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PAKISTAN’S FIRST INDEPTH NEWSPAPER ON CUSTOMS
26 ABC Certified Vol 75 Issue No. 10
Karachi, Tue Oct 30 - Mon Nov 05, 2018
Weekly Weekly
Regd. No, MC-1381
REVIEWING PENDING CASES
FBR Chairman Jahanzeb Khan takes notice of tax-related issues pending within departments. | SEE PAGE 03 | DETECTING TAX EVASION
Customs Intelligence seizes smuggled goods worth Rs189 million from Karachi Export Processing Zone. | SEE PAGE 02 | ISSUING ONO
Collector Adjudication Sadiqullah issues ONO to confiscate tempered vehicle due to violation of Customs Act 1969. | SEE PAGE 09 | SEIZING BETEL NUTS
HyderabadASOteam,following instructionsofCollectorKhalid HussainJamali,recoveredhuge quantityofsmuggledbetelnuts. | SEE PAGE 04 |
KARACHI
ASAD KHARAL
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ore than 30 media houses including TV channels and newspapers, a large number of chambers of commerce and leading businessmen have raised the issue of blackmailing and threatening by the shipping line Maersk and its subsidiary M/s Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd and demanding heavy amounts of illegal demurrage and detention charges from genuine importers. After the media and chambers expressed their concern on sheer violation of rules and regulations by the shipping line, Maersk started threatening media through unscrupulous persons and letters written by unknown persons, without signatures and proper designations but put on Maersk letter
heads, to hush up the Rs 15 billion demurrage and detention scam. Maersk Line has used this tactic to spread panic among the journalists. Media persons are feeling unsafe from such threats of civil and criminal proceedings or defamation claims of billions by Maersk Line and have decided to approach journalists’ organisations to raise the issue. They would also approach the local police stations for lodging FIRs against the ofRicials of Maersk and also to get security for themselves. It is unfortunate that Pakistan has been ranked 139th out of 180 countries in the 2017 World Press Freedom Index maintained by the Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The govt wanted to introduce ‘Whistleblower Act’ to eradicate corruption from all departments but if journalists are threatened and not allowed to work freely then how could they expose such corruption by bigwigs including shipping line Maersk.
Journalists like Asad Kharal have been exposing the mega scam of Maersk since last few months. He has already been attacked immediately after exposing the Rs 1,000 billion customs green channel scam but he remained unmoved. Asad Kharal has been active in unveiling many mega scams and corruption cases where big and powerful individuals, bureaucrats and political personalities are hooked. He repeatedly published full page appeals to the Chief Justice of Pakistan in Customs Today newspaper on the Rs. 1,000 billion mega scam of green channel. Big names like Mobilink and QMobile were reported to be involved in the mega scam. On 1 June 2018, he appeared at the Supreme Court and Riled complaint along with the copies of the appeals. Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar took notice of the complaints and called for reports from relevant quarters within 10 days. Continued on page 06
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NATIONAL
OCTOBER 30 - NOvEMBER 05, 2018
SHC seeks reply on petition filed by M/s Raz Textile
KARACHI: The SHC issued notices to the customs department and deputy attorney general and directed them to file their para-wise comments on a petition filed by Khursheed Alam, proprietor of M/s Raz Textile seeking release order for its consignment of textile products lying at Port Qasim detained by customs officials. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated in its petition that the petitioner is running a manufacturing unit under the name of M/s Raz Textile and principal activity carried out is of manufacturing/shinning, weaving and finishing of textile etc.
Collector Jamil Nasir transfers three customs superintendents LAHORE
M HAYAT
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CustomsI&IseizesRs189msmuggled goodsfromKarachiExportProcessingZone ISLAMABAD
MUHAMMAD FAIZAN www.customstoday.com
ollectorate of Customs Appraisement Collector Jamil Nasir Khan issued a notification to transfer three superintendents with immediate effect and until further orders. According to notification Superintendent Muhammad Nasir Minhas, currently performing his duties at Land Freight Unit (LFU) Wagha and Railway Station T-10, transferred to Customs Investigation Prosecution (I&P) branch. Superintendent Mazhar Abbas Shah, currently posted at Customs (Traffic) Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIP), transferred to Land Freight UnitWagha and Railway StationT-10, while Superintendent Arshad Mehmood transferred from Air Freight Unit of Allama Iqbal International Airport to Airport (Traffic) branch.
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ADC Asma declares seizure of NDP vehicle legal FAISALABAD
NAEEM SHEIKH
www.customstoday.com dditional Collector Customs Adjudication Asma Hameed decided a case of non-duty paid Toyota Corolla car and issued Order in Original (ONO) No 97/2018 in favor of Sargodha Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO). Sources told Customs Today that Sargodha ASO during routine checking impounded a Toyota Corolla car bearing registration no HD 734 and asked owner Muhammad Haider Ali to produce documents showing the legal import of the vehicle but he remained failed. After his failure ASO team impounded the smuggled vehicle under Section 16 and 18 of the Customs Act 1969. Later the case was forwarded to the adjudication department. The Customs ASO impounded the vehicle and sent its chassis for forensic test to Islamabad Laboratory. The report of forensic lab revealed that the number was bogus and not original. The report also clarified that present chassis number is not original so the case was sent for adjudication for further proceeding.
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goods resulted into the recovery of standard/new reels of offset paper, carbonless paper and craft (bleach) paper instead of the aforesaid declaration. Preliminary investigations revealed that the Rifth truck carrying the remaining goods was off loaded at a private godown situated at Plot No.25-A, Bhutto Nagar, Landhi Industrial Area, Karachi. Accordingly, the godown was searched in terms of Section 162 of the Customs Act, 1969, which led to the recovery of huge quantities of various standard/new/prime quality products/items (such as multiple types coated and uncoated paper,
DG I&I Shaukat Ali
BOPP and PVC Rilm, plastic moulding compound, diapers etc). Resultantly, Customs Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, the importer and the godown owner were asked to provide copies of all GDs Riled for import of goods from KEPZ to tariff area as well as evidence of their entry into the godown. Furthermore, KEPZ Authority was requested to provide import/ export record/ proRile of M/s. United International Industries (exporter of goods in KEPZ) and the list of machinery installed in the unit. All the letters and subsequent reminders remained largely un-re-
WCO hands over new software to curb money laundering: NIIA ADC A
ISLAMABAD
TARIQ DERYA
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dditional Collector New Islamabad International Airport (NIIA) Nisar Phularwal said that World Customs Organization (WCO) handed over new software Advance Passenger Manifest (APM) to control the money laundering to Collectorate of Customs. Additional Collector Nisar said that World Customs Organization (WCO) provided a software named APM which will installed on first stage in airlines i.e. Emirates Airline and Pakistan International Airline (PIA), telling the details of functionality of the software, he told that the software will share data with the customs department and other Law Enforcement
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
Collector Jamil Nasir
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
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uring a successful operation, Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) seized smuggled goods worth Rs189 million from Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ). According to details, Director General Shaukat Ali had received information to the effect that standard/prime quality paper products were being smuggled from Karachi Export Processing Zone to tariff area under the garb of “ recovered and upgraded items from waste/scrap”. On tip-off, Customs Intelligence intercepted four trucks bearing registration no: LS-3273, JT-0898, K-2169 and JU-2980, loaded with 22 reels of various types of paper, near Mehran Highway. The goods were being imported into the tariff area by M/s. IAS Trading, Karachi (NTN No. 02-01-1338800) from M/s. United International Industries, KEPZ, vide GD No. KEPI-HC1607, under the vague description of “recovered, upgraded color paper/sheets in various cut to sizes imported from rejects/waste/stock lot material”. The staff of Customs Exports (Port Qasim) had conRirmed the above-reproduced declaration during examination and had Rinalized the assessment under single value of $ 0.410/kg – total being US$ 19,800/-. The Rifth truck mentioned on the GD could not be intercepted along with the other four on the night of same day, despite hectic efforts. Detailed examination of the
AC Nisar Phularwal
Agencies (LEAs) at the time when passenger will obtain the ticket of these airlines. He said that during the first phase, the software will be installed in PIA and Emirates Airlines booking offices, while all the airlines will be covered under AMP software in 2nd phase, the software will be operational from 15th November 2018 at Karachi and Islamabad Airports. He added that after getting useful information via AMP software the Customs and LEAs will be able to evaluate regarding suspicious passenger and khapias (professional money launderer) and so they can make appropriate action against them timely, he further told that airport authorities have been provided a separate room at NIIA to install the APM software.
sponded except one reply received from M/s. IAS Trading, Karachi (importer in tariff area) where under copies of random eighty four (84) GDs Riled during the period 2013-18 in relation to the recovered goods were provided. However, the above-mentioned eighty four (84) GDs were found irrelevant when compared with the recovered goods. Cumulative value of the seized goods works out to Rs189.72 million. FIR of the case has been lodged and further investigations are in progress including ascertainment of the role of customs staff involved in the clearance of these goods.
FBR for declaring Aza Khel Dry Port as customs station he FBR has issued directives for declaring Aza Khel Dry Port as Customs Station. Sources said that the early completion of Aza Khel Dry Port by Pakistan Railways can be utilized by the trading communities of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The step can help re-shifting of the 70% Afghan transit trade to Pakistani sea ports and business of over 10,000 persons linked with the transit trade. “For increasing the trade volume including bilateral trade relations requiring paradigm shift in the foreign and trade policies of the country,” sources said, adding that both countries are anxious to increase the volume of their bilateral trade to US$5 billion. —CT Report
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NATIONAL 03
OCTOBER 30 - NOvEMBER 05, 2018
Customs Court sends suspected betel nuts smugglers to jail
KARACHI: The Customs Court sent suspects namely Baz Muhammad son of Malik Abdul Qayyum and Abdul Jabbar son of Muhammad Yousaf to jail on judicial remand who were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid betel nuts and other contraband goods. Investigation officer produced them before the court and informed that on credible information, a team of Pakistan Coast Guards intercepted a Hino truck bearing registration number TKG-250 and suspect Baz Muhammad said that he is driver of the said truck and coming from Quetta having legal goods.
Peshawar I&I impounds three trucks loaded with Afghani apples worth Rs11.5m
FBR Chairman to conduct weekly meeting to review pending tax cases
ISLAMABAD
TARIQ DERYA
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ISLAMABAD
SHAHID MINHAS
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Director I&I Dr. Arslan irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation team seized three trucks full of smuggled Afghani fresh apples worth Rs11.5 million. Director Dr. Arslan Subuctageen while talking with Customs Today said that after receiving this information of smuggling attempt on 19.10.2018, he constituted a team under the supervision of Deputy Director Customs I&I Wajid Ali. He said that customs I&I team established a check post and started checking of suspicious vehicles. He said that I&I team intercepted a truck bearing registration no: TKU-237 and C-9606. The I&I team asked the drivers of the vehicles to produce legal documents regarding possession and import of apples but they failed to provide any relevant documents. The customs team brought these three trucks in the premises of the Directorate of I&I where the team recovered 32180 kilogram of Afghani fresh apples which has been seized along with the vehicles the value of two seized apple loaded trucks was estimated Rs.6.4 million. Director Arslan said that during another operation, Field Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Kohat team impounded another truck full of Afghan origin apples worth Rs5 million.
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— Exclusive Customs Today photo
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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Jahanzeb Khan has taken notice of tax-related issues pending within the departments due to time consuming written communications, it is learnt here. According to ofRicial sources, Chairman Jahanzeb Khan decided to call coordination meeting in order to expedite pending tax-related issues within the departments and to avoid time consuming written communications among the departments. The chairman also decided to conduct the weekly meeting of the departmental heads to accelerate the decision-making process on the tax-related matters where the meeting will be headed by the FBR chairman himself, sources added. Sources further added the FBR chairman will review the weekly performance of each department and will also discuss the coordination among the departments. The chairman will also review the tax-related issues and will issue the order on the spot during the meeting to avoid any delay in decision making. Source also said that departments can also put on the table any summary or issue which is urgent and pending for approval and participants will discuss and decide during the meeting about the approval or rejection of summary or any issue, sources added. Meanwhile, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs210 billion of revenue till October 22
against the assigned target of Rs300 billion for October 2018, it is learnt here. OfRicial sources told Customs Today that FBR collected at least Rs90 billion within 8 days of October to achieve the assigned target. However, FBR failed to achieve its Rirst quarter target and could collect only Rs836 billion in taxes as compared to set target of Rs851 billion, highlighting the need for a complete but urgent revamp
FBR Chairman Jahanzeb Khan of the tax machinery. Sources added that the government assigned target of Rs4,435 billion to FBR for 2018-19; however, the trend shows that FBR will face tough time to achieve the assigned target and government may have to revise the revenue target for the current Fiscal Year. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Asad Umar has directed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to leave
no stone unturned and use all legal resources for achieving the revenue target set for the current Riscal year 2018-19. It is important to mention here that Federal Board of Revenue also extended the due date for filing of income tax returns/statements by companies, salaried individuals, others and AOPs from September 30, 2018, till November 30, 2018.
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04 NATIONAL
OCTOBER 30 - NOvEMBER 05, 2018
Multan Customs transfers six employees to various locations
MULTAN: Collectorate of Customs Deputy Collector Headquarters Saqib-ur-Rehman has issued notification for transfer of six employees to various positions with immediate effect to get better results. Deputy Collector issued notification for the transfer of Inspector Muhammad Ansar Hussain from Collectorate of Customs Adjudication, Faisalabad Camp Office at Customs House to Export Terminal Sadiqabad. Inspector Azhar Abbas transferred from Customs House Multan to Collectorate of Customs Adjudication Faisalabad Camp Office at Multan Customs House.
Hyderabad ASO seizes huge quantity of smuggled betel nuts from Shalimar Express HYDERABAD
ASLAM ANJUM QURESHI www.customstoday.com
M/s Hamza Traders moves SHC seeking release of dry ginger consignment KARACHI
M.B RANA
www.customstoday.com /s Hamza Traders approached the Sindh High Court (SHC) seeking release order for its consignment of dry ginger detained by customs officials due to disputed valuation. Counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is seriously aggrieved and highly prejudiced by the actions of the respondents, whereby the customs officials are assessing the imported consignment of dry ginger and demanding duty and taxes on the basis of the valuation Ruling No 1299/2018 dated 26/04/2018 issued by the Director of Customs valuation, despite the fact that the impugned valuation ruling is not sustainable in the eyes of the law and has accordingly been challenged by the petitioner under Section 25-D of the Customs Act 1969 before director general valuation. He argued in his petition that since the revision petition stands pending for final decision, the petitioner has sought provisional release of its consignments until final decision by the DG valuation. However, the respondents have refused such request, which is impermissible under the law, as a result, the petitioner is coercively and unlawfully being compelled to pay amounts of duties and taxes on the basis of impugned valuation Ruling No 1299/2018. He added that the concern group is not assessing the goods declaration in accordance of the old valuation Ruling no 1197/2017 dated 19/08/2017 which is applicable at this moment as the valuation department still not revise valuation ruling. Importer pleaded the court to declare that the impugned vR No 1299/2018 is arbitrary, unlawful and ultra vires the Customs Act, 1969 and court may direct them to assess the consignments in terms of Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969.
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— Exclusive Customs Today photo
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nti-Smuggling Organization team, following the instructions of Collector Customs Collectorate Khalid Hussain Jamali recovered huge quantity of smuggled betel nuts. Sources told Customs Today that after receiving credible information, Collector Khalid Jamali constituted an anti-smuggling squad comprising Inspector ZulRiqar Ali Jamali, Engr. Haresh Kumar and Inspector Maqbool Ahmed Rind. Sources said that the above-mentioned anti-smuggling squad raided Shalimar Express and recovered foreign origin 3520 kilograms of betel nuts worth Rs1,760,000 during operation. The betel nuts were being smuggled from Sukkur to Karachi. No one claimed the ownership of the recovered betel nuts. Customs team seized the entire betel nuts and shifted the same to Customs State Warehouse. Sources said that betel nuts were seized under Section 16 of the Customs Act 1969 under punishable Clause (9) & (90) of the Customs Act 1969. Meanwhile, Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation team seized huge quantity of foreign origin Indian Gutka including Toyota Hiace being used for smuggling. Sources told Customs Today that Deputy Director Customs Intelligence Shah Faisal Sahu received information that some smugglers are trying to smuggle huge quantity of non-duty paid Indian Gutka. After receiving this information,
Collector Khalid Hussain Jamali
he constituted a raiding team under the supervision of Customs Superintendent Tariq RaRique, Intelligence OfRicer Syed ShaRique Ali and others. The team, during a search operation near Hatri Police Station intercepted a vehicle bearing registration no: JF- 7367. During search, the team recovered Indian gutka worth Rs 1.6 million. Sources told that during another operation, the Hyderabad I&I team
intercepted a trawlar bearing registration mo: LES 780 near Hatri police station and recovered betel nuts worth Rs 90,00,000. Prior to the recovery of item, the ofRicials asked the driver to produce documents regarding legal import of the goods but he could not prove anything. After his failure, Customs I&I team seized the goods and after registering a case started further investigations.
DG valuation revises customs values of printers KARACHI
WAQAR AHMED ANSARI www.customstoday.com
he Directorate General of Customs valuation has revised the customs values of printers through valuation Ruling No: 1337/2018 under Section 25A of the Customs Act-1969. According to the details, the customs values of printers of various brands were determined under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969 vide valuation Ruling No.1222/2017 dated 10.11.2017 and 1244/2018 dated 11.01.2018. Representation were received from importers that certain new models of printers have been introduced but are not available in the valuation ruling, resultantly the same are being assessed and cleared at much lower values and requested to re-determine customs values of printers in line with current values available in the international market. Therefore, an exercise was initiated in terms of Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969 to determine customs values of printers afresh in the light of existing international market prices of different brands and models of printers. Meeting with stakeholders was scheduled on 09-08-2018 and 17-092018. The stakeholders were requested to furnish invoices of imports during last three months showing factual value. Websites, names and E-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value can be ascertained. Copies of contracts made / LCs opened during the last three months showing the value of item in question. Copies of sales tax invoices issued during last four months showing the values of supplies (excluding duty and taxes) to substantiate their contentions.
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Faisalabad ASO seizes smuggled goods worth Rs11 million in third week of October A
FAISALABAD
NAEEM SHEIKH
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nti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) conducted various operations against smugglers on the special instructions of Collector Asif Mehmood Jah and recovered smuggled goods worth Rs11 million during third week of October. Sources told Customs Today, that deputy Collector Aneeqa Afzal constituted different anti-smuggling squads to curb smuggling. The ASO team comprising Superintendent, Tanveer raza Naqvi, Sepoy Khalid Ashraf Noor, Farhan
— Exclusive Customs Today photo
Frank, Irfan Faheem, Amir Mumtaz Bajwa, Tanveer ul Haq, Muhammad Ashraf, Liaquat Ali, Israr Ahmad and Muhammad Abdullah seized non duty paid used crane bearing no: LES- 173623 worth Rs 2500000, red chilli seeds 51110 kilograms worth Rs 4200000, foreign origin used generator worth Rs1289062 with carrier vehicle to the tune of Rs600000, Iranian diesel 1250 liters worth Rs 90000 with carrier vehicle no: TKZ-769 worth Rs1,50,0000 under Section 157 of the Customs Act 1969 which was being used for smuggling and transportation.
www.customstoday.com OCTOBER 30 - NOvEMBER 05, 2018
ADvERTISEMENT 05
06
SPECIALREPORT
— Exclusive Customs Today photo — Exclusive Customs Today photo
www.customstoday.com OCTOBER 30 - NOvEMBER 05, 2018
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SPECIALREPORT 07
OCTOBER 30 - NOvEMBER 05, 2018
From page 01
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n the very next day of this letter, Asad Kharal was attacked by ‘masked men’ near Allama Iqbal International Airport. But still he remained committed with his job and kept on disclosing huge scams like Rs 15 billion demurrage and detention scandal by shipping line Maersk. After media exposed Maersk since last couple of months, yet Maersk has never been able to come up with any response on why they are violating the law prescribed under SRO 1220 (I)/2015. Instead of giving any legal explanation to SRO 1220 (I)/2015, Maersk has stooped to such unethical means of threatening the media through anonymous letter now. Law under SRO 1220(I)/ 2015 explains that shipping companies cannot charge any demurrage and detention where speciRically it is not agreed and also speciRically not mentioned on the B/L (Bill of lading). Sources said Maersk Line is operating at this moment but Customs Preventive has started procedure to cancel their licenses under Section 14A of the Customs Act 1969 and under rules 603 (Q), 603 (R), 604 (Q) and 607 (E), others of SRO 1220 (I)/2015. And Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Corporate Crime Circle Karachi has also taken up the issue of blackmailing and cheating by the shipping line by issuing a letter No FIA/CCCK/VRF-52/2018/5486-87 in this regard. Sources said that the shippers are more interested to know about what will happen to their goods if they load them today on these vessels and in the near future require delivery of those goods at Pakistan ports. Whether they will
be able to get the goods delivered at Pakistan ports in the event of cancellation of the licenses of these companies which is under process now with Customs preventive. Sources said though these shipping lines are vehemently denying and saying their licenses are not yet cancelled but importers of Pakistan should be careful for booking their containers with these shipping lines which would not be allowed to call their ships on ports in the event of cancellation of their licenses. When licenses are cancelled of these shipping lines then the goods loaded on them would have to be called at transit locations like Dubai, Singapore, etc. instead of reaching Karachi ports. At least 30 newspapers and TV channels, several chambers and lawyers have taken up the issue of blackmailing by this shipping line and their agents. SpeciRically Senator Ilyas Bilour, former KCCI President Muffasar Atta Malik, President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industries Faiz Muhammad, President of Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) Zia ul Haq Sarhadi, President Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Fauzia Inayat, President Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malik Asrar Ahmad Awan, Former President MCCI Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Vice President Zeshan Khalil, Former President MCCI Khawaja Muhammad Usman, former president Lahore Tax Bar Association (LTBA) Qamar Uz Zaman, senior Advocates Peshawar High Court (PHC) Noor Alam Khan and Mohib Kakakheil also voiced their concern on continuous blackmailing by shipping companies and causing huge losses to the importers. Senator Ilyas Bilour said
importers are shifting businesses from Pakistan due to huge corruption by shipping lines so the government should take notice of unjustiRied demurrage & detention charges taken by Maersk Line. The government, Finance and Shipping Ministries needed to take up the matter with ownership of shipping lines in order to eradicate corruption of their employees. Referring to relevant laws, former President KCCI pointed out that shipping companies cannot charge any demurrage and detention where speciRically it is not agreed and also speciRically not mentioned on the B/L (Bill of Lading) but this law is grossly being violated by shipping lines and their agents. He said that ac-
The shippers are more interested to know about what will happen to their goods if they load them today on these vessels and in the near future require delivery of those goods at Pakistan ports
cording to Customs Act, 1969, the port cannot charge any demurrage or detention charges if Customs gives a certiRicate to importer titled ‘Delay and Detention CertiRicate’. But despite this certiRicate, Terminal Operators illegally hold goods of importers and charges heavy amounts as demurrage. President Multan Chamber said the Chamber has been receiving frequent complaints against unnecessary delay in the clearance of their import shipments and additional charges taken by shipping lines under the head of demurrage and detention against the set law. President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Faiz Mohmmed said that no room will be left for shipping lines Maersk to grab money from importers and exporters and proper steps need to be taken in order to discourage the gambling of shipping lines Maersk and QICT. Ex-Vice President of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) and Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries (IWCCI), Naima Ansari said violation of government laws is a serious crime and the present government should take serious action against Maersk Line and its subsidiary in Pakistan Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd due to violation of SRO 1220(I)/ 2015 and for harassing and blackmailing importers to get additional demurrage and detention charges. Tax Consultant of MCCI and Member Multan Tax Bar Association Syed Khalid Javed said blackmailing of Maersk Line and its subsidiary in Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd for charging exorbitant demurrage and detention charges should be stopped and their shipping license for operations must be cancelled for violation of SRO 1220(I)/ 2015 in order to protect the genuine importers.
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08 EDITORIAL
OCTOBER 30 - NOvEMBER 05, 2018
Founder & Chairman Zulfiqar Ali CEO and Chief Editor Asad Kharal 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
New govt and rising circulardebt
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he Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet has decided to launch a crackdown against electricity theft after approving an increase in electricity price by near Rs2 per unit as the circular debt swells to Rs1,188 billion. The increase in the power tariff was pending from the last two years as the former government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) withhold the raise and did not pass on the hike to power consumers despite an approval by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). The lower prices inflated the circular debt and caused prolonged power outages across the country. However, the PML-N government stopped the raise fearing public outrage without caring for increasing circular debt. The government is facing a cash crunch to run its daily affairs as the circular debt has mounted to Rs1,188 billion. The PTI government has embarked on an austerity campaign to keep the use of public funds in check and make more funds available for running the debt-ridden government. It is appreciable that the government has decided that electricity meters of those persons/departments and ministries will be disconnected which fail to pay their bills for consecutive three months. On the payment of their bills, they will be provided prepaid meters, efficiently decreasing power theft. However, the most important aspect of the power crisis is the lack of upgrade of the transmission lines despite the production of more electricity. This problem should be addressed as soon as possible because the energy which is available and is not being transmitted should be made available. Transformers need to be replaced and transmission lines also need to change so that they can carry more voltage than the amount that they were carrying earlier. These are simple steps that the government can take to overcome this problem. Aiming to come up with a comprehensive strategy to overcome the problem, the government will propose a plan for the next 25 years. If this plan materialises, it will be a great feat which many governments have not been able to achieve because not only were their measures ad-hoc but also, only lasted during their tenure. This is a great challenge that the government is undertaking and definitely one that can create more voter base for the ruling party.
Taxpayers’ expectation T
LAHORE
CUSTOMS TODAY REPORT www.customstoday.com
he country is running out of cash. Austerity measures are needed but at the same time wealth has to be generated and the existing assets protected. To attract foreign investments, the government should never show panic; instead it should have plans to move forward. From day one only one percent of Pakistanis pay income tax, now it has dropped even below that. Successive governments have failed to expand the tax net. First the department was called Income Tax then central Board of Revenue (CBR) and then a chartered Account from the private sector took over he named it Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). It was during the term of the plastic Prime Minister of Pakistan Shaukat Aziz that the system of
indirect taxation was introduced. Tax everything from soap to fuel as everyone depends on them to survive was his approach. Only air that we breathe is not taxed but its quality had deteriorated to an extent that people may need to make private arrangements to protect their lungs. On per capita basis Pakistan is one of the highest charity paying nations of the world. The big question is when they are willing to chip in for the welfare of the society why don’t they trust their own government? PM Imran raised this question in his electoral speeches and then provided the proof by refusing to move in the palatial PM House but the crusade ended here. Now the same Rlawed approach is being applied to tax the already taxed. The down trodden masses of the country were expecting a break by the new government in the form of price freeze not increase. Pakistan is now coming out of the corruption riddled
The down trodden masses of the country were expecting a break by the new government in the form of price freeze not increase
loot and plander era of Sharif and Zardari. Transitions have to be carefully planned. Both the previous governments relied on borrowing. Borrowed money was then squandered through massive infra-structure projects like the ‘Orange Train’. While big money went to them, they looked the other way on encroachments through which the poor man survived. While the big Rish are being netted the small are being penalised. It is true that there is no money left to make interest payments as it has been misspent and has failed to generate revenue to pay back. Like President Donald Trump the Government of Pakistan should declare bankruptcy and request for time to re-organise its Rinances, till that time there should be a freeze on prices. The poor and barely surviving cannot fail out the corruption of the previous rulers. The revenue collection approach of the government is seriously Rlawed.
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NATIONAL 09
OCTOBER 30 - NOvEMBER 05, 2018
Customs Court sends suspect woman booked in mobile phones smuggling case to jail
KARACHI: The Customs Court sent suspect lady namely Seema Rauf wife of Abdul Rauf to Central Jail Karachi on judicial remand, who was booked in a case of attempting to smuggled non-duty paid foreign origin mobile phones and memory cards valuing to Rs5,809,413. Investigation officer produced the above mentioned lady before the court and informed that on credible information the above mentioned lady was intercepted at International Arrival Hall, JIAP, who arrived from Dubai by M/s Emirate Airline’s flight no: EK-608 and she was asked to search her body and luggage.
M/s Musaji Adam & Sons moves SHC against recovery notice of Rs10.899m
Collector Adjudication issues ONO to confiscate vehicle being used by BHC
KARACHI
ISLAMABAD
www.customstoday.com he Sindh High Court (SHC) directed officials of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to file their para-wise comments on a petition filed by Muhammad Younis vohra proprietor of M/s Musaji Adam & Sons against imposition of additional taxes. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, heard the matter. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that the petitioner is commercial importer, who had made payment of sales taxes at 17% as well as minimum value add tax at 3% for the period of July 2015 to April 2016; however, a show-cause notice was issued to the petitioner, requiring to make payment of Rs10.899 million for sales tax for the above-said period. After the hearing, court issued notices and directed customs officials not to take any coercive action against the petitioner till final order of this court for recovery of amount as reflected in recovery notice. Citing secretary Revenue Division, chief commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax Office-II, commissioner Inland Revenue Zone-Iv, Regional Tax Office and assistant commissioner Inland Revenue Unit-6, Zone-Iv as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary. He also pleaded the court to set aside impugned recover notice and restrain from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
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WRITE TO US YOUR GRIEVANCES: Through CUSTOMS TODAY platform HELP DESK, now you have chance to DIRECTLY write your problems to top govt. functionaries. If you have any grievances, queries, questions or suggestions, you can write in this section as it provides easiest access to you to approach Customs and Revenue authorities. WHO can write in this section? Importers & Exporters, Customs Agents, Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations and Customs Officers TO WHOM you can write? Honourable PM, Minister/Secretary for Finance & Revenue, Minister/Secretary for Ports and Shipping, FBR Chairman, Member Customs and Chairperson Senate/National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance & Revenue. Send your letters at: newsdesk@customstoday.com.pk
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ollector Customs Adjudication SadiqUllah Khan has ordered in Order-inOriginal No. 111 of 2018 to conRiscate the tempered vehicle Toyota Land Cruiser Prado TX due to violation of Section 2(s) 16, 32, 168 and 178 of Customs Act 1969. The vehicle was under the use of the British diplomat Roger James Coventry (First Secretary) in British High Commission. According to details, it was reported by the Superintendent Customs (Car Section) Islamabad Dry Port that British High Commission, Islamabad applied to the ofRice for issuance of “No Objection CertiRicate” in respect of diplomat used vehicle Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Model 2000, being chassis no: RZJ95-0012992, engine no: 3RZ, registration no: CD-080-449, belonging to Roger James Coventry, First Secretary British High Commission Islamabad, on the basis of sale permission No. P(IV) 528 issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad. Ministry of Foreign Affairs granted permission for sale of the vehicle to a non-privileged person on payment of duty and taxes. The documents were presented to Car Section, Islamabad Dry port, Islamabad by Adnan Aziz, Protocol OfRicer, on behalf of Roger James First Secretary British High Commission. The vehicle was examined
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M.B RANA
in the presence or representative of high commission. During physical examination, chassis number of the vehicle was found suspicious. The vehicle was referred to Forensic Science Laboratory, Islamabad for chemical examination of chassis number of vehicle. The Forensic Laboratory conRirmed that the chassis number has been tampered. The vehicle was imported
Collector Adjudication Sadiqullah
by Julian Elliot Salisbury, Third Secretary of British High Commission, Islamabad against Exemption CertiRicate No. 4983 issued by the foreign ministry which was released without duty and taxes by the Customs Appraisement Karachi, vide Good Declaration (GD) No. KPPI-PP-30295. Later on, he sold his vehicle to Roger James. Collector Customs mentioned that
the British High Commission fully cooperated with Pakistan Customs. The High Commissioner has physically surrendered the vehicle to Pakistan at the Dry Port. The British High Commission has assured the Pakistan Custom that BHC is seriously concerned and taking all possible steps to avoid such unfortunate incidents in future while importing vehicle.
AptmaurgesgovttowithdrawSToncotton,PSFimport To,
Abdul Razak Dawood, Adviser to PM on Commerce, Islamabad Dear Sir,
It is to ask you to withdraw custom duty and sales tax on the import of cotton and polyester staple Ribre (PSF) with immediate effect to enable the industry and its dependent value chain to remain competitive in the international market place. We condemn reduction of regulatory duty on the import of cotton yarns from 10% to 5. The domestic spinning industry is Righting for its survival as both its major raw materials i.e. cotton and polyester staple Ribre are burdened with the imposition of import levies despite shortage in domestic production.
Due to the consistent failure of cotton crop, the spinning industry is dependent on import of cotton to the extent of 3.5 million bales to meet the consumption requirement of the spinning industry. Decline in production of cotton in the country has not only affected the operations of basic textile industry, but also resulted in surge in
import of cotton yarn. In 2014-15, total import of cotton yarn was 23000 tons per annum which has increased to 101090 tons in 2017-18. Eighty per cent of the spinning output is exported in one form or the another and with such high duties on raw cotton, the industry is not only becoming uncompetitive but also loosing export
markets to India and other countries. The current year cotton crop again has been estimated to be short while the quality of cotton is also very poor. Textile Industry across the value chain cannot meet quality standards in the export market and in order to compensate farmers please provide direct support and subsidy but not at the cost of textile industry and exports. Therefore, the industry demands an immediate withdrawal of custom duty and sales tax on the import of cotton and PSF and let the industry and the dependent value chain grow in a competitive environment and earn precious foreign exchange for the country and employment for its people. Best Regards,
Aamir Fayyaz Chairman, APTMA, Lahore
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10 NATIONAL
OCTOBER 30 - NOvEMBER 05, 2018
Wapda, FBR organise seminar on tax issues
LAHORE: Wapda authorities have organised a seminar at Wapda House for educating and facilitating its employees to obtain National Tax Number (NTN), file the tax return and the benefits of being filer versus non-filer. The seminar was a part of FBR’s campaign to create awareness about taxpaying. The seminar, which was organised in collaboration with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), was attended by officers of Grade 18 and above.
Maersk Line should be banned due to corruptionandmismanagement:IlyasBilour PESHAWAR
IRFAN BAHADUR
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mporters are shifting businesses from Pakistan due to huge corruption by shipping lines so the government should take notice of unjustiRied demurrage & detention charges taken by Maersk Line. Many importers associated with Pakistan Afghanistan Trade and Transit route have already shifted their business from Pakistan due to heavy losses. This was said by Senator Ilyas Bilour while talking with Customs Today at Peshawar. Ilyas Bilour said that recent increase in duties as well looting of importers at the hands of shipping lines have discouraged the importers due to which national economy has faced loss of billions. According to recent reports, annual investment of twenty billion rupees has been shifted from Pakistan by Pak-Afghan importers due to heavy losses, which is an alarming situation for the country, said Senator Ilyas Bilour. He said almost every second day, importers approached him about delay and extra charging by Maersk Line and asked him to take up the issue with Ministry of Shipping. Large shipping lines like Maersk are internationally known for corruption and mismanagement, Ilyas Bilour added. The government, Finance and Shipping Ministries needed to take up the matter with ownership of shipping lines in order to eradicate corruption of their em-
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ployees. Senator Ilyas Bilour further said that industry at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa greatly relies on import and export because manufacturing base is weak so Minister of Shipping needed to take steps for encouragement of local industry. If Maersk continues to take extra charges it will become very difRicult for traders to continue their import-export businesses. Maersk not only takes extra demurrage & detentions charges
Senator Ilyas Bilour
but also causes delay in shifting the cargoes for which the importers have to bear huge losses, Ilyas bilour added. Meanwhile, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) received a complaint seeking probe to ascertain role of employees of Maersk Line in country’s biggest shipping scandal involving 610 billion rupees. Importers lodged application against Maersk Line and its
subsidiary in Pakistan Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd for conspiracy, cheating and criminal breach of trust under PPC 407, 409, 420, 427, 506 and others so that these fraudsters are stopped to blackmail genuine importers by demanding ‘illegal’ additional charges. The complaint received by the NAB and the FIA demanded legal action for recoveries of amounts looted and recovering losses of Rs. 610 billion to the national exchequer
per year while also stopping such further losses from the accused persons of Maersk Line and M/s Maersk Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd including Søren Skou, Claus V. Hemmingsen, Søren Toft, Vincent Clercp, Morten H. Engelstoft, others of Maersk Line and Arslan Khan, Hazanfar Khan, Raheel Salim, Maqsood Ul Hasan Khan, Fuad Khan, Hasan Faraz, Shakeel Masih, Omer Khan, Ali Jawad Alvi, Zafar Iqbal, Ayesha Chowdhry, Zahid Hussain, Salman Ahmad, Aamir Ali, Umais Aziz Khan, Mohammed Naeem, Farheen Mahmud, Mubasshar Iqbal, Affaq Syed, Syed Mohammad Abbas Jafri, Muhammad Tanveer Sharif, Salman Ateeq, Hamza Haq, Ziad Mahboob, Aamir Ibrahim, Yasir Saeed Khan, Amal Sadiq Dawood, Effat Mehmood, Maria Urooj, Zain Warsi, Mehreen ZulRiqar, Awais Saleem, Zafar Iqbal, Syed Osman Iqbal Zaidi, Anum Yaqub, Fahad Ali, Obaid Iqbal, Zahid Hussain, Muhammad Ali Qureshi, Danish Siddiqui, Amir Arif, Arshad Ayub, Syed Mudassir Ali, Syed Hammad Hussain, Ayesha Qadri, Sheikh Samiullah, others of M/S Maersk Pakistan Private Limited. As per the complaint received by the FIA and the NAB, the nexus of some Customs staff, shipping lines like Maersk Line along with its agent Maersk Pakistan Private Limited, including its owners, managers & staff are making illegal money through malpractice. “Firstly, customs department delays goods of majority of containers that arrive in red channel. 80% of the goods cleared in red channel take a duration which is more than the free days provided.
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LAHORE
SAJID NAWAZ
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ax system should be made a part of curriculum to create awareness and to educate each and every citizen of Pakistan about the importance of Riling of tax returns and payment of tax liability. These views were expressed by Commissioner Inland Revenue, Information Processing and Taxpayers Facilitation Zone Fiza Batool during an exclusive interview with Customs Today. She said that tax revenue is a backbone of any country because no nation can survive without solid economy and income can be generated only through a strong
taxation system in the country. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is striving hard to expand tax net but FBR could only succeed when every segment of society plays vital role in tax payment. So the education of each and every segment like businessmen, teachers, students and government ofRicers is necessary in this regard, she said. Commissioner Inland Revenue said that as focal person on tax returns, she is working hard with her team and conducting seminars, corner meetings and is delivering lectures in the educational institutions on taxation system and Riling of tax returns. Fiza said she holds seminar in Pakistan Railways Headquarters, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and
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Revenue can only be generated through strong taxation system
Commissioner IR Fiza Batool
Industry (LCCI) and delivers lecture in Punjab University to aware and educate the government employees and businessmen and to educate the teachers and students about payment of tax liability. Talking to Customs Today, she highlighted there are more beneRits to become Rilers but unfortunately our society is not aware about the importance of taxes. She said when a citizen purchases a vehicle, transfers car, purchases property, prize bond or any other thing he pays more taxes from his liability. She put some examples and differentiated the tax payment for the filer and non-filer by saying that when a filer buys a 1000CC car he pays Rs20,000 tax
but non-filer pays Rs25,000 tax, similarly tax on property for filer is one percent but it is two percent for non-filer, tax on prize bond is 15 percent for filer and 25 percent for non-filer. She stressed that there are lots of benefits for filers in the system but due to lack of guidance Pakistanis can not get those benefits. Talking on another important point, Fiza Batool said when a citizen of Pakistan earns his money through legal ways and he does not pay his tax liability and hides his assets then his income becomes illegal and black so every citizen must become a filer and file his tax returns considering it a basic liability.
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CARTOONSSPECIAL 11
OCTOBER 30 - NOvEMBER 05, 2018
Sargodha ASO impounds non-customs paid BMW motorcycle
SARGODHA: Anti-Smuggling Organization impounded a non-customs paid foreign origin BMW motor cycle during operation in Chiniot City. Sources told Customs Today that Anti-Smuggling Organization has intercepted the 800CC BMW motor cycle Racer during a routine patrolling on road. The owner of the bike presented the fake documents to ASO team. During the verification of documents ASO found these documents fake and Customs Superintendent Choudhary Sardar Muhammad impounded the heavy bike following the rules and regulation.
Multan Customs generates Rs7.05 million through auction of goods and vehicles MULTAN
IMRAN ALI KHAN
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ollectorate of Customs generated Rs7.05 million through auction of non-duty paid vehicles and miscellaneous goods. According to details, the Collectorate conducted auction of conRiscated vehicles and various miscellaneous goods which were seized by Anti-Smuggling Organization in different actions near Sher Shah Bypass, Dry Port Multan. As many as three vehicles of various models were presented in the public sale and all three vehicles of different brands including Toyota Land Cruiser, Honda Accord without engine and Toyota Axio car were sold out in R 3.8 million during auction. Multan Customs presented 70 lots of electronic, auto parts, miscellaneous items including foreign origin CCTV cameras, old and used telephone sets of different brands, wrist watches, GPS vehicle trackers, car alarming and others in the auction.
Collectorate of Customs successfully sold out 20 lots of goods including tyres, auto parts, electronics goods, baby garments and others during auction. Many miscellaneous goods were not auc-
tioned due to less interest of bidders and their offered bids were rejected due to fewer prices in the auction. Multan Customs remained unsuccessful in the auction of conRiscated android
cell phones as bidders did not offer any bid to different brands and models of cell phones in auction due to absence of approval of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Auctioneer
Customs Court rejects bail petition of suspects involved in over Rs376m tax evasion case
Muhammad Akram conducted the auction and Deputy Collector Saqib-ur-Rehman Warraich supervised the whole auction process at Multan Dry Port along with other staff.
ASO recovers smuggled betel nuts from Kharadar, City Railway Station KARACHI
MUBEEN HUSSAIN www.customstoday.com
KARACHI
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M.B RANA
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he Customs Court rejected the bail petition of arrested suspects namely Muhammad Qasim Kazi, Export Manager of M/s Kazi Corporation, Muhammad Nadeem Suleman Khel, Muhammad Akhtar, representative of M/s Faster Line Business and Asmatullah, who were booked in a case of tax evasion involving Rs376,775,114.
Order came on October 23, 2018, during the hearing, counsel for the accused argued that their clients are innocents and were falsely implicated in this case, who are ready to face trial; therefore, court may grant their bail till Rinal judgment in this case. However, special prosecutor of customs department opposed the bail petition and argued that interim charge-sheet has been Riled in which their role of crime has been decided; therefore, court may reject their bail. After hearing both sides’ argu-
ments, court rejected bail petitions of all the four accused persons who are conRined in Central Jail Karachi. According to the prosecution, duringtheinvestigation,itwasrevealedthat importerssubmittedfakeandfabricated Form-Es, meaning thereby that the foreignexchangeamountingto$3,345,380 (Rs376,775,114) was not remitted in the country, despite that goods have been exported, hence the exporter with thecollusion/helpofclearingagenthave hoodwinked customs by submitting fake documents.
ustoms Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has busted huge quantity of smuggled contraband items worth millions of rupees. According to the details, on the tip of higher authorities a team was constitutes by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) to conduct raids over the authentic information of consignment containing betel nuts along with other contraband worth millions of rupees. The team of ASO conducted two different raids at a godown situated at the Kharadar whereas the second raid was conducted at City Railway Station. The Source informed that the team raided at Kharadar godown and carried out the complete search, the officer of ASO intercepted two trucks in the godown from which huge quantity of contraband items were recovered including Indian origin Guttka and foreign origin cigarettes worth twenty five million rupees.
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12
OCTOBER 30 - NOvEMBER 05, 2018
SHC seeks reply on petition filed by M/s Telenor Pakistan
KARACHI: The SHC issued notices to customs department and deputy attorney general on a petition filed by M/s Telenor Pakistan Private Limited against demand notice for extra duties and taxes on import on HP Server for Easypaisa portfolio. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi heard the matter. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated in its petition that petitioner imported HP Server for Easypaisa Portfolio. Later an audit observation dated 19/07/2016 was served to petitioner falsely accusing the petitioner of clearing ‘servers for telecommunication use’.
ADC Tayyaba terms Rs70m seizure of illegal cigarettes, tobacco a team effort Chief Collector Zeba Hai encourages whole team for the successful operation LAHORE
M HAYAT
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dditional Collector of Customs Tayyaba Kayani has said that Rs 70 million conRiscations of illegal cigarettes, gas lighters, Ratana naswar, zafrani tobacco is a team effort and operation against such elements will be conducted even more vigorously in future. She was talking to Customs Today at her ofRice. She said that every member of her team is a thorough professional and they work with utmost integrity and honesty. She said that the seizure of such huge quantity of tobacco, naswar and other related items followed a due legal procedure. She said that during the operation, the ASO team including Deputy Collector Moazzam Raza, Superintendent Agha Qadeer, Inspectors Nasir Saeed, Shahid Bhatti and others had to face intense retaliation from the godown owners where the ASO team also received minor injuries. The Chief Collector of Customs Zeba Hai also guided on the raid and encouraged the whole ASO team for the successful operation. She expects more such mega seizures from the ASO team in future. The ASO in pursuance of a secret information that a huge quantity of contraband items is clandestinely dumped in a godown situated inside Mochi Gate, Lahore and after completing all legal formalities, the staff of ASO raided the said godown at 1:00pm. During the raid, on call of the owner of the godown, about 60
Chief Collector Zeba Hai to 70 persons reached the spot and created hurdles in the operation which resulted in minor injuries to some ofRicials as well. The situation was conveyed to
the higher authorities and deployment was beefed up in coordination with police. The forces put an end to the violence, completed the operation successfully and seized huge
quantity of goods. The seized drugs included tobacco 145 cartons of Indian Ratna, Arya, RaRique, 9 cartons of Amla bell mixture, 13 bags of Indian naswar, 2
cartons of cigarettes gas lighter, 52 cartons of zafrani tobacco, several cartons of Pan Ras Molasses, 181 cartons of cigarettes brand Milano, Pine, Hi lite, Mond Zen, Marlboro, Dunhill, Benson & Hedges made of USA, UK, Switzerland, Korea, Japan and UAE. The approximate value of the goods is Rs70 million. Meanwhile, Collectorate of Customs Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) recovered huge quantity of non-customs paid goods from a godown inside Mochi Gate. Sources told Customs Today that Additional Collector Tayyaba Kiyani received information that huge quantity of smuggled goods is dumped in a godown situated inside Mochi Gate so made a team to raid the area. The team recovered Ratna tobacco, amla, naswar, cigarettes, zafrani tobacco, Milano, Marlboro, Dunhill, Benson & Hedges packs. The market value of seized goods is Rs70 million. Customs anti-smuggling squad asked the persons who were present on the spot to produce legal documents regarding storage and import of these goods but they failed to provide any relevant legal documents. Upon their failure, ASO team registered a case against the owner of the goods and started further investigations in this regard. It is necessary to mention here that Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization Additional Collector Tayyaba Kiyani directed all anti-smuggling squads to adopt zero tolerance policy towards smuggling. She directed that anyone found involved in smuggling should be dealt with iron hands.
ISLAMABAD
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TARIQ DERYA
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ollectorate of Customs AntiSmuggling Organization seized huge quantity of prohibited foreign origin medicines (sexual) worth Rs3.2 million from GT Road. Sources told Customs Today that Collector ZulRiqar Ali Chaudhary received credible information about smuggling of goods. He directed all anti-smuggling squad to enhance patrolling on main GT Road to thwart any smuggling attempt. Sources said that ASO squad comprising Superintendent Abid Malik and Inspector Farrukh Satti and Inspector Khalid Khattak intercepted a vehicle near Tarnol
which was coming from Mardan. During checking the ASO team recovered huge quantity of prohibited Indian origin (sexual) medicines including Citriz tab 28500, Piroxicam capsules 300, Vovem 50 mg Diclofonal 3600 caps, Omprazol I.P caps 1500, Zinetac 150 mg in quantity of 14400 tabs, Diclocin forte 4000 tabs, Axe Max 0.5mg 9000, CiproRloxacin tab 500 mg 3500, Nimesulide tabs NISUL100 in quantity of 11250, R.A relief extra tabs in numbers of 225000, Cofcal 55000 tabs, Vega 100mg sexual tabs 5600 and Cobra 150mg 27500. Other medicines also includes Viviopial 3750 capsules, Viga 150000 45ml 100 bottles, Viga 240000 delay spray 125 bottles,
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ASOseizeshugequantityofprohibitedmedicinesfromGTRoad
Collector Zulfiqar Ali
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).
Viga 5000 75 bottles, Max man 75000 delayed spray 125 bottles, Napro 45cc 90 bottles, Viga 150000 45ml 48 bottles, Knight rider 320 bottles, Vigra 100 mg 120 tabs, Black cobra 125 sexual 2000 tabs, Aphrodisso sexual Tab 200 and Viagra plus 240 tabs. The ASO team asked the driver of the vehicle who was later identiRied as Anwar Khan son of Abdul Jalil who is resident of Charsada to produce legal documents regarding possession and transportation of medicines. But he failed to provide any relevant documents. After his failure ASO team registered a case no.86/2018 under section of 2(s) & 16 of Customs Act 1969 read with Section 3(1) of Import/Export Control Act 1950 and started investigations.