Month: September 2019

  • Deposits of Islamic banks grow by 18.8 percent to Rs2,415 billion

    Deposits of Islamic banks grow by 18.8 percent to Rs2,415 billion

    KARACHI: Deposits of Islamic banking system has increased by 18.8 percent to Rs2,415 billion by end-June 2019 as compared with Rs2,033 billion a year ago, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Friday.

    The SBP in its Islamic Banking Bulletin said that the market share of Islamic banking systems in terms of deposits in overall banking industry increased to 15.9 percent by June 2019 as compared with 14.8 percent a year ago.

    The net assets of Islamic banks registered 20.6 percent growth to Rs2,992 billion by June 2019 as compared with Rs2,482 billion by June 2018. The market share of Islamic banks in terms of assets in overall banking industry grew by 14.4 percent by June 2019 as compared with 12.9 percent in June 2018.

    Number of banks by June 2019 increased to 22 as compared 21 a year ago. However, number of Islamic banking branches increased to 2,913 from 2,685 as of June 2018.

    The SBP said that the network of Islamic banking industry consisted of 22 Islamic banking institutions; 5 full-fledged Islamic banks (IBs) and 17 conventional banks having standalone Islamic banking branches (IBBs) by end June, 2019.

    Branch network of Islamic banking industry was recorded at 2,913 (spread across 113 districts) by end June, 2019. More than 77 percent of the branches were concentrated in Punjab and Sindh.

    The number of Islamic banking windows operated by conventional banks having standalone Islamic banking branches stood at 1,348.

    Investments (net) of Islamic banking industry were recorded at Rs. 606 billion by end June, 2019 compared to Rs. 617 billion in the previous quarter.

    During the period under review, investments (net) of both IBs and IBBs witnessed slight attrition of 0.8 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively. This can be mainly attributed to non-issuance of sovereign sukuk during the period.

    Profit before tax of Islamic banking industry was recorded at Rs. 32 billion by end June, 2019 compared to Rs. 15 billion in the same quarter last year.

    Profitability ratios like return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) before tax were recorded at 2.3 percent and 35.3 percent, respectively by end June, 2019.

    During the period under review, operating expense to gross income ratio witnessed further improvement and was recorded at 52.6 percent, compared to 54.7 percent in the previous quarter.

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  • FBR allows refund, adjustment under abolished sales tax special procedure

    FBR allows refund, adjustment under abolished sales tax special procedure

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has allowed refund and adjustment that are stuck up as sales tax special procedure was abolished through Finance Act, 2019.

    The FBR on Friday issued Sales Tax General Order (STGO) No. 105 for allowing adjustment / refund of sales tax paid under special procedures.

    The FBR said that through the budgetary measures for the financial year 2019-20, special procedures and other treatments for various sectors have been abolished and instead standard sales tax regime with right to input tax adjustment have been prescribed with effect from 1st July, 2019.

    It has been pointed out that the goods on which sales tax has been paid under special procedures prior to 1st July, 2019, were in stock on 30th June, 2019, and the same would be supplied after the said date, thus attracting sales tax under standard regime at applicable rate, subjecting the goods to double / increased incidence of tax.

    It has been further pointed out that under special procedures, input tax adjustment was not allowed. However, if such input goods, or finished goods made from these inputs, are supplied after 30th June, 2019, the right of input tax is created. The taxpayers have requested to provide a mechanism to avail such adjustment or for refund of tax paid in excess.

    Acknowledging the position as highlighted, the Board intends to resolve the issue as under:

    Steel Sector: Melters:

    Adjustment against GDs of re-meltable scrap imported prior to 1st July, 2019, which remained in stocks or the finished goods made therefrom remained in stock on 30th June, 2019, shall be made available to the extent of that consumed in supplies made in July and August 2019, provided no adjustment of tax paid on such GDs was made against sales tax on electricity bill as was provided under the Sales Tax Special Procedures Rules, 2007.

    However, such adjustment shall be made available, on case-to-case basis, if the Commissioner concerned verifies the stock position on 30th June, 2019, as declared online by such steel melters.

    The verification may be done by working back from current physical stocks and production and sales of intervening period after ensuring that the declared production is not below one metric ton per 800 units of electricity consumed during the intervening period. The adjustment to be allowed shall not exceed the stock as so verified or the stock as declared online, whichever is lower.

    Oil and Ghee Mills:

    Adjustment shall be available in respect of 16 percent FED against imports made in June, 2019, as available in stock on 30th June, 2019, in the same form or in the form of finished goods, as consumed in sales made during July and August, 2019. Adjustment shall be made to the extent of sales actually made in each month.

    Refund of Rs. 1 / kg paid on inputs:

    If inputs on which Rs. 1 / kg FED was paid on import or local purchase and the same, or the finished goods made therefrom, remained in stock on 30th June, 2019, such Rs. 1 / kg becomes payment in excess if such finished goods are supplied after 30th June, 2019, with payment of due tax / FED at 17 percent. The refund of such Rs. 1 / kg, so paid in excess, may be allowed by the field formations, under section 66, after due scrutiny and as per law, after ensuring that the finished goods produced from such inputs have been supplied and FED payable at 17 percent has been duly accounted for in the relevant return.

    Extra Tax Items as specified in Chapter XI of rescinded Sales Tax Special Procedures Rules, 2007:

    Adjustment shall be available against invoices showing 17 percent input tax on purchases of specified goods during June, 2019, which were in stock on 30th June, 2019, and were sold in July and August 2019. These invoices as declared in June, 2019 return shall be made available for adjustment. Adjustment shall be made to the extent of sales actually made in each month.

    Refund of 2 percent extra tax:

    If purchases of specified goods inputs on which 2 percent extra tax was paid, remained in stock on 30th June, 2019, such 2 percent extra tax becomes payment in excess if such finished goods are supplied after 30th June, 2019, with payment of due sales tax at 17 percent. The refund of extra tax, so paid in excess, may be allowed by the field formations, under section 66, after due scrutiny and as per law, after ensuring that the goods involved supplied and sales tax at 17 percent has been duly accounted for in the relevant return.

    General Guidelines:

    There shall be only one adjustment of input tax against a particular GD or invoice. In case part input tax is adjustable against a particular GD or invoice, the inadmissible amount may be reflected in Column 7 of the return. Field formations shall monitor input tax adjustments as provided herein and ensure that the same have been rightfully made.

    The adjustment shall be made against stocks on 30th June, 2019, as declared on FBR’s website. In case of any mis-declaration of such stocks, or adjustments in excess of amount of tax involved in actual stocks shall be recovered under law Adjustment / refund shall only be made in respect of suppliesas already made on payment of tax due.

  • FBR notifies transfers, postings of BS-17-19 customs officers

    FBR notifies transfers, postings of BS-17-19 customs officers

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday announced transfers and postings of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) officers in BS-17-19 with immediate effect until further orders.

    The FBR notified transfers and postings of following officers:

    01. Muhammad Nayyar Shafiq (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector, Model Customs Collectorate (AIIA), Lahore from the post of Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad.

    02. Muhammad Irfan Wahid (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Director, Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation,FBR, Islamabad from the post of Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad.

    03. Engr. Habib Ahmad (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Exports, Custom House, Karachi from the post of Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad.

    04. Ms. Mehreen Naseem (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Additional Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation,FBR, Lahore.

    05. Muhammad Ahsan Khan (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Additional Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Peshawar.

    06. Muhammad Raza (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector, Model Customs Collectorate (AIIA), Lahore from the post of Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad.

    07. Adnan Iqbal Sawati (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Peshawar from the post of Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad.

    08. Haroon Waqar Malik (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Karachi from the post of Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad.

    09. Rizwan Bashir (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement (East), Karachi from the post of Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad.

    10. Ms. Dr. Kaukab Farooq (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Additional Director, Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation,FBR, Islamabad.

    11. Mushtaq Ali Shahani (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Karachi from the post of Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad.

    12. Afzaal Ahmed (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement (East), Karachi from the post of Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad.

    13. Ms. Tahira Javed (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Additional Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Lahore.

    14. Asad Ullah Larik (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Additional Collector, Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication-II), Karachi.

    15. Ali Raza Turabi (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Second Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Deputy Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Exports (Port Muhammad Bin Qasim), Karachi.

    16. Moeen Afzal Ali (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement (East), Karachi from the post of Second Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad.

    17. Mrs. Saher Yasir (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Directorate of IPR Enforcement (North), Islamabad from the post of Second Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad.

    18. Ubaidullah (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-17) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, (OPS) Directorate of Post Clearance Audit, Islamabad from the post of Deputy Collector, (OPS) Model Customs Collectorate, Peshawar.

    19. Syeda Sadaf Ali Shah (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-17) has been transferred and posted as Assistant Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement (East), Karachi from the post of Assistant Collector, Model Customs Collectorate, Peshawar.

    The FBR said that the officers who are drawing performance allowance prior to issuance of this notification shall continue to draw this allowance on the new place of posting.

  • Remittances decline by 8.37pc to $3.73 billion in July – August

    Remittances decline by 8.37pc to $3.73 billion in July – August

    KARACHI: The inflows of workers’ remittances have declined by 8.37 percent to $3.73 billion during first two months (July – August) 2019/2020 as compared with $4.071 billion in the same months of the last fiscal year, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Friday.

    The central bank said that overseas Pakistani workers remitted US$ 1,690.9 million in the August 2019 as compared with US$ 2039.3 million received during July 2019. This showed a decline of US$ of 348.4 million on month-on-month basis, reflecting the usual one-off post Eid-ul-Azha effect.

    The country wise details for the month of August 2019 show that inflows from Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA, UK, GCC countries (including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman) and EU countries amounted to US$ 377.58 million, US$ 348.51 million, US$ 297.41 million, US$ 250.20 million, US$ 158.60 million and US$ 58.14 million respectively compared with the inflow of US$ 465.53 million, US$ 473.11 million, US$ 330.40 million, US$ 294.90 million, US$ 193.17 million and US$ 59.69 million respectively in August 2018.

    Remittances received from Malaysia Norway, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan and other countries during August 2019 amounted to US$ 200.42 million together as against US$ 272.62 million received in August 2018.

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  • Stok market falls by 65 points in narrow trading

    Stok market falls by 65 points in narrow trading

    KARACHI: The stock market ended down by 65 points on Friday in a narrow range trading of 86 points and -267 points with total volume of 103 million shares.

    The benchmark KSE-100 index of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX)closed at 31,481 points as against 31,546 points showing a decline of 65 points.

    Analysts at Arif Habib Limited said that the market traded in a narrow range today between +83 points and -267 points with a total volume of 103 million shares.

    Mixed trend was witnessed in E&P scrips that brought the index in red zone. Cement and Steel sector scrips also made positive moves with ASTL and MUGHAL hitting upper circuits.

    Stocks that contributed to selling pressure mainly included HUBC, HBL and MLCF. Cement sector led the volumes table with 18.7 million shares followed by E&P (7.1 million) and Engineering (8.2 million). Among scrips, MLCF ranked top with 7.5 million shares followed by UNITY (7.1 million) and OGDC (6.8 million).

    Sectors contributing to the performance include Cement (+43 points), Fertilizer (+16 points), Insurance (+11 points), Banks (-116 points), Autos (-23 points), Power (-23 points).

    Volumes declined from 185.8 million shares to 103 million shares (-45 percent DoD). Average traded value also declined by 43 percent to reach US$ 29.9 million as against US$ 52 million.

    Stocks that contributed significantly to the volumes include MLCF, UNITY, OGDC, PAEL and LOTCHEM, which formed 30 percent of total volumes.

    Stocks that contributed positively include LUCK (+47 points), EFERT (+15 points), KAPCO (+15 points), PPL (+14 points) and UBL (+10 points). Stocks that contributed negatively include HBL (-69 points), HUBC (-35 points), MCB (-34 points), MARI (-17 points), and BAHL (-17 points).

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  • Rupee ends flat amid higher import demand

    Rupee ends flat amid higher import demand

    The Pakistani Rupee remained stable against the US Dollar on Friday, closing at Rs156.19 compared to the previous day’s rate of Rs156.18 in the interbank foreign exchange market. The currency maintained its position despite increased demand for the dollar due to impending weekly holidays, dealers said.

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  • Govt plans issuance of Eurobond, Sukuk in international capital markets; intends to hire consortia

    Govt plans issuance of Eurobond, Sukuk in international capital markets; intends to hire consortia

    ISLAMABAD: The government has planned to set up a Medium Term Note (MTN) Program for issuance of US Dollar denominated Eurobonds and Sukuk in the international capital markets.

    The program shall initially cover a period of one year, said ministry of finance on Friday.

    For the purpose, finance division plans to engaged two consortia, each consisting of five financial institutions, for issuance of Eurobonds and Sukuk under the program. “The selected consortia are expected to guide, advise, manage, coordinate and execute the whole range of activities associated with the program,” the ministry said.

    It further said that Consortium – 1 shall consist of five conventional financial institutions and shall assist in issuance of Eurobonds. Consortium-2 shall consist of five financial institutions, including at least two Islamic financial institutions, and shall assist in issuance of international Sukuk.

    Explaining the selection criteria for Consortium-1, the ministry said that the financial institution ranked first shall be selected. The financial institutional ranked second shall be given the option to match the lowest evaluated financial proposal. “If it chooses so, it shall be selected as part of the consortium, otherwise it shall be rejected.”

    The process shall continue in this manner till five consortium members are selected. In case of a tie, the financial institution having secured higher technical score shall be given the option to become part of the consortium.

    Regarding selection of members of Consortium-2, the ministry said that the same process as in case of Consortium – 1 shall be followed except that at least two Islamic financial institutions shall be selected as members of Consortium-2.

    The ministry invited proposals for the program to be submitted by October 14, 2019.

  • ABAD, CDC sign MoU for digitalization of land record

    ABAD, CDC sign MoU for digitalization of land record

    KARACHI: Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) and Central Depository Company Pvt Limited (CDC) on Thursday signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the digitalization of land records through Land Repository System, which will be the first ever system of Pakistan and it will cater the need of Electronic Registration of Land and Land Titles.

    The signing ceremony was held at ABAD House here on Thursday.

    Vice Chairman ABAD Abdul Kareem Adhia and Badiuddin Akber CEO of CDC signed the MoU witnessed by Chairman ABAD Muhammad Hassan Bakshi, Chairman CDC Moin M Fudda, Senior Vice Chairman ABAD Anwar Dawood, Chairman Southern Region Ibrahim Habib, senior officials of CDC and members of ABAD were present on this occasion.

    Addressing the ceremony, Moin M Fudda congratulated ABAD for initiating such a gigantic work. He said that electronic registration of land documents will help abolish possibilities of fraud and corruption.

    He said that this system will help not only to purchaser of property but will help grow national economy as it will abolish corruption being witnessed in offices of Registrars at present. He said that almost 60 percent of all cases in various courts are of fraud in lands.

    He pointed out that every third person in Sindh is victim of land fraud and the new Electronic Registration System- Land Repository System will help remove any fraud.

    Chairman ABAD Muhammad Hassan Bakshi said that ABAD is working for the legal and bona fide construction activities in Pakistan and some people are accusing that builders are cheating people but 98 percent of ABAD members are doing their legitimate business. He lamented that ABAD members are wrongly accused of illegal construction activities as more than 5000 buildings are being constructed illegally and without any approval of competent authority while all members of ABAD are getting approvals before starting construction of their buildings.

    He said that Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister Murtaza Wahab has promised to land full support for the legislation of this new system.

    Addressing the ceremony CEO CDC highlighted main points of Land Repository System. Zaigham Rizvi, Chairman Prime Minister’s Task Force for Housing also spoke on this occasion. Vice Chairman ABAD Abdul Kareem Adhia thanked all guests.

  • Total SECP registered companies increases to 104,030 by August

    Total SECP registered companies increases to 104,030 by August

    ISLAMABAD: The total registered companies with Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has reached to 104,030 by end of August 2019, a statement said on Thursday.

    The SECP registered 1,187 new companies in August 2019, out of which 94 percent companies were registered online through eService and 52 percent within same day.

    The increasing trend in registration of new companies is due to simplified and hassle free procedures of company incorporation, the SECP said.

    The SECP has recently undertaken series of reforms for providing ease of business registration. Following reforms, a company can be registered in SECP within four hours through eService.

    The SECP has recently combined the process for name reservation and incorporation to introduce a single application form for company incorporation. Moreover, the company incorporation and other regulatory fee has been reduced significantly and facility provided for payment of fee through mobile and internet banking.

    “To facilitate and guide people, the SECP has also established facilitation desks at company registration offices of Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore,” the statement said.

    The most significant development is the integration of SECP’s eServices with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and business registration portals of Punjab and Sindh. Resultantly, SECP eServices is offering a one window facility for company incorporation, NTN registration and registration with EOBI, provincial social security institution, excise and taxation department and labor department of Punjab and Sindh.

    The SECP said that the new companies registered in August 2019, include 71 percent private limited companies, 26 percent single member companies and three percent were registered as public unlisted companies, not for profit associations, trade organizations, foreign companies and Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).

    Trading sector took the lead with 192 companies followed by, services with 148, construction with 132 and IT with 120.

    The SECP said that 595 companies were registered in tourism, real estate development, education, food and beverages, engineering, corporate agricultural farming, marketing and development, chemical, mining and quarrying, textile, pharmaceutical, transport, fuel and energy, and healthcare, auto and allied, and communication, logging, power generation etc.

    The SECP said that foreign investment has been reported in 38 new companies. These companies have foreign investors from China, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Korea South, Mauritius, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the UK and the US.

    The highest numbers of companies, i.e. 434 were registered in Islamabad, followed by 316 and 189 companies registered in Lahore and Karachi respectively.

    The CRO in Peshawar, Multan, Gilgit Baltistan, Faisalabad, Quetta and Sukkur registered 81, 56, 47, 45, 13 and six companies respectively.

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  • FBR launches mobile app for filing salary returns

    FBR launches mobile app for filing salary returns

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will launch a mobile application today (September 13, 2019) for filing annual income tax returns by salaried persons.

    “FBR will tomorrow launch a ‘Mobile App’ for filing return of income for salaried persons,” said Syed Shabbar Zaidi, Chairman, FBR in a tweet on Thursday.

    “Now return of income for such persons, including payment of tax, can be made using smart phones,” he said.

    “This is a step towards complete digitalisation of processes in taxation system,” he added.

    The last date for filing income tax returns for tax year 2019 by salaried persons is September 30, 2019.