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pAkIStAN’S FIRSt INDeptH NeWSpApeR ON cUStOmS
26 ABc certified Vol 75 Issue No. 39
karachi, tue may 21 - mon may 27, 2019
Weekly Weekly
Regd. No, mc-1381
Price Rs. 50.00
StABILIzINg ecONOmy
Dr Hafeez Shaikh says small, medium and long term programs being introduced for economic stability. | See pAge 03 |
PESHAWAR
IRFAN BAHADUR
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FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi placed a ban on raids at business centres and offices. | See pAge 02| LAUNcHINg WeBOc 2.0
Dr Jawwad Agha says advanced version of WeBOC to ensure speedy clearance of goods. | See pAge 06 | SeIzINg NDp gOODS
Hyderabad I&I seizes smuggled goods worth Rs34.450m, says Director Sadiqullah Khan. | See pAge 10 |
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ollectorate of Customs Preventive Collector Asif Saeed Khan Lughmani said smuggling of non-customs paid goods has decreased in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during last couple of months due to hard work of Customs ofOicials. The Customs Collector presided over a meeting of deputy collectors & assistant and additional collectors at Customs Preventive Collectorate in Customs House to review the performance of the collectorate against smuggling of NDP goods and vehicles. The Collector Customs Preventive talking with Customs Today further said that the Collectorate of Preventive has adopted zero tolerance policy against smuggling and corruption which increased the revenue collection during current Oiscal year and decreased the activities of smuggling during last FY 2017-18. The collector further said all the customs stations from Peshawar to Torkham and Ghulam Khan border to Kholachi have been upgraded in order to facilitate trade with neighbouring countries. The Customs Collector lauded the efforts of anti-smuggling units and said that due to increase in patrolling of customs police, the rate of smuggling decreased dramatically during last couple of months. Customs Collector Asif Saeed Khan directed deputy collector Anti Smuggling Unit Najib Anjum to evaluate special tasks policy to counter smuggling of NDP goods and stop illegal trade of currency across the border. The Customs Collector Preventive
was informed that the Collectorate of Customs Preventive has started crackdown on godowns containing non-duty paid goods for which the timely coordination with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be required. Smuggling is a curse for business community and it causes serious damage to the exchequer. During the meeting, the Collector Customs appointed Sohail Kakar as Public Relations OfOicer of the Collectorate of Preventive. Sohail Kakar has been working as inspector in the Air Freight Unit of Pakistan Customs section. Asif Saeed Khan also directed the assistant collector to reshufOle the customs staff to different stations of Customs House Peshawar. The Collector Customs appreciated Inspector Mumtaz, Inspector Fazal Bacha and other senior inspectors for working tirelessly in the holy month of Ramazan to curb the menace of smuggling from the region. Collectorate of Customs Preventive Collector Asif Saeed Khan Lughmani also lauded the role of Customs Preventive staff deputed at Torkham Customs station for seizing 1kg and 26 grams gold platinum from a passenger. Sources told Customs Today, Customs Preventive staff deputed at Customs Station Torkham is performing duties at the most sensitive border with Afghanistan where the local villagers and trade vehicles cross the border several times a day. The Customs Preventive Inspector Rehmat Ali along with some sepoys intercepted one passenger and recovered gold platinum. The passenger was coming from Afghanistan. The Customs ofOicials booked FIR against the accused smuggler while case forwarded to the customs tribunal at Customs House Peshawar.
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
pLAcINg BAN
02
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NATIONAL
MAy 21 - MAy 27, 2019
SHc seeks reply on petition filed by m/s pakistan mobile communications Ltd kARAcHI: the SHc directed customs department to make sure to file para wise comments on a petition filed by m/s pakistan mobile communications Limited against issuance of show cause notice for recovery of Rs5,772,297. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi was hearing the matter. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is a public limited company incorporated under the companies’ordinance, 1984 and is registered in the business of providing cellular telecommunication services. He submitted that petitioner was served impugned demand notice dated April 3, 2019 wherein it was pointed out that vide audit observation Rs5,772,297 are recoverable from the petitioner company and directed to deposit the same in the government exchequer within seven days from issuance of the impugned notice.
MULTAN
ImRAN ALI kHAN
www.customstoday.com he Customs Adjudication Multan Camp Office settled 53 various seizure cases after adjudicating worth Rs138.532 million during the month of April. According to details, Customs Adjudication decided 15 seizure cases of deputy collector level forwarded by Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) and Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) in anti-smuggling activities.These seizure cases were related to evasion of customs duty and other taxes to the tune of Rs11.484 million during April.These seizure cases include vehicles, cloths, liquors, auto parts and miscellaneous goods. Customs Adjudication settled 15 seizure cases in favor of tax department after completion of trial and issued Order-in-Originals (ONOs) in favor of Customs department. As many as 16 new seizure cases worth Rs11.247 million have been added in the court of deputy collector for trial during April. Additional Collector Customs AdjudicationTalib Hussain decided 33 seizure cases of smuggled vehicles and goods worth Rs61.997 million for the duration of April. About four seizure cases were decided in the favor of taxpayers by Additional Collector Talib Hussain after completion of trial in Customs Adjudication.
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Peshawar Customs foils bid to smuggle tarantula PESHAWAR
NADIR kHAN
www.customstoday.com ustoms officials deputed at Bacha Khan International Airport foiled a bid to smuggle two tarantulas in Pakistan and arrested a passenger, who allegedly admitted that he brought the tarantula for a“Hakim”after the latter paid him Rs50,000 and covered his travelling expenses. Sources told Customs Today that the authorities arrested the passenger who was identified as Usman Khan, a resident of Peshawar, on a tip-off that an attempt to smuggle spiders in Pakistan would be made. Following the arrest, Khan told the customs officials that he brought the spiders from China for a Hakim in Peshawar, who paid him Rs50,000 and covered his travelling expenses for bringing the spiders in Pakistan. The customs officials detected the spiders as the smuggler had preserved them in two card boxes and kept them inside his jacket. After the recovery, Khan failed to produce any certificate from the wildlife department authorizing him to bring tarantulas in Pakistan.
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FBR chairman Shabbar zaidi places ban on raids at business centres ISLAMABAD
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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman Shabbar Zaidi has placed a ban on raids at business centres and ofOices. According to an FBR notiOication, prior approval of Member (IR-Operations) and the chairman will be required to conduct the raid. “If there are evidence of economic transaction(s) which are chargeable to tax and the organisation/entity is not a tax registered person then the ofOicer will report it to the Member (IR-Operations) and Chairman FBR, who will provide necessary direction for future course of action,” said the notiOication. The notiOication also prohibited the suspension from active taxpayers list unless there is personal interaction with CEO/owner of the business 24 hours before the suspension. The list of all such cases will be sent to Chairman FBR and Member (IR-Operations) with reasons for the suspension and evidence of personal interaction. After appointment of Shabbar Zaidi as FBR Chairman, business community was looking for drastic reforms in FBR to promote tax revenue of the country. Now this decision of the FBR is being hailed across the country by the business community. Different chambers of commerce including LCCI, ICCI, RCCI, FPCCI and trade associations time and again had asked the FBR to avoid raids on business premises because this approach was creating harassment in business community and
damaging the image of the government in private sector. Conducting sudden raids on business premises, taking record and computers into possession, arresting counter persons and sealing businesses were the measures that were very insulting for the taxpayers who deserved to be treated with due respect. Earlier, ICCI President Ahmed Hassan Moughal said business community was never against tax payment, but they wanted a friendly approach from FBR to expand the tax base in the country. He said that when the non-Oilers witnessed such coercive measures of FBR against regular taxpayers, they felt more secure by remaining out of tax net instead of feeling any motivation to come into the tax net. He demanded that Chairman FBR should conduct inquiry against such tactics of his
FBR chairman Shabbar zaidi
ofOicials and Oines received from taxpayers coercively should be returned to them. Zubair Ahmed Malik, former President FPCCI and Chairman Founder Group said that FBR raids on business premises were creating resentment in the business community against the current government. He said government should look into this approach of FBR as it seemed to be a conspiracy to pit the business community against the current government. While demanding an immediate stop to raids at business premises and showing of disrespect to the taxpaying community, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry had urged the government to constitute a committee having representatives from public and private sectors to sort out the issue. LCCI
customs generates 6pc extra revenue: ADc Ashfaq khan C
ISLAMABAD
tARIQ DeRyA
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ollectorate of Customs Additional Collector Ashfaq Khan said that the Collectorate fetched 6 percent extra revenue against allocated target during July to April FY2018-19 while received 13 percent extra revenue against same period of corresponding Oinancial year. Talking with Customs Today, Additional Collector Ashfaq Khan said that during Oirst 10 months (July to April FY18-19) the Collectorate received Rs20132.04 million against allocated revenue collection target of Rs17306 million. He said that the Collectorate received Rs17851.77 million against assigned revenue collection target of Rs15559.23 mil-
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
Multan Adjudication settles 53 seizure cases worth Rs138.532m
ADc Ashfaq khan lion during July to April FY17-18. Ashfaq Khan said that during Oirst 10 months the Collectorate
showed 9% extra growth under head of Customs Duty (CD), 9% under head of Sales Tax (ST), 30% under head of Income Tax (IT) while showed 20% extra revenue collection under head of Federal Excise Duty (FED) against same corresponding period of last FY. He informed that the MCC Islamabad showed extra revenue collection of 6% under head of CD, 26% under head of ST, 8% under head of IT and demonstrated 5% under head of FED against allocated revenue collection target for July to April FY18-19. Giving the details of fetched revenue collection during 10 months, he said that Collectorate received Rs 6610.82 million under head of CD, Rs 8963.01 million under head of ST, Rs 3874.63 million under head of IT as well as the MCC received Rs 683.59 million under head of FED during July to April FY18-9.
President Almas Hyder said that proposed committee should have representatives of the chambers, bar associations, market & industrial associations and Federal Board Revenue (FBR) as this was the only way to resolve the issue of undue raids at business premises and disrespect the business community. The LCCI President said that Section 38-B of Sales Tax Act, 1990 was being misused by the ofOicials of tax department. Tax ofOicials were visiting markets and godowns to unjustiOiably harass the business people. The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) President, Malik Shahid Saleem had stressed upon the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to stop its raids and harassment campaign going on in the country in the garb of tax collection.
DC Moazzam Raza distributes work among nine inspectors ollectorate of Customs Preventive Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIA) Deputy Collector Mohammad Moazzam Raza has issued orders for distribution of work among nine inspectors with immediate effect and until further orders. According to office order Inspector Ashraf Qazi presently performing his duty at shift-III arrival is transferred to departure shift-III/supervision (baggage examination). Inspector Ashfaq Ahmed will also perform his duty at vigilance cell, Inspector Muhammad Intikhab will perform his duties at departure shift-III/baggage. Furthermore, Inspector Zulfiqar Ali will also perform his duties at departure shift-I/baggage examination. Inspector Tariq Baig will perform his duties at vigilance cell, Inspector Muhammad Ijaz Ahmad will also perform his duty at arrival shift-I/counter. —MHayat
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NATIONAL 03
MAy 21 - MAy 27, 2019
customs court approves after-arrest bail of suspect in betel nuts smuggling case kARAcHI: the customs court granted after-arrest bail to suspect namely muhammad Umair son of Abdul Jabbar, who was involved in a case of attempting to contraband smuggling of 14,244 kilograms betel nuts. counsel for the suspect moved bail after arrest and argued that his counsel has been implicated in this case, who is ready to face trial, therefore, court may grant his after arrest bail till final verdict in this case. After the hearing, court granted his bail against the surety of Rs100,000 and directed him to appear on next date of hearing along with progress report. According to the prosecution, on an actionable information that a considerable quantity of smuggled betel nuts has been dumped at a godown-cum-shop situated at goasht market, moin plaza, karachi for cutting and would likely to be removed from that premises shortly.
‘BusinesscommunitysupportsAmnestyScheme’ KARACHI
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hairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Shabbar Zaidi has said that all the business community has declared Tax Amnesty Scheme as beneOicial for the economy of the country. According to the details, under the supervision of Governor Sindh Imran Ismail a high level meeting was held in Governor House over the current economic indicators, dollar price hike, Tax Amnesty Scheme as well as Oinancial package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Adviser to the Prime Minister on Oinance, revenue and economic affairs, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Shabbar Zaidi were also present in the meeting. Taking part in the meeting the Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Shabbar Zaidi has said that the business community has declared Amnesty Scheme as beneOicial for the economy of the country whereas they have shown their complete support in this regard. He said soon the economy will be on its track and problems of the business community will be addressed. During the meeting, the Governor Sindh Imran Ismail said that the problems of the businessmen must be solved at their door steps so that trust between government and businessmen could be enhanced. Imran Ismail said that the formation of the Sindh Industrial Lesion Committee is also working round the clock to address the problems of the business community. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic affairs, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh informed that for the economic stability, small, medium and long term programs are being introduced for the business community. The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government has announced its Oirst tax amnesty scheme for whitening of undisclosed expenditures, sales and assets, including foreign assets, at nominal tax rates. The scheme has come into effect through a presidential ordinance, which will offer a
period of 45 days to people for declaration of their undeclared assets, expenditures, and sales along with payment of taxes until June 30 this year. Unlike past scheme no revenue realisation projection is made on the plea that it is meant for allowing the grey economy’s inclusion in tax net. The scheme can be availed by all companies, associations of persons and individuals only to whiten their assets, expenditures and sales not declared until June 30, 2018. There is no provision for whitening undeclared incomes both domestic and foreign. The government has for the Oirst time given another one-year time period to people for payment of taxes with additional different default surcharge rates on a quarterly basis until June 30, 2020. This facility will be available only to those people who will Oirst declare their assets until June 30, 2019. Under the scheme, assets within the country and abroad (except for real estate) can be whitened at a rate of four per cent. The whitened cash assets will have to be kept in Pakistani bank accounts. For people wanting to keep their whitened money abroad, a
Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh says small, medium and long term programs are being introduced for the business community to bring economic stability rate of 6pc will be charged. For the declaration of real estate, its value will be considered 150pc of the FBR-assigned value to bring it
on a par with the market rate. Similarly, the value of real estate will be considered 150pc of the DC value where the FBR value has not been notiOied or less than the DC rate. Moreover, under the current scheme, the persons are also allowed to enhance the declared value of immovable property. The tax rate will be 1.5pc for whitening of domestic immovable properties (real estate). In case of foreign assets, the fair market value will be determined at the exchange rate prevalent on the date of declaration. The tax rate on undisclosed sales or supplies is 2pc, which is also offered for the Oirst time for bringing undeclared sales into the tax net. This will cover the sales or supplies chargeable to sales tax or federal excise duty, which has not been declared or has been under declared up to June 30, 2018. The amount of tax will increase by a default surcharge of 10pc, 20pc, 30pc and 40pc for late payment of taxes. The tax rates will increase by 10pc if the tax is paid between June 30 and Sept 30, 2019. It will increase by 20pc in case of payment between Sept 30 and Dec 31, 2019.
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04 NATIONAL
MAy 21 - MAy 27, 2019
FBR asks customs collectorates to recover sales tax from m/s montis (pvt) Ltd mULtAN: the Federal Board of Revenue has asked different customs collectorates to assist for the recovery of sales taxes from m/s montis (pVt) Ltd. According to details, Assistant commissioner Inland Revenue enforcement & collection corporate Regional tax Office Lahore muhammad yousaf Ismail has issued tax notices to m/s montis (pvt) Ltd for recovery of outstanding sales tax amount of Rs30,000 and penalty of default surcharge under Sections 33(5) and 34 (1) of the Sales tax Act 1990. Deputy commissioner IR, enforcement & collection has adjudged sales taxes and penalty surcharges against m/s montis (pVt) Ltd vide assessment order no.03/08 dated 18 march 2019. m/s montis (pvt) Ltd has failed to pay due taxes of the government despite several notices and Federal Board of Revenue has initiated process of recovery.
M/s Bismillah Industry & M/s O.S Corp approaches SHC seeking release of consignments KARACHI
m.B RANA
www.customstoday.com /s Bismillah Industry and M/s O.S Corporation approached the Sindh High Court (SHC) seeking release order of its consignments of prime quality pre-painted steel coils stopped by customs department due to disputed valuation. During the hearing counsel for the petitioners stated in their constitutional petition that petitioners are primarily engaged in imports of steel products, namely prime quality pre-painted steel coils and is registered for the same purpose and they have imported two consignments of prime quality pre-painted steel coils pattern design vide respective letters of credits and other shipping documents including mill test certificate, being evidence of prime quality of the imported goods. Whereas no such mill testing is to be conducted for secondary quality goods. He said that on arrival of these consignments, they submitted goods declarations and paid duty and taxes according with law, however, consignments were examined by the examination staff and reported that the goods are found just as declared by the petitioner importers, however, the labels pasted on coils are not matched with the mill test certificate provided with shipping documents by the manufacturer. He further argued that on that report, customs officials assessed the goods as secondary quality without considering facts and circumstances. Citing chairman Federal Board of Revenue, chief collector of Customs A ppraisement South, Collector of Customs Appraisement East as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to direct the respondents to allow in-bonding of subject goods under assessment of prime quality as declared and found per examination reports, and restrain them from taking any action.
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LAHORE
m HAyAt
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ollectorate of Customs Preventive Collector Ahmed Rauf constituted a special car cell to curb smuggling of non-duty paid vehicles and deputed two inspectors in order to streamline working with regard to operations against non-duty paid/smuggled vehicles. According to notiOication, Inspector Muhammad Muratib Mushtaq currently performing his duties at chief ofOice customs (central) is directed to report to Collectorate of Customs Preventive
car cell with immediate effect. Inspector Waheed Iqbal Bhatti, currently posted at law branch of Customs House, is also directed to report to car cell (in addition to his duties as transport ofOicer) with immediate effect and until further orders. Both the above-mentioned ofOicials will coordinate with other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) during their new duties. It is important to mention here that Collector Customs Preventive Ahmed Rauf directed all anti-smuggling squads to adopt zero tolerance policy towards non-duty paid vehicles which are also being used in smuggling of goods and narcotics. Meanwhile, Collectorate of Customs Preventive started grand
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
collector Ahmed Rauf constitutesspecialcarcellto stopsmugglingofvehicles
operation against smuggling in the city and established different check posts to foil any bid of smuggling. Sources told Customs Today that on 14.5.2019, Collector Customs Preventive Ahmad Rauf received credible information about smuggling of mobile phones. He constituted an anti-smuggling squad under the supervision of Deputy Collector Naveedur Rehman which also included Superintendent Nasir Tarar and customs inspectors. The customs team intercepted a Suzuki Pick-Up at Mall Road and during checking recovered Chinese brand Viva mobile phones 1450 sets, Nokia Vietnam origin 290 sets, QMobile 190 sets. The market value of total 1920 sets is Rs5 million.
ADC Basit Abbasi transfers appraising officer, inspectors LAHORE
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ollectorate of Customs Preventive Additional Collector Basit Maqsood Abbasi transferred appraising officer and eighteen customs inspectors with immediate effect and until further orders. According to the details, Appraising Officer Farakh Khan will perform his duties at General Post Office (GPO) after joining. InspectorTariq Baig is transferred from Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) to Air Freight Unit (AFU) (Traffic) Lahore, Inspector Munir Ahmed Niazi is transferred from ASO to AFU. Inspector Muhammad Intikhab Alam is transferred from ASO to AFU (Traffic), Inspector Abid Ismail Chisti transferred from ASO to GPO, Inspector Babar Iqbal Rana is transferred from ASO to AFU (Traffic). Inspector Muhammad Anjum Sheraz transferred from Land Freight Unit (LFU) Wagha to ASO and Inspector Muhammad Khalid Butt is transferred fromWagha to Investigation and Prosecution (I&P). Inspector Muhammad Ejaz Ahmed is transferred from ASO to AFU (Traffic) and Inspector Ghulam Sarwar Mehdi is transferred from headquarters main branch to headquarters general branch. Inspector Muhammad Arif Mayo is transferred from AFU (Traffic) to ASO, Inspector Zulfiqar Ali transferred from I&P to AFU (Traffic) to ASO, Inspector Mansoor Elahi from AFU to ASO, Inspector Abdul WaheedWala transferred from AFU to GPO, Inspector AbdulWaheedWala is transferred from AFU to GPO, Inspector S.M. Ashfaq Hamdani transferred from State Warehouse to Railway StationT-10, Inspector Saleem Shahid transferred from GPO to ASO, Inspector Ishfaq Ahmad transferred from ASO to AFU (Traffic), Inspector Nasir Mehmood transferred from GPO to AFU while InspectorWaqas Ali is transferred from AFU (Traffic) to ASO.
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customs JIAp foils bid to smuggle heroin powder KARACHI
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he staff of the Drug Enforcement Cell (DEC) of Pakistan Customs deputed at Jinnah International Airport (JIAP) foiled an attempt to smuggle huge quantity of heroin. According to the details, on the tip-off by higher authorities, the staff of the Drug Enforcement Cell (DEC) posted at Jinnah International Airport (JIAP) beefed up the security as well as surveillance to turn down any attempt of smuggling. During the strict checking, the Drug Enforcement Cell (DEC) staff in pursuant to an information to the effect that narcotics would
be smuggled to United Kingdom through a courier service, mounted vigilance and spotted a parcel of ladies hand bags and
shoes. The Customs OfOicer informed Custom Today that the parcel of ladies hand bags and shoes was booked by one accused
person namely Aftab Alam son of Muhammad Jamal Uddin resident of University Road, Karachi. The said parcel was booked at DHL courier service to be shipped to Bradford, United Kingdom. The detailed examination of the said parcel was carried during which Oive hundred grams of brown heroin powder was recovered. The brown heroin powder was tactfully concealed in ladies hand bags and shoes, after its recovery the staff seized smuggled brown heroin powder. The tentative value of seized goods is Rs5 million in the market. An FIR is lodged against the arrested consignor and investigations started whereas a gang behind this nefarious activity will be tracked as soon as possible.
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SPECIALREPORT
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
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SPECIALREPORT 07
MAy 21 - MAy 27, 2019
KARACHI
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akistan Customs launched “WeBOC-Glo” — a modern version of WeBOC Customs’ clearance system — to ensure speedy clearance of goods in order to reduce parking time at ports to facilitate businesses. WeBOCGlo will be a technologically advanced version of WeBOC, which is an end-to-end automated online goods clearance system. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Member Customs Operations Dr Jawwad Owais Agha has said that the customs ofOicials and PRAL have designed this updated version of WeBOC customs clearance system incorporating new modules with advanced features. Member Customs Operations Jawwad Owais Agha said that Pakistan Customs is introducing WeBOC-Glo to facilitate importers and exporters. Through WeBOC-Glo system the duration for the clearance for export cargo will lower from Oive days to within twenty four hours, he added. He said that WeBOC-Glo Customs Clearance System will be completed in three phases till September 2019. The activated Oirst phase of WeBOC-Glo clearance system has been introduced with thirteen modules. Second phase will be introduced with fourteen modules and third and last full version of WeBOC-Glo will be rolled out across Pakistan soon. Member Customs Operations also said that Pakistan Customs is striving hard for introducing automation reforms for last thirty years and every software has to be updated in particular timeframe. WeBOC-Glo system will be monitored after every two months and EPZA which was on One Customs will now be able to Oile 4000 GDs through WeBOC-Glo system. According to FBR sources, the WeBOC-Glo in addition to new modules and functionalities will plug clearance system deOiciencies pointed out during internal reviews and Information, Communication and Technology Gap Analysis conducted by the World Bank. The Release 1.0 of the WeBOC-Glo with 13 modules and functionalities includes functions such as Development of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) with terminal operators for export-bound less-than-container-load (LCL) cargo to reduce dwell time at ports. The Quota Management of Bulk Export Cargo will facilitate auto debiting of assigned quota and the establishment of IT interface with Ministry of Foreign Affairs for automation of exemption certiOicates. The WeBOC-Glo will be available on Chrome and Edge browsers in order to deliver user convenience and will also include enhanced security features to safeguard User IDs and relevant data of importers/exporters, uniOied screens for MIS ofOicers to ensure speedy processing and will also be equipped with search engine for TARIFF and relevant statutory regulatory orders to educate users on tariff and trade policy information for correct Oilling and assessment of goods declarations (GDs). Further functions of the new system include updates on container status allowing traders to track containers, improved user interface aimed at making the system more users friendly and less time consuming. Moreover, the new system also includes Glo Insight to strengthen statistical scrutiny and monitoring of customs-related transactions
through business intelligence and data analysis tools for informed decision making. In addition to these features, WeBOC-Glo will be instrumental in closure of old customs clearance system by automating areas that had remained outside its scope so far, such as the Export Processing Zone, whose import and export clearances along with the role and functions of Export Processing Zones Authority have been automated for the Oirst time. The system will also cover GD Filing without the need for National Tax Number to facilitate individual importers, Small and Medium Enterprises promoting e-Commerce in Pakistan, the exceptional GD Oiling, which caters to all scenarios where auto clearances were held up due to peculiar taxation regimes on items or speciOic orders of superior courts. The Release-2 of WeBOC-Glo will be launched by the Oirst week of July which will include further important modules like Duty and Tax Remission Scheme, Bulk Exports and Exports through Courier. Furthermore, the Release-2 will also include e-Auction Module, for conOiscated goods in line with modern concepts of auction. Moreover, the Release-2 will also cover all processes related to import, storage, transportation and transit of oil. Similarly, Post-clearance audit (PCA) entitybased audit module will also included in the Release-2, which will dramatically enhance money trail analysis and detect money laundering. Initial work has already been completed on these modules and they are under different stages of development. Some less important modules will be launched in Release-3 by September which will completely automate all customs-related processes under WeBOC-Glo. Earlier, Member Customs FBR Dr Jawwad Uwais Agha conceived the idea of upgradation and functionally advanced new customs system and had put in place a two-tier setup, the WeBOC-Glo Domain team and Oversight and Approval Team, in December, 2018. Later Member Customs operations, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Jawwad Owais Agha inaugurated a ceremony of Specialized Training Program of Assistant Collectors Probationers of 46th CTP at auditorium of DGTR house. Along with the Director General of the Directorate General of Training and Research (DGTR) Customs Iram Adnan, three Directors of DGTR Karamat Ullah Khan Chuhadry, Ms. Mufeeza Iqbal, Aftab Alam as well as Ms Shabana Aziz were also present in the event.
WeBOc-glo customs clearance System will be completed in three phases till September 2019. the activated first phase of WeBOc-glo clearance system has been introduced with thirteen modules
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08 EDITORIAL
MAy 21 - MAy 27, 2019
Founder zulfiqar Ali CEO and Chief Editor Asad kharal editor@customstoday.com.pk For advertising & subscription marketing@customstoday.com.pk www.customstoday.com Phones: 042-35781643-4, Fax: 042-35781645 Address: 627, Siddiq Trade Centre, Gulberg, Lahore
eDItORIAL
tax amnesty again
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he federal cabinet approved the muchawaited amnesty scheme - 'Asset Declaration Scheme' - and the government legislated it through issuance of a presidential ordinance. There is no doubt that this was raised as an issue by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff and later withdrawn during the recent successfully concluded staff-level agreement as the primary objective of the scheme was explained by Pakistani authorities. The amnesty scheme was necessary for three reasons. First, and the most compelling reason is that while the PML-N government passed two relevant legislations - passage of amendment to the 2010 Anti-Money Laundering Act in February 2016 and the Benami Transactions Act in March 2016 - yet during the next two years neither the Nawaz Sharif nor the Shahid Khaqan Abbasi administrations passed the required rules to make the two acts effective. It was in January this year that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Rules 2019 through a statutory regulatory order to implement the law which aimed to improve documentation of the economy, permit the FBR to seize property, assets, vehicles or bank accounts registered under fictitious individuals. However, while FBR indicated it has completed all formalities to implement the Benami laws, yet till 31 March this year the government had not established federal appellate tribunals to hear appeals against the orders of the adjudication authority under Section 28 of the Benami Act. The scheme, in contrast to previous such schemes, is much more comprehensive as it also provides specific opportunity to businesses to clean their balance sheets, regularize any irregularities in payment of due indirect taxes and also allows the taxpayers who have been charged for evading due taxes through unscrupulous methods (such as fake accounts) and are facing tax recovery/criminal proceedings in courts or departmental for a, but the legal process has not attained finality (in other words, an order of the Supreme Court) to avail this scheme. This is a huge concession and if it is aggressively presented to the taxpayers it can result in cleaning of the proverbial Augean stables of litigation. To conclude, the government must publicize this scheme vigorously because there are many who may not be aware of the penalties associated with not availing the scheme, including confiscation and imprisonment, and that this is the very last chance to avail of it.
ImF package T
LAHORE
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he deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was expected to ease market jitters and pave the way for a climate conducive to productivity and growth. The Oirst reaction of the stock market to the deal announced on Sunday by the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Hafeez Sheikh on state-run television was positive however later the market plunged by around 900 points raising questions about the deal. The question is why? The stock market's Oirst reaction was based on the deal Oinally being signed after eight-and-a-half months of dithering by the government. The U-turn by the market was when it realized that the
state-run television did not ask the right questions and, as a consequence, many critical questions remained unanswered. Dr Hafeez Sheikh stated a 12 billion dollar Oinancing gap in meeting our debt obligations for next year - obligations that include repayment of previous multilateral/bilateral and commercial loans as well as debt equity acquired through issuance of sukuk/Eurobonds. Be that as it may, the government is clearly relying on other sources of dollar earnings. The amnesty scheme is projected to generate over 250 billion rupees, 1.7 billion dollars at today's exchange rate - an amount that appears to be grossly over-optimistic based on the experiences of past amnesty schemes. On 31 January 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched Pakistan Banao CertiOicates with three- and Oive-
year maturity period with 6.25 and 6.75 percent rate of return, respectively, with minimum investment of 5000 dollars and no upper limit. The rates are better than what are available in other countries, however so far the outcome has not met the Prime Minister's expectations, with his close associates maintaining that this may be due to the then Oinance minister Asad Umar not proactively marketing the product a factor in his eventual removal. The most optimistic estimates would still give a foreign currency shortfall of around 5 billion dollars which is perhaps the reason for the continued jitters in the stock market. The IMF website indicates that an agreement to bring down the primary deOicit to 0.6 percent of GDP has been reached, with the current government estimates at 1.9 percent. The total GDP at market prices (provisional) as per the State Bank
of Pakistan website for 2017-18 was around 34.397 trillion rupees and the projected growth rate for this year is, as per IMF projections, 2.9 percent or around 1,000 trillion rupees additional. This would imply a slowing down of the growth rate with negative repercussions on taxes collected as well as on reducing employment opportunities. Additionally, the agreed contractionary monetary policy would further slow down growth. To conclude, the sacriOices that would have to be made by the general public may be too steep for the government to bear politically. One would only hope that the budget for next Oiscal year envisages sacriOices not only by the rich in the private sector, as stated by the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, but also by powerful state institutions that are the major recipients of budget allocations.
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NATIONAL 09
MAy 21 - MAy 27, 2019
customs court approves physical remand of suspect in HSD smuggling case kARAcHI: the customs court sent suspect namely Syed Badshah son of gul zada to customs department on physical remand who is booked in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid 27,000 liters High Speed Diesel (HSD). Investigation officer of customs preventive produced the above mentioned suspect before the court and informed that on an actionable information, customs team intercepted a Hino truck bearing suspected no: tLV-597 and recovered 27,000 liters high speed diesel worth Rs2,430,000. He further submitted that during the search, suspect was asked to produce lawful documents, however, he failed to produce any lawful documents, therefore, after the formalities, goods along with dumper were seized and suspect also was arrested by customs team.
SHC seeks comments on petition filed by M/s Trade Linkers
multan ASO seizes NDp vehicles & goods worth Rs73.5 million
KARACHI
MULTAN
www.customstoday.com he Sindh High Court (SHC) sought comments from customs department on a petition filed by Akbar Ali Mattoo, proprietor of M/s Trade Linkers seeking clearance of consignment of electronic products/ goods including parts/spare parts. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqil Ahmed Abbasi was hearing the matter. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner imported certain electronic products/ goods including parts and spare TV’s thereof including parts/ spare parts of Samsung products and filed goods declaration. He said that petitioner was shocked when it was informed that the imported goods were detained by the respondents on the complaint/ submissions of Samsung EC Pakistan Pvt Ltd on the ground that the goods carrying the Samsung mark/ brand are not original Samsung goods products but are counterfeits and thus are liable to be forfeited/ seized as enforcement of intellectual property rights. He further argued that and joint inspection was carried by customs department and Director IPR Enforcement South passed ordering and directed that goods bearing Samsung logo and trade mark, be forfeited in favor of federal government under provision to Rule 860 (4). Citing chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Member Customs Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Directorate General of IPR Enforcement, Director IPR Enforcement South and Samsung EC Pakistan as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondent as illegal.
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WRIte tO US yOUR gRIeVANceS: Through cUStOmS tODAy platform HeLp DeSk, now you have chance to DIRectLy write your problems to top govt. functionaries. If you have any grievances, queries, questions or suggestions, you can write in this section as it provides easiest access to you to approach Customs and Revenue authorities. WHO can write in this section? Importers & Exporters, Customs Agents, Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations and Customs Officers tO WHOm you can write? Honourable PM, Minister/Secretary for Finance & Revenue, Minister/Secretary for Ports and Shipping, FBR Chairman, Member Customs and Chairperson Senate/National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance & Revenue. Send your letters at: newsdesk@customstoday.com.pk
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ustoms Anti-smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized non-custom duty paid vehicles and articles of worth Rs73.5 million in their different anti-smuggling operations during the month of April 2018-19. According to details, Anti-Smuggling Organization has carried out various anti-smuggling operations in the region on the directives of Collector Ambreen Ahmad Tarar to thwart smuggling of good and non-customs paid (NDP) vehicles. Multan Customs ASO detected 33 seizure cases of smuggling during the month of April. Anti-Smuggling Organization car cell impounded 25 vehicles during their massive crackdown against smuggled vehicles in their jurisdiction on the basis of received information. Anti-Smuggling Organization has conducted different anti-smuggling operations in three widely range districts including Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Sadiqabad. These impounded vehicles were of different models and made ups including Toyota Land Cruiser, Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota Vitz, Suzuki Vitara, Toyota Civic, Mercedez Benz, Toyota Hilux Surf and others. All seized vehicles were impounded by ASO during their action were non–tampered and non-customs paid. Anti-Smuggling Organization
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
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has also intercepted foreign origin High Speed Diesel (HSD), betel nuts smuggled cloth and auto parts of worth Rs38.3 million throughout their actions. Meanwhile, Customs Collectoarte anti-smuggling squad has impounded smuggled Hino truck frame from Chowk Maitla during an action. According to details, After receiving credible information Collector Ambreen Ahmad Tarar directed Assistant Collector Omer Bin Zafar Chatha to take
collector Ambreen Ahmad tarar action against smuggled body frames of truck. Assistant Collector Omer Bin Zafar Chatha formed a special team comprising Inspector Muhammad Ramzan Seyal, Inspector Abdul Samad, Inspector Ghulam Asghar and others. The customs anti-smuggling team was alerted and they started patrolling of the suspected routes in order to foil their attempt of smuggling. Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization team intercepted the truck which was loaded with the frames of
Hino truck near Chowk Maitla. Customs anti-smuggling teams asked the driver to produce import documents of the Hino truck frame but he failed to produce any import documents to prove their legal possession. After failure of providing any legal documents Customs staff seized the frame. The value of the seized Hino frame was around Rs4 million and its customs duty was almost Rs2.5 million. Multan Customs has impounded the truck frames under Section 157 (2) of the Customs Act 1969.
Assets Declaration Scheme to broaden the tax net To,
Syed Shabbar Zaidi, Chairman FBR, Islamabad Dear Sir,
I am quite optimistic that newly announced Assets Declaration Scheme 2019 will not only intimate people to enter into the tax net but also help government to document the informal economy. Sir business community is ready to provide all time assistance and cooperation in organizing awareness session on the Scheme and we will invite you and other representatives from the Oinance ministry. Documentation of economy is vital for economic uplift and the government should introduce amendments in laws so that registration
of income tax Oiling can be made hassle free. The wheel of economy must be back on track as soon as possible. Chambers are not against such amnesty schemes, we, however, remained always vocal to make
such scheme conditional to invest the capital in the industry. The lucrative Schemes aimed to help state treasury raising tax revenues, adding beneOiciaries in tax base who have not declared their
assets previously. However, at the same time, the beneficiaries must be directed to divert the white capital in industry so that we can have more job opportunities in a longer run. Sir I appreciated your maiden directives to the field formation that there would be no bank account attachment unless prior information to the taxpayer and the approval of the FBR chairman is obtained while on the other hand more incentives should be given to tax payers and reforms must be introduced in tax regime to help broadening the tax net and increasing the tax payers numbers. Yours sincerely,
Malik Shahid Saleem, President RCCI, Rawalpindi
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10 NATIONAL
MAy 21 - MAy 27, 2019
Dg I&I detects tax evasion by m/s Nasir khan & Brothers ISLAmABAD:theDirectorategeneralofIntelligence&Investigation(I&I)completedre-examinationofdetainedcontainersclearedbyIslamabadDryportandfiledtaxevasion worth Rs1.3 million against the importers in Adjudication department. According to brief facts provided to customstoday, information was received through Directorgeneralzahidkokharthatm/sNasirkhanandBrotherRawalpindiareinvolvedinevasionofhugeamountofdutyandtaxesbymis-declarationinvalueoftheimportedold andusedautopartsunderthegarbofimportedgoods.AccordingtogD(goodsDeclaration)No.IcSI-Hc-2369and2370dated16April2019filedbytheimporterthroughm/s Iqbal & co Islamabad, the goods were e-blocked at gate out stage but the re-examination of the imported consignment led to recovery of 877 old and used auto parts.
Hyderabad I&I seizes smuggled goods worth Rs34.450m: Director Sadiqullah HyDERABAD
ASLAm ANJUm QUReSHI www.customstoday.com
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he Directorate Customs Intelligence & Investigation impounded smuggled items including vehicles, diesel (HSD), contraband items, gutka, betel nuts, two consignments of foreign origin tiles, foreign origin 10 truck tyers, medicine, other goods worth Rs34.450m including duty and taxes during different operations in second week of May 2019. The I&I team, following instructions of Hyderabad Customs Director Sadiqullah Khan, conducted various raids in Hyderabad, Sukkur Range ofOice areas to conOiscate smuggled items under the supervision of headquarters Additional Director Syed Naeem Akhter. The directorate customs I&I conOiscated smuggled goods including non-duty paid 45000 liters of High Speed Diesel (HSD) worth Rs 4.1 million, 1125 kgs betel nuts worth Rs529077, contraband goods, 10 smuggled truck tyers worth Rs 346,223. Hyderabad customs team intercepted a vehicle Toyota Hi-Ace van bearing registration NO-JF 6838 and recovered foreign origin 40 sacks smuggled Indian
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
gutka worth million of rupees. The Hyderabad Directorate customs I&I ofOicials also conOiscated smuggled items including two consignments of Iranian origin tiles loaded on two Hino trucks bearing registration No TKW-162 and TAL -570 and recovered huge quantity of Iranian tiles worth million of rupees. The smuggled goods were being transported at Hino trucks from Quetta to Karachi during the said
Director I&I Sadiqullah khan period. The driver of the vehicle deputy director Mukhtar Ali was asked to show the legal Sheikh from Sukkur, Superintendocuments of the goods but he dent Tariq RaOique, Superintenfailed to do so. The ofOicials dent Fariduddin Masood, intelliconOiscated the items consider- gence ofOicer Syed ShaOique Ali, ing them smuggled under the Inspectors Muneer Bhambro, customs bylaws. All the goods Muhammad Anees, sepoyes, have been shifted to state ware- drivers and other staff took part house Hyderabad and Sukkur in the operations. after making a seizure report. Talking to Customs Today, The Hyderabad Directorate director customs intelligence and customs I&I team, comprising investigation Sadiqullah Khan deputy director Shah Faisal Sahu, said the performance of range of-
Oice Sukkur has recorded upward trend by considerable margin over the corresponding period of previous years. Range ofOice has targeted POL and other contraband goods. Hyderabad Customs showed excellent performance regarding the anti-smuggling operations during the said period. All possible measures will be taken to curb smuggling in the region as vigilance has also been enhanced, he added.
BusinessmenofKPKlaudappointmentofShabbarZaidiasFBRchairman
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PESHAWAR
IRFAN BAHADUR
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he business community and members of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SCCI) welcomed the appointment of Shabbar Zaidi as chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). While talking with Customs Today, they said Shabbar Zaidi’s posting as FBR chairman is a very good decision as he could make it a more organized and inOluential tax collecting agency. Shabbar Zaidi, who recently assumed the charge of his office on an “honorary basis for a period of two years” and the business leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are appreciating government’s this move about Shabbar Zaidi, saying that this may be the first dent in the status quo which could help reform bureaucratic revenue collection regime in the country. Supporting Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision of appointing Shabbar Zaidi as FBR chief, the traders and business leaders in Peshawar felt the decision will help to increase the revenue generation and expand the net revenue collection.
They also referred to the FBR chief’s directives restricting the tax ofOicials from harassing the tax Oilers and freezing their accounts and said that it was one of the long-standing demands of the business community. Faiz Muhammad Faizi, president of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), said besides being a tax expert, Shabbar Zaidi is a credible person. “We in the business community are relaxed and very conOident that lacunas in the tax system would be removed under his leadership”.
“We are hopeful that FBR would now work in a professional way and the dream of expanding the tax net would come true. The target of accurate tax collection would be achieved,” he opined. “Look at his Oirst orders that no account would be sealed without 24-hour prior intimation to the holder. It reOlects the sign that he will take businessfriendly course in tax collection,” Faizi noted. Fuad Ishaq, Chairman Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company and leading exporter said it was a wise step to
bring in a trained professional who is an expert in accounting and taxation. “This is deOinitely going to change the tunnel-thinking approach towards collection and rates of taxation”. Muhammad Ishaq, former vice-president of the chamber and a leading businessman, however, sounded pessimistic saying, “it will be near to impossible to implement whatever reforms and changes he (Shabbar Zaidi) has on his agenda, as he will face stiff resistance from the FBR ofOicials because he is an outsider who used to plead tax cases before FBR ofOicials.” Zahidullah Shinwari, another business leader who has served on tax bodies of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, FBR and SCCI, also welcomed Shabbar Zaidi’s appointment and initial orders. However, he too saw tough challenges for him ahead. He said the FBR had pledged to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that about Rs700 billion tax exemptions to some sectors including poultry, agriculture, etc would be done away with, but it would be impossible. He said a committee had been formed by former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for the purpose and he was also its member.
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CARTOONSSPECIAL 11
MAy 21 - MAy 27, 2019
Fake accounts: IHc grants time to NAB over Hussain Lawai pleas ISLAmABAD: the Islamabad High court (IHc) granted time to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for submission of answers in post-arrest bail petitions of three accused, including Summit Bank ceO Hussain Lawai, Vice president taha Raza and Omni group’s Abdul ghani majeed. A divisional bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice mohsin Akhter kiyani heard the bail petitions of the accused in mega money laundering and fake accounts case. Lawai’s counsel Syed Ishfaq Hussain Naqvi and NAB Deputy prosecutor general Sardar muzaffar Abbasi appeared before the bench. During the course of proceeding, the NAB prosecutor prayed the bench to grant time to submit reply which was accepted by the court. the hearing adjourned for an indefinite time.
multan customs generates Rs8.695m through auction of confiscated goods & vehicles MULTAN
ImRAN ALI kHAN
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ollectorate of Customs generated Rs8.695 million through auction of conOiscated goods and vehicles lying at the State Warehouse. According to details, Multan Customs Collectorate conducted public auction of impounded vehicles and miscellaneous goods at the Dry Port Sher Shah. Customs Collectorate sold out seven vehicles of foreign origin different brands and models in the auction including Toyota Land Cruiser Cygnus, Toyota Vitz, Toyota Passo, Toyota Crown, Toyota IST, Toyota Corolla X, Suzuki Jimny and remaining two conOiscated vehicles were rejected due to fewer prices offered in the auction. Bidders showed their interest in bidding of non-customs paid vehicles. Collectorate of Customs sold out non-customs paid vehicles in Rs7.58 million during auction. All these conOiscated vehicles were non-customs paid and they were
impounded by Anti-Smuggling Organization in their different actions from jurisdiction. Collectorate of Customs offered 33 different lots of miscellaneous goods including cell phones
of different brands, digital video cameras, electronic goods, auto parts, foreign origin cloths in roll shape, CCTV cameras, LCDs, brake handle module, dental surgical tools, PVC coated fabrics roll, two
lots of 37,000 liters POL Products and High Speed Diesel, different engines, spare parts and others. As many as six different miscellaneous lots of spare parts, PVC coated fabric roll shape, dismantled engine
Customs I&I recovers Chinese mobile phones worth Rs40 million
were sold out in Rs1.115 million during auction. Assistant Collector Multan Dry Port Muhammad Fahad Jamil supervised the whole auction process of conOiscated goods and vehicles to ensure transparency.
Quetta customs impounds huge quantity of smuggled Iranian diesel QUETTA
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LAHORE
m HAyAt
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irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) team recovered huge quantity of Chinese origin mobile phones from a godown owned by M/s Seen Ming Tek Private Limited near Sagian Bridge. Sources told Customs Today that Director Customs Intelligence and
Investigation Rubab Sikandar received credible information that the above said company is importing mobile phones from China without approval of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). She constituted a raiding squad who raided the godown of mobile company located near Sagian Bridge. During raid customs team recovered23,671 Chinese mobile phones. Customs team sealed the
godown and shifted the mobile phones on three Mazda trucks to the premises of Customs Intelligence and Investigation. It is necessary to mention here that Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation Rubab Sikandar directed all anti-smuggling squads to adopt zero tolerance policy towards smuggling attempts. She directed that anyone found involved in smuggling should be dealt with iron hands.
ollectorate of Customs Preventive impounded 40,000 liters of non-duty paid Iranian diesel from a vehicle with the help of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) near Gokurt almost 70 km away from Kolpur. According to sources Collector Customs Preventive Iftikhar Ahmed directed antismuggling squads to adopt zero tolerance policy towards smuggling Iranian diesel and against petrol pumps involved in selling smuggled diesel. Sources told that customs team comprising Deputy Collectors Abdul Qudoos and Asim Rehman are keeping strict vigilance on the movement of smuggled commodity while, while fuel stations dealing in smuggled Iranian diesel have also been raided. Moreover, another Hino truck having about 10,000 liters of diesel filled in floor and side cavities was also seized. Sources told that Collector Preventive Iftikhar Ahmed divided the jurisdiction in two zones, whereas Deputy Collector Asim Rehman is heading zone-I, Deputy Collector Abdul Qudoos is heading Zone-II. Additional Collector Preventive Quetta Jameel Baloch is monitoring the operation.
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12
MAy 21 - MAy 27, 2019
multan customs seizes huge quantity of apples worth Rs3.5m near mian channu mULtAN: customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized huge quantity of fresh Afghan origin apples worth Rs3.5 million. According to the details, Anti-smuggling Organization received credible information from their source that huge quantity of foreign origin smuggled apples will be transported to South punjab. In pursuance of the said information, Assistant collector Omer Bin zafar chatha directed anti-smuggling squad to take action against them. customs anti-smuggling squad started patrolling in the suspected areas to foil any attempt of smuggling. customs Anti-Smuggling team intercepted a container near mian channu which was loaded with fresh apples packed in different plastic crates and driver told customs staff that he was coming from Baluchistan to transport said fresh apples.
Customs Airport officers awarded certificate for seizing 275 kg ketamine LAHORE
m HAyAt
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— Exclusive Customs Today photo
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hief Collector Customs Zeba Hai Azhar and Collector Preventive Ahmed Rauf awarded certiOicates to the customs airport ofOicers and ofOicials for foiling bid to smuggle 275 kilograms ketamine worth billions of rupees. According to details, the Customs authorities on the directions of Additional Collector Tayaba Kiyani searched the luggage and recovered 275 kilograms ketamine wrapped in the sweets. Chief Collector Zeba Hai Azhar and Collector Ahmed Rauf appreciated the ofOicers and ofOicials who foiled bid to smuggle ketamine. Chief Collector Zeba Hai Azhar and Rauf Ahmed gave away certiOicates to Assistant Collector Salman Javaid, Superintendent Malik Javaid, Inspectors Rana Munir Niazi and Mian Tariq and others for their successful operation. On the occasion, she said that the party that attempted to smuggle the drugs would be dealt with iron hands and according to law and a case has been registered against them. She said that further investigations are still underway. On the occasion Collector Customs Rauf Ahmed lauded the efforts of the airport customs ofOicials and ofOicers including Additional Collector Tayaba Kiyani and Assistant Collector Salman Javaid. The collector hoped that the customs ofOicers and ofOicials would further enhance their surveillance against any illegal movement of drugs and other banned goods.
Collectorate of Customs Preventive team deputed at Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIA) foiled a bid to smuggle ketamine to Malaysia worth Rs650 million. Sources told Customs Today that on 13.5.3019, Collector Preventive
Ahmad Rauf received credible information about smuggling of narcotics through Allama Iqbal International Airport. He immediately constituted a team under the supervision of Additional Collector Tayyaba Kayani. The customs team
also included Assistant Collector Salman Javed and Superintendent Malik Javed. During checking of luggage of Qatar Airline Olight they intercepted a parcel and recovered 275 kilograms ketamine tactfully concealed in a 450 kilograms
food-stuff consignment destined for Malaysia via Qatar airline. The parcel was booked by M/s IV Trading Company Lahore. Sources told that customs team detained the parcel and after registering FIR started further investigations.
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MULTAN
ImRAN ALI kHAN
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ollector Customs Adjudication has given additional responsibilities of Deputy Collector Multan Camp OfOice to Additional Collector Asma Hameed. The Federal Board of Revenue has not appointed any Deputy Collector in Customs Adjudication Multan Camp OfOice after the transfer of Deputy Collector Saima Ayyaz. The responsibility of Deputy Collector Adjudication was given to Additional Collector Customs
Adjudication Talib Hussain. The key post of deputy collector in Customs Adjudication was lying vacant for almost eight months due to transfer of Deputy Collector Saima Ayyaz. Collector Customs Adjudication Muhammad Adnan Akram has given additional responsibilities of Deputy Collector to Additional Collector Asma Hameed to deal seizure cases formed by Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation and Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO). She was also holding charge of Customs Adjudication Faisalabad along with other responsibilities. Customs Adjudication Multan
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
collector Adjudication assigns additional responsibilities to ADc Asma Hameed
ADc Asma Hameed
Published by M S Raza Off# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Jinnah Road Karachi, Printed by (Ibne Hassan Offset Printing Press, Shops No. 33 to 36 , Hockey Stadium, Karachi).
is facing pendency issues in the disposal of various seizure cases due to the absence of Deputy Collector after relocation. Sources told Customs Today that Customs Adjudication will accelerate disposal of seizure cases taking of additional charge by Additional Collector Asma Hameed. It is pertinent to mention here that Deputy Collector Customs Adjudication has pecuniary powers to adjudicate seizure cases up to Rs 1 million. After giving additional charge to Additional Collector Asma Hameed, Customs Adjudication Multan will conclude all seizure cases as early as possible.