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26 Abc certified Vol 65 Issue No. 44

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IMRAN ALI KHAN

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Collector Jamil Nasir Khan inaugurated Customs Day Care Centre at National Logistics Cell, Dry Port Lahore for staff welfare. | See pAge 04 | FoILINg AtteMpt

Customs staff deputed at Torkham border thwarted attempt of weapons smuggling from Afghanistan into Pakistan in a truck. | See pAge 04 | DeMANDINg ActIoN

DoctorsFrontMultanPresident DrMehnazKhakwaniurged SupremeCourttotakeaction againstsmugglersofdrugs. | See pAge 12 |

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hief Collector Customs Central Region Zeba Hai Azhar formed special cell in all the Collectorates of the region to conduct any anti-smuggling operation in the jurisdiction for effective intelligence gathering.

Sources told Customs Today, Chief Collector of Customs Central Region Zeba Hai Azhar formed special anti-smuggling cell for timely information sharing regarding any smuggling activity and the special cell comprises staff members of Anti-Smuggling Organization of Customs Preventive Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan.

The purpose to establish anti-smuggling cell is to streamline the working of anti-smuggling and to assist the Collectorates in intelligence gathering and conducting raids /operations on speciNic information.

The Special cell of Anti-Smuggling Organization will also receive complaints regarding negligence of customs staff in the chief collector ofNice Central Region for any action against them. The special cell consists of 22 staff members including Multan, Faisalabad and Lahore Customs. Anti-smuggling squad members from

Multan Customs are Inspector Ahmad, Inspector Muhammad Ali, Inspector Rana Mujtaba Noon, Sepoy Mubashir Ahmad, Sepoy Ghulam Abbas, Sepoy Nadir Ali, Sepoy Jamil Ahmad and Sepoy Khalid.

Anti-Smuggling Organization staff member Inspector Sajjad Bukhari, Inspector Abdul Rehman Butt, Inspector Saeed Ahmad Randhawa ,Sepoy Muhammad Zubair Khan, Sepoy Waris Ali, Sepoy Umer Javaid Sepoy Khizar Hayat and Sepoy Muhammad Tariq will report to Chief Collector Central Region from Preventive ,Lahore about antismuggling operation or raids in the jurisdiction.

Inspector Farhan Frank, Inspector Muhammad Arfan Faheem, Sepoy Abdul Sattar, Sepoy Muhammad, Sepoy Zafar Hayat and Sepoy Malik Muhammad Ashraf are members of special coordination cell regarding anti-smuggling actions.

These regions are interconnected with each other and will share information about smuggled goods and vehicles through different Collectorates.

The said anti-smuggling squad will work under the supervision of the ofNice of the Chief Collector of Customs Central Region and will report to the Additional Collector Tayyaba Kiyani. The performance and efNiciency of these squads will be supervised and reviewed by Chief Collector on monthly basis in order to attain required results.

— Exclusive Customs Today photo

FBR Member Nausheen Javaid Amjad urged people to make an optimal use of ongoing tax amnesty scheme because of its low tax rates. | See pAge 03 |

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NATIONAL

JULY 24 - JULY 30, 2018

Multan customs takes special measures to facilitate Haj pilgrims

MULTAN: The Customs Collectorate has made special arrangements to facilitate Haj pilgrims at the Multan International Airport. According to details, first direct Haj flight of Pakistan International Airlines PK-876 carrying 180 pilgrims departed from Multan International Airport to Madina. Almost 9,200 passengers will fly from Multan International Airport to Madina and Jeddah during the Haj operation. Collector Customs Ambreen Ahmad Tarar has deployed more than 50 customs employees at Multan International Airport to facilitate pilgrims in this regard.

Businessmenshould availbenefitsofcurrent TaxAmnestyScheme: MuhammadAli

tax concession to salary class may be withdrawn due to Rs 1000b losses

LAHORE

SAJID NAwAZ

www.customstoday.com ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) organized a seminar on ongoing Tax Amnesty Scheme which was held at Flattei’s Hotel.

The basic purpose of the seminar was to create awareness among business community about the benefits of Tax Amnesty Scheme 2018 and procedure to adopt the scheme.

The seminar was held of Regional Tax Office various renowned businessmen participated in the awareness and motivational session to avail the tax amnesty scheme to legalize their hidden assets which exists within the country and outside the country. On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue (DCIR) Muhammad Ali was specially invited and gave briefing to the participants and the questions of taxpayers.

Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue Muhammad Ali said that tax amnesty scheme is unique and first time in Pakistan to legalize hidden assets at minimum tax rates.

He said that this scheme is beneficial for the capitalist/ businessmen as well as for the country and for the nation, so, the maximum people should avail this scheme to legalize their assets and for strength the nation economy of our country.

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Quetta Customs hosts two-day training workshop on E-TIR QUETTA

tARIQ DeRYA

www.customstoday.com ustomsCollectorateisorganizinga two-dayworkshoponE-TIRfortraining ofFC,FIAimmigration,Customsstaff, traders,transportoperatorsandother governmentdepartments.

AdditionalCollectorZubairShah,while talkingwithCustomsToday,saidthat Pakistanhasalreadybeennotifiedas ElectronicTransportsInternationauxRoutiers (E-TIR)operationalcountry.

Hesaidthatinthisregardtrainingof customsstaffandotherstakeholderswas necessary,sotheCollectorateisstartinga two-daytrainingworkshop.Headdedthat sessionsareplannedfor50to60participants includingrelevantCustomsofficersBS16and aboveforthetraining.Moreover,itisalso byFBRtoMCCQuettatoinviterepresentatives ofFrontierConstabulary(FC)FederalInvestigationAgency(FIA)toparticipateinthetrainingworkshop.CollectorAshrafinaugurated theworkshopwhileoverviewbyTBAwillbe demonstrateofMottMacDonald’s Trade FacilitationandTransportsectormodernizationinitiativeaswellasoverviewofTIR conventionanditsimplementationin Pakistanwillalsobepresented.

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KARACHI

cuStoMS toDAY RepoRt www.customstoday.com

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ax concession concessions given to salary persons in the recent budget may be withdrawn by the elected government owing to extreme Niscal conditions due to Rs 1000b green channel losses to FBR. Through Finance Act, 2018 the previous government provided relief to salary class driving income Rs1,200,000 by imposing nominal amount of tax of Rs2,000 per year and up to income up of Rs800,000 the tax rate of Rs1,000 per year.

In her recent visit to Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), caretaker Ninance minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar expressed concerns over present Niscal position and said the tax concessions would add pressure.

The PML-N government before conclusion of its tenure and in its last budget announced various reliefs to taxpayers ahead of general elections that are scheduled for July 25.

The then Ninance minister Dr. Miftah Ismail in his budget speech announced that minimum income threshold for tax at Rs1,200,000, which meant persons driving income up to Rs1.2 million would be exempted from income tax.

However, the parliament disapproved the proposal considering

massive fall in number of tax returns. So it was decided that a nominal amount should be imposed in order to prevent fall in numbers of income tax returns.

Previously the minimum threshold was Rs400,000, which was retained but the tax rates were changed for various slabs. As per new slabs persons deriving income within Rs400,001 to Rs800,000 would pay Rs1,000 per year and under the slab of Rs800,001 to Rs1,200,000 will pay Rs2,000 per year. The estimated loss of this concession is around Rs74 billion.

It is pertinent to mention here that if losses of Rs 1000 billion inflicted on the national exchequer through misuse of customs green

Dg Valuation revises customs values of different chemicals T

KARACHI

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The Directorate General of Customs Valuation revised the customs values of chemicals, boric acid, aluminum oxide, chromic acid, barium chloride, sodium meta bi-sulphite, sodium xexameta phosphate, borax deca-hydrate, chloroform, sodium acid pyrophosphate, di-pentene, stearic acid, mono & di ethylene glycol and perchloro ethylene through Valuation Ruling No: 1311/ 2018 under Section 25-A of the Customs Act-1969.

Earlier, the customs values of the subject chemicals were determined vide Valuation Ruling No. 1040/2017 dated 13.02.2017 d 26.04.2017. There were several representations from importers and

from Pakistan Chemicals and Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA) during the stakeholders meetings.

They contended that customs values determined in the existing valuation ruling are not reNlective of prices in international markets.

They requested to determine the customs values afresh especially the values of boric acid and borax deca-hydrate, in accordance with the trend of values in the internationals markets.

During the meetings, representative of PCDMA also submitted proposals regarding values of these chemicals. Importers, present during the meeting, mostly agreed with the values proposed by PCDMA. Keeping in view the prevailing prices of the subject goods, the Directorate General initiated an exercise for determination of the cus-

toms values of the subject Chemicals in terms of Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969.

Meetings with stakeholders including importers, representatives from PCDMA and representatives from Nield formations were held on 12.4.2018 and 11.7.2018, to discuss the current international prices of the subject chemicals.

Meanwhile, The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs values of glacerin ammonium bi carbonate, butyl acrylate, chlorinated paraffin wax (liquid) and calcium carbide through Valuation Ruling No: 1312/2018 under Section 25A of the Customs Act-1969.

Earlier, the customs values of the subject chemicals were determined vide Valuation Ruling No. 1246 / 2018 dated 17.01.2018.

channel facility are averted, the government could continue giving reliefs to salaried class. As per statement of an FBR official, about 10 million containers have been cleared through green channel at Karachi ports, causing losses of Rs 1000 billion to the economy.

If Finance Minister and FBR chairman take prompt action against illegal clearance of huge number of containers thru green with connivance of corrupt customs ofNicials and smugglers of green channel, then the country could save billions of rupees to avoid putting burden on income taxpayers and build mega projects including much-needed dams to resolve the problem of water scarcity.

Customs I&I impounds eight non-duty paid heavy bike irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) impounded eight non-customs paid heavy bikes during a raid in a showroom located in Samanabad area.

Sources told Customs Today, that Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation Rubab Sikandar received information that some non-duty paid heavy bikes are dumped in a showroom.

She immediately constituted a team under the supervision of Superintendent M. Sarwar which also includes Intelligence Officer Zulfiqar Dogar, Hamid Babar, Nadeem Ahsan and Agha Sultan Haider. The above-mentioned team raided showroom of AB Motors and eight heavy bikes. owner of the showroom failed to produce any relevant documents regarding import of the bikes. —CT Report

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NATIONAL 03

JULY 24 - JULY 30, 2018

customs court approves remand of suspects involved in gutka smuggling

KARACHI: The Customs Court sent suspects namely Rai Muhammad son of Faiz Muhammad and Sadeeq Ullah son of Usman Ghani to Pakistan Coast Guards on physical remand, who were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid One 2 One gutka and others contraband goods. After hearing on July 19, 2018, the court sent them to Pakistan Coast Guards on physical remand and directed investigation officer to produce above mentioned suspects before the court along with progress report on next date of hearing.

Customs Export recovers Rs7.82m by M/s ShafaqTraders & M/s MJ Associates

Nausheen Javaid Amjad rules out extension in tax Amnesty Scheme

KARACHI

wAQAR AHMeD ANSARI www.customstoday.com

ollector Customs Export Saqif Saeed has recovered evaded amount of 7.82 million taxes and duties from M/s ShafaqTraders and another company M/s MJ Associates.

Sources told CustomsToday on Monday that during scrutiny of the import data, it was revealed that M/s Shafaq Traders availed undue benefits and concessions by importing a consignment of curtain fabrics, carpets, plastic sheets and other items misusing the SRO 551 through Examiner Mumtaz Aiwan on December 23, 2017.

Sources said that the company was allegedly involved in tax evasion of Rs 4.25 million. Investigations were started after detecting the tax evasion and the Customs Export issued a final notice on June 28, 2018 to deposit the evaded amount within 14 days.

After receiving the notice, the management of M/s ShafaqTraders deposited the evaded amount in the official account of the Customs Export on July 16, 2018.

While management of M/s MJ Associates also cleared Rs 3.57 million amount of taxes and duties. Sources said that M/s MJ Associates also availed undue benefits and concessions and avoided paying taxes according to the customs bylaws.

TheCustomsExportauthoritiesserved onitafinalnoticeonJune26.ThemanagementofM/sMJAssociatesdeposited theevadedamountafterreceivingthe finalnoticeinthisregard.

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ISLAMABAD

cuStoMS toDAY RepoRt www.customstoday.com

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) Member Taxpayer Audit Ms. Nausheen Javaid Amjad urged the people to make an optimal use of the ongoing Tax Amnesty Scheme because of its low tax rates and legal protection from penalties and prosecution was the best scheme that could be rolled out to allow the people to declare their undisclosed income and assets in the country and abroad. She made this statement while speaking to a large gathering of traders, businessmen and members and ofNice-bearers of

Sarhad Chamber of Commerce & Industry Peshawar, Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry Peshawar, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, Peshawar Tax Bar Association and other business organizations in the provincial capital.

She said the scheme offered a golden opportunity to the people holding undeclared and undisclosed income and assets to declare them simply by paying a nominal 2% tax on declaration and repatriation of foreign assets, 3 % on declaration of immovable foreign assets and 5 % on declaration and non-repatriation of assets under the Foreign Assets (Declaration & Repatriation) Act, 2018 and Voluntary Declaration of Domestic Assets Act 2018 duly approved by

the Parliament. She said a positive response shown so far by the people to the Tax Amnesty was indicative of a desire among the people to become part of the tax system by declaring their income and assets without facing any hassle.

“This should serve as a sign of encouragement to those who are still making up their mind to avail of the tax amnesty as once the amnesty ends, there could be legal repercussions for those who fail to beneNit from it,” she said. Ms Nausheen Amjad said the tax amnesty had already been extended for a month and there were no chances of its further extension. “I sincerely advise the people to make use of this amnesty in their own interest to declare their undisclosed assets as this window of opportunity would not last long and

the people failing to avail it of would have to face detection under the new international regime for exchange of information, taxation at normal rates on declared foreign assets and income without any time limitation as well as penalty and prosecution in addition to tax on their undeclared assets and income,” she added. FBR Member Taxpayer Audit Ms. Nausheen Javaid Amjad addressing a gathering of traders, businessmen, ofNice-bearers and members of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce & Industry Peshawar, Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry Peshawar, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, Tax Bar Association Peshawar and other business organizations in Peshawar to create understanding and awareness of Tax Amnesty 2018.

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04 NATIONAL

JULY 24 - JULY 30, 2018

Quetta I&I foils bid to smuggle goods worth Rs5.22m

QUETTA: The Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation foiled a bid to smuggle non duty paid cosmetics, electronic goods worth Rs5.22 million during special checking. Sources told Customs Today that Director I&I Muhammad Akram Chaudhary received a tip-off that some smugglers are trying to smuggle non custom paid cosmetic items include lipsticks, dryer machines, shampoos, different kinds of facial mask other things out of Quetta.

torkham customs foils attempt to smuggle weapons into pakistan

Hyderabad I&I seizes NDP goods worth Rs7.24m during crackdown HYDERABAD

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PESHAWAR

IRFAN bAHADuR

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Customs Court seeks reply on bail petition filed by accused involved in betel nuts smuggling KARACHI

M.b RANA

www.customstoday.com he Customs Court issued notices to the special prosecutor for customs department and investigation officer on a bail petition filed by seven suspects, who were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid contraband betel nuts.

During the hearing on July 18, 2018, counsel for suspects namely Habid-ur-Rahman son of Haji Abdullah, Abdul Nafe son of Haji Abdul Ghaffar, Saqib Khan son of Anwar Khan, Ibrahim son of Saddique, Hamayun son of Alam Khan, Abdul Pukar son of Alif Khan and Najeebullah son of Boor Muhammad filed bail petition and argued that according to the prosecution, Pakistan Rangers deployed at Agra Taj Colony, Maripure, Road, Karachi intercepted three Suzuki pick-ups bearing registration number No AFR-2018, KT-3028 and KW-7518 and handed them over to customs officials who recovered total 5080 kg betel nuts from them.

He argued that betel nuts are importable and are available in open markets of Pakistan and value of the seized betel nuts has been shown exorbitantly high to show the false performance as Customs Collectorate Preventive has no power to determine the value of any item.

He further argued that perusal of FIR shows that prosecution invoked provision of Section 2 (s) Section 156 (8) & (89), which are not applicable in the instant case as betel nuts are not notified item and not included as an item in the notification of notified list issued under Section 2 (s) of the Customs Act, 1969.

He said that since betel nuts are not a notified item under section of 2 (S) of the Customs Act, 1969, this court has no jurisdiction to try the accused persons on the charges mentioned in the FIR. He submitted that accused are ready to furnish solvent surety to the satisfaction of this court and case against them requires further inquiry as contemplated in section 497 (1) Cr.CP. It needs to be mentioned that all accused are on physical remand. On last date of hearing, the court had sent them to customs department on physical remand and directed investigation officer to produce them on next date of hearing along with progress report.

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— Exclusive Customs Today photo

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he Customs staff deputed at Torkham border has thwarted an attempt of weapons smuggling from Afghanistan into Pakistan in a truck.

The sources informed Customs Today that a truck bearing no: nr/6785 carrying fresh vegetables was checked on arrival at Torkham Gate. Weapons including AK 47, pistols, short guns, repeater guns along other modern guns which ware hidden in the truck, which was caught by customs staff at Torkham Gate. The driver of the truck was also arrested.

The customs staff has also impounded the truck and registered FIR against the accused driver.

The weapons were hidden beneath shopper bags of vegetables which were to be imported from Afghanistan to Pakistan but timely action of customs staff helped save hundreds of lives which might be lost due to use of these weapons in terrorism. The deputy collector Torkham Customs station appraised that by strict action of Collector Customs Muhammad Saeed Jadoon, it has been become easier to trace the wrongdoers.

While the ofNicials in Customs House Peshawar conNirmed that weapons worth millions of are being seized at Torkham border annually.

The Customs staff performed duty at one of deadliest borders of the world where international wars had been fought. Due to war in Afghanistan, the border always remained hot spot for the smugglers

collector Saeed Jadoon

of weapons and terrorists to carry out activities in the region. Due to well-equipped customs staff at Torkham border, it has been never become easy for the smugglers to cross the border into Pakistan, the ofNicials afNirmed.

Meanwhile, Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation team foiled an attempt to smuggle narcotics through G.T. Road on 18.7.2018. A press release issued by the Directorate stated that Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation Dr. Arsalan Subectageen received credible information that huge quantity of foreign origin

irectorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation seized non duty paid black tea and different kinds of juices worth Rs7.24 million included vehicle being used for smuggling.

Sources told Customs Today, that information was received through Director Fayyaz Anwar that a small truck along with different type of non-duty paid juices and black tea from Kalat to Hyderabad Bypass , Accordingly, customs I&I team established a check post near highway and intercepted a vehicle being registration no: BN-978.

During checking assorted various type of non-duty paid different kinds of Iranian juices, and 30 bundles of black tea found in the truck.

Sources told that owners of these goods failed to produce any documentary evidence of legal import/possession of the goods.

Thus, it stands established that the goods were brought into the country through unauthorized routes without payment of duty and taxes.

The goods have been seized while the worth of truck which was being used in smuggling amounting to Rs.7.24 million. Source said team are investigating this case, after investigate FIR will be submit against smugglers.

It is necessary to mention here that Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation expedited its efforts to curb smuggling attempts in the region.

narcotics would be smuggle to Punjab through a vehicle via G.T.Road.

In anticipation, the Customs I&I team established a check-post near Rashakai Interchange district Nowshera to intercept the smuggled narcotics. During checking of vehicle a suspected Suzuki Pickup bearing registration no: LES-9205 was seen coming from Peshawar side. It was signaled to stop. The vehicle was searched on spot and found contraband (heroin powder, charas and opium) tactfully concealed in CNG Tank of the Pickup, while two persons was arrested on the spot.

collector Jamil Nasir inaugurates customs Day care centre at NLc Dry port C

LAHORE

M HAYAt

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ollector Collectorate of Customs Appraisement Mohammad Jamil Nasir Khan inaugurated the Customs Day Care Centre at National Logistics Cell Dry Port, Lahore.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion Collector Jamil Nasir said that welfare of staff is an important component of organizational development. He said that it gives genuine strength to the organization by creating an atmosphere of trust, cooperation and coordination

and provides internal motivation to the workforce. He said that Collectorate of Customs Appraisement Lahore takes another leap forward in this direction to establish Customs Day Care Center at NLC Dry Port, Lahore. It is necessary to mention here that this day care centre, one of the few Day Care Centres in public sector ofNice and Nirst ever in any customs ofNice, can house 30 to 40 kids providing them best facilities, care and homely environment. Ministry of Women Development Punjab provided support for its initial set-up and would extend cooperation in its maintenance, upkeep and future operations.

www.customstoday.com JULY 24 - JULY 30, 2018

ADVERTISEMENT 05

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SPECIALREPORT

— Exclusive Customs Today photo

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SPECIALREPORT 07

JULY 24 - JULY 30, 2018

LAHORE

SAJID NAwAZ

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ederal Board Revenue (FBR) Chairperson Rukhsana Yasmin lamented on Monday that tax amnesty scheme is not producing appreciable results in Punjab.

“All the people who belong from Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Bahawalpur and Sargodha must avail the tax amnesty scheme to legalize hidden assets within or outside the country,” said Rukhsana Yasmeen while addressing the chartered accountants in Corporate Regional Tax OfNice (CRTO) Lahore.

President Lahore Tax Bar Association, President Sheikhupura Tax Bar Association, General Secretary Pakistan Tax Bar Association as well as senior ofNicers of Corporate Regional Tax OfNice, Regional Tax OfNice-II, Lahore and Large Taxpayers Unit, Lahore were also present during the meeting.

The meeting was focused on the Tax Amnesty Scheme 2018 and its different dimensions. A review of response of business community of Pakistan in general and province of Punjab in particular was shared with the ofNicers.

The FBR chairperson highlighted that population of the country is increasing day by day so expenses are also rising due to this reason. Tax loss cannot be afforded by the government so if anybody buys a home worth millions of rupees and he/she avoids to

pay a single penny in tax that is not possible and not go for long run.

She said that there is lot of potential in major cities of Punjab to avail tax amnesty scheme but she doesn’t know that what is the reason that people are not showing interest in the scheme, besides tax amnesty scheme is most beneNicial for capitalists and citizens of Pakistan. “The sum of whole Punjab’s revenue, in accordance with tax amnesty scheme, is equivalent to Karachi’s,” she remarked.

The chairperson also held the board ofNicials responsible for the failure of the tax amnesty scheme, saying a list of top 4,000 tax evaders has already been submitted to the Supreme Court and FIA which can initiate action against them anytime.

“A massive crackdown operation will be initiated against tax evaders after the amnesty scheme will end and no one will be spared,” she said.

She said there is no further extension to the amnesty scheme suggesting tax evaders and those who have not yet declared their all assets to avail the opportunity to whiten their money.

The FBR has so far collected Rs97 billion from 53,000 people under the amnesty scheme. However, response to extension to amnesty scheme on the demand of FBR ofNicials has not been positive. She said the FBR had received almost 4,000 calls about the amnesty scheme and 53,000 people availed it before June 30 but after the extension only 2,000 people applied to it.

She reprimanded the FBR ofNicials for poor results and commented that

the ofNicers were not going into the Nield to sensitize the public about the advantages and beneNits of it.

She said there was no positive response after the extension to the scheme despite the FBR had addressed

There is no further extension to amnesty scheme suggesting tax evaders and those who have not yet declared their all assets to avail the opportunity to whiten their money

all the issues relating to the system, dollar exchange rates etc. She said the total revenue collections from Punjab matched the half of the revenue collected from Karachi under the scheme.

Rukhsana Yasmeen disclosed that now the FBR have Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) data and complete information about the particulars of Pakistani nationals who have undeclared properties in the UK, Dubai and other countries.

Besides, the FBR is also in possession of quantum of rental income earned from them. She believed that the amnesty scheme was the best in the history but the response was not encouraging.

She said the world is changing now and Pakistan could not move forward without changing its approach and methods. She said imports were growing and exports declining and in such a situation the system could not sustain as country needs dollars for trade. She said exchange of Ninancial information with other countries will increase pressure on Pakistan and the country needs to take action against tax evaders and undeclared money holders.

In the seminar, member information technology (IT) of FBR Khawaja Adnan Zaheer stated that there is no chance in the extension of date in tax amnesty scheme so most of Pakistanis must avail this compatible scheme to legalize their hidden assets.

Chief Commissioner Corporate Regional Tax ofNice (CRTO) Syed Nadeem Hussain Rizvi and chief commissioner RTO-II Lahore Asim Majid Khan also participated in the seminar.

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08 EDITORIAL

JULY 24 - JULY 30, 2018

Founder & Chairman Zulfiqar Ali Editor Rahil Yasin 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

Need to arrestfalling exports

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Pakistan's trade deficit has surged to alltime high $37.67 billion during previous fiscal year (FY2017-18) as imports increased faster than exports.

The overall textile exports continue to present a dismal look in the middle of the current fiscal year. As the import bills are increasing, the trade deficit has swollen to $37.67 billion, creating an alarming situation for the government to streamline its accounts. The country’s trade deficit has gone up by 15.95 percent in one year. The government is paying full attention to enhance revenue collections without giving any incentive to the production sector. The cost of doing business could not be brought down to a satisfactory level, energy crisis still persists and a new industrial policy is nowhere in sight.

The previous government could not prove its mettle. In the absence of a strong trade and investment policy, the ratio of foreign direct investment has fallen to a dangerous level and the hostile countries on east and west sides are taking all possible steps to malign Pakistan. The policymakers will have to revise and revisit their policies to ascertain the causes of falling exports.

The officials are not tired of making tall claims and thumping their chests on the reports issued by foreign donor agencies. According to experts, foreign financial institutions should not trust on the whole as they have to sell their money at expensive markup rates. The first thing is that, we have to keep our own house in order. The industrial sector is under performing, the Pakistani commercial attaches are allegedly involved in dereliction of duties and the previous government had failed to promote soft image of the country. A combination of negative factors is drastically affecting the national economy.

The APTMA correctly pointed out some pressing issues which needed to be carefully listened to and addressed. The government should learn to watch the economy through the eyes of the businessmen and not through eyes of the officials who are on its payroll. The Chinese investment is pouring in and it is time the government should wake up and persuade the investors from other countries to tap business and industrial opportunities in Pakistan. It is never too late to step in the right direction.

Need to salvage textile sector B

LAHORE

cuStoMS toDAY RepoRt www.customstoday.com

angladesh has emerged as third in the world in terms of garment industry and ironically it is not a cotton producing country. On another note, Pakistan is one of the best cotton producing countries in the world, but its textile exports have been declining for the last couple of years despite having GSP plus status from the European Union.

According to the chairman of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, over hundred textile mills have been closed down due to high cost of doing business in the country. The high cost of electricity, gas and disproportional tax rates have adversely affected the industry leading to the closure of textile units in several parts of the coun-

try. The ministry of textile, the ministry of trade and commerce and the ministry of finance are there with thousands of government officials drawing hefty salaries and perks at the cost of business community, but they are unable to find a way out.

The export of cotton yarn has dropped by 45 percent and cotton fabric by 22 percent as compared to the corresponding period last year, showing an overall decline of 15 percent in terms of their value.

The garment sector could not fully exploit the GSP plus status it enjoys in the European market due to difficulties facing the textile sector at home. The spinning and weaving sectors, which are the centre of the textile value chain, are losing the viability due to the rising cost of production.

The situation in Punjab is even worse as textile units are at the

There is a need to salvage this sector, which is the backbone of the country’s economy, by introducing tariff and non-tariff measures

verge of closure due to unavailability of gas in severe winter season.

There is a need to salvage this sector, which is the backbone of the country’s economy, by introducing tariff and non-tariff measures as well as a support package.

It is an era of competition and Pakistani business community must diversify their products to capture the world market and compete with regional countries which export similar products. Though the cost of production is high in Pakistan as compared to other countries in the region, but the entrepreneurs have to find a way out. The business communities in other countries, which are carrying the burden of colonial past, one way or the other, have been facing the similar situation as in Pakistan. However, the government cannot be absolved from its responsibilities and it must look into the matter.

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NATIONAL 09

JULY 24 - JULY 30, 2018

customs sets up special counters at airport to facilitate Hajj pilgrims

LAHORE: With the aim to facilitate Hajj pilgrims, Customs Preventive has established counters for speedy clearance of the pilgrims at Allama Iqbal International Airport. A first private Hajj flight carrying 161 pilgrims departed for Medina Munawwarah from the airport. Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs Khalid Masood Chaudhry and Lahore Hajj Director Saeed Ahmad Malik saw off the pilgrims while senior customs officers were also present during first flight operation.

Customs PCA detects Rs11 million tax evasion by M/s Junaid GhafforTraders

Member FAte Lubna briefs Sialkot traders about tax amnesty scheme

KARACHI

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he Directorate of Customs Post Clearance Audit onThursday detected duties and tax evasion of Rs 11 million by M/s Junaid GhafforTraders, Karachi.

Sources told CustomsToday that M/s Junaid GhafforTraders, Karachi imported a consignment of steel scrape and steel sheets (different sizes) and got it cleared from the QICT Karachi vide GD on January 17, 2018 by paying customs duty low at 9 percent after claiming the benefit of the SRO 551/2007.

However, the subject items were correctly classifiable under the PCT 2547.2507 attracting customs duty at 12 percent and income tax at 8 percent, thus, by way of misdeclaration of classification, the company evaded/short-paid Rs11 million.The goods were cleared by Examiner Shoaib Khan.

Sources said that the importer violated the provisions of Section 58 (3A) of the Customs Act-1969, Section 28 read with Section 23 of the Sales Tax Act-1990 and Section 89 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 punishable under clauses (27) of Section 21(3) of the Customs Act-1969, Section 17 of the Sales Tax Act-1990 and Section 08 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and Section 7-B of the Sales Tax Act-1990 read with chapter X of the Sales Tax Special Procedure Rules 2007 (Special procedures for payment of sales tax by the importers) and under relevant provisions of Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

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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

SIALKOT

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ember Facilitation and Taxpayer Education (FATE) Lubna Farrukh Mirza has briefed Sialkot business community on the salient features of the Tax Amnesty Scheme 2018 the other day.

The FATE Member visited Sialkot to hold a meeting with the

ofNice-bearers and representatives of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry and members of Tax Bar Associations from Sialkot and Gujrat. Addressing a large gathering of businessmen, traders and tax lawyers, she said the government had launched the Tax Amnesty to allow those holding undeclared properties and assets both in Pakistan and abroad to disclose them by paying nominal tax and become part of the tax system.

She welcomed the response shown by the people to the scheme and hoped people still not able to

— Exclusive Customs Today photo

make up their mind about this scheme would also understand the advantages and beneNits of availing of this amnesty.

She said under the scheme the people holding undeclared and undisclosed income and assets could pay 2% tax on declaration and repatriation of foreign assets, 3 % on declaration of immovable foreign assets and 5 % on declaration and non-repatriation of assets under the Foreign Assets (Declaration & Repatriation) Act, 2018 and Voluntary Declaration of Domestic Assets Act 2018 duly approved by the

Parliament. Lubna Farrukh Mirza ruled out any extension in the deadline of Tax Amnesty beyond 31st July 2018 and advised the people to make use of the amnesty in their own interest to declare their undisclosed assets as after the expiry of amnesty, they could face detection under the new international regime for exchange of information, taxation at normal rates on declared foreign assets and income without any time limitation as well as penalty and prosecution in addition to tax on their undeclared assets and income.

ICCI shows concerns over record rupee devaluation To,

Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Caretaker Federal Finance Minister, Islamabad Madam!

This is to bring in your notice that ofNice-bears of ICCI have expressed great concerns over the record devaluation of rupee that has tumbled to over Rs129 against a dollar in the interbank rate and called upon the caretaker government to take urgent measures to stabilize the local currency as falling value of rupee would further enhance the cost of doing business and adversely impact industry and exports.

Madam, local industry is using most of the imported raw materials for manufacturing of various products and the rupee devalua-

tion would cause manifold increase in the input cost and make our products highly uncompetitive in the international market leading to further decline in exports.

Recently, the rupee has fallen around 20 percent over the last eight months and the latest devaluation would prove extremely disastrous for the common man as it would unleash a new wave of inflation in the country.

The depreciation of rupee would make electricity very costly as Pakistan is generating most of the energy through thermal fuel leading to enhanced manufacturing cost.

Madam, the devaluation of rupee would also cause manifold increase in the foreign debt of the country as fall of one rupee against dollar translated into hike of Rs60 billion in foreign debt.

Falling value of rupee would also

sector as businessmen needed a stable currency for sustainable business planning.

While under the present situation, industry has only two options i.e. either to close down production units or increase price of its products and become uncompetitive in the world market.

In order to overcome the current weak situation of the economy, the government should urgently start the process of consultation with all stakeholders including the private sector to develop a consensus roadmap for economic recovery and avoid resorting to massive devaluation of rupee.

Best Regards,

upset the business plans and future projections of the private

Sheikh Amir Waheed President ICCI Islamabad

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10 NATIONAL

JULY 24 - JULY 30, 2018

Sargodha FIu impounds non duty paid Hino truck

SARGODHA: The Field Intelligence Unit (FIU) impounded a non-duty paid Hino truck bearing registration no: OKS-16-62 (6 wheelers) Model 1997 worth Rs5 million involving customs duty and taxes of Rs2.4 million. that Deputy Director Irfan Shouqat received a tip off about a non-duty paid vehicle plying on the road. He constituted a team comprising Superintendent Muhammad Tahir Intelligence Officers Mansoor Nasir, Saad Iqbal, Driver Muhammad Aslam, Sepoys Muhammad Ashraf, Asad Iqbal, Khalil Ahmed and others.

pakistanis must take advantage of tax Amnesty Scheme: ghulam Mustafa Hassan ISLAMABAD

MuHAMMAD FAIZAN www.customstoday.com

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hief Commissioner Large Taxpayer Unit FBR Ghulam Mustafa Hassan has said that present amnesty scheme is the most successful scheme in the history of Federal Board of Revenue.

He said no imposition of penalty and prosecution would be made under any law in future against amnesty scheme holders, therefore, it is golden opportunity and Pakistanis must take the advantages and beneNits of the scheme.

He stated this during a seminar on amnesty scheme held at LTU building Islamabad. Commissioner Zone-I ZulNiqar Ahmed, Commissioner Zone-II Ahmed Shuja, Commissioner Zone-III Naseer Butt and Additional Commissioner Ali Adnan also participated in the seminar and answered the questions of the participants.

A large number of ofNice-bearers of chamber of commerce and trade bodies along with taxpayers attended the seminar. Participants recommended that date of amnesty scheme should be extended up to last date of tax returns Niling.

Large Taxpayers Unit team briefed the participants about tax amnesty 2018 and relating laws. They also explained that who may avail the amnesty scheme, what can be declared, tax payment procedure and beneNits to declarant.

Chief commissioner said the

persons already registered they don’t need new registration and in new registration, there will be one-time registration for Nilling of tax amnesty declaration only.

He said holder of public ofNice, their spouse and dependent children cannot avail this amnesty.

In case of foreign assets individual and Pakistani citizens may avail the amnesty but association of persons and companies cannot avail this scheme.

In case of local assets along with individual and Pakistani citizen, association of persons and companies can also avail the amnesty. He said under this scheme Pakistanis can be declared undisclosed local income, local assets and all the foreign assets excepts the assets with respect to whom proceedings are pending in any court of law.

He briefed that under amnesty

scheme, voluntary declaration of domestic assets Act,2018 and voluntary disclosure of domestic assets (Amendment ordinance, 2018), foreign assets (declara-

tion and repatriation) Act, 2018 and foreign assets declaration and Repatriation (Amendment) Ordinance,2018, laws are applicable. Participants suggested that

— Exclusive Customs Today photo

those Pakistanis declaring their assets under this scheme are not made by illegal or black money therefore it should be called undeclared assets.

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ISLAMABAD

tARIQ DeRYA

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eputy Collector Wajid Zaman said that imports at Islamabad Dry Port are being affected massively due to increase in price of dollar whereas this deficiency will create opportunities for local manufactures and will help them maintain balance between imports and exports.

Deputy Collector Wajid Zaman while exclusively talking to Customs Today said that due to hike in price of dollar, the imports at IDP are affected a lot which may cause revenue shortfall under head of customs duty (CD) as

well as sales tax (ST) against assigned revenue target while revenue targets have not yet been assigned to IDP for Fiscal Year 2018-19.

Answering to a query, he said that imposition of regulatory duty (RD) on imports was another initiative of the government to discourage the imports.

He added that IDP also requested Pakistan Railways (PR) to provide proper concrete floor at the examination area, installation of razor wire on height of the walls at East and South sides of dry port and change of outdated machinery (cranes and lifters) on urgent basis. The deputy collector of IDP showed his dissatisfaction on infrastruc-

— Exclusive Customs Today photo

Sudden hike in dollar affecting imports & exports: DC Wajid Zaman

Dc wajid Zaman

ture provided by PR regarding solving issues of IDP. He said that cranes are already outdated and that could cause sever accident because current available cranes cannot cater for high loads of containerized cargo. “The machinery at dry port is old which cannot cater for increase load of containerized cargo, we required modern and state of the art crane/lifters for movement, loading and stacking of containers,” he added. Telling legality, he pointed out that as per section 14A of the Customs Act of 1969 and elaborated under Customs Rules 2001 (SRO 450(1)2001 chapter XXI, sub-chapter XIV responsibility of terminal operators under CCS, it is responsibil-

ity of concerned agency or department which is managing or owning the customs port to provide adequate accommodation at its own cost to customs staff, examination of goods, detention and storage of goods, security of premises and other departmental requirements to be determined by Collector of Customs and the said agency or department shall also pay the utility bills of the premises.

“We are urgently in need of more Nloodlights at the dry port particularly at the examination area,” he said, adding that IDP critically needed proper concrete Nloor at the examination area to carry out examination in all weather conditions including raining seasons.

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CARTOONSSPECIAL 11

JULY 24 - JULY 30, 2018

Fto seeks remarks on appeal filed by M/s Noor bhatti

LAHORE: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Advisor Mian Munawar Ghafoor on Wednesday sought comments from the Regional Tax Office (RTO-II) Lahore on implementation tax refund appeal filed by proprietors of M/s Noor Muhammad Bhatti. During the proceedings of the case, the counsel for the appellant argued that the RTOII had failed to release the sales tax refund to the appellant since the last two years. He said the RTO-II collected excessive taxes from the company during the last two years.

Hyderabad I&I seizes non-duty paid cctV cameras & wire rolls worth Rs8.58 million HUDERABAD

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ustoms Intelligence & Investigation seized nonduty paid CCTV cameras and wire roles worth Rs8.58 million including a truck, which was being used in smuggling.

Sources told Customs Today on Wednesday that information was received through Director General that a truck loaded with non-duty paid CCTV cameras & its accessories was heading towards Hyderabad to its way to Karachi. The I&I team spotted a truck registration no, HGV-7852 near Pakka Qilla.

The vehicle was stopped and on checking seized assorted nonduty paid CCTV cameras & its accessories, different kinds of wire role along with food items from the truck. The driver of the vehicle presented goods declaration (GD), which did not match with goods. The claimants of the goods failed to produce any documentary evidence of legal import/possession of the goods.

Thus, it stands established that the goods were brought into the country through unauthorized routes without payment of duty

and taxes. The goods have been seized along with truck used in smuggling worth Rs2.8 million.

Total worth of items is Rs8.58

million. Source said Customs Intelligence & Investigation Hyderabad is starting a grand operation against illegal petrol pump

Rs1.50 billion under Tax Amnesty Scheme collected in Multan

owners and Iranian diesel in the month of August, source said, adding that three teams will conduct raids in different areas.

Faisalabad I&I seizes non duty paid cloth, tyres worth Rs 1.7 million FAISALABAD

NAeeM SHeIKH

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MULTAN

IMRAN ALI KHAN

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Regional Tax OfNice collected Rs.1.50 billion under the Tax Amnesty Scheme.

Tax amnesty Scheme is receiving good response from people and large number of people through nationwide including Multan and Sahiwal has declared their assets un-

der this Scheme. The Federal Board of Revenue managed to collect Rs1.50 million taxes under the money whitening scheme in the Regional Tax OfNice due to meticulous efforts in the jurisdiction.

It is necessary to mention here that tax amnesty scheme was introduced to expand tax base of the country and Federal Board of Revenue is running large scale awareness campaign in this regard by organizing different seminars in business community after its launch-

ing. The Federal Board of Revenue has established special facilitation desk in the Regional Tax OfNice to facilitate individuals through tax amnesty scheme who assist general public. Tax authorities also organized seminars for the public awareness about tax amnesty scheme. Exactly 1548 people have availed the tax amnesty scheme announced by the federal government so far in Multan and deposited almost Rs.1.50 billion million with the regional tax ofNice Multan.

he Customs Intelligence and Investigation confiscated foreign origin sofa curtain cloth and old used tyres worth Rs1.7 million involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs900000 million.

Sources told Customs Today that following the instructions of Director Customs Intelligence Rubab Sikandir the Field Investigation Unit (FIU) intercepted a truck coming from Quetta and recovered curtain sofa cloth 1645 kilogram and used dierent brand size tyres. The Faisalabad intelligence team comprising Superintendent Muhammad Tahir Iqbal, Intelligence OďŹƒcer Mansoor Nasir, Irshad Ali also Sepoys Ajmal Hussain and Muhammad Musaddiq Ahmad asked the driver to produce the documents regarding the legal import of the items.

But the driver failed to produce any such documents after which the customs team impounded the tyres and cloth under the prevailing customs laws and registered a case against Qasim Hussain.

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12

JULY 24 - JULY 30, 2018

customs court seeks comments on petition filed by M/s Minhas construction

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to file their para-wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Minhas Construction seeking release of imported used asphalt power machine Voglee Super seized by customs officials due to alleged violation of import policy. A two-member bench, headed

by Justice Abdul Rasool Memon, heard the matter on July 17, 2018. After hearing, the court directed customs officials to consider request of the petitioner for release of its vehicle.

Pak rupee may tumble to 153 vs USD due to $9b bleeding in customs green channel ISLAMABAD

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he Pak rupee could touch the lowest value of 153 against dollar in the medium term due to illegal transfers up to $9 billion to other countries against payments for millions of containers which cleared misusing the customs green channel.

Sources claimed that the rupee will keep plunging till end of August 2018. Some minor reversal adjustments may happen in between in short spans of few days.

Sources further revealed that this trend shows that it has started from 107 and touched 129 mark in a short period of few months and the same technical trend shows it could even touch the lowest mark of 153 vs US dollar in medium term.

Only July 16, the rupee plunged to a record low of Rs129 against the dollar in the inter-bank, due to Rs 1000 billion losses of green channel illegal clearances at Karachi ports which caused burgeoning trade and current account deficit alongside deteriorating foreign currency reserves.

Foreign exchange flight continued through illegal channels for smuggling banned goods into the country even after taking of notice by the Chief Justice Saqib Nisar against green channel misuse.

According to latest reports, the rupee closed at 128 against the greenback in the inter-bank market on July 16 while it closed at 121.55 against dollar on July 13.

This was the fourth round of devaluation since December 2017

when the currency was hovering around Rs105.5 to the dollar. Cumulatively, the rupee has lost over 21% against the greenback.

Pakistan’s current account deficit ballooned to $16 billion during the first 11 months (JulyMay) of the just concluded FY18.

During FY18, rupee had been devalued three times against the dollar to rein in decline of foreign exchange reserves.

It is worthy to mention here that the Chief Justice recently took notice of the customs green channel illegal clearances and the court associate sent a letter to the Chairman NAB for necessary action. Mobiles, elec-

Foreign exchange flight continues through illegal channels for smuggling banned goods into the country tronics, liquor, cigarettes, betel nuts, explosive chemicals, etc continue to pour into the country through green channel. FBR has also admitted that 10 million containers have been cleared in Green Channel without

any examination. In fact, not even scanning of these containers is done by customs. Sources said this led to foreign reserves shortage as FBR allows our nation to bleed out approximately USD 9 billion in lieu of payments abroad for the contraband or high value goods illegally cleared under the garb of lower valued goods in green channel. Green channel operators used to transfer billions of dollars to other countries through illegal means. Customs collected approximately Rs 610 billion, but it lost Rs 1000 billion due to green channel misuse. The USD 9 billion loss through customs green channel

mega scam could be added to country’s reserves if action is taken against corrupt officials of customs & FBR. Sources said, “RamiNications on the economy would be higher prices mainly of petrol, vehicles and steel items (of which imports make the major component), increase in prices will have an inNlationary impact across all sectors and will also limit consumption.”

The nation hopes that the Chief Justice of Pakistan would take urgent action on customs green channel illegal clearances so as to halt the $9 billion bleeding of the foreign exchange and avoid Pak rupee from further plunge.

Sc urged to take action against green channel suspects S

MULTAN

IMRAN ALI KHAN

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upreme Court of Pakistan must take strict action against accused who are involved in the alleged smuggling of drugs through misusing green channel facility to prevent society from drug addiction. These views were expressed by Doctors Front Multan President Dr Mehnaz Khakwani in her exclusive interview with Customs Today on other day.

She expressed that Pakistan is considered a home for the use of drugs; however, majority of drugs are cleared through different shipment from green channel. She said that customs introduced green channel facility for the genuine im-

porters for the smooth clearance of their shipments but few criminal gangs have allegedly misused green facility for smuggling of contraband items in the country.

Pakistan is considered as one of the biggest market for drug smugglers and dealers in the world. It is very unfortunate that smugglers get cleared import shipments of banned medicine and drugs in the country without taking any approval from Ministry of Health.

She highlighted that drug trafNicking is a serious offense around the world and exemplary punishments should be awarded to those who are involved in this crime but these drugs are sold to underage people which devastate future of youth and it also required huge Ninancial budget for the reha-

bilitation of drug addict.

Consumption of illegal drugs is widespread global phenomena and remains very difNicult for law enforcement agencies to thwart but smugglers are allegedly cleared through green channel due to involvement of few dishonest Customs ofNicials for the sake of kickback.

Smuggled drugs are sold in the market openly due to weak enforcement. Smugglers were found misusing the green channel facility and got cleared consignments through green channel under the garb of machinery scraps and other items. Pakistan is one of those countries where drug addiction reached to alarming situation due to easy clearance through green channel facility.

Mehnaz Khakwani expressed

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).

concerns on rampant increase in smuggling of drugs in the country. She said that about 45 percent of total imports into the country are cleared through green channel that implies clearance without examination and assessment. The government should introduce re-profiling of the green channel importers to prevent misuse of green channel facility. She recommended that Federal Board of Revenue to review the database of importers availing green channel facility for the goods clearance to prevent its misuse. Dr. Mehnaz Khakwani demanded Supreme Court of Pakistan to take strict action against those who are allegedly involved in the clearance of drugs through green channel facility.