In a strategic move with the federal budget announcement just around the corner, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has executed a significant reshuffle by transferring key personnel of Pakistan Customs.
(more…)Author: Mrs. Anjum Shahnawaz
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Raw materials excluded from import banned items list
ISLAMABAD: The ministry of commerce on Monday excluded raw materials from the list of items, which were banned through SRO 598(I)/2022.
The ministry issued an office memorandum to issue clarification with regard to the SRO 598(I)/2022 dated May 19, 2022.
Through the SRO 598(I)/2022, the federal government imposed ban on import of certain luxury and non-essential items.
The ministry said that the decision has been taken in view of the concerns expressed by different trade organizations and the domestic industry regarding import of raw materials, intermediate goods and industrial equipment falling under Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT) codes listed in the SRO.
“The SRO 598(I)/2022 dated May 19, 2022 shall not apply on the import of raw materials, intermediate goods and industrial equipment/machinery required by industrial / manufacturing concerns and foreign grant-in-aid projects,” the ministry said.
Prior to this, the ministry of commerce issued another clarification related to the banned imported items on May 26, 2022.
Through this clarification, the ministry said that in order to address concerns of the citizenry and certain anomalies out of implementation of the said SRO, it is clarified:
READ MORE: Banned items: FBR deputes officers 24X7 to facilitate passengers
The SRO 598(I)/2022 dated May 19, 2022 shall not apply on import of goods for which an airway bill has been issued prior to the issuance of the said SRO.
Import of following PCT codes description ‘others’ shall be exempted from the prohibition contained in the SRO if they are:
PCT Code 2309.9000: Other than cat and dog food
PCT Code 9405.1090: Energy savers.
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Banned items: FBR deputes officers 24X7 to facilitate passengers
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday deputed senior Customs officers at all the international airports of the country to facilitate passengers related to imported items that are banned by the government.
The FBR through an order nominated focal persons at all the airports of the country. It said that in wake of the issuance of SRO 598(I)/2022, and to facilitate the genuine passengers arriving at all the international airports of the country, a list of officers has been issued regarding facilitation and compliant redressal.
The list of officers and their contact number can be accessed here.
The FBR directed that all the focal persons should ensure their availability over the respective telephone numbers round the clock.
The government on May 19, 2022 imposed a complete ban on luxury and non-essential items in order to reduce import bill and to prevent rupee devaluation. In this regard, the ministry of commerce issued SRO 598(I)/2022 to impose the ban on imported items.
READ MORE: Import ban not to apply on L/C issued before May 19, 2022
The FBR on May 24, 2022 issued a press statement saying that Pakistan Customs has stepped up enforcement at all International Airports across Pakistan to prevent smuggling of items which have recently been banned by the Federal Government vide SRO No. 598(I)/2022, dated 19.05.2022 by amending Import Policy Order, 2022.
This round-the-clock vigilance at International Terminals to prevent smuggling have already resulted in seizures of these items which were being brought in in the garb of bonafide passenger baggage.
READ MORE: Pakistan’s imports hit record high at $65.47 bn in 10 months
During scanning and checking at Jinnah International Airport (JIAP), Karachi on 23.05.2022, banned items such as food stuff, fruits, sanitary wares, used mobile phones, and branded shoes, in commercial quantities were recovered. The said items have been detained/seized under Section 168 of the Customs Act, 1969 for violation of SRO 598(I)/2022, dated 19.05.2022, (Import Policy Order, 2022) and Sections 16 and 139 of the Customs Act, 1969.
While commending the efforts of Pakistan Customs, Chairman FBR has reiterated unflinching resolve of the FBR to further strengthen enforcement measures at all airports, seaports, and land border stations to ensure the prevention of smuggling of goods including newly banned items.
READ MORE: Pakistan’s March trade deficit widens by only 5.5%
However, Finance Minister and Chairman FBR have issued instructions not to bother bonafide passengers bringing in goods in noncommercial/small quantities for personal use and to facilitate such passengers at airports to the maximum extent possible as per legal provisions.
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FBR transfers additional collectors, directors of Customs
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday May 30, 2022 transferred about 12 BS-19 officers of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) with immediate effect.
The FBR notified transfer and posting of following officers:
01. Muteen Alam (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Director, Directorate of DNFBPs, KPK from the post of Additional Collector, Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Lahore.
READ MORE: FBR transfers BS-20 officers of Pakistan Customs Service
02. Aftab Ullah Shah (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted as Additional Director, Directorate of DNFBPs, Quetta from the post of Additional Collector, Collectorate of Customs Appraisement, Quetta.
03. Nawabzada Kamran Khan Jogezai (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted on promotion as Additional Director, Directorate of Internal Audit-North (customs), Islamabad from the post of Deputy Collector, Collectorate of Customs, Islamabad.
READ MORE: FBR transfers IRS officers of BS-17 to BS-20
04. Ms. Zehra Tahir Naqvi (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted on promotion as Additional Collector, Collectorate of Customs, Jinnah International Airport (JIAP), Karachi from the post of Deputy Director, Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi.
05. Ms. Nausheen Riaz Khan (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted on promotion as Additional Director, Directorate of Law & Prosecution (Customs), Karachi from the post of Deputy Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation, FBR, Karachi.
READ MORE: FBR tightens monitoring to prevent currency smuggling
06. Ms. Aneeqa Afzal (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted on promotion as Additional Collector, Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Lahore from the post of Deputy Collector, Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication), Faisalabad.
07. Ms. Amna Naeem (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted on promotion as Additional Director, Directorate (HQs), Post Clearance Audit & Internal Audit, Karachi from the post of Deputy Director, Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (South), Karachi.
08. Shah Faisal (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted on promotion as Additional Collector, Collectorate of Customs Appraisement, Quetta from the post of Deputy Collector, Collectorate of Customs Appraisement, Quetta.
READ MORE: FBR transfers senior IR officers in major reshuffle
09. Mohammad Rehan Akram (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted on promotion as Additional Director, Directorate of Cross Border Currency Movement, Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation-FBR, Islamabad from the post of Deputy Collector, Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Multan.
10. Ms. Palwasha Syed (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted on promotion as Additional Collector, Office of the Chief Collector of Customs Enforcement (Central), Custom House, Lahore from the post of Deputy Collector, Office of the Chief Collector of Customs Enforcement (Central), Custom House, Lahore.
11. Ms. Haleema Qasim (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted on promotion as Additional Director, Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi from the post of Deputy Director, Directorate of Cross Boarder Currency Movement, Islamabad.
12. Ms. Khansa Mahmood Chaudhry (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) has been transferred and posted on promotion as Additional Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation, FBR, Rawalpindi Stationed at Gilgit-Baltistan from the post Deputy Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation, FBR, Rawalpindi.
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.
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FBR extends working hours on May 30 – 31 for tax collection
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Saturday directed the offices of Inland Revenue to observe extended working hours to facilitate taxpayers in payment of duties and taxes.
The FBR in an office memorandum directed all Large Taxpayers Offices (LTOs)/ Medium Tax Office (MTO)/ Corporate Tax Offices (CTOs)/ Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) to open and observed extended working hours till 20:00 hrs on Monday May 30, 2022 and till 22:00 hrs on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 to facilitate the taxpayers in payment of duties and taxes.
READ MORE: FBR to install more scanners for customs clearance
The FBR asked chief commissioners of Inland Revenue to establish liaison with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and authorized branches of National bank of Pakistan (SBP) to ensure transfer of tax collected by these branches to the respective branches of the SBP on the same date to account for the same towards collection for the month of May 2022.
READ MORE: FBR promotes Customs officers to BS-19
The SBP has also issued a statement in regard. The central bank said that in order to facilitate the collection of government receipts / duties / taxes, it has been decided that the field offices of SBP Banking Services Corporation (SBP-BSC) and authorized branches of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) will observe extended banking hours till 8:00 P.M. and 10:00 P.M. on 30th and 31st May, 2022 respectively.
READ MORE: FBR drafts ID evidence rules to subscribe Pakistan Single Window
Accordingly NIFT has been advised to arrange a special clearing at 8:00 P.M. on 31st May, 2022 (Tuesday) for same day clearing of payment instruments.
All banks are advised to keep their concerned branches open on 31st May, 2022 (Tuesday) till such time that is necessary to facilitate the special clearing for Government transactions by the NIFT.
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New petroleum prices in Pakistan from May 27, 2022
ISLAMABAD: The finance division of the ministry of finance on Thursday issued new prices of petroleum products effective from May 27, 2022 after a raise of Rs30 per liter on all petroleum products.
The new prices of petroleum products are as follow:
READ MORE: Pakistan increases petroleum prices by Rs30 per liter
The rate of petrol has been increased to Rs179.86 per liter from Rs149.86.
The price of high speed diesel (HSD) has been jacked up to Rs174.15 per liter from Rs144.15.
The rate of kerosene oil has been increased to Rs155.56 per liter from Rs125.56.
The price of light diesel oil has been increased to Rs148.31 per liter from Rs118.31.
READ MORE: Govt. decides to continue subsidy on petroleum prices
About couple of hours ago, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail announced to raise the prices of all petroleum products in order to comply with the demand of International Monetary Fund (IMF) for continuation of bailout package. Pakistan will get around $1 billion tranche under Extended Fund Facility (EFF) after fulfilling the IMF demand.
The finance division in a press release said that maintaining the existing petroleum products prices at the existing subsidized rates is constantly increasing the twin deficit for the government besides posing huge risk for energy supply chain.
READ MORE: Pakistan cuts petroleum prices amid Russia-Ukraine War
Also Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and refineries are facing difficulties in getting confirmation of international banks for LCs/SBLCs, reluctance of local banks in opening of LCs and hardships of importers in obtaining insurance coverage for very high prices cargos.
In order to rationalize the petroleum products prices, the government has decided to revise the existing petroleum products prices.
“To keep prices of petroleum products affordable, prices are increased partially and new prices effective from May 27, 2022,” the finance division said.
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Pakistan increases petroleum prices by Rs30 per liter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday announced a massive increase in prices of all petroleum products by Rs30/- per liter in order to satisfy International Monetary Fund (IMF) for release of $1 billion tranche.
Finance Minister Miftah Ismail at a press conference announced to increase the prices of petroleum products admitting that there was no way out without removal of subsidy on petroleum products.
READ MORE: Govt. decides to continue subsidy on petroleum prices
Ismail said that the government had decided to increase the prices of petrol, high speed diesel and kerosene oil by Rs30/- liter each effective from midnight 12:00 AM on May 27, 2022.
A day earlier, the IMF refused to continue its talks on bailout package under Extended Fund Facility (EFF) until Pakistan removed the subsidy on fuel and energy.
READ MORE: Pakistan cuts petroleum prices amid Russia-Ukraine War
Former PTI government in February 2022 decided to grant subsidy on petroleum products to ease inflationary pressure on masses.
With the announcement the prices of petroleum products would be: Petrol Rs179.86 per liter; diesel Rs184.15; and kerosene oil Rs156.56.
READ MORE: New government keeps petroleum prices unchanged
On February 28, 2022, former Prime Minister Imran Khan announced reduction in prices of petroleum products and freeze the prices till June 30, 2022. This decision came with announce of multi-billion rupees subsidy to keep the fuel prices lower.
This decision was strongly criticized by the legislators, who are now sitting on the treasury benches. The present government despite strong opposition to the decision to grant of subsidy on the petroleum prices, has no option but to keep the prices unchanged during its tenure of more than a month.
However, after the refusal of the IMF to continue talks without removal of subsidy, the PML-N led government passed on heavy burden to the masses.
READ MORE: Pakistan surrenders to IMF, agrees to remove subsidies
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FBR promotes Customs officers to BS-19
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday May 26, 2022 announced promotion of BS-18 officers of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) to BS-19 as additional collector on regular basis.
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IMF demands Pakistan to remove fuel, energy subsidies
KARACHI: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has demanded Pakistan to remove fuel and energy subsidies for further discussion on bailout package.
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FBR transfers BS-20 officers of Pakistan Customs Service
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has implemented a series of strategic transfers and postings within the Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) at the BS-20 level.
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