KARACHI: The investigations into the case of huge quantity liquor smuggling hint that the crime was being undertaken in an organized manner and the authorities are investigating possibility of involvement of a very senior Customs officer in this ordeal.

MCC Preventive has recently seized a container full of foreign origin liquor which was being smuggled into the country under the garb of Transshipment consignment.

Investigations found that as many as 10 consignments of the similar importer were cleared from MCC Appraisement East, which were imported from China. But, the subject consignment had been imported from UAE.

Intelligence sources confirmed that there was information that a very senior officer of MCC Appraisement East, a principal appraiser and examination staff were involved. The idea is strengthened by the fact that the TP filed by a bonded carrier was cancelled even before filing of the Goods Declaration and the imported decided to get the consignment cleared from Karachi.

Intelligence sources said the instant case could be linked to a liquor smuggling case detected in 2008. The consignment was imported by M/s Patanwala who got nine consignments cleared through forging signatures of Principal Raja Yaqoob and Appraising Officer Javed Khalid. Sources suspect that similar lobby was behind this scam.

There are reports of large scale irregularities at MCC Appraisement East. There are instances of under0invoicing and mis-declaration pertaining to the imports of perfumes and to a rough estimate revenue to the tune of Rs2.0 million per containers is being leaked. Moreover energy drinks including Red Bull invites duty and taxes to the tune of Rs8.0 million, which are being cleared mis-declared as fruit juices and soft drinks thus causing a loss of Rs7.0 million to the exchequer.

Last year, appraising officer Dost Mohammad put an hold on eight consignments of energy drinks, but Principal Appraiser Shafiullah got the consignments examined by Appraising Officer Abdul Razzak and cleared the consignments as fresh juices. As per law, Dost Mohammad should have examined these consignments.

The cartels patronizing organized crime were threatened by Appraising Officers Sohail Mughal and Mohammad Javed, so these officers were transferred last year while Dost Mohammad was transferred  from R&D East two months back.

The MCC Preventive has lodged an FIR against importer. Shipper and other accomplices for making an attempt to smuggle contraband goods through transshipment consignments.

According to the detail of the case, credible information was received that an attempt would be made to smuggle contraband goods in the garb of import consignments especially which are intended for transshipment to the upcountry dry ports.

Accordingly strict vigil was maintained by the Port Control Unit for consignments originating and arriving from UAE. On 28th July, 2015 an import consignment which had arrived from UAE lying in PMS Container Yard East Wharf, Karachi was suspected to be one of them.

Owing to the sensitivity of the issue the container was put on hold at PMS Container Yard at East Wharf and PICT. Preliminary inquiries revealed that M/s Docks (Private) Limited had filed a transshipment permit, being Customs Bonded Carrier on behalf of the importer/consignee M/s Ayub Packages for transporting the same from the port of Karachi to Peshawar Dry port.

However, on 26th July, 2015 the Customs Bonded Carrier M/s Dock (Private)  Limited applied for cancellation of the Transshipment Permit which was subsequently allowed cancellation by the respective clearance Collectorate.

Since the risk indicators and profile of the container was considered high risk as such the container bearing intact shipping line seal was shifted from PMS Container Yard at East Wharf to PCU Headquarters at NMB wharf. After shifting of the container the same was opened after verifying and cutting of intact seal which resulted in the recovery of assorted foreign origin beer cans, whiskey bottles and wines.

Upon completion of examination assorted liquor 6312 bottles, wine 2904 bottles and beer 6720 cans along with relevant packing material, container No. KGSU-2255358 along with cut shipping line seal were seized.

Considering the fact that M/s Docks (Private) Limited Customs Bonded Carrier filed the transshipment permit, which was subsequently allowed cancellation by the staff of Customs clearance Collectorate, their role requires thorough investigation.

KARACHI: Finally, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has formed a committee to ascertain the extent of involvement of Customs officers in wheat import scam, wherein shipping agent and importer tried to defraud the exchequer taking the advantage of flaws in online clearance system back in November 2014.

The Colletorate had suspended Principal Appraiser Asad Aleem and five appraisers namely Aneesur Rehman, Noor Muhammad Kaleem, Ghulam Yasin, Sareer uddin and Qamar Mubeen.

The committee has been formed eight months after the suspension of above mentioned officials, which is being headed by Additional Collector Appraisement West Farrukh Shareef. Sareer-ur-Din has retired during suspension, while the rest would face the inquiry.

MCC Port Qasim in December 2014 had lodged an FIR against the shipping agent M/s M.M Marine Services and importer M/s M.M Floor Mills for attempting to defraud the exchequer.

According to the details, , a credible information was received in MCC Port Muhammad Bin Qasim Karachi that M/s. M.M Marine Services (Pvt) Ltd., who was also one of the importers in this case by the name of M.M. Floor Mills (Pvt) Ltd., Karachi, mis-declared and concealed actual facts regarding Expected Time of Arrival (ETA) of the vessel MV Virginia which actually is picked up as IGM date by the WeBOC System, online VIR/IGM filing system, and possibly in abetment with others made an attempt to evade regulatory duty Rs.272.05 millions imposed by the Federal Government and withholding tax of Rs. 12.23 million thereon (Total Rs. 284.28 millions).

This vessel was carrying import of 48,568 MT of wheat classifiable under PCT heading 1001. 1900.

The information received from WeBOC System revealed that shipping agent M/s. M.M. Marine Services (Pvt) Ltd filed Vessel Information Report (VIR) regarding arrival of vessel MV Virginia in the Customs Computerized System and gave ETA as 6/11/2014. It means the vessel was scheduled to arrive on 6/11/2014; there-fore, the WeBOC System allocated IGM to this vessel.

As per available record the ship arrived in Pakistan on 12/11/2014 and berthed at the terminal FAP on 19/11/2014. It was de-berthed on 22/11/2014 before goods could be off-loaded as the ship was berthed out of turn, as explained by the management of FAP. The ship reberthed on 29/ 11/2014. The log book and correspondence of the ship was retrieved from the ship on 02/12/2014 and found that right in the beginning master of vessel set ETA of the vessel for Pakistan as 13/11/2014. It remained the same after calling a port of Egypt it was amended to 12/11/2014 as per log book of the ship.

There is no mention on the log book anywhere that the ETA for Pakistan would be 6/ 1 1/2014. It was deliberately filed by the shipping agent M/s. M.M. Marine Services (Pvt) Ltd as 6/11/2014 instead of I2/11/2014 because he knew that System would pick up ETA date as IGM date and section-30 of Customs Act, 1969 in case of manual filing and section 30A ibid, in case of computerized filing, says that where GDs are filed before filing of IGM cut-off date for calculation of duties and taxes will be the date of IGM. Regulatory duty at 20% ad valorem was levied vide Government of Pakistan’s notification

Therefore, the shipping agent, who was one of the importers in this case, knew that any date of IGM on or after 07/11/2014 would render wheat subject to levy of regulatory duty. Therefore, he deliberately and with mala fide intentions mentioned date 6/1 1/2014 instead of 12/11/2014. All the duties and taxes attempted to be evaded have been recovered and FIR has been lodged.

In order to fix the responsibility on customs officials in negligence, the collectorate duty off Principal Appraiser Asad Aleem and five appraisers namely Aneesur Rehman, Noor Muhammad Kaleem, Ghulam Yasin, Sareer uddin and Qamar Mubeen.

Sources said that assessment officers had no access to information on his screen about the arrival of ship and they could see only the IGM submitted by the shipping agent. Assessment officers have nothing to do with the arrival or non-arrival of ship, which is a flaw in the WeBoc system.

KARACHI: The Customs duty collection by Pakistan Customs declined by 10.38 percent to Rs15.12 billion in July 2015 as compared with the collection of Rs16.873 billion in July period last year as all major Collectorates under-performed.

Similarly, Customs duty collection by Pakistan Customs MCC south region declined by 9.3 percent to Rs13.069 billion in July 2015 as compared with the collection of Rs14.41 billion in July 2014.

Overall sales tax collection at import stage stood Rs32.205 billion during the month under review, down 13.74 percent as against Rs37.337 billion in the same month last year.

Appraisement South’s collection of sales tax at import stage stood at Rs26.838 billion, down 18 percent as against Rs32.014 collected last year in the similar month.

Income tax collected by Pakistan Customs during July 2015 stood at Rs9.662 billion as compared with Rs10.561 billion in July last year. Appraisement South collected Income tax of Rs8.241 billion in the month as against Rs9.103 billion collected in the same month last year.

Highest revenue collection in terms of Customs duty came from MCC Appraisement East, which collected Rs4.131 billion followed by MCC Appraisement West collecting Rs3.737 billion and MCC Port Qasim collecting Rs3.487 billion in July 2015.

For the month of July 2015, MCC Rawalpindi CD collection stood at Rs182.73 million compared with Rs391.36 million collected in same period last year; MCC Lahore CD collection stood at Rs1.136 billion (Rs1.356 billion in July 2014); MCC Islamabad CD collection Rs76.10 million (Rs99.78 million July 2014); MCC Peshawar CD collection Rs428.59 million (Rs361.58 million July 2014); MCC Multan CD collection Rs213.12 million (Rs161.51 million July 2014); MCC Hyderabad CD collection Rs28.14 million (Rs35.10 million July 2014); MCC Quetta CD collection Rs114.34 million (Rs57.18 million July 2014); MCC Karachi preventive CD collection Rs1.496 billion (Rs838.99 million July 2014); MCC Karachi EPZ-Imports CD collection stood at Rs15.42 million (Rs8.28 million July 2014); MCC Sialkot CD collection Rs7.63 million (Rs6.32 million July 2014) and MCC Faisalabad customs duty collection in July 2015 stood at Rs2.27 million compared with Rs86.18 million collected in July 2014.

KARACHI: The government is having consultation with all leading chambers and trade bodies to take their input and suggestions for resolving the issues concerning withholding tax (WHT) on bank instruments issued by non-filers.

This was decided during a meeting of the Committee on Communication, one of the three committees constituted by the government to resolve the WHT related issues, held at FBR House on Tuesday, 4th August 2015.

The meeting was chaired by Mian Abdul Manan, MNA, while Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to PM on Revenue, Shahid Hussain Asad, Sr. Member (Inland Revenue) Policy, FBR and Nadeem Dar, Member FATE, FBR, were also present.

The meeting mulled over various suggestions and proposals and decided to further engage the country’s chambers, trade bodies and stakeholders to listen to their concerns and apprehensions regarding the WHT.

The meeting also decided to follow an effective communication strategy to allay fears and misconceptions of the business community about the possible consequences of becoming filers.

Speaking on the occasion, Mian Abdul Manan, Convener of the Committee, said the government was aware of the problems and concerns of the business community and it was striving to take measures which would facilitate the business community and contribute towards documentation of the economy.

“Documentation of the economy is the key pillar of the economic reforms being pursued by the government, and we hope that the business community would help us in achieving this goal,” he said.

KARACHI: The MCC Preventive staff at Jinnah Terminal has foiled a bid to smuggle large quantity of gold bars, mobile phones and laptop and tablets etc worth Rs7.4 million. Four persons were also arrested.

According to the details, Jinnah Terminal four persons arrived from Emirates flight from Dubai. Acting on information received by Assistant Collector Wasif Malik, SPO S.M Irfan checked the suspected passengers and recovered 1.2 KG gold bars, which has been confiscated.

The officials also recovered 75 mobile phones, 25 laptops, 15 tablet PCs, 12 Mac books, 60 Ipods from the possession of these passengers.

The accused were presented before the Customs Court and a remand was obtained till August 12, 2015.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s petroleum gases and gaseous hydrocarbon imports have surged massively to Rs7.958 billion in July 2015 as compared with Rs2.145 million in July 2014, as reported by Customs Appraisement South.

Moreover, imports of motor cars and vehicles also surged by significant 41 percent to Rs4.98 billion in July 2015 as against the imports of Rs3.516 billion in July 2014 while vehicles meant for transport of goods also increased by 84 percent to Rs1.546 billion in the month under review.

According to the data available with Customnews.pk, a major shift is observed in country’s imports as import of several goods doubled in July 2015 while import of a number of products and goods declined significantly.

Tea worth Rs3.513 billion arrived in the country in July 2015 as against rs2.265 billion in the same month last year. Similarly import of insecticides/pesticides and plant growth regulators surged to Rs1.626 billion this year in July as against Rs969.451 million in the same month last year.

Import of new pneumatic tyres of rubber stood at Rs2.549 billion in July as against Rs1.986 billion in July 2014. Import of mineral or chemical fertilizers also surged by 28 percent to Rs2.244 billion.

Artificial staple fibers’ import surged to Rs2.649 billion in July 2015 as against Rs2.22 billion in corresponding month last year. Import of refined copper and copper alloys surged by 87 percent to Rs778.734 billion.

Meanwhile, import of petroleum and mineral oils declined by 60 percent to Rs13.672 billion in July 2015 as against the import of Rs35.172 billion in July 2014. Import of electrical apparatus for line telephony and telegraphy declined by 75 percent to Rs1.033 billion in July 2015 as against Rs4.047 billion in the same month last year.

Import of palm oil and its fractions declined by 74 percent to Rs968.081 million in July 2015 as compared to Rs3.714 billion in July 2014. Import of electric generating sets and rotary converters stood at Rs1.084 billion in July 2015 as against Rs3.204 billion in the same month last year. Import of milk and cream in July this year stood at Rs1.042 billion a against Rs1.627 billion last year.

KARACHI: A large number of senior officers of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) in the next five years which would create vacancies for junior officers to be upgraded in senior grades.

According to details available with Customnews.pk, Lutfullah virk of BS-22 is due to be retired in November 2015; accordingly as per seniority list Nadir Khan Hoti of BS-21 is likely to be promoted in BS-22. Hoti is set to retire in January 2017.

Another Grade-22 officer of PCS, Amir Khan Marwat would retire in November 2016; Nisar Mohammad Khan tops the seniority list but he is retiring in Janury 2017, so there is likelihood that Mohammad Nazim Saleem, who is set to retire in 2018 and seconds Nisar Mohammad Khan as per seniority, would be promoted in Bs-22.

It may be mentioned that whenever situations in BS-22 are vacant the Central Selection Board (CSB) is convened to consider the promotions. According to law CSB is supposed to be convened twice a year for nominating the BS-20 officers in Bs-21, but the Board is convened once a year or sometimes once in two years.

Moreover, a number of BS-21 officers of PCS are retiring in the next five years. As per the seniority list, officers of BS-21 retiring in the next five years include Ahmed Dildar retiring in December 2015; Ghulam Ahmed retiring in March 2017; Rozi Khan Burki is retiring in June 2018; Khalid Mahmood is retiring in April 2017; Mohammad Yayha is retiring in December 2015; Ali Salman Abbasi is retiring in January 2016; Nasir Masroor is retiring in September 2017; Ms. Rubina Akhtar is retiring in June 2018; Shaukat ali is retiring in August 2019; Ms. Rubina Wasti is retiring in August 2017; Ms. Samaira Nazir Khan is retiring in July 2018; Junaid Akran retires in October 2017; Ms. Adila Rehman retires in 2016 and Ms. Sarwat Tahira Habib is set to retire in December 2020.

KARACHI: A high level meeting of the representatives of textile industry was held in FBR (HQs) to discuss issues relating to viability of textile sector and issues of textile industry pertaining to FBR.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Revenue. Secretary Textile, Mr. Amir Muhammad Khan Marwat, Senior officials from Ministry of Commerce, Members of FBR and other senior officers of FBR also attended the meeting.

The representatives of the industry explained viability issues of the industry due to high inputs and tough international competition. They also raised certain issues relating to FBR which were discussed at length. Many of the issues were settled during the meeting on which the textile industry representatives expressed their satisfaction. Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Revenue, assured the industry that FBR will facilitate the industry and try its best to resolve the issues (which could not be settled during the meeting), as early as possible.

The meeting lasted for more than three hours and was held in a very friendly and amicable atmosphere. The textile industry representatives thanked the FBR team in general and Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Revenue, in particular to take keen interest and give a patient hearing.

KARACHI: The Sales Tax Committee, one of the three committees constituted by the government last week to facilitate talks and resolve issues facing the business community, has dispelled the fears of retailers and business community which has the mis-perception that the imposition of 0.3 percent bank withholding tax would show their actual turnover which may exceed Rs 5 million and they would be forced to be registered for the sales tax regime.

“For retailers, there is nothing to worry about on this count as the government has already introduced a new sales tax regime vide SRO 608/2014 which instead of applying the Rs 5 million turnover as yardstick for mandatory registration of sales tax, introduces different categories under which the sales tax regime is applicable,” said senior FBR officials while responding to apprehensions of the retailers and business community during the 2nd meeting of the Sales Tax Committee held at the FBR House Islamabad on Thursday.

The meeting attended by office-bearers and representatives of various chambers and trade bodies was told that under the SRO 608(I)/2014 dated July 2, 2014, the federal government had revamped the entire system of sales tax for retailers. Under the new regime, different categories have been introduced for the registration of retailers, which included a retailer operating as a unit of a national or international chain of stores; a retailer operating in an air-conditioned shopping mall, plaza or centre, excluding kiosks; and a retailer whose cumulative electricity bill during the immediately preceding 12 consecutive months exceeds Rs. 600,000. Any retailer who does not fall in any of these categories would only pay sales tax on his electricity bill and would not be bound to register for the sales tax regime.

Earlier, the meeting held with Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan, MNA & Parliamentary Secretary Finance, in the chair as Convener of the Committee, had detailed interactive sector-to-sector sessions with representatives of Sugar, Oil & Ghee, Cement and Embroidery sectors. Various proposals and recommendations were discussed and the representatives of these sectors were asked to fine-tune their proposals and present comprehensive sector-based recommendations to the Committee in its forthcoming meetings.

The Committee would again meet tomorrow (Friday) at 10:30am at the FBR House to meet with representatives of Iron & Steel, Chip Board & Plywood, Yarn & Fiber, Ready-Made Garments & Clothing and Oil & Lubricants sectors.

KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and business leaders have agreed on devising a simplified performa for the new taxpayers.

Through the Finance Act 2015, a new section 236P was introduced in the Income Tax Ordinance 2001. This section envisages 0.6 percent adjustable withholding tax on all banking instruments of more than Rs. 50,000/- per day issued by an account holder who has not filed income tax return for tax year 2014.

Business Community expressed its reservations on introduction of this adjustable Withholding tax on non-filers. On the directions of Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, negotiations were started with the business community.

On 8th and 9th July, 2015, meetings with the business community were held in Ministry of Finance and FBR. On 9th July, 2015, an agreement was reached between FBR and business community during a meeting chaired by the Finance Minister in FBR.

In pursuance of the said agreement and as per directions of the Finance Minister to hold meaningful parleys with business community three Committees were constituted on 27th July 2015 [Income Tax Committee, Sales Tax Committee, and Communication Committee].

Initial meetings of Income Tax Committee and Communication Committee were held on 31st July 2015 and meeting of Sale Tax Committee was held on 3rd August 2015 in FBR.

Second round of meeting of Income Tax Committee was held today i.e. 6th August, 2015 under the Chairmanship of Mr. Shahid Hussain Asad, Senior Member (Inland Revenue Policy), FBR, Islamabad and was attended by office-bearers and representatives of various chambers and trade bodies. In the meeting the business community expressed satisfaction on the government’s initiatives to try to address reservations of business community. However, they requested that raids/action under section 40B of Sales Tax Act, 1990 by FBR authorities on business premises of the taxpayers may be stopped to create amicable atmosphere between the taxpayers and FBR. New Income Tax return form was also discussed during the meeting. While they expressed their satisfaction on the return performa for tax year 2015 for existing non-corporate taxpayers, they proposed that a more simplified performa of return for new filers may also be devised. The Chairman of the Committee offered the business leaders to prepare the draft performa for the new taxpayers, which may be discussed in next meeting. The business leaders accepted the offer and promised to prepare a simplified performa. It was decided to hold next meeting on 12.08.2015 at 11.00 am in FBR (HQs).

KARACHI: Despite severe shortage of human resources and data accessibility constraints, the Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA), Karachi headed by Gul Rehman since January 01, 2015 has been able to detect an amount over Rs1.0 billion as evasion of duty and taxes.

PCA Karachi is facing acute shortage of experienced and dedicated supervisory/operational staff as only three Assistant / Deputy Directors are working in this Directorate as against the sanctioned strength of seven. Similarly there is only one Principal Appraiser (PA) against sanctioned strength of three whereas two Appraising Officers against sanctioned strength of ten are working in this Directorate.

Further, out of two Inland Revenue Audit Officers (IRAO) working in this Directorate against the sanctioned strength of four, one has been assigned the task of DDO. Further, against the sanctioned strength of eleven Auditors, no Auditor has been posted to this Directorate.

It may be mentioned here that PCA carries out assigned audits besides shouldering huge work load of litigation cases which needs attendance at different Adjudication forums, Collector Appeals, Appellate Tribunals and even advocates for cases pending in Honorable High Courts.

Moreover, WeBOC module has not yet been fully operationalized to support complete audit system. The Directorate, therefore, is still carrying out audit work manually.

Sources said that PCA was almost dormant till the beginning of January 2015 and the office of Director PCA Karachi had become a ‘dead posting’ which no officer was willing to assume.

However, after Gul Rehman assumed the office of Director PCA, Karachi, there has been a fast-track turn around and PCA is becoming a vibrant directorate.

Only in six months, the Directorate detected huge amount of revenue leakage as well as several operational and technical reforms were implemented resolving accessibility issues.

The officers of the Directorate were tasked to personally examine all the available record of the PCA commencing from Year 2009 till date and enter the same in MS Excel Format. The officers of the Directorate in the first instance entered the data starting from the Case file Number, Audit Observation Number, Contravention Report Number, Show Cause Notice Number, Brief Facts of the case, PCT, details of Duties and taxes involved therein.

The task of computerization of record was initiated immediately on assuming the charge by Gul Rehman as Director. As the available staff lacked online audit techniques in the WeBOC audit module. The audit staff has been made familiarized with the online audit techniques. Now they are able to conduct audit in the PCA WeBOC Audit Module.

Moreover, the configuration issue in the ID of Director PCA in coordination with WeBOC development team has been resolved and now the Director PCA can select GDs for audit through selectivity criteria.

KARACHI: Pakistan Customs and China Customs have agreed to implement Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), which would eliminate misuse of concessionary regime under Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and revenue leakage by way of under-invoicing and misclassification would be plugged.

A meeting between the Customs authorities of both Pakistan and China will be held next week in China, which deliberate upon the modalities of the data interchange. Director Automation and Reforms Majid Yousufani would lead the Pakistan Customs’ delegation comprising Chief Automation Abdul Qadir, Riaz Chaudry and Azeem Afzal of PRAL.

It may be recalled that Federal Board of Revenue earlier this year had issued an alert regarding mis-declaration in imports from China under 50 HS codes. The Board was also concerned about the un-warranted concessions granted under various SROs covering preferential or free trade agreements.

The Board had advised verification of suspected Certificates of Origin directly through the Commercial Missions of Pakistan abroad; discouraging mis-classification of goods to obtain concessions and extending benefits only to goods which strictly matched the description provided in respective SROs.

It may be mentioned that the export data of China Customs for CY 2013 was cross matched with the import data of Pakistan Customs for same period and it transpired that in respect of 376 tariff lines the import value declared before Pakistan Customs was short by $2.437 billion that that recorded by China Customs as export value to Pakistan.

Moreover, in respect of 13 tariff lines the import value declared before Pakistan Customs was in excess of $829 million that that recorded by China Customs as export value to Pakistan. This is indicative of possible mis-classification of those goods which attract higher rates of duty but are cleared as goods attracting lower rates.

KARACHI: The Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (Customs) has detected revenue loss of Rs 3.5 million, which M/s Descon Engineering Limited Lahore evaded on account of availing inadmissible benefit of SRO 575(I)/2006.

According to the details, scrutiny of import data of M/s Descon Engineering revealed that they imported various consignments of machinery and spare parts and got them cleared from MCC Appraisement West and MCC Preventive availing inadmissible exemption of Customs duty as in excess of 5.0 percent under SRO 575(I)/2006, while the imported goods did not fall within the ambit of plant, machinery, equipment spares and accessories required for manufacture or production of any good.

Therefore, the imported goods were subject to statutory rate of Customs duty, sales tax and withholding tax. Thus and amount of Rs3.5 million has been evaded by M/s Descon Engineering.

Director PCA has prepared two contravention reports against M/s Descon Engineering, which have been forwarded for adjudication proceedings.

KARACHI: The Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive has served ‘final notice’ on M/s Pakistan International Airline (PIA) for clearance of dues pertaining to wet leased six aircraft, as the post-dated cheques submitted by the Airline were dishonored.

These six aircraft were imported by PIA and October-November 2014 against wet lease agreements. The same were released against undertaking furnished by M/s PIA without payment of duty and taxes subject to the condition that leviable duty and taxes will be paid within three months.

M/s PIA furnished four post-dated cheques amounting to Rs617.167 million out of which an amount of Rs311.261 million has been encashed whereas two cheques amounting to Rs305.906 in total were dishonored and returned back by the concerned bank.

Despite of considerable time MS PIA has not made the remaining payment of government dues so far, an official told Customnews.pk.

Customs authorities have advised the national flag carrier to forward pay order of Rs554.333 million, which is recoverable from M/s PIA on account of taxes on the declared wet lease value.

MCC Preventive has warned M/s PIA that failing in making the payment by August 11, 2015 within the specified time of three days would attract action under the relevant provisions of law which involve lodging of FIR and detaining of aircraft while operations of aircraft may also be suspended.

KARACHI:  The Establishment Division has notified nominations of BS-18 officers for 20^th Mid Carrier Management Course (MCMC) at NIMS Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Islamabad.

The BS-18 officers of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) nominated for MCMC include Ms Sadia Sadaf, Deputy Collector MCC Appraisement West; Rizwan Mehmood, Deputy Collector MCC Appraisement East; Zubair Shah, Deputy Collector MCC Appraisement East; Tahir  Abbas, Deputy Collector MCC Export (Port Qasim); Yousuf Ali Khan Magsi, Deputy Collector MCC Hyderabad and Kamran Ali Rana, Deputy Collector MCC Appraisement East.

The BS-18 officers of Inland Revenue Service (IRS) nominated for MCMC include Zafar Rafiq Siddique, Mumtaz Ali Bohio, Tariq Hussain Tunio, Abdul Salam Khan, Abdul Qadeer Abbasi, Fouz Khalid Khan, Amanat Ali Shar, Naveed Ali Nareejo, Abdul Wahid Shar and Ms Sobia Mazhar.

Meanwhile, the Establishment Division has also notified withdrawals of nominations of BS-20 officers for 103^rd National Management Course (NMC) and these withdrawals do not include the names of Manzoor Memon Collector Appraisement East and M. Nasir Khan Member Customs Appellate Tribunal.

It may be mentioned here that Nasir Khan is unable to join the course on medical grounds and he also has submitted his medical certificate in this regard.

Manzoor Memon is also not willing to join the course as he does not want to loose the lucrative office of Collector Appraisement East.

Sources said that if none of the nominated BS-20 officers of PCS attend the course, Pakistan Customs would loose the promotions in Grade-21 in the upcoming Central Selection Board (CSB).

KARACHI: The Customs House Karachi on Monday remained disconnected with the rest of the country as construction and rehabilitation work of Edulgee Dinshaw Road ruptured the DSL line passing through depriving the Customs House of internet connectivity.However, the clearance was not affected as the WeBOC system remained operative.An official informed that Collector Preventive has advised the concerned team to complete the work by August 14, 2015.Governor Sindh in November last year had inaugurated the beautification and rehabilitation of Edulgee Dinshaw Road.

In view of the prevailing reputation of the road and area, and high security risk because of the presence of compromise-able as well as criminal elements, Tariq Huda, Collector Preventive formulated a proposal to revamp and redecorate the road, so as to discourage presence of anti-social elements.

KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made it mandatory for all individuals withdrawing taxable salary to file their income tax returns electronically from tax year 2015 onwards.

According to SRO 791(I)/2015, the Board has directed that all individuals earning taxable salary income shall be liable to file their income tax returns.

Earlier, individuals drawing annual salary of Rs500,000 or more were liable to file their returns electronically.

The returns need to be accompanied by the proof of deduction or payment of tax and wealth statement.

The Finance Act 2015-16 has revised the income tax rates and slabs on salaried taxpayers.

The minimum income tax rate on the salaried persons has been reduced to 2.0 percent as against 5.0 percent earlier. This rate is applicable on persons drawing annual salaries ranging Rs 400,000 to Rs 500,000 per year.

Individuals drawing annual salary less than Rs400,000 are exempt from income tax hence filing returns.

KARACHI: Lahore Customs Agent Association (LCAA) is harassing and cancelling membership of its members if they didn’t support them in the elections of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), where LCAA is going to participate in its election for the seats of executive committee, a statement issued by CEO of Customs Syndicate said.

Muhammad Anwar, owner and chief executive of Custom Syndicate, an international logistics solutions providers company, Lahore said that he had been threatened by LCAA Chairman Ch. Amjad on phone and he was asked to give him support in LCCI elections otherwise they would close down his business.

Anwar said that his office was ransacked while LCAA wrote a letter to Chief Collector of Customs (Central) Customs House, Nabha road, Lahore that in Annual General Body meeting of LCAA, unanimous decision was been taken to cancel the membership of Muhammad Anwar of Customs Syndicate.

However, after due investigation Zahra Haider, Additional Collector (Licensing) informed Chief Collector that the official record pertaining to the said clearing agency was scrutinized which showed that there was neither any liability/recovery of the Government dues nor any contravention case or FIR case pending against the said clearing agency.

Muhammad Anwar has demanded of the government and customs authorities that LCAA activities must be monitored as they had grown up a mafia in Lahore dry port.

KARACHI: The Court of Special Judge (Customs & Taxation) has dismissed the bail of Mohammad Ali Chandna, owner of M/s Pure Enterprises and issued his arrest warrants. Chandna is facing investigation pertaining to fraudulent import and clearance of pharmaceutical chemicals, which are otherwise banned to be imported.

According to details, Appraisement West had nominated Chandna in FIRs for the fraudulent import of banned pharmaceutical chemicals.

Later, following an FIR lodged by MCC Appraisement East, Chandna was given into their custody on remand. But later, he managed to obtain bail on payment of Rs5.0 million against the differential amount of tax/duty. He was not put in lock-up, instead a room was given to him at R&D East.

Sources said that Mohammad Ali Chandna was involved in the wrongdoing but he was being played at the hands of a Principal Appraiser at MCC Appraisement East and a non-Customs official (a third party), who was quite close to Chandna.

The said person along with earlier brokered a deal between Chandna and a senior officer of MCC Appraisement East.

Sources said that now the said person was leaking information to Customs officials about Mohammad Ali Chandna. Recently, a place was raided by Customs officials where Chandna was present, but he was given the escape route against alleged payment of official’s demands.

Sources said that the said principal appraiser along with the said third person were keeping pressure on Chandna so as to keep draining him.

An official said that it would be better for Chandna to surrender himself before the authorities and face the proceedings; this would be quite better for him.

It was known that some 83 containers were cleared from MCC Appraisement East which contained the banned pharmaceutical chemicals including Aspirin, Paracetamol and Cefixime under vague descriptions. This ordeal resulted in a revenue evasion of over Rs1.0 billion.

KARACHI: The Central Selection Board (CSB) would convene on August 12, 2015 to consider the promotion of BS-18 officers of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) into BS-19. Customnews.pk learnt that there are 21 situations vacant in BS-19 at Pakistan Customs Service.

The officers who have qualified the Mid Carrier Management Course (MCMC) and are in the seniority list would be considered for promotion in Grade-18. These include

Asdaq Afzal Sensera, Muhammad Masood Sabir, Azood-ul-Mehdi, Farid Ahmed Khan Salarzay, Sheeraz Ahmad, Syed lmran Sajjad Bokhari, Khial Muhammad, Muhammad Arshad Khan, Naveed lqbal, Rehmatullah Vistro, Nawabzadi Aliya Dilawar Khanji, Muhammad Talib Hussain, Muhammad Ahsan Khan, Tufail Khan Yousafzai, Yasin Murtaza, Muteen Alam, Abdul Haye Sheikh, Javed Sarwar Sheikh, Syed Jawad Ali Shah, Ghulam Mustafa, M. Mumtaz Ali Raza Ch., Jawad Zafar Malik, Amer Rashid, Muhammad Daud Pirzada, Muhammad Shoaib Qazi, Dr. Noman Khan, M. Shalra Khan, Adnan lqbal Sawati, Ms. Mona Iffat Baloch and Muhammad Faisal Khan.

Several BS-18 officers despite being in the seniority list will not be considered for promotion as these officers have not qualified MCMC. These include Arbab Qaisar Hamid, Ms. Sayeeda Anjum Mushtaq, Agha Saeed Ahmed, Muhammad Saeed Asad, Syed Ali Abbas Gardezi, Salamat Ali, Syed Muhammad Hassan, Ms. Farah Farooq, M. Arshad Hayat Chaudary, Ahmad Affan, M. Rashid Munir Siddiqui,