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PAKISTAN’S FIRST INDEPTH NEWSPAPER ON CUSTOMS
26 ABC Certified Vol 75 Issue No. 36
Karachi, Tue Apr 30 - Mon May 06, 2019
Weekly Weekly
Regd. No, MC-1381
SIMPLIFYING AMNESTY SCHEME
Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh directed FBR to further simplify the proposed Assets Declaration Scheme 2019. | SEE PAGE 02 | REMOVING IMPEDIMENTS
Chairman FBR briefs oďŹƒcers of 25th SMC about policies to overcome systemic tax impediments. | SEE PAGE 12 | IMPOUNDING GOODS
KARACHI
MUBEEN HUSSAIN www.customstoday.com
Hyderabad Customs I&I impounded NDP goods worth Rs147.9m during nine months of current FY. | SEE PAGE 04 | DEVISING POLICY
ADC Customs I&IWajid Ali says Customs Dept needs to devise a solid policy regarding tempered vehicles. | SEE PAGE 10 |
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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) Member Customs (Operations) Dr. Jawwad Owais Agha has said that smuggling from the border areas has increased manifold so strict surveillance is being carried to control this menace of smuggling and apprehend the culprits. In his keynote address, Jawad Agha highlighted the various steps relating with the taxation and duties initiated by the FBR and informed that during the current year more than Rs23.5 million contraband goods were recovered during different raids. Dr. Jawwad stressed upon taking measures to enhance revenue collection specially by focusing on court cases and disposal of conRiscated goods through auction. Smuggling from the border areas has been increased but a strict surveillance is
being carried out to apprehend the culprits involved in the heinous crime whereas the Customs ofRicers are working round the clock to foil such attempts, said the Member Customs. He said Customs is collaborating with other security forces like Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), Pakistan Coast Guards (PCGs) as well as Pakistan Rangers to deal with the smuggling maRia. During last few months, the outcome of this collaboration has been tremendous due to which several smuggling attempts have been restricted. The Customs ofRicers are committed to root out the menace of smuggling causing billions of rupees loss to the economy. Smugglers and smuggling maRia will be dealt with iron hands without taking any pressure, stated Member Customs Jawwad Agha. Member Customs (Operations) Dr. Jawwad Owais Agha directed all the Chief Collectors to adopt a comprehensive strategy in order to achieve revenue targets and eradicate the
menace of smuggling through strict surveillance. He stressed to link the customs houses and stations with WeBOC in order to facilitate taxpayers and business community in the remote and far flung areas of Balochistan. He stressed that importers of Hyderabad Region should start their imports from Hyderabad dry port and all necessary facilitation will be provided to them at their door step. Earlier, Customs Preventive destroyed several tonnes of drugs and liquor worth billions of rupees seized during different raids. For this purpose a ceremony was held at Rangers Shooting and Saddle Club, M-9 Motorway, Gaddap, where senior officers were also present along with Member Customs Jawwad Agha. During the ceremony, 18000 liquor bottles of different brands, heroin, hashish, different brands of cigarettes, several tonnes of smuggled betel nuts along with 21 tonnes of chemical used to make heroin were also destroyed in the ceremony.
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NATIONAL
APRIL 30 - MAY 06, 2019
SHC seeks reply on petition seeking release of detained vehicles
KARACHI: The SHC directed customs department to file para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by Javad Akhtar and Fida Hussain Brohi seeking their Toyota Hiace vehicles seized by customs authorities due to alleged smuggling and evasion of duty and taxes. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi was hearing the matter. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners stated that customs I&I officials intercepted their vehicles, which were being used for passenger services, and without lawful authority seized the said vehicles illegally.
PCGA should clear outstanding dues: Abid Raza Bodhla
Hafeez Shaikh directs FBR to fine tune assets declaration scheme
MULTAN
KARACHI
www.customstoday.com he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Regional Tax Office (RTO) has advised Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PGCA) to pay their due taxes to save them from any trouble within prescribed time. It was stated by Chief Commissioner Regional Tax Office Abid Raza Bodhla during meeting with delegation of Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association led by Chairman Haji Muhammad Akram along with Shehzad Ali Khan, Amanullah Qureshi, Sohail Mehmood Haral and others. During the meeting, Chairman Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association Haji Muhammad Akram has shown concerns over the excess collection of taxes and notices issued to Ginners by Federal Board of Revenue. He said that Federal Board of Revenue has imposed 8% sales taxes on sale of 40 kilograms cotton seed and withdrawn 2 percent sales taxes on cotton seed and directed to pay sales tax on sale of Cotton oil and Cotton seed with 6 percent. The Federal Board of Revenue has signed memorandum of understanding after positive dialogue with PCGA. But Federal Board of Revenue has not taken approval from cabinet division in this regard.
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DC Aneeqa Afzal transfers 13 customs employees FAISALABAD
NAEEM SHEIKH
www.customstoday.com eputy Collector Customs Collectorate Headquarters Aneeqa Afzal transferred 13 customs employees. Deputy Collector Aneeqa Afzal transferred employees from Faisalabad International Airport to Anti Smuggling Organization, Sargodha ASO to Faisalabad Airport, Airport to Import Examination and GPO to Recovery Branch. Sources told that two appraisers namely Alamdar Hussain, Muhammad Naveed Chisti, on joining are transferred to GPO and DTRE branch. While Inspector Bashir Ahmed and Shoukat Khan are transferred from Faisalabad International Airport to Anti Smuggling Organization. Muhammad Munir Ahmed is transferred to ASO and State Warehouse SWH in addition to his existing from Faisalabad airport. Meanwhile four inspectors Muhammad Riaz, Muhammad Ali, Iqbal Malik, Atif Mumtaz, Muhammad Munawar Rathore are transferred to Faisalabad International Airport from ASO Sargodha DTRE branch and import examination as well. Inspector Irfan Idreesh is moved from GPO to Recovery branch.
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dviser to Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh directed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to further simple the proposed Assets Declaration Scheme 2019 for legalization of un-disclosed assets and income/expenditure with the objective of broadening the tax base. Hafeez Shaikh reviewed in detail the proposed Assets Declaration Scheme 2019 including proposed tax rates during a detailed discussion with the tax authorities at the Ministry of Finance. Finance Ministry and the FBR discussed the scope and features of the proposed scheme. Finance Ministry and the FBR also discussed the possible last date for availing the scheme for declarations and payment of taxes till June 30, 2018 or September 30, 2019. Sources said that the timeframe for availing the amnesty scheme has yet to be Rinalized. So far, the amnesty scheme is not on the agenda of next cabinet meeting but special cabinet meeting might be convened afterwards to get approval of the scheme. During the Sunday meeting, it was discussed that the tax amnesty scheme should be instrumental in broadening the tax base alongwith increasing revenue collection. Both the objectives should be simultaneously achieved under the proposed scheme, Finance Ministry directed FBR. The FBR has proposed 3-4 different rates for legalization of
un-disclosed assets held domestic and aboard and unexplained income/expenditure under the proposed Assets Declaration and Amnesty Scheme-2019. The FBR has proposed 3-4 options in terms of conditions and rates for the tax amnesty scheme and maximum rate may be offered at 15 percent. The rates for tax amnesty may range between from one percent, 5 percent, 10 percent and 15 percent. Different rates have been proposed to be applicable on domestic asset, foreign asset, benami assets, foreign
Adviser to PM on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh liquid assets etc. The public ofRice holders including politicians and bureaucrats may be barred for availing this scheme. The adviser instructed the FBR to Rine tune the scheme and make it simple to understand and easy to implement. He also emphasized that the objective of the scheme should be to make the economy more tax compliant and documented. The FBR has proposed that whitening of criminal proceeds in shape of money laundering and terror Rinancing would not be allowed
Trade facilitation top priority of Pakistan Customs: Surriya Butt C
KARACHI
CUSTOMS TODAY REPORT www.customstoday.com
hief Collector of Customs Appraisement South Surriya Ahmed Butt has issued directives to customs authorities to simplify refund payment system. Chief Collector South Surriya Butt stated that collection of legitimate taxes in a friendly environment and trade facilitation is the main focus and top priority agenda of Pakistan Customs. She was addressing a delegation of businessmen. The chief collector issued the directives in a
meeting with members of a trade body. They said that almost all the system of the customs clearance had been automated and urged the collector to make the refund payment through online system. The chief collector assured the customs agents for simplifying the refund payment system. This high-level meeting was also attended by the Collector of Customs MCC-Appraisement (West) Wajid Ali, Collector of Customs Appraisement (East), Dr. Nadeem Memon, Collector of Customs Port Qasim, Mumtaz Ali Khoso along with the Additional Collec-
tors of Customs of MCCAppraisement (East) & (West). She assured their cooperation in order to re-
under the amnesty scheme. Such criminal proceeds or cases where litigation is underway on these charges will not be allowed to avail the amnesty scheme. Another proposal under consideration is that lower rates would be offered to those under the proposed amnesty scheme who brought back foreign currency into Pakistan to whiten their assets. The government would simultaneously implement carrot and stick policy for making the scheme successful, sources added.
Sargodha ASO seizes smuggled goods & vehicle worth Rs16.4m he Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) confiscated foreign origin goods and vehicle worth Rs 16.4 million. Sources told CustomsToday that Assistant Collector Zaheer Ahmed formed a team to conduct raid.The team established a check-post near Bhera Interchange and intercepted a Mazda truck bearing registration no: FDS-18-8844 and recovered different non-duty paid goods of Chinese origin. The ASO team asked the owner who was later identified as Nahid Shahid to produce documents regarding legal possession of the items, but they failed to provide any relevant documents.The ASO team comprising Inspector Irfan Mumtaz, Mehmood Ahmed Dogar, Havaldar Rana Muhammad Ashraf, Muhammad Mansha and Sepoy Hafiz Nasir Ahmed, Shafqat Mehmood Muhammad Imran confiscated the goods under the customs laws. —CTReport
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IMRAN ALI KHAN
solve the issues being faced by the trade on the spot by adopting Open Door Policy at Custom House.
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NATIONAL 03
APRIL 30 - MAY 06, 2019
Customs Court approves interim challan against accused in smuggling case
KARACHI: The Customs Court approved interim charge sheet and issued non-bailable warrants against absconding suspect namely Syedullah son of Maagul, who was booked in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid Dunhil Signature Blend cigarettes London. Investigation officer submitted interim charge sheet and informed that on an actionable information, customs team intercepted a Suzuki Every van bearing registration no: CU-6194 and during the search found 62 kilograms foreign origin One-2-One gutka (packed in UAE).
NAB arrests accountant of M/s Park Lane Estates in fake accounts case
DG I&I Zahid Khokhar lauds services of Khaldoonul Haq
ISLAMABAD
CUSTOMS TODAY REPORT www.customstoday.com
ISLAMABAD
TARIQ DERYA
www.customstoday.com he National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Rawalpindi arrested the accountant of a firm owned by former president Asif Ali Zardari. According to the anti-graft watchdog, Mohammad Hanif was accountant of Park Lane Estates and also a secretary in Parthenon, a front company of Park Lane. Allegedly involved in misappropriation of bank loans obtained by Parthenon, Hanif was one of the prime accused in the case against the holders of public office, legal persons and others in the fake bank accounts scam. NAB investigators said the principal accused in the case, in connivance with Mohammad Hanif, managed to obtain Rs1.5 billion loan from the Habib Bank Limited, withdrew the proceed in cash and got prepared pay orders in the name of fictitious persons to hide the beneficial owners. The case against PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur, former Sindh chief minister Qaim Ali Shah, incumbent provincial minister Anwar Siyal, Bahria Town owner Malik Riaz and others had been shifted from Karachi to NAB’s Rawalpindi office a couple of months ago. Their names had been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL). However, the names of Mr Bhutto-Zardari and incumbent Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had been removed from the ECL on the directive of the Supreme Court. The NAB Rawalpindi had also formed a combined investigation team (CIT) to probe the case. Headed by NAB Rawalpindi Director General Irfan Naeem Mangi, the CIT had started its function in January.
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irectorate-General Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) DG Mohammad Zahid Khokhar has lauded the outstanding performance of Deputy Director Khaldoonul Haq during his three and a half year tenure as deputy director Customs I&I. DG Zahid Khokhar awarded honorary shield to Khaldoonul Haq in a ceremony held in the headquarters. On the occasion, the DG said that hardworking and honest ofRicers like Khaldoonul Haq are the asset of the organization and an example for their fellows. Khaldoonul Haq is a BS-18 ofRicer of Pakistan Customs and has served at various positions in the customs and recently posted as Deputy Director Customs I&I Gilgit-Baltistan Directorate. The DG I&I said his mission is to eliminate smuggling, tax evasion and money laundering from Pakistan through a well-trained, dedicated and motivated workforce equipped with modern technology, adequate resources and support of all national and international stakeholders. He hoped that all ofRicers and staff working in directorate will work hard with dedication in the best interest of the organization and Pakistan. Meanwhile, Directorate-General Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) DG Zahid Kokhar has said that on credible information his staff has detained two containers of old spare parts cleared by
Islamabad dry port. While talking with Customs Today, he conRirmed that he received credible information by his sources that Islamabad dry port has cleared two containers carrying foreign origin spare parts which have some issues of duty taxes. He forwarded number of both vehicles carrying goods to Customs staff, DG Customs Intelligence conRirmed. On pursuing above said information forwarded by DG I&I Islamabad the Customs staff led by Ahmad Maqsood Superintendent along with other staff rushed to
Islamabad dry port and detained both the containers identiRied by the DG and sealed them with ofRicial locks. The superintendent conRirmed that “They have detained two containers of 2×20 on secret information of DG I&I Zahid Kokhar”, adding that the containers are loaded with old spare parts and cleared by Customs staff of Islamabad dry port while ‘They asked the Customs staff to re-examine both the consignments’. Maqsood further informed that 5 days have passed while possessor of containers showed non-avail-
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
ability of labor to open containers for re-examination. He added that ‘we will wait for next one or two days more if the owner of detained consignments does not come here, we will open the containers for re-examination in front of eyewitnesses’. When this correspondent contacted the ofRicials of Islamabad dry port, they said that owners of consignments have requested to the staff of I&I Islamabad to open the containers for re-examination so they can prevent themselves from surcharge but I&I staff did not come for that purpose.
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04 NATIONAL
APRIL 30 - MAY 06, 2019
Sargodha ASO seizes smuggled foreign origin auto parts
SARGODHA: The Ant- Smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized huge quantity of foreign origin auto parts. The market value of the seized auto parts is Rs22,7,0000 involving customs duty and taxes worth Rs 462000. Collector Customs Mirza Mubashir Baig received information regarding smuggling of foreign origin new auto parts. Soon after receiving the information he constituted a raiding team that intercepted a vehicle bearing registration no: LEI-7670 model 1982. During the cursory examination the foreign origin auto parts were found.
Hyderabad I&I seizes non-duty paid goods worth Rs147.9 million
Customs JIAP foils bid to smuggle foreign currency to Thailand KARACHI
MUBEEN HUSSAIN www.customstoday.com
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HYDERABAD
ASLAM ANJUM QURESHI www.customstoday.com
SHC seeks reply on petition filed by M/s Middle East Construction Company ISLAMABAD
M.B RANA
www.customstoday.com he Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs department to file para-wise comments on a petition filed by M/s Middle East Construction Company seeking release of imported four units Hino prime mover trucks detained by customs department due to disputed valuation. Counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner has imported four units old and used Hino prime mover trucks and declared value of US$ 5,000 each and petitioner determined his liability of payment of applicable duties and taxes in terms of Section 70 (1) of the Customs Act, 1969 accordance with law in the light of current import policy order. He further submitted that four imported units were examined and inspected by the authorized persons and issued certificate accordingly in the light of current import policy order and pre-shipment is sole authority for examination of imported vehicles. In present case pre-shipment examination was obtained by the petitioner in accordance with law and said pre-shipment which was verified by the respondents from concerned quarters. He argued that respondent’s staff miserably failed to clear vehicles of the petitioner and used delaying tactics and due to said delay port charges and container charges increased day by day whereas duty and taxes was paid on Feb 20. Counsel said that petitioner consignment was examined by the respondents staff. Said examination was carried out accordingly and stated vehicles were not imported accordingly as petitioner imported trucks instead of prime movers chassis. Freshly painted fish plates were artificially fixed on the chassis to give impression of being a prime mover instead of the truck 10 wheelers.
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he newly formed Directorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation impounded noncustoms paid goods worth Rs 147.9 million during Rirst nine months of current Fiscal Year 2018-19. Director I&I Dr. Sadiqullah Khan said that the I&I department, despite limited resources using all available resources to curb smuggling attempts. Additional Director Syed Naeem Akhtar formed Special Investigation Unit (SIU) under the supervision of Deputy Director Shah Faisal Sahu. The SIU is effectively operating against smuggling in coordination with law enforcement agencies (LEAs). Director Sadiqullah said that he directed all Rield formations and anti-smuggling squads to adopt zero tolerance policy towards smuggling. Meanwhile, Directorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation impounded a non-duty paid vehicle, Toyota Land Cruiser white colour during an action on Maji Hospital Latifabad. Sources told Customs Today that Director Sadiqullah Khan received information regarding the usage of non-duty paid vehicles. He formed a team under the supervision of Deputy Director Shah Faisal Sahu, which also included Superintendent Tariq RaRique, Intelligence OfRicer Syed ShaRique Ali to detain these vehicles. The team intercepted said Land Cruiser bearing registration no: BD -6069 near Maji Hospital
Director I&I Dr. Sadiqullah Khan Latifabad and asked the driver of the vehicle to produce documents regarding the legal import and possession of vehicle, but he failed to do so. So the ofRicials took the ve-
ustoms Collectorate of Preventive team deputed at Jinnah International Airport foiled smuggling of foreign currency as well as gold worth millions of rupees and arrested three culprits. According to the details, on the tip off by higher authorities, Deputy Collector Customs, Jinnah International Airport (JIAP) team posted at International Departure intercepted a passenger namely Israr Muhammad and inquired regarding the travel documents whereas complete search of the luggage was also carried out on suspicion. During the search the customs team recovered gold weighing 1350 grams, silver jewelry (20 tolas) as well as artificial stones along with assorted foreign currency $11,250. The culprit Israr Muhammad was boarding for Thailand through flight no TG-508 from Karachi. The seized smuggled gold and foreign currency is said to be of worth Rs10m in the market. The accused person was arrested and FIR lodged to unmask the real faces behind this attempt. Earlier 17,140 USD and 840 HKD were recovered from a passenger namely Abdul Karim s/o Muhammad Idrees who was leaving for Dubai through flight no EK-605. The culprit was arrested after lodging an FIR. In third attempt, another currency seizure made at Departure of Jinnah International Airport. Foreign currency was recovered from a passenger namely Mohammed Nawaz s/o Muhammad Shafi. As per preliminary investigation, passenger stated that he lived in Milano, Italy for 15 years. He came from Islamabad to take flight of Thai Airways to visit Thailand as he buys artificial jewelry from Thailand and sells in Italy.
hicle into possession and registered a case against him. After assuming the charge, Director Sadiqullah Khan directed to use all resources to detain non-duty paid vehicles.
Collector Adjudication Quratul Ain Dogar orders release of goods after payment of penalty C
LAHORE
M.HAYAT
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ollectorate of Customs Adjudication Collector Quratul Ain Dogar has issued Order-inOriginal (ONO) No. 15/2019 and ordered to release the seized goods to its lawful owner after payment of 20 percent duty and Rine. As per brief facts of the case, deputy director ASO intercepted a truck bearing registration no: TKU-962 near Kot Abdul Malik Interchange, Sheikhupura Road, Lahore which was loaded with packages apparently containing
foreign origin goods. The owner of the goods Mureed son of Taj Ali Khan was resident of South Waziristan Agency. On query, he provided a bilty no. 014 dated 12.4.2019 issued by M/s Sitara Al-Usman Goods Forwarding Agency showing transportation of dry fruits (dry coconut) from Quetta to Lahore. Detailed examination of the goods loaded in the truck was conducted in presence of the driver and other witnesses which led to recovery of small cardamom, almonds without shell, dry coconut, foreign origin peanut. The driver of the vehicle asked for granting some time to
provide requisite import documents but the goods were seized. Owner of the goods Muhammad Ishaq son of Asad Khan appeared and requested that seized goods may be released against payment of duty and taxes. The representative of forwarding agencies requested for release of the truck against redemption Rine on actual customs value of the truck. Inspector Ch. Javed Iqbal appeared on behalf of Customs Preventive Lahore and attended the hearing and represented the department. Collector Adjudication Quratul Ain Dogar concluded the case after issuing ONO direct-
ing the department to release seized goods and vehicle after payment of redemption Rine equivalent to 20 percent of the assessed customs value of the same. Earlier Collectorate of Customs Adjudication Deputy Collector Shahzad Liaquat Ranjha issued Order-in-Original No 61/2018 in favour of Customs Preventive Anti Smuggling Organization and declared seizure of goods as legal. It is necessary to mention here that Collector Adjudication Quratul Ain Dogar directed staff to use all available resources to conclude the hearing of pending cases on priority basis.
www.customstoday.com APRIL 30 - MAY 06, 2019
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SPECIALREPORT
APRIL 30 - MAY 06, 2019
LAHORE
ASAD KHARAL
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dditional IGP Establishment Punjab Syed Ejaz Hussain Shah has assumed additional charge of Director General Anti Corruption. Government of Punjab issued notiRication of Additional Charge of Director General Anti Corruption to Additional IGP Establishment
Anti-Corruption Establishment Punjab under supervision of Syed Ejaz Hussain Shah is fully committed to eradicate corruption and recover billions of rupees looted money. ACE Punjab is an attached department of Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD), Government of the Punjab. Primarily, it is dedicated to nip corruption in the bud from the Provincial Government Departments and Services. In order to bar the white collar crime; on one side, it bears the responsibility of eradication of corruption by multidimensional Rlow of information and awareness among general masses, while reacting against corrupt practices on the other side, within the government parameters. It adopts an approach of a vigilant watchdog, ensuring vivid accountability and absolute application of law enforcement on public servants. Potent achievements of the department include massive recoveries of public wealth, arrest of various public trust abusers and stoppage of corruption likely to happen at certain instants. • Land retrieval of worth Rs. 56B (approx), from illegal occupants • Despite Expiry of state land lease agreement in 2015, the state land was found in year 2018 to
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
be still occupied by PEL and Packages. Due to ACE efforts a rent of Rs. 500M imposed upon Packages limited by the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan • Land 92 Kanal of worth Rs. 920M identiRied being owned by the PCBL and negotiations are underway. • Through scrutiny of Govt. contracts, enforcement of recovery actions to recoup illicit proceeds of corruption. • IdentiRication of missing revenues in land and real estate development worth more than RS 243.975 billions • Nazool Land of 11000 Kanal worth Rs. 32B identiRied by ACE and SMBR is requested for retrieval • Land commission report regarding 8000Kanal land being submitted in the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan was based upon identiRication by the ACE • Activation of role of EX-OfRicio Directors/Deputy Directors (Rule 2(h,i) of ACE Rules 2014)
High Profile Cases •. Malik Riaz Hussain CEO Bahria Town (BeneRiciary) etc 2018,
Punjab Syed Ejaz Hussain Shah and after assuming charge he has started working on his new assignment. Syed Ejaz Hussain Shah is a PhD Scholar and known as an industrious and intelligent ofRicer among other ofRicers of Punjab Police. He got his PhD degree in criminology from Pennsylvania University on Fulbright scholarship. He served as Additional IGP in Punjab for two years. He started his career as an ASP in 1986 and during his career, he served in KPK, Islamabad and various districts of Punjab, Lahore, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Gujranwala,
Case No. 58/18 (approx Rs 480M involved) • Auqaf Case; Malik Riaz Hussain etc (approx 600M is involved), Case No. 69/18 • Saiful Malook Khokhar, ShaRi Khokhar and Afzal Khokhar, Case No. 76/18 (approx Rs 1770M involved) • Naveed Alam ADC, Case No. 636/16 (approx Rs 900M involved) • Major ( R ) Tahir Sadiq (MNA) Ex District Nazim Attock (approx more than Rs 50M involved) • Zafar Ul Islam Khatak, Additional District Collector, MZG (Now DC) 2018 (approx Rs200250M involved) • OfRicers / OfRicials of Revenue Department Faisalabad and owners of City Housing Scheme 2018 (approx Rs 700M involved) • A case 05/19 was registered against Avari Hotel Lhr. & Flatties Hotel Lhr. over illegal construction of marquees • Another case against Avari Hotel was also registered over encroachment on government land of 16 kanals (Estimates are yet to be calculated) • Case FIR No. 08/2019 registered against Eastern Marquee over illegal construction on
Faisalabad and Multan. He also served as Deputy Director FIA, Joint Director Civil Services Academy and in Motorway Police. After promotion as DIG in 2010, he served in CTD Punjab, Establishment Division Islamabad and National School of Public policy. HegotpromotedasAdditionalIGPin 2017 and served as Addl. IGP D&I whereas inOctober2018 hewasposted asAddl.IGPEstablishmentPunjab.Now, theGovernment ofPunjabassignedhim an additional charge of Director General Anti Corruption along with the charge of Addl. IG Establishment.
government land (approx Rs 450M involved) • Case registered against Auqaf ofRicers/ ofRicials over not implementing the orders of the SCP and failure to retrieve the precious state land measuring an area of 590 kanals (approx Rs 5900M involved) • Enquiry no 53/19 against LDA was conducted into the issue of Land use / conversion made from central park and FIR No 04/19 was registered at PS ACE Lahore. The following illegalities were found to be committed. • Construction of Stadium without seeking any formal approval • An area of 58 kanals was handed over to a private entity i.e. Parklions Cricket Academy • A loss of approx. 2.5 billion tried to be made in government exchequer • A loss of approx. 500 M was sustained by the government upon dismantling an already constructed road • More than 40% construction at site has been completed, which is illegal causing loss to the govt. exchequer. • No codal formalities were observed like seeking NOC from different departments
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SPECIALREPORT 07
APRIL 30 - MAY 06, 2019
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government appointed former DG Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Hussain Asghar as deputy chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). A notiRication issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice said President Arif Alvi gave a green signal to the appointment following consultations with NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal. NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal had recommended Hussain Asghar’s appointment as the deputy chairman of the bureau and forwarded the summary to President Arif Alvi for
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Record was also tampered Enquiry no 54/19 was conducted into the issue of encroachment of state land by the management of Dream Housing Society in coalition with LDA OfRicer/OfRicials and FIR No 13/19 was registered at PS ACE Lahore (approx Rs 700M involved) The following illegalities were found to be committed. • A preliminary planning permission was granted on an incomplete application (there was no appropriate access road) • An area of 22 kanals 12 marlas was encroached. • TThe owners of Dream Housing Scheme actually owned area of 26 kanals whereas permission was granted of 110 kanals • A loss of approx. 700M was sustained to government exchequer & the value of plot increased from 5 lakh to 70 lakh • Case FIR No. 25/2014 Bahawalpur against Ex DCO Dr Naeem Rauf (approx Rs 8M involved). ACE Punjab’s powers clipped: It is reported that all major corruption cases in Punjab are by Federal Civil Servants (DMG/PAS and PSP)
approval. The appointment, made under section 7 of the National Accountability Ordinance 1999, is viable for three years. Asghar is the former Director General of the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) in Punjab, and performed his duties from September 24, 2018 to February 22, 2019. Hussain Asghar was a gold medalist in BSc and MSc Geology. He was also a CertiRied Drilling and Work-over Engineer. He Joined Police Force Service on 14th November 1987. He served in Sindh, Punjab, KPK, Balochistan, ICT and Mozambique. He has also served as Inspector General of Police
posted in Punjab. They occupy over 70% of Punjab posts while PCS/PMS hardly occupy any important post. It is to frustrate the Anti-corruption drive launched by Anti-Corruption Dept Punjab. On Feb 7, 2019, the Law Ministry issued the OM whose operative part reads as: “The undersigned is directed to refer to the Establishment Division’s OM No1/1/2017-D.1, dated 31-12-2018 on the subject noted above and to state that the employees of the Federal Government are lent to the Provincial Government. It is a settled principle that any disciplinary or other proceedings against such employees can be taken by the Federal Government only. All the cases of Federal Civil Servants are dealt with by the Special Judge Central and investigation is done by FIA as per law. The work Appropriate Government used in the relevant law has been effectively interpreted by the Supreme Court in the decision cited at 1993 SCMR 61 wherein it was held that even sanction for prosecution for such employees has to be taken by the Federal Government. Therefore, Provincial Anti-Corruption Department do not have jurisdiction on the Federal Civil Servants regardless of their posting
Gilgit-Baltistan and FIA additional director general. He is a professional who served integrity, without budging to any expediency or Adhoc gains. He retired as IG on 22 February 2019. He carried most testing investigations of time. On the order of the Supreme Court, Hussain Asghar had conducted investigations into the Pakpattan land case. In the investigation report, Nawaz Sharif was held responsible for the allotment of land. “Nawaz Sharif had allotted the land as the chief minister,” the report stated. Hussain Asghar had also investigated the Hajj corruption case during the PPP tenure.
under the Provincial Governments.” On the basis of the Law Ministry’s OM, the Punjab Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) on March 7, issued instructions to all
All major corruption cases in Punjab are by Federal Civil Servants (DMG/PAS and PSP) posted in Punjab. They occupy over 70% of Punjab posts while PCS/PMS hardly occupy any important post
administrative secretaries, commissioners, senior member Board of Revenue, chairman Planning and Development and all heads of attached departments that the provincial anti-corruption department has no jurisdiction on the federal civil servants regardless of their posting under the provincial governments. Although the federal government’s “OfRice Memorandum” issued on Feb 7, 2019 on the subject is applicable on all the provincial governments, in the case of Punjab this order severely dented the anti-corruption drive of the Punjab ACE, which was activated recently on the personal intervention of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Prime Minister Imran Khan had appointed, a few months back, reputed PSP officer Hussain Asghar as Punjab ACE chief under whose command the provincial anti-corruption body launched massive campaign against corruption in the province. However, this drive upset many inRluential and powerful including politicians from ruling PTI and members of the bureaucracy. It is believed that the powers of the provincial anticorruption departments have been clipped following pressure from the powerful quarters in the Punjab.
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08 EDITORIAL
APRIL 30 - MAY 06, 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
Budget Deficit
T
he budget deficit rose to 4.2 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the first nine months of the current fiscal year. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected total budget deficit for the ongoing year at 7.2 percent, rising to 8.7 percent in the next fiscal year, declining to 8 percent in 2021, 7.8 percent in 2022 and 7.6 percent in 2023, if the economic policies at present continue. These projections are similar to those being made by other multilaterals which is more indicative of their attempts towards harmonization rather than the outcome of independent research. Be that as it may, the IMF clearly remains the lead multilateral in terms of economic analysis and hence its projections need to be taken seriously by the Khan administration. In the event that the country goes on a Fund programme, and in recent days key members of the cabinet have stated that the country is embarking on such a programme, it is safe to assume that there would be time-bound structural benchmarks for each year of the programme to bring the deficit to sustainable levels; however, the details of these benchmarks would be firmed up when the mission arrives for negotiations next week. The question that must be raised is how accurate are these projections? While the projection for the current year may be right on the mark to project the deficit for the next four years is perhaps an exercise in futility as the administration's attempt to deal with the rising gap between expenditure and revenue has not been factored in at all. Given that former Finance Minister Asad Umar did not focus on containing the deficit by either raising revenue through realistic measures or reducing current expenditure yet the new man in, Dr Hafeez Shaikh, a qualified economist, is unlikely to allow the deficit to rise irrespective of the IMF bailout package. Asad Umar took three major decisions that widened the gap between revenue and expenditure: (i) first amendment finance bill envisaged revenue from sources that had proved to be unsuccessful in the past, for example, raising over 70 billion rupees from technological advancement; (ii) second amendment to the finance bill envisaged incentives to the industrial sector at a cost of over 140 billion rupees as per independent economists; and (iii) Umar was unable to contain the rise in current expenditure particularly on defence and exceeded the budgeted amount by over 22 percent during the first half of the current year. The usual practice (during the previous administrations as well as the incumbent) is to contain the deficit through slashing development spending.
IMF package for Pakistan D LAHORE
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uring the launch of his book "Growth and Inequality in Pakistan" Dr HaRiz Pasha stated that a macroeconomic framework, detailing a projected increase in revenue from speciRic taxes and a reduction in expenditure to bring the budget deRicit to sustainable levels, should have been prepared and shared with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff in the very Rirst meeting on negotiating a three-year bailout package. Instead, the Rirst IMF mission in Pakistan (from 7 to 20 November 2018) to discuss the loan modalities presented a framework that its staff had developed which, Dr Pasha added, was "very one-sided" that, no doubt,
accounted for talks between the Fund staff and the Khan administration remaining inconclusive. The former Finance Minister then proceeded to challenge the capacity of the Ministry of Finance by pointing out that the Ministry has no senior professional economist specialized in Riscal policy and that the Director General Debt was hired after a gap of several months. Dr Shahid H. Kardar, former Governor State Bank of Pakistan, concurred and added that the "way the IMF is structuring its upcoming programme, it is going to kill the country's economy; they are not ready to listen and believe in this government." However, it is unlikely that the entire framework will be accepted by the IMF; most notably the inclusion of the projected revenue inRlows from the amnesty scheme
is unlikely to be accepted. It is not public knowledge as to how much revenue has been projected from the amnesty scheme but such schemes in the past have grossly overestimated their effectiveness, to the tune of billions of dollars. Dr Hafeez Sheikh has directed the FBR to simplify the scheme and as per his public statements appears to be unaware of the linkage between the concerns of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and Pakistan is still on the grey list and IMF conditions. It is also relevant to note that the then Finance Minister Ishaq Dar's heavy reliance on withholding taxes in the sales tax mode, an indirect tax whose incidence on the poor is relatively greater than on the rich, and crediting the amount collected, deliberately and inaccurately, as direct tax further fuelled the unfairness of our
tax structure. Dar never achieved greater documentation of the economy but instead legitimized the tax non-Rilers. To conclude, there is a need for out-of-the-box thinking. While the IMF package is critical given our heavy requirements for foreign exchange for the next three years, yet there is also a need to present a framework that would minimize the negative features of a standard normal IMF programme through innovative doable tax measures and a slash in current expenditure through voluntary reduction in budgeted amounts. There is intense speculation on whether Dr Sheikh has the capacity to negotiate a bailout package that would minimize its negative impact on the poor however one must give him the beneRit of the doubt till the next budget is announced - a wait for no more than a month and a half.
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NATIONAL 09
APRIL 30 - MAY 06, 2019
Customs ASO busts smuggled Ajinomoto worth Rs3.6m
KARACHI: Collectorate 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.
FBR takes notice of increase in smuggling of tyres
Customs I&I using all resources to curb smuggling: Deputy Director Khaldoon
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
www.customstoday.com ederal board of Revenue (FBR) has taken notice of increase in the smuggling volume of tyres in the country and decided to devise a comprehensive strategy in the tax policy in order to discourage the smuggling against the legal import of tyres. As per sources, rise in smuggling of tyres is due to discouraging duty and taxes policies from the government side which increases the illegal import of the tyres. At least 300pc increase has been noticed by the board in the smuggling of tyres where the legal import of trucks and buses’ tyres in the country is only 22pc while 76pc of country’s demand has been met through smuggling. Meanwhile the legal import of tyres of the light trucks and vans is 22pc while local production is 11% and 59% is smuggled into the country, sources said. Sources said that at least Rs3,871 duty and taxes are imposed on the import of trucks and buses’ tyres which include 15pc customs duty, 2pc additional duty, 15% regulatory duty, 17pc sales tax, 3pc additional sales taxes, 6pc withholding taxes, 2pc extra taxes which solely discourages the legal import of tyres into the country while smuggled tyres for these trucks and buses cost only Rs770, sources confirmed. Meanwhile, the board has decided to consult with all stakeholders in this regard to devise a comprehensive strategy in order to discourage the smuggling of tyres into the country.
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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
TARIQ DERYA
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irectorate of Customs I&I Deputy Director Khaldoon ul Haq has said that each Customs ofRicer of grade 17 and above is required to enhance capacity to curb the menace of smuggling. Talking with Customs Today during an exclusive interview Deputy Director Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation (I&I), Khaldoon ul Haq said that he spent a long period of 4 and half years here at I&I headquarters Islamabad and learnt a lot of things while working with four courageous Director Generals like Lutfullah Virk, Imtiaz Cheema, Shaukat Ali and Zahid Khokhar. He said that he worked in all Rields relating with Customs Intelligence in coordination among national and international agencies like Anti Narcotics Force (ANF), Regional Intelligence Liaison OfRice (RILO) and World Customs Organization (WCO). He added that he also worked in Rield formation of Anti-smuggling as well as used to prepare reports for DGs I&I while he also had a chance to work against Anti-money laundering (AML) activities. He said that he also got chance to work with different embassies working in Pakistan. Director I&I said that a very special thing about Directorate of I&I is that this intelligence agency not only conducts audits but with
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
SHAHID MINHAS
powers of enforcement. Customs Act 1969 provides said powers under section 3A which have been deRined through different SROs, he added. Answering a query he said that Directorate of I&I performance was comparatively better during current three quarters against same corresponding period last year. He notiRied that during July to March FY 2018-19 the I&I made huge seizures against Non Duty Paid (NDP) vehicles, offending (vehicles used for carrying
Customs I&I Deputy Director Khaldoonul Haq smuggled goods) and other contraband goods worth Rs 12.6 billion while the Directorate seized smuggled goods and NDP vehicles worth Rs 7.8 billion during same corresponding period last FY. He said that during current FY18-19 the Directorate of I&I Islamabad made huge crackdown against notorious criminals involved in smuggling of narcotics across the country through regional Directorates of I&I. Telling the details of seized narcotics he added that all ofRices of Directorate
seized 256.23 kilograms of charas, 17.51 kilograms of opium, 71.50 kilograms of heroin, 1200,00 kilograms of poppy seed. The deputy director told that Directorate has registered cases against the smugglers involved in smuggling of narcotics. He said that Directorate of I&I lodged 1488 number of cases during Rirst three quarters against narcotics while 41 suspects were arrested who were found guilty in smuggling as well as Directorate of I&I registered 60 FIRs against the offenders.
ICCI calls on FBR to halt raids on business premises To,
nessed 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. I appeal you to conduct inquiry against such tactics ofRicials and Rines received from taxpayers coercively should be returned to them. Business community is looking for drastic reforms in FBR from the current government to promote tax revenue of the country and never expected such coercive approach against taxpayers. Government should look into these issues because such tactics of FBR would discourage tax culture and new investment in the country.
Jahanzaib Khan, Chairman FBR, Islamabad Dear Sir,
Despite your repeated assurances not to raid businesses, the raids are still continued. FBR should take ICCI and concerned market association on board to resolve such issues with mutual efforts. Sir, there was also a procedure deRined in law to deal with complaints against taxpayers. 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. Business community is never against tax payment, but they
wanted a friendly approach from FBR to expand the tax base in the country. When the non-Rilers wit-
Yours sincerely,
Ahmed Hassan Mughal, President ICCI, Islamabad
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10 NATIONAL
APRIL 30 - MAY 06, 2019
Food exports dip 2.4pc during nine months of FY2019
ISLAMABAD: The food exports from the country witnessed a negative growth of 2.4 per cent, as it went down to $3.34 billion during the first three quarters of the ongoing fiscal year (FY19) as compared to the exports of $3.43 billion during the corresponding period of FY18, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported. The food commodities that contributed in the negative growth during the period under review included rice (0.48pc), fish and fish preparations (6.88pc), vegetables (2.48pc), tobacco (24.72pc), sugar (68.20pc), and meat (1.42pc).
New policy should be introduced for tempered vehicles: ADC Wajid Ali ISLAMABAD
TARIQ DERYA
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— Exclusive Customs Today photo
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irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Additional Director Wajid Ali said that the Customs Department has not adopted any clear policy regarding tempered vehicles so the department must look into it and devise a solid policy in this regard. Additional Director Wajid Ali was talking with Customs Today during an exclusive interview here at Directorate of Customs I&I Peshawar. Answering a query he said that to enhance revenue performance the I&I Peshawar is using powers of Customs Act 1969 section 4 as the Customs Act provides powers to Customs authorities to auction those non-duty paid (NDP) vehicles whose cases are under litigation at Collectorate of Adjudication. Talking about Customs Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), he said that under section 15 and 16 of Customs Act, IPR powers have been provided to all Customs departments to make cases against violation of copy-
rights anywhere in the country. Answering a query, he said that he believed in team work
Additional Director Wajid Ali because without proper team good work could not be done in a proper way. He said that I&I
Peshawar showed outstanding performance during current Rinancial year because it got very
good team on all its Customs intelligence stations in KPK. The Additional Director said that during first 09 months July to March FY18-19, the I&I Peshawar made 115 cases against offending vehicles worth Rs 282 million while the Directorate made 66 cases against non-duty paid (NDP) vehicles worth Rs 113 million while registered 157 cases against smuggled goods worth Rs 451 million. He added that I&I Peshawar seized goods and vehicles worth Rs 846 million in this period. Wajid Ali said that I&I Peshawar seized 90.500 kgs of charas worth Rs 9 million as well as seized 15.25 kilograms of opium worth Rs 1.9 million whereas the Directorate seized 71.500 kilograms of heroin worth Rs 234 million. Answering another query, he said that newly-posted Director I&I Peshawar Rashid Habib is an efficient and hardworking Customs officer who works professionally and with full dedication. He added that under instructions of Director Rashid Habib, the Directorate will show extraordinary performance during last quarter (April to June) Fiscal Year 2018-19.
Two fraud accused appointed National Bank of Pakistan directors LAHORE
I
ASAD KHARAL
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n a shocking development, the government has appointed two directors to the board of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), who are allegedly facing trials for
fraud of billions of rupees. Reportedly, Imam Bakhsh Baloch, who has been appointed as director of the National Bank of Pakistan board by the government, is allegedly facing a whooping Rs2.5b fraud in the bank. Criminal proceedings against him reportedly continue before Anti-Corrup-
tion Court No.1, Karachi, and the next date of hearing is April 24. Moreover, Mohammad Sohail Rajput, an alleged accused in the fake accounts case, has also been appointed director of the National Bank of Pakistan board. He is at serial No 150 of the list of the accused named in the fake
accounts case. People have expressed serious concern about the appointment of the tainted ofRicials to the National Bank of Pakistan board and said it was not expected from the PTI government that had promised to promote honesty and merit in government departments and society after
coming to power. Disclaimer: The views expressed by the writer are his own and do not necessarily reRlect the views and policies of Customs Today. We invite all relevant parties to any speciRic story to send their version/stance to us with valid justiRications & documents. newsdesk@customstoday.com
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CARTOONSSPECIAL 11
APRIL 30 - MAY 06, 2019
Customs Court issues warrants against accused in smuggling case
KARACHI: The Customs Court issued non-bailable warrants against suspects namely Saleem Shah, Muhammad Naeem and Muhammad Saleem, who were involved in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid Shikhar Gutkha. Investigation officer submitted charge sheet against the above-mentioned suspects including arrested suspect namely Muhammad Sajjad and informed that on an actionable information, customs team intercepted a Suzuki pick-up bearing registration no KW-7837 and recovered 202,500 pouches (450) kg Shikhar Gutkha made in India.
Customs Court approves remand of suspect in betel nuts smuggling case KARACHI
M.B RANA
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T
he Customs Court approved physical remand of suspect namely Muhammad Umair son of Abdul Jabbar and sent him to customs lock-up, who was involved in a case of attempting to contraband smuggling of 14,244 kilograms betel nuts. Iftikhar Hasan Khan, investigation ofRicer of customs preventive produced the above mentioned suspect before the court and informed that on an actionable information that a considerable quantity of smuggled betel nuts has been dumped at godown-cum-shop situated at Goshat Market, Moin Plaza, Karachi for cutting and would likely to be removed from that premises shortly, pursuant of said information, customs team conducted the raid and search accordingly. He further submitted that during the raid abovementioned suspect told that the owner of shop is one person
namely Kaloo and as a customer he also handed over 30 bags to him for cutting purpose. As there was speciRic information with regard to dumping of smuggled betel nuts, it was considered
inevitable to conduct the search of the premises instantly. He further informed the court that during the search team recovered 280 bags of assorted size containing total
14,244 kilograms assorted betel nuts worth Rs2,831,707. Investigation officer said that after the formalities, goods were seized and said suspect was taken into custody. He
FBR detects tax evasion of Rs693.72m by FESCO & NPGCL
argued that prosecution needs further investigation for arrest of owner of godown and seizure of remaining betel nuts, therefore, court may send him back to customs department.
Sara-i-Muhjir ASO seizes 33050kg coal during road checking FAISALABAD
NAEEM SHEIKH
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ISLAMABAD
MUHAMMAD FAIZAN www.customstoday.com
ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) has detected tax evasion cases by two power companies. It has been revealed that two power companies concealed the actual sales and evaded sales tax amount worth Rs693.72 million. Federal Board of Revenue has directed the related regional tax ofRices to Rix the
responsibility against the persons at fault. According to details M/s Faisalabad Electric Supply Corporation (FESCO) National Tax Number (3048930-0) registered with Regional Tax OfRice Faisalabad purchased electricity of Rs6,139.09 million from different IPPs and NTDC. Against these purchases of electricity, FESCO showed sales of electricity of Rs3,622.52 million. Electricity cannot be stored and FESCO had concealed its sales which
resulted in short realization of sales tax of Rs187.09 million. Likewise M/s Northern Power Generation Company Limited (NPGCL) National Tax Number (3049717-5) registered with Regional Tax office Multan had declared less supplies of electricity to M/S National Transmission Dispatch Company (NTDC) as compared to electricity purchased by the NTDC in its sales tax returns.
ollectorate of Customs Field Intelligence Unit (FIU) Sara-i-Muhajir seized foreign origin 33050 kilograms coal smuggled from Afghanistan. Sources told Customs Today that Customs ASO Sarai Muhajir team on the information of Assistant Collector Customs Ahmed Zaheer intercepted a Hino truck bearing registration number TKY-502 Lasbela. During searching process the FIU team led by Superintendent Ghulam Jaar recovered huge quantity of coal. The estimated value of the coal is Rs69,71,670. The team asked driver namely Muhammad Javid son of Abdul Habib to show documents but he failed to produce any lawful proof of its legal import. The sources said that a case has been registered and further investigations are still underway till filing of this report.
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12
APRIL 30 - MAY 06, 2019
Hyderabad I&I impounds NDP Land Crusier near Maji Hospital
HYDERABAD: Directorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation impounded a non-duty paid vehicle, Toyota Land Cruiser white colour during an action on Maji Hospital Latifabad. Sources told Customs Today that Director Sadiqullah Khan received information regarding the usage of non-duty paid vehicles. He formed a team under the supervision of Deputy Director Shah Faisal Sahu, which also included Superintendent Tariq Rafique, Intelligence Officer Syed Shafique Ali to detain these vehicles.
Chairman FBR for making policies to overcome systemic tax impediments PESHAWAR
IRFAN BAHADUR
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roup of 25th Senior Management Course of National Institute of Management College Lahore visited Customs Collectorate of Appraisement and Preventive in Customs House. The sources informed Customs Today that the delegation was received by Collector Appraisement Syed Ihsan Ali Shah and Collector Preventive Asif Saeed Khan Lughmani. The group consisted of ofRicers from Pakistan Administrative Service, Police Service of Pakistan, Secretariat Group, Pakistan Customs Services, Foreign Services, Commerce and Trade, Inland Revenue Service, Provincial Management Service and ex-cadre, etc. The group paid homage to the monument of martyrs and laid Rloral wreath on the monument. Both the collectors briefed the ofRicers of visiting group about how the Collectorates of Preventive and Appraisment Peshawar operates. The sources further informed that SMC provides mechanism for induction of skilled persons because it’s very important to upgrade skills capacity of public service to meet the demands of a modernizing and progressive state. The delegation was briefed about the history of Customs House Peshawar and Transit route. The delegation of visiting group informed that main objective of senior management course is operationalization policy and strategy. The delegation further informed that SMC wing conducts course for
BS-19 and BS-20 for promotion. The visiting delegates were given shields at the end by the collectors at Customs House Peshawar. Meanwhile, Group of 25th Senior Management Course of National Institute of Management College Lahore visited Customs Collectorate of Appraisement and Preventive in Customs House. The sources informed Customs Today on Tuesday that the delega-
tion was received by Collector Appraisement Syed Ihsan Ali Shah and Collector Preventive Asif Saeed Khan Lughmani. The group consisted of ofRicers from Pakistan Administrative Service, Police Service of Pakistan, Secretariat Group, Pakistan Customs Services, Foreign Services, Commerce and Trade, Inland Revenue Service, Provincial Management Service and ex-cadre,
etc. The group paid homage to the monument of martyrs and laid Rloral wreath on the monument. Both the collectors briefed the ofRicers of visiting group about how the Collectorates of Preventive and Appraisment Peshawar operates. The sources further informed that SMC provides mechanism for induction of skilled persons because it’s very important to upgrade skills capacity of public service to meet
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
the demands of a modernizing and progressive state. The delegation was briefed about the history of Customs House Peshawar and Transit route. The delegation of visiting group informed that main objective of senior management course is operationalization policy and strategy. The delegation further informed that SMC wing conducts course for BS-19 and BS-20 for promotion.
Quetta Customs impounds smuggled goods worth Rs20m from Yaroo & Khuzdar check posts C
QUETTA
TARIQ DERYA
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ollectorate of Customs team recovered foreign origin goods and offending vehicles worth Rs20 million from Yaroo and Khuzdar customs check post. Sources told Customs Today that Collector Iftikhar Ahmad received information through his own sources that few smugglers intend to smuggle foreign origin goods in clandestine way. He passed special instructions to Additional Collector Jameel Baloch and Deputy Collector Preventive
Asimur Rehman. Pursuing the directions all the check posts were strictly directed to look each and every vehicle thoroughly. A van coming from border area was signaled to stop at Yaroo check post but the diver of vehicle tried to speed the vehicle while customs staff open Rire on tyres. The driver managed to escape whereas van was taken into custody. After search the staff recovered foreign origin goods including ladies and gents cloth, clutch plates, submersible router car speakers and other miscellaneous goods around Rs 6 million. During same time at Khuzdar
Collector Iftikhar Ahmad
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).
Surab check post, customs staff detained two trucks 10 and 6 wheelers coming from Iran border carrying Iranian origins tiles. The drivers managed to escape while both the trucks full of smuggled tiles were taken into custody. The market value of the said goods was around Rs4 million while both vehicles valued at Rs10 million rupees. In both crackdowns, Superintendents Khurshid Hassani Saleem Mandokhail, Inspectors Rehmatulla, Jameel Kakar, Aslam Solungi, Ahmed Nawaz Zehri and others participated. Collector Preventive Dr Iftikhar appreciated efforts of preventive staff.