Model Customs Collectorate in Multan.

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fBR imposes major penalty of dismissal from service ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday awarded major penalty of dismissal from service to a BS-16 officer of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) on the charges of misconduct and inefficiency. According to a notification, disciplinary proceedings had been initiated under Government Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 1973 against Shahzada Aamir, Inspector (BS-16), Model Customs Collectorate, Quetta through Show Cause Notice C.No. 17(03)MC-IV/2017, dated April 03, 2017 dispensing with the option of conducting inquiry based on the glaring facts of the case as provided under Rule 5(1)(iii) of the Government Servants (E&D) Rules, 1973 on the charges of ‘Inefficiency’, ‘Misconduct’ and ‘Corruption’. –CB Report

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) on notified transfers and postings of BS-19-20 officers of Inland Revenue Service (IRS) with immediate effect.

The FBR notiQied the transfers and postings of Sohail Afzal (Inland Revenue Service/BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Chief, (SPR&S Wing) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Chief, (IR Policy Wing) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad, Ms. Ambreen Iftikhar (Inland Revenue Service/BS20) has been transferred and posted as Chief, (IR-Policy Wing) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Chief, (TAGR) / (SPR&S Wing) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad, Adnan Inamul-

lah Khan (Inland Revenue Service/BS20) on repatriation, has been posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (West Islamabad Zone-III) Regional

Tax OfQice, Islamabad, Fakhar Ul Islam (Cost Accountant/BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Cost Accountant, Large Taxpayers Unit, Is-

lamabad from the post of Chief, (Accounting Wing) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad, Khalid Javed (Inland Revenue Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Chief, (OPS) (Accounting Wing) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Secretary, (Accounting Wing) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad, Mrs. Syeda Adeela Bokhari (Inland Revenue Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Chief, (OPS) (Enforcement) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Chief, (OPS) (IT Wing) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad, Ms. Nazia Zeb Ali (Inland Revenue Service/BS19) has been transferred and posted as Secretary, (BTB) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Additional Commissioner, Regional Tax OfQice, Rawalpindi.

fBR receives 1,133,341 tax returns till April 30 T

ISLAMABAD

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has received 1,133,341 tax returns till April 30 from last week’s 1.12 million. According to updated Active Taxpayers List (ATL) issued by the FBR, during the corresponding week, about 9,511 nonfilers discharge their liabilities by filing their annual income tax return for tax year 2016. The number of active taxpayers in the first ATL – 2016 issued this March was 1.01 million.

The appearance in ATL is mandatory for availing reduced rate of withholding tax under different provisions of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

The FBR estimates around 1.3 million return filers by June 30, 2017 through strict action against non-compliant taxpayers. The FBR also estimates around 1.8 million returns for tax year 2016 before issuance of new ATL in March 2018.

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Court awards imprisonment to woman booked in currency smuggling case KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has awarded nine days imprisonment and Rs 150,000 fine to lady accused Fehmida wife of Muhammad Karim on pleading guilty who was allegedly involved in a case of attempting to smuggle Saudi Riyals 100,000 from Sharjah to Karachi.

In default of payment of fine she will further undergo three months simple imprisonment in jail.During the hearing, the accused lady was produced before the court by investigation officer. Her counsel moved an application for pleading guilty.

After the arguments, the court awarded 9 days (already undergone period) and Rs 150,000 fine to her.

Shc directs to conclude arguments on plea file by M/s Regent Services KARACHI

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the parties to come prepared for final arguments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Regent Services (Private) Limited against impugned demand notice of Rs 372,127,716/- issued by officer Inland Revenue Enforcement and Collection Unit -05. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, was hearing the petition. During the hearing, the court heard arguments of the parties and adjourned the matter for May 11, 2017. The court observed in its order that the case will be finally heard and disposed of on the next date of hearing. The court also continued interim order till the

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next date of hearing. It needs to be mentioned here that court had suspended the impugned demand notices which were sent to the bank for recovery of disputed tax from the petitioner’s accounts. Earlier petitioner’s counsel stated that for the tax year 2014, petitioner filed its return of income on February 16th, 2016, In the return, the petitioner inter alia declared capital gains amounting to Rs890,169,978/- on sale of immovable property, which was not taxable as the holding period of the asset exceeded two years. According to the petitioner, however, on erroneous presumption of facts and law additional commissioner Inland Revenue Audit division -I, range B, Zone I, RTO – II issued a show cause notice dated March 10th,2016 alleged non-reporting of interest income and workers welfare fund and an aggregate demand of Rs. 372,127,716/- was raised.

Karachi

customs court sends suspect to jail on judicial remand in tax evasion case C

KARACHI

M B RANA

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ustoms Taxation and AntiSmuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has sent Shah Rukh Easir, proprietor of M/s Easir Traders, to Central Jail Karachi on judicial remand who was allegedly involved in a tax evasion case of Rs 2,110,719.

During the hearing, Investigation OfQicer Saud Hassan Khan of Directorate General Intelligence and Investigation produced the accused before the court and submitted that an FIR has been lodged against him and others associates on April 6, 2017. He said that the suspects have been allegedly involved in illegal removal of gasoline generators from the bonded warehouse M/s Lokhandwala S.I.T.E Karachi under the jurisdiction of modal Customs Collectorate, Appraisement West Karachi. The generateors were imported vide goods declaration dated 26/11/2014. He further informed the court that accused and his other associates were involved in evading the customs duty and taxes to the tune of Rs 2,110,719. After the hearing, the court sent the suspect to jail

and directed the nvestigation ofQicer to investigate and submit progress report on the next date of hearing. The court also directed the Superintendent Jail Central to produce him on the next date of hearing. It needs to be pertinent here that name of accused Mansoor son of Muhammad Hussain Lokkhandwala, owner of M/s Lokkhandwala, Haider Saleem, proprietor of M/s Gateway International were also

Saturday May 6, 2017

mentioned in FIR as accused who are still absconders in this case.

Case was registered against them in violation of section 18, 32, (1) (2) 79 (1) and 104 of the Customs Act, 1969 read with section 86, 97, 98 and 116 punishable under section 156 (1) (14) (50) (59) and (82) ibid further read with section 3, 6, 7A, and 34 of the Sales Tax Act 1990 and section 148 of the income tax ordinance, 2001.

Dg Valuation revises customs value of accessories KARACHI

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he Directorate General of Customs Valuation revised the customs value of bath room accessories low-end brands through Valuation Ruling No 1137/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969. According to details, the customs values of bath room accessories were earlier determined vide V DB No.103/2016 dated, 29-1 1-20 16 and 175/2017 dated 03-02-2017.

Representations were received from commercial importers, for determination of customs value of bath room accessories low-end brands afresh.

Meetings with all the stakeholders including importers and representatives from clearance Collectorate were held on 06-0 3¬2017 and 0604-2017 to discuss the current international prices of the subject item, but no one appeared. It reflects that the stakeholders have nothing to confront the customs values as reference values determined vide VDB No.103/2016, dated 29-11-2016. However, the matter of valuation of bathroom accessories, low end brands, is taken on its merits for decision. –CB Report

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Appraisement east files fIR against faisal Abbas, others

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KARACHI

M A ABDuLLAh

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he Customs Collectorate of Appraisement East has filed First Information Report (FIR) against Faisal Abbas, the owner of M/s Shafi Traders (NTN 2658581-8) located at House No 30, Punjab Cloth Market, Shah Muhammad Ghous, Lahore and directors/involved persons of M/s United Marine Agencies (Private) Limited for deliberately submitting misleading information regarding false bills of shipment.

Malik Muhammad Hashim, Preventive Officer, Appraisement East,

Customs House, Karachi, after filing the FIR, had started investigation of the matter. The office of M/s United Marine Agencies (Private) Limited is situated at 8th Floor, Bahria Complex-IV, Main Choudhry Khaliq-uz-Zaman Road, Gizri, Clifton, Karachi.

According to FIR, Faisal Abbas, imported two consignments of weather strip, wool pile weather strip (brush sealing strip) in rolls and weather strip silicate pile (made of high quality woven polypropylene yarn).

Hashim mentioned that an information in this regard was shared by the Customs Appraisement West Karachi, after which the Ap-

praiseent East has started the investigation and learnt that M/s United Marine Agencies (Private) Limited, Karachi, has committed fraud by issuing fake bills of landing in place of the original ones. He further said that during investigations it was observed that freight forwarders/co-loader/shipping agent M/s United Marine Agencies (Private) Limited, Karachi, in connivance with the accused importer, have been involved in the clearance of goods by wrongfully declaring the vital information with regard to the shipper’s name, port of loading and the country of origin. He added that goods were actually shipped from Singapore through

M/s Hanjin Shipping Lines whose master shipping agent was M/s United Marine Agencies (Private) Limited. However, he mentioned that M/s United Marine Agencies (Private) Limited in connivance with the importer electronically fed incorrect information and manipulated Bill of Landing. According to him, the accused while filing the Import General Manifest (IGM) in WeBOC fraudulently manipulated the shipper’s name as well. The ulterior motive in submitting false and misleading information, was to avail inadmissible concession of Pak-China FTA regime under SRO 659(I)/2007 to the extent of Rs41,834/-.

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Annual fishery exports planned to reach $450-500m Saturday May 6, 2017

World

TEHRAN: Iran plans to increase the value of its fishery exports up to $450-$500 million by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2018), Mehr news agency reported quoting an official at Iran’s Fisheries Organization.

According to Isa Golshahi, Iran Fisheries Organization’s director general for quality improvement, processing, and market development, the country exported some 600 tons of such products to Russia during the first three months of 2017. The figure equals Iran’s total fishery exports to Russia during 2016.

“Products exported to Russia, included sturgeon, trout, ornamental fish and shrimp,” he said.

Russian arrested at Schiphol with poisonous snakes

customs seizes counterfeit auto parts SHAHGHAI

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MOSCOW

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Russian national has been arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport after customs ofQicials found dozens of live snakes, frogs, coachroaches and lizards in his luggage. Although the reptiles were not on the endangered species list, they had been stuffed into plastic boxes and were in the man’s rucksack, breaking animal welfare laws, the product safety board NVWA said in a statement.

Many of the reptiles were also extremely poisonous, including the 26 lancehead vipers, and 10 of the 16 frogs. The snakes and other reptiles have been handed over to experts for safe keeping while the authorities decide what to do with the man.

He was travelling from Brazil to Russia with a stop-over at Schiphol when he was caught.

turkey trade deficit narrows in March urkey’s foreign trade deficit decreased in March from a year ago, as exports grew faster than imports, figures published by the Turkish Statistical Institute showed Friday. The trade deficit dropped to $4.49 billion in March from $5.01 billion in the corresponding month last year. That was in line with consensus estimate.

Exports surged 13.6 percent yearover-year in March and imports climbed by 6.9 percent. On a monthly basis, both exports and imports rose by a seasonally and calendar adjusted 3.7 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively in March.

During the first three months of the year, total trade deficit of the country was $12.53 billion versus $12.13 billion in the corresponding period last year. –CB Report

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Meanwhile, The hearing of a tax dispute between Russia and U.S. oil and gas major ExxonMobil at the Stockholm arbitration court has been delayed while the two sides continue talks to try to reach a settlement, Russia’s Qinance ministry said on Friday. The court had been due to hear the case, in which Exxon

says it overpaid proQit taxes on the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project in Russia’s far east, on April 24-28.

“The arbitration proceedings have been postponed for a few months.

The parties agreed to continue talks with the aim of resolving outstanding issues before trial,” the ministry said.

Indonesia-philippines talks to fortify new trade route

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resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is expected to try and fortify maritime security cooperation with the Philippines during bilateral talks this week, ahead of the launch of a lucrative trade route that aims to boost connectivity along the borders of the neighboring countries.

Jokowi will embark on a state visit to the Philippines on April 28 and will meet with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila for bilateral talks on subjects ranging from con-

nectivity and border delineation issues to maritime security. Other than Jokowi’s usual focus on deepening economic cooperation, there will also be an emphasis on maritime security between the two countries, Arrmanatha said. However, he did not elaborate any further on his statement. Both countries have had to deal with a string of kidnappings for ransom of late, with many of the crimes taking place in the Sulu Sea on the northwestern side of Mindanao Island. –CB Report

he city has seized about 270,000 pieces of counterfeit auto parts since 2016 following 14 cases of intellectual property rights infringement cases.

Shanghai customs authorities said yesterday that the counterfeit parts were valued at 2.32 million yuan (US$336,775).

The authority found a batch of 64,000 counterfeit spark plugs that were scheduled to be exported at the end of last year. Since then, the authority found two more batches of fake spark plugs that were marked for export one of 10,000 pieces, the other 12,000. Using counterfeit spark plugs could damage a vehicle’s engines or even cause the engine to short-circuit, potentially setting the vehicle on Qire. Meanwhile, In a bid to encourage the development of the

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country’s logistics industry, China will offer favorable tax terms to lower the cost of commodity storage for logistics Qirms, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement released Tuesday. Tax rates on urban land use will be cut by half for logistics facilities that store commodities such as agricultural and mineral products. The term only applies to facilities that cover an area of 6,000 square meters or above, according to the statement. The tax cut will be in effect from the beginning of 2017 to the end of 2019. Companies that already paid the extra will receive credit to be deducted from their taxes payable, according to the statement.

China’s logistics industry has been growing steadily thanks to government support that promises lower taxes and costs. In 2016, the gross revenue of the sector hit 7.9 trillion yuan ($1.1 trillion), up 4.6 percent from 2015. China will encourage more sophisticated development of the logistics sector from 2016 to 2020 to bolster economic growth and deepen supply-side reform, authorities said.

3 key importers lift Brazil meat ban

razil won a major victory as it battles to restore credibility amid a tainted meat scandal, with China, Egypt and Chile lifting their bans on its products.

The three countries, which had totally closed their markets to Brazilian meat at the start of last week, said they would open them to all but the 21 Brazilian processing plants under investigation.

Brazil, the world’s largest meat exporter, has been reeling since March 17, when police announced the conclusion of the two-year “Operation Weak Flesh” which revealed that some meatpackers paid crooked inspectors

to pass off rotten and adulterated meat as safe. About 20 countries – including the European Union, Japan and Mexico – closed fully or partially their doors to Brazilian meat imports, whose sales brought in over US$13 billion (S$18b) to the Brazilian economy in 2016. Singapore’s Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said it does not import any meat from the 21 Brazilian meat processing establishments. The AVA has stepped up surveillance of imported meat and meat products from Brazil, and is “monitoring the situation closely”, while liaising with Brazilian authorities for more details, the authority added. –CB Report

Dutch tax payers to bear €41.4m as Royal budget

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AMSTERDAM

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his year the Royal Family will cost the government budget, and Dutch taxpayers, 41.4 million Euros, according to Business Insider. That includes the “constitutional beneQit” for King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima

and Princess Beatrix as well as expense compensation for them.

This year the King receives 888 thousand Euros in constitutional beneQit, Queen Maxima gets 352 thousand Euros and Princess Beatrix gets 502 thousand Euros. This beneQit increases annually, but only as much as the salaries of ofQicials – that of the Vice President of the Council of State to be exact. If government ofQicials

get no increase then neither does the Royal House. The three members of the Royal House also gets expense compensation, with which they pay their most immediate employees.

This year Willem-Alexander gets 4.66 million Euros for this. Maxima gets 606 thousand Euros and Beatrix gets a million. They do not have to pay tax on this money. The counter balance to what the Royal family costs the

Netherlands is, of course, what beneQits they have for the country, according to Business Insider. One such beneQit is that on trade mission, the King can open foreign doors that may otherwise have remained closed. A study into trade missions by Regioplan in 2011 showed that more than half of participating companies believed that they got economic beneQits from taking part in trade missions.

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UK house prices fall again in April as buyers feel the pinch LONDON: UK house prices fell for a second month in a row in April in a sign that the squeeze on family incomes is starting to weigh on the property market.

The average price of a home fell by 0.4% over the month to £207,699, following a 0.3% drop in March, according to Nationwide. It was the first time that prices fell in two consecutive months in nearly five years and drove down the annual rate of house price growth to 2.6%, the weakest since June 2013. Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, said the slowdown could reflect the broader backdrop for consumer finances, which are coming under increasing pressure from a combination of rising inflation and weak wage growth.

cBp officers at el paso port seize cocaine and more S Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers working at the El Paso port of entry seized 38 pounds of cocaine Wednesday. The estimated street value of the seized contraband is $1,216,000. The seizure was made Wednesday evening at the Paso Del Norte crossing when a 2004 Dodge Dart Frontier with an adult male driver entered the port from Mexico. A CBP officer initiated a secondary examination and noticed anomalies in the appearance of the vehicle. A “Buster” density meter was used to examine the car producing high readings consistent with hidden contraband. A CBP canine team was called to screen the vehicle and the officer received an alert for the presence of narcotics. A ZPortal scan was also used and the images revealed anomalies within the rocker panels of the vehicle. CBP officers continued their exam and located 15 cocaine-filled bundles hidden in the rocker panels of the car. –CB Report

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SARS Intercepts counterfeit goods, drugs worth R10.29m

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Belgium’s ucB sees Q1 sales up 15 percent elgium’s largest pharma company UCB (Euronext Brussels: UCB) this morning reported that revenue for the first three months of 2017 increased to 1.12 billion euros ($1.22 billion, a rise of 15% at actual and 14% at constant exchange rates (CER). This was supported by the one-time other revenue of 56 million euros recognized in February 2017 for out-licensing of the OTC-allergy drug Xyzal (levocetirizine). The company did not provide earnings figures. However, UCB’s shares were down 3.16% at 69.32 euros in mid-morning trading today. Core driver of the continued sales growth are UCB’s main products. Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), for the treatment of inflammatory TNF mediated diseases, generated sales of 317 million euros, up 13% on an actual basis. –CB Report

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JOHANNESBURG

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ounterfeit goods and drugs with a combined value of over R10,29 million were seized at OR Tambo International airport ofQicials said. Customs ofQicials opened various consignments from Hong Kong destined for different suburbs in Gauteng when the illicit goods were discovered, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) said in a statement on Tuesday. Cell phones, sneakers, shirts,

tracksuit tops and other high-quality label goods were discovered at various airline cargo sheds.

Clothes from a leading fashion brand weighing 775kgs were discovered in one consignment with an estimated value of R3 240 000.

In a separate incident, a SARS detector dog unit intercepted a female passenger from Sao Paolo in possession of 6.945 kg cocaine worth R1 998 000. The sniffer dog responded to her luggage where several packages labelled ‘Brazilian coffee’ was found. Upon closer inspection, the bags of coffee tested positive for cocaine.

The traveller, en route to Maputo,

Mozambique, has been handed over to the police, SARS said. Meanwhile, More than $200,000 worth of fake sneakers were snatched off the market thanks to customs ofQicials in Johannesburg, South Africa.

South African Revenue Service (SARS) ofQicials found over 2,380 pairs of counterfeit shoes hidden in a cargo shed at O.R. Tambo International Airport. The SARS customs unit announced the seizure today; it took place over Easter weekend.

The stash of fake kicks originated in Hong Kong and was valued at 2.8 million rand, which converts to right around $210,860, based on current exchange rates.

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cocaine worth $30 million ‘vanishes’ at tema port nvestigations by The Finder have revealed that Ghana’s image in the comity of nations has once again been heavily dented as the country failed another major test in the fight against drugs. The Finder can report that 10 bags of suspected cocaine, each weighing 50kgs (500kgs in all) hidden in a consignment of rice with an estimated street value of about $30 million has vanished from the Tema Port under mysterious circumstances. Surprisingly officers under whose watch this happened are still at post at the Tema Port. According to Finder’s sources, a ship carrying some containers with cocaine onboard arrived in Tema Pot in December 2016 but the suspected cocaine vanished before February 23 2017 when all stakeholders conducted compulsory tests on the container. It is learnt that K9 Dogs which are specially trained to detect cocaine confirmed traces of cocaine in the said container while UK’s Operation West Bridge also conducted sampling by the use of itemisers which also confirmed traces of cocaine. The Finder further learnt that separate investigations conducted on the suspected missing cocaine by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) and Customs have been submitted to the Interior Minister and the Attorney General’s offices. –CB Report

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germany claims to narrow large trade surplus

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he German government upgraded its economic forecast for 2017 slightly, saying that strong domestic consumption would increase growth and bring down its much-criticized trade surplus. Europe’s largest economy should expand by 1.5 percent this year, Economy Minister Brigitte Zypries told journalists in Berlin, slightly more than the 1.4 percent

predicted in January.

She left unchanged the government forecast of 1.6 percent growth in 2018. “The German economy is growing solidly and remains on an expansionary path. And that’s despite a global environment marked by uncertainties,” Zypries said.

“Good conditions in the labour market and strong increases in employment assure a strong domestic economy.” Berlin expects unemployment to fall slightly further from already historic lows in 2017, before stabilising next year.

Low joblessness and rising wages mean that households will have more cash in their pockets, with consumer spending expected to increase by 1.4 percent this year and next. Companies’ investments in equipment will “gradually” pick up in 2017 and 2018, while the construction sector is boosted by public spending and households’ demand for homes, encouraged by low interest rates. Meanwhile, Germany’s trade surplus which has arisen because it exports more than it imports is expected to shrink, as demand from Qirms and consumers

at home grows faster than the world economy and global trade. Exports will grow by 3.3 percent in 2017 and 3.8 percent next year, the economy ministry predicts, while imports will grow “somewhat more strongly”. The government economists expect a reduction in Germany’s surplus to 7.3 percent of gross domestic product in 2018, a full percentage point lower than the 2016 Qigure. Longstanding grumbles from European neighbours and America about Germany’s export prowess have Qlared up since Donald Trump took ofQice.

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Customs tribunal hears 15 cases; adjourns all of them Saturday May 6, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: The Customs Appellate Tribunal’s Division Bench-II (single and double), comprising Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Member Technical Imran Tariq, heard 15 cases and adjourned all of them until the next hearing. T he Customs Appellate Tribunal’s single bench, comprising Omer Arshed Hakeem, heard six cases including Yousaf & Brothers versus Customs Lahore, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Gujrat versus Muhammad Luqman, Mukhtar Khan versus Customs Faisalabad, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Al-Husain trading, Muhammad Husnain versus Customs Faisalabad and Nasrullah versus Directorate Multan Unit DG Khan.

customs court adjourns hearing of 400 cell-phone smuggler LAHORE

M IMRAN MehAR

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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has adjourned the case of a suspect in mobile phones smuggling case. Muhammad Ilyas was nabbed by the customs authorities at the Faisalabad International Airport while he was coming back from Dubai through a private airline. During the checking of his luggage, the customs authorities found 400 costly mobile phones hidden in the bags. The value of the smuggled mobile phones is more than Rs02million.

The customs investigation and prosecution team of Faisalabad presented him before the customs court for his physical remand that was ap-

Non-duty paid honda civic impounded ustoms Intelligence & Investigation Lahore has seized non-customs paid Hoda Civic AAR 572 worth millions of rupees. The official sources told Customs Today that on directions of Deputy Director Ali Zeb Khan Anti-Smuggling team seized the above mention vehicle in Gulberg area. The sources said that the vehicle was being used by the driver on Islamabad registration number. It was revealed that the driver when failed to produce the required clearance documents flee away from the scene. The customs I&I after registering a case have started further investigations and also initiated a number of raids to arrest the owner of the vehicle. It is necessary to mention here that Customs Intelligence team expedited their efforts to impound non duty paid vehicles which are plying on the roads.

The sources said that they are directed to adopt zero tolerance policy towards owners of non duty paid vehicles. –CB Report

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proved by the court for four days.

The customs investigation team, after completion of remand, presented him before the court for further proceedings wherefrom the court sent him to jail on judicial remand. After that, he was released on bail. Now case is being heard in the special court. The customs preventives Faisalabad has recovered mobile phones of Samsung, Huwai and Apple from the luggage.

Meanwhile, The Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling adjourned the hearing of post arrest bail plea of three accused involved in smuggling of Indian made saris. According to details available to Customs Today, three accused namely Sajjad Qureshi, Abdul Sattar and Hammad Ahmad were arrested by the customs authorities when they were making attempt to smuggle a huge quantity of Indian made saris.

M/s Sheraz traders issued notice in duty evasion case

LAHORE

M hAYAt

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irectorate of Post Clarence Audit (PCA) has summoned M/s Sheraz Traders in duty and tax evasion of Rs 148243 by on the import of tarpaulin.

customs Appellate tribunal hears 16 special cases on wednesday

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he Customs Appellate Tribunal’s Division Bench-II (single and double), comprising Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Member Technical Imran Tariq, heard 16 cases and adjourned all of them until the next hearing.

The Customs Appellate Tribunal’s single bench, comprising Omer Arshed Hakeem, heard six cases including J.P Constructions versus customs Lahore, Muhammad ShaQique versus Directorate Multan Unit DG Khan, Danyal agencies ver-

sus Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad versus Amjed Javaid, Tanveer Hussain versus Customs Faisalabad and Muhammad Asghar versus customs Lahore. On Wednesday, the tribunal division bench-II heard nine cases of Customs Lahore versus Koukab Enterprises, Muhammad Ashraf versus customs Faisalabad, Malik Fawad versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Lahore. –CB Report

According to the details, the PCA Lahore observed that the import clearances data against HS Code 6306.1210 effected from various Model Customs Collectorate during the calendar years. 2012 and 2013 revealed that inadmissible concession of sales tax and value added sales tax under the SRO (1125)/2011 dated 31.12.2011, wrongfully availed on the import of

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Tarpaulin i.e. sun shedding which is speciQically excluded from that ambit of said SRO and hence was not entitled for such beneQit under the said SRO. It has been observed that importer had imported various consignments consisting of tarpaulin and got it cleared under PCT heading 6306.1210 with inadmissible concession under SRO 1125(I/201 1, dated 31.12.2011.

Hence, it was said that the importers have short paid an amount Rs 148243sales tax, additional sales tax and income tax due to wrongful, concession under the SRO I 125(D/2011 dated 31.12.2011.

The importer was asked to pay above mentioned short paid amount of duty/ taxes within 10 days of receipt of this letter positively.

The importer was told in case they do not agree with the audit observation; they may provide the written clariQication along with supporting documents as well as import documents.

customs court hears 19 important cases he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling heard 19 important cases on Tuesday and adjourned most of the cases until next hearing. 19 cases of different types, including pre-arrest bail pleas Qiled by accused persons were scheduled for the day.

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 allegedly involved in mobile smuggling was also scheduled for the hearing. The

cases of Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Jhelum were scheduled for the day. Meanwhile, the Anti narcotics force has confiscated more than 6 kilogram of hashish and charas in different actions against the drug peddlers.

According to sources, ANF Lahore intercepted a Suzuki car and Motorcycle CD-70 near Mian Channu Toll Plaza, GT Road, Khanewal and recovered 6 kilograms of hashish from secret cavities of the car. Two persons were arrested namely Ali Haider, resident of Kohat and Sajjad Aziz, resident of Lodhran. –CB Report

fto hears case of Riaz Ahmed against Rto Sialkot

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LAHORE

SAJID NAwAZ

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he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has adjourned the hearing of a case Qiled by Riaz Ahmed against the Regional Tax OfQice (RTO), Sialkot, until the next hearing. According to details, FTO Advisor Mazhar Farooq Shirazi

heard the case in which 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 the RTO collected excessive tax from Riaz Ahmed son of Muhammad Sadique from the last two years. He approached the commissioner concerned many times for issuance of refunds but the RTO

ofQicials did not pay refunds even 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 to clear refund claims. The counsel further said the RTO should refund the excessive collection in the wake of taxes by the end of financial year but the

situation is quite otherwise. Delay in issuance of refunds put burden on taxpayers, he said, adding the RTO Sialkot should audit cases and release extra amount collected from the taxpayers.

On the other hand, counsel for the RTO argued that appellant Riaz Ahmed has not submitted all the record to the ofQice on which basis it is claiming for refunds.

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Shipping activity at Port Qasim KARACHI: Brick Shipping was recorded at the Port where six ships Maersk Atlanta, Oriental Rose, Gaslog Skagen, Stolt Viking, Able Sailor and Harmony-1 carrying containers, 1,900 tonnes soya bean oil, 143,500 cubic meters LNG, 2,000 tonnes chemicals, 28,000 tonnes palm oil and 67,940 tonnes furnace oil were allotted berths at Qasim International Container Terminal, Multi-Purpose Terminal, Engro Vopak Terminal, Engro Elengy Terminal, Liquid Cargo Terminal and FOTCO Oil Terminal respectively on Tuesday. Meanwhile four more ships Han Yi, Chemstar Stellar, Khor Gas and Calimere carrying General cargo, palm oil, LPG and coal also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim during last 24 hours.

Abu Dhabi ports introduces new digital services bu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of commercial and community ports in the emirate as well as Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad), has introduced a new stream of digital services for import and export operations of roll-on-roll-off (RoRo) and general cargo. This is a substantial offering that will provide customers and stakeholders the accessibility to new benefits they can now reap from the automation of operational processes and services through its Maqta Port Community System (PCS), said a statement. The new service marks the completion of the digitalisation of all operational services, following the success in providing digital services for container and cruise vessels across Abu Dubai’s commercial ports in 2016. Captain Mohamed Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “This achievement is

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a major milestone that highlights our continued commitment to offer innovative and competitive solutions to our customers and stakeholders.”“Our Port Community System is the first of its kind in the Middle East, and is optimised to provide efficiency for all the procedures that expedite the movement of vessels in and out of the ports, hence ensuring robust and smooth operations,” he said. “With the completion of this phase of digitalization, we have ensured the streamlining and facilitating of import and export activities at our commercial ports, further boosting Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading maritime trade hub for the region,” he added. Abu Dhabi Ports has developed and delivered the technologically advanced Port Community System in record time, just a year after launching the project. –CB Report

Ports & Shipping

AApA and MARAD release new port planning toolkit WASHINGTON

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he U.S. Port Planning and Investment Toolkit (PPIT) has been updated with new sections on planning, feasibility and Qinance. The PPIT was developed through collaboration between the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), PFM Group, WSP/Parsons Brinkerhoff and a host of industry experts.

“AAPA recognized the infrastructure project needs and funding concerns faced by America’s ports,” said Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO. “To help solve these challenges, we jointly brought together a host of experts to develop an easy-to-read, easyto-understand and easy-toexecute resource to help ports get to the point of bidding out a plan for the modernization and upgrades they need to handle both

their current and future demands.”

He added: “The capabilities to handle the mountains of freight that move through America’s seaports each year require costly investments. Although ports have a history of public-private partnerships to develop and operate their facilities, funding vital intermodal freight projects is requiring them to engage with a larger cast of public and pri-

vate partners.” In commenting on the toolkit, Joel Szabat, MARAD’s executive director, said, “The development and enhancement of our maritime transportation system is a crucial component in the continued growth of our nation’s economy.

Forward-thinking and planning will enable our ports to further support jobs, trade and commerce for American communities.”

Saturday May 6, 2017

ports welcome first cruise liners of the year he Holmsgarth North facility will be used to host a liner in June, during the first of what Lerwick Port Authority (LPA) expects to be two consecutive record breaking cruise seasons.

Completed late last year, the L-shaped jetty is the LPA’s biggest single investment to date and is also used by fishing and oil industry vessels. It will initially take liners of up to around 755ft in length, starting with the visit of the Viking Star. A new portable “meet-and-greet station” to welcome passengers arriving at the jetty has been commissioned by the port authority. With the latest cruise liner season getting underway tomorrow, the LPA expects the number of passengers visiting Shetland over the next five months to be up 22% on last year at a record 62,000. Further records are expected to be set in 2018, with 90 ships, carrying an estimated 96,000 people, already booked to visit. LPA senior commercial executive Victor Sandison said: “Holmsgarth North is significant addition to our capacity to welcome cruise ships alongside at a time when the port is attracting more passengers. –CB Report

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port of Rotterdam is anticipating climate change R

WASHINGTON

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ight now, Rotterdam’s port area is effectively protected against Qloods. While most of the port area is situated outside the dikes, these port sites are elevated relatively high above sea level and are partly protected by storm surge barriers. Only under particularly extreme weather conditions will a small number of companies be affected by limited Qlooding. This is one of the conclusions of a recentlycompleted joint study that focussed on water safety in the port area: the Botlek Water Safety pilot project.

This is a unique project, since it is actually the Qirst time the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the Municipality of Rotterdam, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment and the port’s private sector worked closely together to study

the potential consequences of climate change for the Botlek area – and to determine which measures can be taken in response.

The pilot examined the impact of climate change with the aid of various climate scenarios developed by the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). This institute has forecast that the local sea level will rise by 35 to 85 cm in the period until 2100, which also increases the risk of Qloods in the port area. The study shows that this does not create any signiQicant risks for people living or working in the area. Most of the damage will be economic in nature. The Port Authority has conferred with the relevant companies set up outside the dikes regarding how best to respond to these kinds of situations. As far as the potential consequences of Qlooding are concerned, companies set up in areas outside the dikes operate at their

own risk. The pilot project is one of the outcomes of the ‘Advies Deltaprogramma Rijnmond Drechtsteden (2014)’, which concludes that we need to perform targeted research to ensure that local residents and companies in four areas outside the dikes – including the Botlek area – remain protected against Qloods in the years ahead. In 2017, we will be examining a number of elements and/or sub-areas of the Botlek Water Safety pilot project in further detail. In 2017, we will also be performing a comparable study for the port areas WaalEemhaven and Merwe-Vierhavens.

Meanwhile, The Long Beach port logged its strongest Qirst quarter in a decade, after being hammered last year by the bankruptcy of its largest tenant, the South Korean-based Hanjin Shipping Co. Still the overall growth in volume for the period was modest, notching up 1.5 per-

cent compared with the same quarter period last year, while imports climbed 2.1 percent during that time, according to port ofQicials.

“We’re happy to see these gains during the traditionally slow period of the year,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Lori Ann Guzmán in a released statement.

Overall volume rose 8.7 percent in March compared with the same time last year, while imports spiked 20 percent during the same period.

OfQicials took the rise as a sign that the future is looking up for the nation’s second busiest seaport and key gateway to the Asian PaciQic market. “We see a lot of upside for the remainder of 2017 as we expand our partnership with the world’s second-largest line, Mediterranean Shipping Co., add new business and strengthen our relationships with our partners,” Guzmán said.

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2kg ice drug worth Rs20m seized at BKIAP PESHAWAR: The Customs officials at the Bacha Khan International Airport Peshawar arrested a Saudi bound passenger and recovered two kilogram of ice drug from his possession.

The passenger, identified as Jalal Gul of Hangu, was going to Saudi Arabia via Dubai in flight EK-637. After recovery of the drugs from his luggage, he was arrested from the airport.

The customs official said the ice drug was detected during general checking which was concealed in his bag with other articles.

Saturday, May 6, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

fBR receives 1,120,164 tax returns in 9 months 24 days of fY 2016-17 ISLAMABAD cuStoMS BuLLetIN RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

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huge number of new nontaxpayers Qiled their returns during the current Qiscal year (2016-17).

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) received record 163,434 new tax returns in nine months and 24 days of the corresponding Qiscal year. The FBR has received total 1,120,164 tax returns during July 1, 2016 to April 24, 2017, while 956,730 people Qiled their returns during the same period of previous Qinancial year (2015-16).

Meanwhile, Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Dr Muhammad Irshad has exhorted the FBR ofQicers posted in Qield formations to step up their efforts and work to the best of their abilities in the next couple of months to meet the revenue collection target set for the year.

“I know it is a gigantic task but time and again the FBR ofQicers and staff have done it in the past and I am sure with greater focus, energy and vigour in their revenue collection efforts, they can meet this year’s target as well,” he said in a video-link address beamed out live from the FBR House in Islamabad to the ofQicers in FBR’s Qield forma-

tions across the country.

Chief Collector North Sarwat Tahira Habib told Customs Today that during his video address, the

FBR chairman has given the clear guidelines to chief collector north to meet the assigned target of current month of April of Financial

Year 2016-17. She said that in the light of the guidelines provided by the chairman, all the relevant MCCs, including MCC Islamabad,

MCC Peshawar, MCC Samberial and MCC Gilgit-Baltistan, have been intimated to follow them in letter and spirit.

M/s Ambreen glass Industries challenges SRo 509(1)/2013 KARACHI

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/s Ambreen Glass Industries, M/s Siddique Glass Bangles Works and others have moved the Sindh High Court (SHC), challenging impugned SRO 509(1)/2013 dated 12/06/2013 requiring the petitioner’s mills to pay an extra amount of sales tax at the rate of 5% of the total billed

amount of Sui Southern Gas Company and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company in addition to the tax payable under section (1) of section 3 of the Sales Tax Act 1990.

In separate constitutional petitions filed by M/s Ambreen Glass Industries, M/s Siddique Glass Bangles, M/s Al-Gilani Glass Industries, M/s Data Glass Bangles Works, M/s Ejaz Glass Industries, Abdul Zaheer Bangles Works, M/s Shafqat Bangles and others, counsels submitted that petitioners are individuals persons and fall within the territorial jurisdiction of chief commis-

sioner tax office Hyderabad.

They argued that petitioner’s mills are manufacturer of glass bangles and the supply of Qinished product which is exempt under section 13 read with item no 29c of sixth schedule to the sales tax act, 1990 from the levy of sales tax, hence is not under obligation to get registered with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), however, tax department issued SRO 509(1)/2013 dated 12/06/2013 requiring the petitioners’ mills to pay an extra amount of sales tax at the rate of 5% of the total billed amount of Sui Southern Gas Company and

Hyderabad Electric Supply Company in addition to the tax payable under section (1) of section 3 of the Sales Tax Act 1990 illegally.

Citing Secretary Revenue Division, MD Sui Southern Gas Company, CEO Hyderabad Electric Supply Company, the chief commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax OfQice (RTO) Hyderabad as respondents, they pleaded the court may declare that said SRO is illegal, unlawful and no legal effect. They also pleaded the court may direct the respondents not to levy and charge further tax at the rate of 2% and extra sales tax

Published by M S Raza Off# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Road Karachi, Printed by Dhoom Printing Building No RY/A, 11/6,11/7, Mashoor Mahal,off I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi

at the rate of 5% on electricity meters. Meanwhile, The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered Customs authorities to return two oil tankers, confiscated on alleged oil smuggling.

The Custom Authorities on order of SHC appellate bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Arshad Hussain Khan, produced the vehicles. The Nazir of the court who was to take custody of the two was told that these vehicles are filled with oil. The fact was brought into the notice of the court and consequence in case of an accident or fire.