Daily on www.customstoday.com
Find us on
PAkiSTAn’S fiRST inDEPTh nEwSPAPER On CUSTOMS
26 AbC Certified vol 75 issue no. 35
karachi, Tue Apr 23 - Mon Apr 29, 2019
weekly weekly
ADOPTing AnTi-CORRUPTiOn
Chairman NAB adopted a proactive anti-corruption strategy to ensure “Accountability for All.” | SEE PAgE 06 | CURbing SMUggling
ISLAMABAD
CUSTOMS TODAY REPORT www.customstoday.com
T
Multan Customs ASO, police join hands in order to curb smuggling from the region. | SEE PAgE 04 | COllECTing REvEnUE
Faisalabad Customs Appraisement collected Rs645m duty and taxes during March. | SEE PAgE 02 | AChiEving TARgET
ADC Ashfaq Khan says Islamabad Customs achieved assigned revenue target for March. | SEE PAgE 02 |
he Board-in-Council of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reviewed progress on the implementation of the track and trace system for tobacco products and analysis of sector specialist on the said project. The Board-inCouncil meeting was chaired by FBR Chairman Mohammad Jahanzaib Khan here at the FBR House. The Board-in-Council also examined the request of the Balochistan Revenue Authority to the FBR for designing an automated system for the provincial revenue authority. The observations of the project director were discussed during the meeting. Sources said that the project director informed the FBR that for effective implementation of the track and trace system for tobacco products, the FBR should issue the draft invitation of licensing (IFL) and draft of the Licensing Rules 2019. The Board-in-Council also decided that the Law and Justice Division should do vetting of the draft of the Licensing Rules 2019. According to sources, accompany, consortium or joint venture must have minimum annual turnover of $50 million in any of last three years or Rinancial worth of US $25 million to qualify for seeking licence in Pakistan to provide technological solutions for high security tax stamps and electronic monitoring/tracking system for tobacco products, beverages, sugar, fertilizer and cement. No company shall carry out electronic monitoring, tracking or tracing of speciRied goods unless it has obtained a licence. The FBR will set up a licensing committee which
shall function in accordance with the provisions of these rules. Project director, Track and Trace System, shall be the convener of the licensing committee and its headquarters shall be located at FBR House, Islamabad. According to criteria speciRied by the FBR for grant of a licence, the applicant (any company or consortium or joint venture) shall be required to provide technological solutions for the high security tax stamps and related electronic monitoring and tracking system tailored for Pakistani needs on real time basis. It shall be a company duly incorporated under the Companies Act, 2017. It shall have experience and past performance in electronic monitoring, tracking and tracing of tobacco products, beverages, medicines, petroleum, etc, preferably in multiple countries. It shall be in a Rinancial position to undertake the project, minimum annual turnover of US $50 million, in any of last three years or Rinancial worth of US $25 million and it shall have appropriate managerial capacity to execute and run the project. The Track and Trace System should include following control functionalities at several levels like advanced authentication of all the different proRiles on the system (login and password); control of activation in the manufacturing plants and control of controller activity and planning of inspection tours. The system-based solution offered by the applicant shall be able to perform the following functions including monitoring capability on real-time basis of a minimum 50 factory premises or production lines; tracing and tracking of speciRied goods throughout the country from factory premises to retail level on real time basis and the ability to conRigure the tracking unit remotely.
Regd. no, MC-1381
Price Rs. 50.00
02
www.customstoday.com
NATIONAL
APRIL 23 - APRIL 29, 2019
fake call-up notice case: ShC orders nAb chairman to hold inquiry
KARACHI: Sindh High Court (SHC) decided to hand over fake call-up notice inquiry matter to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal. A two-member bench of SHC, headed by Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Shaikh, heard the plea filed by a citizen, Shamshad Ali, pertaining to the issuance of the fake call-up notice to him by NAB. NAB Director General appeared before the court but failed to satisfy the court. The bench expressed annoyance at the NAB’s performance and directed the NAB chief to hold an inquiry into the fake call-up notice case.
Azmat Tahira assumes look-after charge of Collector MCC Islamabad
‘islamabad Collectorate surpasses target of customs duty collection’
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
TARiQ DERYA
www.customstoday.com
www.customstoday.com
D
FBR directs to recover sales tax worth Rs992.69m ISLAMABAD
MUhAMMAD fAiZAn www.customstoday.com
ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) directed the Large Taxpayer Unit II (LTU) Karachi to recover Rs992.69 million from five ship breaking companies in the head of sales tax and fix the responsibility against the persons at fault. According to the details, five ship breakers including Al Hamza Commodities STRN 1750730002346, Imran Ship Breaking Company STRN 601720401437, M/s Usman Enterprises STRN 601720400519, M/s Horizone NTN 2137119-9 and Sharry Ship Breakers NTN 3021526-9 registered with LTU II Karachi did not pay sales tax on supply of re-meltable scrap (25.9 percent of the total tonnage of the ship imported for breaking). The exemption on supply of re-meltable scrap was withdrawn by rescinding the notification on 26th June 2014 thus re-meltable scrap had become liable to sales tax at standard rate. Federal Board of Revenue said that the sales tax was required to be recovered under SRO 484 (1) 2015 but the large tax payer unit did not initiate any legal proceedings to recover the dues.
Additional Collector Muhammad Ashfaq khan Sharing the directives of Collector MCC Islamabad, he said that on succeeding allocated revenue collection target the Collector Seema Raza Bokhari attributed this achievement to Allah’s kindness and the untiring efforts and hard work of the ofRicers and staff of the Collectorate. The Collector expressed conRidence that staff of MCC will continue to strive for such success in the future as well, he added. Telling the details of revenue collection, he said that during month of March the Islamabad
Customs Collectorate has achieved and surpassed its allocated target of Rs 752 million under head of Customs Duty (CD) by collecting Rs 760 millions, similarly under the head of Sales Tax (ST) an amount of Rs 890 million was collected against the assigned target of Rs 796 million. The Additional Collector said that MCC Islamabad has earned revenue worth Rs 5904.9 million against allocated revenue collection target of Rs 5685 million under head of Customs Duty (CD) during Rirst 09 months (July to March)
faisalabad Customs Appraisement collects Rs 645.535 million C
FAISALABAD
nAEEM ShEikh
www.customstoday.com
ollectorate of Customs Appraisement collected Rs 645.535 million in wake of duty taxes during the month of March 2019. According to the data released by the Collectorate under the supervision of Collector Mirza Mubashir Baig the Customs Appraisement collected Rs 283.397 million under the head of customs duty during the said period. It collected Rs345.215 million as sales tax besides generating Rs16.923 million in wake of income tax. It is necessary to mention here that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has not given revenue target for Rinancial year 2019.
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
Director Azmat Tahira
ollectorate of Customs Additional Collector Ashfaq Khan said that MCC has achieved assigned revenue target of customs duty and taxes allocated for month of March FY18-19 while the Collectorate surpassed assigned revenue collection target by 14% during Rirst 9 months. Talking with Customs Today during an exclusive interview, he said that Model Customs Collectorate has enhanced its vigilance to curb currency and non-duty paid smuggled goods under directions of Chief Collector North Dr Asif Mehmood Jah and Collector MCC Islamabad Seema Raza Bokhari on main roads as well as New International Islamabad Airport (NIIA). He said that a huge amount of revenue has been grabbed during month of March FY18-19 through auctions of conRiscated smuggled goods and vehicles and the Collectorate has received an amount of Rs 70 million from Pakistan International Airline (PIA) during said month, adding that this amount was payable for last few months in shape of monthly installments of duty & taxes on three air buses imported via Air Freight Unit (AFU) Islamabad. Sharing details of revenue collection during Rirst 9 months (July to March) FY18-19, he informed that Islamabad Collectorate’s both stations comprising AFU and Islamabad Dry Port contributed in realization of this success by attaining their respective targets.
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
C
irectorate General of Internal Audit, Director AzmatTahira has been assigned look-after charge of the Collectorate during foreign study tour of Seema Raza Bokhari. According to details, AzmatTahira a PCS/BS-20 officer presently posted as Director at Directorate General of Internal Audit (Customs) Islamabad is assigned lookafter the charge of the post of Collector Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad. In this regard a notification has been issued for look-after charge of AzmatTahira. MissTahira has been assigned additional charge in absence of Seema Raza Bokhari who is on foreign study tour of NS andWC from 14th to 28th April 2019.
F
CUSTOMS TODAY REPORT
Collector Mirza Mubashir Baig said that Customs Appraisement already send notices to a number of tax defaulters in recent months asking them to clear outstanding tax dues at the earliest to avoid
stern action. Meanwhile, Customs Adjudication recovered Rs3426.756 million after deciding different seizure cases during the eight months of Fiscal Year 2019. Sources told Customs Today that the adjudication department settled 243 smuggling cases during eight months. The Customs Adjudication issued ONO in favor of the Anti-Smuggling Organizations Sargodha Mianwali, Jhang Sara-e-Muhajir and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Regional Tax Office Faisalabad. The cases included smuggling of cloths, tea, auto parts, Iranian diesel, Rani juice, LCD, LED, mobile phones old and used machinery, children shoes grey fabrics and used laptops Toyota Corolla, Land Cruiser, almonds and other items.
FY18-19 whereas during same period the Collectorate received Rs 7932.3 million against assigned revenue collection target of Rs 6385 million under head of Sales Tax (ST). He said the Collectorate generated Rs 17854.2 million under head of all duty and taxes against allocated revenue target of Rs 15638 million which was assigned for initial 9 months of FY18-19. The MCC Islamabad exceeded the assigned revenue collection target by Rs 2216.17 million with percentage of +14%, he added.
Faisalabad Customs constitutes special team for audit ustoms Collectorate Deputy Collector Aneeqa Afzal has constituted a special team in order to streamline the audit of DTRE scheme manufacturing bonds licensed under SRO 450(I)/2001 and export oriented unit (EOUs) licensed under SRO 326/327(I)2008 and other audit assignments given by the Collector Mirza Mubashir Baig. Sources told Customs Today that team constituted under the supervision of Additional Collector Muhammad Aseed Asad to take strict action against tax defaulters. It is pertinent to mention here that Deputy Collector Aneeqa Afzal has directed the field staff to keep eyes on tax defaulters and guide them about tax system for enhanced monitoring and quick disposal of audit work. —CTReport
C
www.customstoday.com
NATIONAL 03
APRIL 23 - APRIL 29, 2019
Customs Preventive submits challan of 6,000 boostin injection smuggling case
KARACHI: The Customs Court issued non-bailable warrants against absconding suspects namely Muhammad Yasir, Noman Saeed, Syed Taimoor Ali, Zohara Yousaf who were involved in a case of attempting to smuggle 6,000 boostin injection from Abu Dubai to Pakistan. Investigation officer of Customs Preventive submitted interim charge sheet against above-mentioned suspects and arrested lady Samina Farooq and submitted that arrested lady was coming from Abu Dubai vis Etihad Airline to Allama Iqbal International Lahore, however, due to suspicious activity, she was stopped.
Multan Customs lodges FIR against suspect in betel nuts smuggling case
Trade bodies demand tax exemptions worth Rs800b: hamid
MULTAN
iMRAn Ali khAn
www.customstoday.com
ISLAMABAD
CUSTOMS TODAY REPORT www.customstoday.com
ustoms Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) branch lodged FIR against suspect involved in smuggling of betel nuts recovered by Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO). Sources told Customs Today, that Customs ASO team raided a private warehouse on secret information located near Basti Bhambar wala near Almaida Hotel Sher Shah Road Multan. Special anti-smuggling squad including Inspector Waqas Leghari, Inspector Muhammad Asif Sindhu, Inspector Tahir and other raided in the warehouse on the directions of Collector Ambreen Ahmad Tarar. Customs anti-smuggling teams recovered 26 metric tons of foreign origin betel nuts packed in sacks during raid in the warehouse. The said warehouse was locked and smuggled betel nuts were dumped in the warehouse. No one was present in the warehouse during the raid and Customs teams sealed the said warehouse after recovery of contraband items. Customs anti-smuggling squad started interrogation against the owner of warehouse and they found that the warehouse was belonged to suspect MuhammadTahir. Suspect MuhammadTahir was owner of warehouse and he was also involved in the smuggling of betel nuts. Said accused was supplying betel nuts to local markets of South Punjab especially Multan and its adjourning areas. Customs teams issued notice to suspect about the possession of recovered betel nuts but he failed to give any justification Multan Customs seized the smuggled goods under Customs Act, 1969 and Customs Investigation & Prosecution lodged criminal case against accused for smuggling betel nuts.
C
F
ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) has complained that the business community is demanding tax exemptions worth Rs 800 billion. “FBR is already giving Rs 700 billion worth exemptions to various sectors. How and from where we can collect taxes if more exemptions are given,” said Member Tax Policy Hamid Ateeq while brieRing the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs. The committee discussed the budgetary proposals, received from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), and Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Islamabad) and unanimously recommended to FBR for their views/comments on the said suggestions/ proposals. FBR Member (IR-Policy) assured the committee that parawise comments of the FBR on the proposals will be furnished within week time to National Assembly Secretariat for further consideration by the Honorable Members of the Committee. Hamid Ateeq said that FBR is already short of revenue as even Rilers don’t pay the due taxes. “Unfortunately the last tax amnesty scheme was availed by 95 percent Rilers,” he said. The committee discussed the issues pertaining to restoration the customs duty on the import of Phthalic Anhydride and directed to
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to consider the said matter with stakeholders, chemical associations and report in this regard may be submitted to the Committee within seven days. The FBR Member Policy informed the committee that a meeting was convened with Pakistan Tyres Importers & Dealers Association to consider the matter about regulatory duty on the import of tyres. The committee recommended that the Rinal report on the issue may be submitted within a week’s time. President FPCCI Haji Daru Khan
Member Tax Policy hamid Ateeq claimed that devaluation had not supported exports as cost of input increased with increase in prices locally produced raw materials. Earlier the President FPCCI, while sharing his budget proposals, informed the committee that the prevailing sales tax rate of 17 percent is too high and its procedure is the mother of several ills. The standard sales tax rate should be reduced to 13 percent in VT mode at Rirst stage to align it with Sindh sales tax on services and thereafter reduce it gradually at one percent annually up to single digit. He also suggested that
further 3 percent tax on unregistered person should only be applied on Rinished /consumer goods and not to be levied on the Registered Persons for supply of raw material and under Fixed Tax Scheme. The FPCCI also suggests since the sales tax on the textile machinery has already been made zero rated, in line with the policy to support and promote industrialization in the country, Sales Tax at 10 percent imposed on import of all machineries, under Eight Schedule to Sales Tax Act, 1990 for new and existing units be also exempted or reduced to zero percent.
www.customstoday.com
04 NATIONAL
APRIL 23 - APRIL 29, 2019
fbR traces transaction of Rs8b through six benami accounts
KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has traced transaction of more than Rs8 billion through six benami bank accounts in Karachi. As the latest development in money laundering case, the board has lodged cases against four traders and told that tax evasion worth Rs1.26 billion has been found. According to sources, bailable arrest warrants worth Rs2 million each have been issued against the accused. Earlier, Supreme Court was informed that Pakistani nationals own up to $150 billion worth of assets and money in bank accounts in United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Multan Customs and police join hands to curb smuggling
Dr Hafeez Sheikh appointed finance adviser in major cabinet reshuffle ISLAMABAD
CUSTOMS TODAY REPORT www.customstoday.com
T
MULTAN
iMRAn Ali khAn
www.customstoday.com
KARACHI
M.b RAnA
www.customstoday.com division bench, headed by Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Shaikh released detail judgment of criminal review appeals filed by Asif Ali Zardari, Faryal Talpur, Anwar Majeed, A G Majeed, Hussain Lawai against banking order verdict transferred mega money laundering case from banking court Karachi to Islamabad NAB Court. SHC released 06 pages detail judgment in which court observed that “after the examining the judgment of Supreme Court, we do not see any ambiguity in the said judgment which would lead us to conclude that the transfer of the case pending before the special court (arising out of FIR No 04/2018) was excluded from the ambit of the judgment when it was ordered that a reference by NAB be filed before the Accountability Court, Islamabad”. Court also observed that“it would not be out of place to reiterate and reproduce the penultimate paragraph of the judgment of apex court,‘’in view of the fact that the entire record of the JIT is to be submitted with NAB at Islamabad and further inquiry (if any) is also to be conducted there,, the reference shall be prepared and presented before the Accountability Court at Islamabad/ Rawalpindi’. SHC observed that‘’as we have concluded that the transfer of the case arising out of FIR No 04/2018 and the filing of the reference at Islamabad is a consequence of the material place before the NAB and directions of the SC addressing the other grounds raised by the learned counsels would serve no purpose. We have also observed that the order dated March 13, 2019 passed by banking court is a speaking and reasoned order, which does not warrant interference by this court, the above are the reasons of out short order where by we have dismissed the captioned revision applications’’.
A
Collector Ambreen Tarar
order to curtail smuggling from region. Smugglers are operating in the cities and they have established their secret warehouses for delivering of non-customs paid goods in the south Punjab markets. Multan Customs has tightened up the noose against smugglers due to their aggressive crack downs in Jurisdiction. City Police OfRicer Imran Mehmood ensured his full cooperation to Multan Customs and informed that Police will exchange relevant information regarding smugglers for restricting the movement of smuggled items in the Region. Meanwhile, Collectorate of Customs formed three- member special committee for redressal of grievances and settlement of
disputes in the Collectorate. Sources told Customs Today that the Collectorate has decided to purchase ofRice stationery, different hardware, machinery and ofRice furniture by opening tender through advertisement. Multan Customs will purchase different ofRice items of worth Rs1.65 million for their requirements through different Rirms. Collector Ambreen Ahmad Tarar constituted a special committee to redress the grievances and settlement of disputes under rule 48 of Public Procurement Rules 2004. Multan Customs issued tender for the purchase of different ofRice items after approval of Federal Board of Revenue and invited different Rirms.
Collector Ahmed Rauf transfers inspector Shahnawaz to headquarters due to corruption C
LAHORE
CUSTOMS TODAY REPORT www.customstoday.com
ollectorate of Customs Preventive Collector Ahmed Rauf transferred Inspector Shahnawaz to headquarters with immediate effect. According to the details, Collector Ahmed Rauf received credible information that Inspector Shahnawaz is involved in illegal practices and collected money from those persons who are involved in smuggling of cloths in Ichra bazhar. Sources told that traders of Ichra bazar also
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
SHC releases detailed verdict of mega money laundering case transfer to Islamabad
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
C
ollectorate of Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization and police joined hands for mutual cooperation in order to curb smuggling from the region. Multan Customs Collector Ambreen Ahmad Tarar held a special meeting with the City Police OfRicer (CPO) Imran Mehmood in Customs ofRice. The meeting between Multan Customs and City Police was conducted in an encouraging atmosphere and discussed the crucial areas of cooperation to curb smuggling. Assistant Collector (Headquarter) Omer Bin Zafar briefed City Police OfRicer that smuggling cause a severe damage to local trade and economy. Both the authorities of Multan Customs and City Police OfRicer stressed upon the need to increase mutual cooperation in controlling movements of smugglers and their ways to curb smuggling. Sources told that Multan Customs needs support of law enforcement agencies in order curb smuggling in the region. Collector told them that we cannot eliminate any evil from the society without the local support of their people so Customs also needs cooperation of various law enforcement agencies including local Police to get better results in their anti-smuggling drive. The collector expressed that increased coordination between both departments required at the moment to Rill the bridge of communication for timely action in
he Prime Minister’s Office announced a major reshuffle of the federal cabinet today, with key portfolios of the finance, interior and information ministries seeing new faces. Prime Minister Imran Khan on appointed Dr Hafeez Sheikh as Adviser on Finance. Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh is an internationally renowned economist with more than 30 years of experience in economic policymaking, management and implementation. Dr Shaikh has undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in economics from Boston University. He had worked at Harvard University and World Bank, where he was country head for Saudi Arabia and as a Senior Official advised 21 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America. He served as the finance minister from 2010 to 2013 during the PPP government’s rule. During his tenure as federal minister, Dr Shaikh completed 34 sale transactions worth Rs300 billion in banking, telecom, electricity and manufacturing. In 2000-2002, he was minister of finance, planning and development of Sindh. He was then appointed as the minister for privatisation and investment in the Pervez Musharraf administration. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, portfolios of key ministers have been reshuffled. Party leader Fawad Chaudhry, who was holding the portfolio of the ministry of information and broadcasting, will now serve as minister for science and technology. Similarly, Ghulam Sarwar, who was the petroleum minister, has been given the charge of the ministry of aviation. Brig (r) Ijaz Shah, the erstwhile minister for parliamentary affairs, has been named as the minister for interior.
complained about his illegal activities to the collector. Sources told that recently credible information was received about the presence of smuggled cloth in Ichra market but when customs team raided the spot they found nothing except few bundles. Meanwhile, Collectorate of Customs Preventive, Air-Freight Unit (AFU) Deputy Collector Saima Zaib Butt issued notiRication for transfers/posting and re-redistribution of working among nine ofRicials of Customs Air Freight Unit of Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIAP) with immediate effect and until further orders.
www.customstoday.com APRIL 23 - APRIL 29, 2019
ADVERTISEMENT 05
06
SPECIALREPORT
www.customstoday.com APRIL 23 - APRIL 29, 2019
LAHORE
Al ASAD.cusktohmAstRoday.com www
mic lead the dyna tice (r r e d n u s AB an NAB Ju of Chairm l has been reju a Javed Iqb active anti-cor o r p s to it ntabilit and due adopting “Accou e a vib y b strategy ay NAB has becom d policy, to organization. nt le b ta u s of differe p re nd Survey nal organiz a s rt o p e R natio and inter akistan, Tra national P l a h is M conom PILDAT, nal and World E anc o r ti e perfo m Interna ciated th re p p a e hav e formanc erall Per NAB’s Ov ot only opened n p NAB has d to their corru te la nly o re t s o n n e d iz e cit eiv ly ts but rec complain ich were thorough te h it w m ts m in o c la p scrutiny ence, 17 ts in la p com evid rima Ricia riR basis of p into complaint ve a d e d n rt a e v ized con q in scrutin were aga verted into 877 in n s o n c o , s ti a w tig vie 227 inves On the sequently d the boar n NAB has 503 du
N
‘nAb is victimiza anyone. affiliati party a are only t
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
www.customstoday.com
SPECIALREPORT 07
APRIL 23 - APRIL 29, 2019
ill date: t 3 1 0 2 m o ance fr m r o f r e P s covered e Dg r o h in Ahmad re 13-15, a a l sn u b h A re o n 0 h
r from 2 Dg nAb la ees per yea li recovered p ru n o li il 1124 m rhan A ore Syed bu 015-16 Dg nAb lah ees per year during 2 recovrup 675 million hore Shahzad Saleem date. la till and Dg nAb on rupees from 2017 milli ered 4140
hich is lements w de by e t p u r r o a c covery m lion from 2580 mil ievement. The re hundreds of h to c record a then returned ment departn s NAB wa and some gover has been paid e effectees not a single rupe ofRicers/ofRiB t A u N b s ts a n from me ployee m e orruption has B c A f N o n o ti a B to any ic A d N ider era nal duty. eetings cials cons eir natio dership the country as th Executive Board m s were s cision retired) convened variou ortant de corruption p im s u d io te var 440 vena in which as Riled ity Courts rruption taken. NAB h ious Accountabil ” s in var ear. ty for All reference during last one y 9 corruption d n a t 0 n w 2 bra as per la more than 1 ted Accountac e p s l. oday, re T arious nder tria le nces in v e country are u organit reputab re fe re on f th ke Courts o -corrupti n zations li y bility s being apex anti model institutio c n e r a p s e le n id ro s e is B B m oday NA mic Foru zation, T ARC countries. Pakistan . B A N A f S o ization in convicg n a ce g r o amon ly e on plary NAB is th roximately exem use of the p eca s ap e: which ha . This is just b ategy not only r fo r o o tr S o ti its d n ra ved ption ted tio tice Mr. Ja nti-Corru ption rela m- proactive A by Honorable Jus plemented im o t y 44315 c in chalked ou an NAB but also is the only m B ed ir A iz a N n h , ti C y a l, ru a d c s ard. To n who has estab e Iqb o th b n e o th t u r ss ta te o is c r a k c ees b r a a a P laints ands Ch tion in 713 comp hich organiza e than 50 thous Universities in r / w Rications ides lished mo cieties in Colleges h is our future s o ic S h th g w o in b d th r il u e u o aft b- B re our y u a s w d ption. a n u r a to r s o r f NAB, orde quirie cts of c e . ff d e e l d il actions o come ra e g p rd th u a t o u re b o e b e a sw cross th n has be the across Due to a tion of corruptio basis of ility, B under a A ic b N d ta d ra d accoun rested today e whole nation an rable Justice Mr. o f ar not only ersons voice o leadership of Hon has perfected its p ic B A d m e a N s n n u y a c d c m a up to the bal, Chair year but p to come uring one ered Rs. Javed Iq res and geared u tion for corrupv procedu tions of the na ble Justice Mr. also reco expecta kistan. Honora gly Pa has stron tion free Chairman NAB timization vic al, Javed Iqb t NAB is not for iliation with fR a a th o s n e s v a ly the belie AB h nyone. N rs are on against a ty as NAB ofRice heir Rirst and te. T any par state of of the sta servants iation is with work put last afRil Due to the hard ials and . Pakistan AB ofRicers/ofRic om all N ll a y b in ceived fr dback re iety, people of e fe the c o s of g the segments are appreciatin sent e r n p ta e is th k Pa by s taken er the initiative ent of NAB und orable managem adership of Hon man le ir a ic h C bal, dynam r. Javed Iq action and is M e c ti s Ju of o is man b all corrupt NAB wh a n to d the basis committe ith iron hands on w elements ence as per law. vid of solid e
s not for inst ation aga o sn . nAb ha any ion with rs ffice as nAb o ts of van y the ser ’ the state
ecuted: x e d n a d e rrants issu
25 arrest ad issued 1 m h A 9 in a sn ore hu executed 6 Dg nAb lah ar from 2013-15 and e Sy d r ye nAb lahore om g D , d warrants pe o ri e r year fr ring this p warrants pe g this per year du st e rr a 4 5 1 rin issued per year du issued 1 2 burhan Ali 1 d te cu d exe ad Saleem 2015-16 an hore Shahz a l te and b A n g D 2017 till da m o fr r a period and e y r arrants pe is period. 414 arrest w 170 per year during th executed
Arrest wa
ecided: hmad filed 36 references in36 D d n a d e l i A f of and 23 out ore husnain References Dg nAb lah per year from 2013-15 d, Dg o ri e ng this p urts
ear duri different co ecided per y 46 references in differd re e w s ce referen refern Ali filed Syed burha 15-16 and 13 out of 46 Dg re o h a l b A 0 n 2 and er year from this period difent courts p cided per year during in ce referen s de ences were ahzad Saleem filed 50 out of 6 Sh ate and 2 nAb lahore er year from 2017 till d ng this period. sp uri ferent court ere decided per year d w s ce n 50 refere
posed:
d dis n a d e s i r o h es aut
inquiri
sed 196 ad authori d 168 m h A in a n dispose hore hus Dg nAb l a 013-15 and hore Syed 2 m o fr r a er ye g nAb l a inquiries p is period, D uiries per year th g n ri u d 210 inq per year g authorised d 208 per year durin li A n a rh u e b s o p m is e d le 5-16 and ahzad S a during 201 d Dg nAb lahore Sh m 2017 till o an this period 0 inquiries per year fr this period. 0 2 n d ri e u s rd g authori 98 per yea 1 d e s o p is date and d
sed:
ons investigati
d dispo n a d e s i r o auth
sed 65 ad authori m h A d in a ore husn and dispose Dg nAb lah r year from 2013-15 e Sy d Ab lahore ons pe n ti a g D ig , st d e o v ri in pe ear during this tions per y 46 per year thorised 91 investiga year during au per burhan Ali posed 100 m is d d n a 6 hzad Salee 5-1 during 201 d Dg nAb lahore Sha 7 an ar from 201 this period investigations per ye 85 during this authorised disposed 95 per year d till date an period.
www.customstoday.com
08 EDITORIAL
APRIL 23 - APRIL 29, 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
Remittances on the rise
i
t is a matter of satisfaction that remittances sent by overseas Pakistanis have continued to grow at a brisk pace during FY19. According to the latest data released by the SBP, the country received dollar 16.096 billion in remittances during nine months of the current fiscal year which were higher by 8.7 percent compared to dollar 14.80 billion received in the corresponding period of last year. Highest inflows came from Saudi Arabia, which reached dollar 3.747 billion, edging higher by 1.5 percent compared to dollar 3.69 billion in the corresponding period of FY18. The UAE followed closely with dollar 3.414 billion in workers' remittances, showing a growth rate of 4.18 percent compared to dollar 3.28 billion in JulyMarch, 2018. A highest growth in remittances was recorded from the US from where inflows jumped by 23.6 percent to dollar 2.516 billion, making it the third largest source of inflows. Remittances from the UK also showed a healthy increase of 16.9 percent to reach dollar 2.475 billion from dollar 2.18 billion in the corresponding period of last year. However, inflows from the GCC countries shrank by 6.4 percent to dollar 1.542 billion during July-March, 2019 compared to dollar 1.648 billion in the corresponding months of last year. The inflows of remittances during the month of March, 2019 stood at dollar 1.746 billion which were higher by 11 percent than those a month earlier but lower by 3.20 percent than those received in March, 2018. The growth in remittances during nine months of FY19 is of course a very welcome development, especially at a time when external sector situation of the country is dire and the authorities are, more or less, forced to negotiate a programme with the IMF to meet the huge deficit in current account (C/A) balance. Although, home remittances are not the only component of current account, yet its position has, of late, become very overwhelming in the external sector accounts of the country. In fact, home remittances at dollar 16.1 billion during July-March, 2019 are nearly equal to the export proceeds of the country at dollar 17.1 billion in the same period of the current fiscal. Needless to say that home remittances of this size are quite helpful in containing the overall C/A deficit, building up foreign exchange reserves and keeping the exchange rate at a reasonable level. One could easily imagine that, without home remittances of over dollar 16 billion this year, the exchange rate of the rupee would have depreciated much faster, pushing up the inflation rate still higher and making the lives of ordinary people much more difficult.
Economy in shambles R
LAHORE
CUSTOMS TODAY REPORT www.customstoday.com
ecent data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) as well as the State Bank of Pakistan's (SBP's) second quarterly report do not provide a comfort level with respect to the efRicacy of the policies of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government eight months after it assumed power. Exports declined by 11.13 percent last month in comparison to the same period in 2018, and this in spite of the industrial package, a major component of the second amendment Rinance bill 2019 passed on 6 March, estimated at around 10 billion rupees by the government and over 140 billion rupees by independent economists. The Advisor to the Prime
Minister on Commerce Razzak Dawood expressed serious concern over the decline in exports though one would assume a time lag before the second amendment bill began to reap positive export results. The SBP report July-December 2018 maintains that merchandise exports are expected to miss the target due to waning demand in certain export destinations (the IMF recently forecast a decline in the growth rates of our major export destinations) "compounded by the competitive pressures in the international arena and lack of diversiRied and higher value-added products that can effectively utilise the export quota allowed under speciRic trade agreements," including the GSP plus status accorded to Pakistan by the European Union. Be that as it may, the government, when it goes on an IMF pro-
gramme, is likely to be pressured into meeting a speciRic time bound structural benchmark for a possible three-year programme with respect to the deRicit. Based on previous Fund packages, this newspaper projects that in the event Pakistan signs on a Fund bailout programme before the next budget, as repeatedly indicated by government sources, then prior actions may include three politically challenging conditions: (a) with two and a half months remaining in the current Riscal year a reduction in expenditure and a raise in revenue implying a mini budget before 30 June or measures that would be contained in the budget 2019-20 with effectivity from the date of its presentation in the National Assembly; a decline in subsidies as well as on outlay on the social development programme including housing; (b) amnesty
scheme is likely to be opposed vigorously in contrast to the previous Extended Fund Facility programme as this particular condition has evolved through IMF's greater coordination with the Financial Action Task Force and needless to add Pakistan being on the grey list would not help matters; and (c) insistence on seeing all loan/investment agreements signed under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a difRicult situation for Pakistan as China traditionally does not share such matters publicly. To conclude, there is likely to be many a slip between the cup and the lip with respect to the IMF bailout package, however one would hope that the government acknowledges that without a programme market uncertainty will continue to prevail as would its inability to tap the capital markets abroad as well as domestically at acceptable rates.
www.customstoday.com
NATIONAL 09
APRIL 23 - APRIL 29, 2019
Mianwali Customs takes truckload of contraband groundnuts into possession
FAISALABAD: The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Mianwali impounded smuggled groundnuts in shell and used Bedford truck being used for smuggling during a raid. Sources told Customs Today that Assistant Collector Shah Samad Hamadani received a tip-off regarding the smuggling attempt. He formed an ASO team comprising Superintendent Ghulam Jaffar, Inspector Tanveerul Haq Bajwa, Muhammad Munawar Rathore and Sepoys Saifullah Muhammad, Yousaf Sher Ahmed, Faiz Ahmed Ghulam Mohyudin, Naeem Ullah and Muhammad Abdullah.
Customs ASO busts smuggled Ajinomoto worth Rs3.6m
China extends zero rate access to more goods in new fTA
KARACHI
ISLAMABAD
MUbEEn hUSSAin www.customstoday.com
ollectorate of Customs Preventive Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) seized huge quantity of smuggled Chinese salt famously known as Ajinomoto (Mon-sodium Glutamate) in a successful raid. According to the details, on credible information Deputy Collector Headquarters Faisal Khan constituted a team to conduct raid over the received information. The team of ASO raided a godown at Shershah area and carried out complete search to apprehend the smuggled contraband goods worth millions of rupees. During the search the team of ASO under the supervision of Deputy Collector Faisal Khan found huge quantity of smuggled Chinese salt famously known as Ajinomoto (Mon-sodium Glutamate). Deputy Collecto Faisal Khan informed Customs Today that during the raid 500 to 600 bags of smuggled Chinese salt worth Rs3.6 million were seized. It is pertinent to mention here that that Chinese salt Ajinomoto (Mon-sodium Glutamate) was banned on the directives of Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2018. Deputy Collector Faisal Khan said that the campaign against the smugglers will continue and strict action will be taken against the heinous crime. All the seized bags of Chinese salt were taken into custody and case filed whereas further investigations were still underway.
C
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
CUSTOMS TODAY REPORT www.customstoday.com
T
he Chinese government has Rinally offered Pakistan market access similar to that offered to countries of Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) after seven years of negotiations. Secretary Finance Mohammad Younus Dagha told media that the Chinese government has agreed to immediately reduce duties to zero per cent on 313 tariff lines Dagha led the technical team in the negotiations in his previous assignment as commerce secretary, and says he sought to secure market access to China on the pattern of the Asean economies. “We successfully got the best possible gains for Pakistan”, the secretary claimed while talking to Dawn. Pakistan and China have concluded the second phase of ChinaPakistan free trade agreement (FTA) after seven years of talks. The protocol was initialled by current Secretary Commerce Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera and Chinese ViceMinister on April 13 in Beijing. Agreement covers 7,000 tariff lines at level of eight-digit HS code The Rinal agreement will be signed by commerce ministers of the two countries during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to China end of the month. Both sides will get approval from their respective cabinets before signing the pact. An ofRicial source in the Com-
merce Division said that China’s willingness to Rinally offer Pakistan market access on Asean-plus model was in the light of understanding reached between PM Khan and Chinese president. The second phase of FTA was supposed to commence from the sixth year of agreement ie 2013, but was delayed as ofRicials from both countries failed to reach an agreement despite meeting over 12 times. Talks on Phase-II began in 2011. Sharing the outcome of the negotiations, Dagha said that
Secretary finance Mohammad Younus Dagha Islamabad will get market access for 313 tariff lines, which will cover most of its exports and encourage exports to China. With signing of the agreement, he said the duty structure on these items will come immediately to zero per cent. “The new agreement will have a positive impact on our exports to China,” Dagha said. “The Chinese government has also agreed to allow us to protect 25pc of our total tariff lines from duty reduction under the second phase” he said, adding “we have included all those
tariff lines identiRied by chambers of commerce and associations for protection.” As per Chinese FTA with Asean, reduction on tariffs is almost over 90pc of the total tariff lines. Under the agreement, Pakistan will reduce duty to zero on 75pc of total tariff lines in 15 years, while China will do the same in a period of 10 years. During this period, China will reduce duty to zero per cent on around 2,000 -2,500 tariff lines for Pakistan. The FTA between China and Pakistan covers nearly 7,000 tariff lines at the eight-digit level of the HS code.
RCCI proposals for upcoming budget 2019-20 To,
Mr. Jahanzaib Khan, Chairman FBR, Islamabad Dear Sir,
I want to draw your kind attention towards some suggestions for incorporation in the federal budget 2019-20. These proposals would help increase economic activity, incentives for manufacturing and SMEs and widen the tax net, thereby, increasing the government revenue. A key proposal related to income tax remains to broaden the tax base. The discretionary powers of the inland department should be restricted since it leads to abuse of authority and harassment. The government should take
additional measures to incentivise exports among other measures to ease the cost of doing business and improve the overall regulatory regime. Tax holidays may be introduced for new business ventures for at least Rirst Rive years from the date of incorporation for those taxpayers who incorporate their businesses as LLP/Companies. In the case of small companies, the rate of income tax might be reduced from the current 25 percent to 20 per cent. Small companies should also be exempted from being a withholding agent to deduct taxes and Rile statements. On October 16, 2018, the Ministry of Finance (Revenue Division), through its notiRication SRO-1065(I) 2018 may be removed with an immediate effect. However, the percentage of sales tax may be re-
duced to 10 per cent non-adjustable, non-returnable while 17 per cent of the sales tax on sales value might be abolished. The investigation regarding revenue
sources should be abolished in SME Trading Companies up to Rs 10 million and SME Manufacturing Companies Rs 25 million. A single online integrated sales tax returns Riling procedure might be introduced for Federal and Provincial Sales Tax declaration in lieu of current separate Riling requirements for federal and each province. The limit for retailers/AOP’s should be increased to up to Rs 50 million Turnover Tax. Allowing income tax refund within a month, automatically to salaried individual’s days, auto credit and Invoking Section 140 may be suspended till the decision of Rirst appeal and status quo. Yours sincerely,
Malik Shahid Saleem, President RCCI, Rawalpindi
www.customstoday.com
10 NATIONAL
APRIL 23 - APRIL 29, 2019
Peshawar RTO arrests accused in Rs 10m tax evasion
PESHAWAR: Regional Tax Office (RTO) started stern action against tax defaulters and arrested accused Suleman Irshad for not paying outstanding arrears. Assistant Commissioner RTO Peshawar Usman Asif informed Customs Today that on the directives of chief commissioner Inland Revenue, Qaiser Iqbal, recovery campaign against tax defaulters has been expedited. In this regard Assistant Commissioner, Inland Revenue Usman Asif while using his legal powers arrested tax defaulter, Suleman Irshad for outstanding tax arrears of Rs10 million.
Chinese company hands over Customs building at gwadar port to Pakistan QUETTA
iRfAn bAhADUR
www.customstoday.com
T
he newly constructed building of Customs Collectorate Gwadar port handed over to Collector Yaqoob Makko by Chairman China Overseas Ports Company Zhang Baozhong. Deputy Collector Jam Imran informed Customs Today that the chairman China Overseas Ports Company Zhang Baozhong and CEO Capton Dai Xiaolong, Gwadar International Terminals Limited (GITL) handed over Gwadar Customs Collectorate Building to Collector Customs Yaqoob Makko. Deputy Collector Jam Imran was also present at Gwadar Port. The Collector Customs while speaking on the occasion lauded the work carried out by the Chinese companies to facilitate trading at the Gwadar port. The operationalization of Gwadar International Terminals port will increase the import export throughout Pakistan and it will generate extra revenue collection. The Chinese delegates expressed pleasure over the completion of work on customs Collectorate and said that more trade will come to Pakistan through Gwadar port and soon it will become one of the world’s busiest ports of the region. Collector Customs Yaqoob Makko thanked the Chinese high-ups and said that customs Collectorate will help ease clearance of consignments loaded with foreign origin goods coming to Gwadar and it will also eliminate the risk of customs revenue leakage due to mis-declaration.
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
Hyderabad I&I busts huge quantity of contraband goods in raids D
HYDERABAD
MUbEEn hUSSAin www.customstoday.com
irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) busted huge quantity of contraband goods worth millions of rupees in sixty successful raids conducted recently. According to the details, on the tip-off by Director I&I Dr Sadiq Ullah Khan, Additional Director Syed Naeem Akhtar constituted a team under the supervision of Deputy Director Shah Faisal Saho to conduct raids. Reacting over the leads provided by the higher authorities the team of I&I conducted several raids during which huge quantity of contraband
goods was recovered. During the raids the team has so far recovered 19 vehicles, 48840 kilograms smuggled cloths, smuggled 366370 liters Iranian origin High Speed Diesel (HSD), 51801 packets of Indian gutka, 53580 kilograms of smuggled betel nuts worth millions of rupees. Ten non-customs paid tempered vehicles, 379 smuggled tyres, 18 sets of Iranian origin crockery, 47,490 metric tons of tiles along with other contraband items were seized during the said successful raids at the entry and exit pints of the Hyderabad. Director, Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) regional ofRice Hyderabad Dr Sadiq Ullah Khan said that despite shortage
of facilities and huge land area the team is working day and night to
counter illegal activities of smugglers. The team has been directed to further
boost their performance to eradicate the menace of smuggling.
www.customstoday.com
CARTOONSSPECIAL 11
APRIL 23 - APRIL 29, 2019
Additional Collector Asma issues notice to owner of smuggled groundnuts
FAISALABAD: Customs Adjudication Additional Collector Asma Hameed issued a show cause notice to owner of smuggled foreign origin groundnuts in shell worth Rs 5.2 million. Sources told Customs Today that Assistant Collector Shah Samad Hamadani received a tip off regarding the smuggling attempt. He formed an ASO team comprising Superintendent Ghulam Jaffar, Inspector Tanveerul Haq Bajwa, Muhammad Munawar Rathore and Sepoys Saifullah Muhammad, Yousaf Sher Ahmed.
Multan i&i impounds 80,000 liters of hSD from Sadiqabad region MULTAN
iMRAn Ali khAn
www.customstoday.com
D
irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Sadiqabad Unit impounded 80,000 liters smuggled High Speed Diesel from two different oil tankers during their action. According to details, Customs Intelligence and Investigation expedited the drive against smuggled Iranian POL products on the directions of Director Muhammad Zahid Khokar. Customs Intelligence and Investigation received credible information from their source that huge quantity of High Speed Diesel will be transported to South Punjab through Sadiqabad route. Customs Intelligence and Investigation constituted special team of Rield staff including Inspector Muhammad Umer, Senior Intelligence Inspector Malik Muhammad Nasir, Inspector Muhammad Amjad, Shakeel-urRehman and others to prevent any smuggling attempt.
Field Intelligence Unit of Sadiqabad Region enhanced strict surveillance of suspected routes. FIU impounded Rirst oil tanker from Taranda Muhammad Khan which was Rilled with
40,000 liters of High Speed Diesel. Customs Intelligence staff intercepted the second suspected Hino oil tankers from Chani Ghoth area which was coming from Quetta. The drivers of the
Hino oil tanker were asked to produce the original import documents of said High Speed Diesel. Both drivers of the Hino oil tankers failed to produce the GDs of the High Speed Diesel.
FBR seals fake cigarette factory owned by vice chairman KP Investment Board
It was also revealed from initial investigation that said quantity of Iran Origin High Speed Diesel was smuggled into Pakistan through clandestine routes.
Customs Adjudication decides 43 cases worth Rs134.302m MULTAN
CUSTOMS TODAY REPORT www.customstoday.com
T
PESHAWAR
iRfAn bAhADUR
www.customstoday.com
he Federal Board of Revenue raided a fake cigarette factory at district Buner involved in tax evasion of Rs 5.2 million per day and sealed it. According to sources, the company is owned by vice chairman Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment Faisal Saleem. KP BOI
vice chairman and Federal Board of Revenue are head to head as the vice chairman blamed FBR for blackmailing him. While the FBR conRirmed that they had sealed an illegal cigarette manufacturing factory in Buner allegedly being run by the family of the vice BOI chairman. The vice chairman denied owning the illegal cigarette company while the FBR claimed it was being run by a company owned by family of KP BOI vice chairman and is registered in
Mardan. Details reveal that a factory manufacturing forged cigarettes in Buner district while copying the brands of Pakistan Tobacco Company, Phillip Morris Pakistan and Khyber Tobacco Company Limited was raided by FBR and sealed thereon by RTO Arshad Abbasi. The illicit factory is said to be causing a loss of Rs5.2 million on daily basis to the national exchequer, FBR sources claimed. The sources said that the KP BOI vice chairman was strong enough to run such a factory.
ustoms Adjudication Multan Camp Office decided 43 various seizure cases worth Rs134.302 million during the month of March 2019. According to the details, Customs Adjudication conducted trial of 150 different seizure cases for the duration of March 2018-19. Customs Adjudication collector, additional collector and deputy collector conducted trial of various seizure cases according to authorized power to adjudicate cases as per their rank and amount of duties and taxes involved against seized or confiscated goods. These seizure cases were detected and framed by Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation and Anti-Smuggling Organization in their different actions in the jurisdiction. Deputy Collector Customs Adjudication has decided 10 seizure cases of Rs6.70 million after the completion of trial during the month of March while almost 14 fresh seizure cases of Rs8.150 million have been added for hearing in Customs Adjudication during said period.
C
www.customstoday.com
12
APRIL 23 - APRIL 29, 2019
Customs Di khan& kohat seizes goods worth Rs7m
D.I. KHAN: The Customs staff deputed at Dera Ismail Khan (D.I. Khan) and Kohat region seized foreign origin cigarettes, smuggled shampoo, black tea, tyres along with fabric worth Rs 7 million. Sources told Customs Today that a secret information was shared with the field formation staff of Kohat Customs that smuggling attempt of cigarettes and foreign origin shampoo and other goods will be made via GT road Kohat towards Punjab. Persuading the said information the anti-smuggling squad of DI Khan led by Superintendent Noorul Amin intercepted different offending vehicles.
‘Govt should stop Maersk, QICT from taking extra demurrage, detention charges’ PESHAWAR
iRfAn bAhADUR
www.customstoday.com
G
overnment should stop M/s Maersk Pakistan Pvt Ltd and Qasim International Containers Terminal from taking extra demurrage and detention charges to clear legally imported consignments. Maersk Pakistan and QICT violated SRO 1220 and section 14A of Customs Acts 1969 by taking extra demurrage and detention charges other than collecting applied duty and taxes. Advocate Mohib Kaka Kheil associated with Peshawar High Court told Customs Today in an interview that Maersk Pakistan is openly frustrating importers by forcefully delaying consignments to ask for bribe and hidden charges on the name of demurrage and detention charges. The clearance of imports and exports has become major headache for traders through QICT and M/s Maersk Pakistan due to blackmailing of these companies and demanding of detention and demurrage charges and still the government is not taking any action against them, he added. The Advocate said that Peshawar based importers have also been looted by M/s Maersk Pakistan and QICT by delaying consignments clearance at ports in order to demand ‘privileges’ which have caused serious losses to the import export activities to Afghanistan. The government must not tolerate such gambling with national economy which causes huge
economic losses along with diverting international traders from Pakistan to other countries, the advocate said and added Maersk and QICT are not only frustrating Pakistan based importers but also
the multinational companies. He said the Maersk shipping line forcefully delayed hundreds of consignments of Shell oil company after which proper action was taken by Shell Pakistan against Maersk
shipping line. Similar quick action is required by the government against above-mentioned shipping line and terminal operator. The money recovered from Maersk shipping line could be used in safeguarding
economic development of Pakistan. The Maersk shipping line must be further investigated for taking demurrage and detention charges even after issuance of certiRicate by customs, he added.
Customs Court seeks charge sheet against M/s Shaheen Air international within two weeks T
KARACHI
M.b RAnA
www.customstoday.com
he Customs Court directed investigation ofRicer to complete investigation and submit charge sheet against M/s Shaheen Air International Ltd for not clearing government dues amounting to Rs955,050,000 deducted/withheld from the customers/passengers. The c ompany has failed to e-Rile sales tax returns till date. Investigation ofRicer submitted Rirst information report before the court and informed that a team
authorized by commissioner-IR, Karachi was deputed to recover the government dues and every legal course was adopted to get hold of the revenues, however, the department was unable to recover the same and presently the above taxpayer has closed down its operations and the registered ofRice is found closed. He further submitted that registered persons’ non-operational fraudster unit has jointly committed the tax fraud by escaping from the premises, closing down the operations and fraudulently avoiding to pay sales tax and federal excise duty. By committing this tax fraud,
they have deprived government exchequer of its legitimate revenue
to the tune of Rs7,433,869,356 (out of which Rs955,055,000 is
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).
recoverable and no stay has ever been granted by the court of law). He argued that taxpayer has thus violated the provisions of Sales Tax Act, 1990 & Federal Excise Act, 2005 and FIR is lodged accordingly complainant by Irfan Ahmed, inspector Inland Revenue, further, investigation in respect of directors of the company, owners of declared premises, properties of the company are still in progress. After the hearing court took FIR into its record and directed investigation officer to complete investigation and submit charge sheet within 14 days.