KARACHI: The Appraising Intelligence Branch of Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement-West is finally succeeded in managing its outstanding recovery of nearly Rs 80 million from Dewan Cement Limited (Pakland Cement) on its alleged involvement in tax evasion of Rs 86.84 million customs duty and sales tax.
According to details, the case has been decided by Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) after 19 years, as the Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement in 1995 had detected the tax evasion against Dewan Cement Limited in import of machinery, scrap and raw material in which the importer tried to evade legitimate duty/taxes in terms of customs duty and sales tax, while recovery of surcharge amount is still in pending as the apex court has not yet issued its verdict in this regard.
Subsequently, the importer Dewan Cement Limited after issuance of demand notices by the authorities of Pakistan Customs in connection with the recovery of duty/taxes had moved to the Sindh High Court (SHC) and then the Supreme Court of Pakistan and got stay order. However, after 19 years efforts by the customs officials of law branch in MCC Appraisement-West, the apex court on Tuesday, gave its judgement in the favour of the Pakistan Customs and asked the Dewan Cement Limited to deposit its non-paid duty/taxes amount.
Shahid Ibrahim Dasti, an official of Appraising Intelligence Branch of the Model Customs Collectorate MCC of Appraisement-West lauded the efforts of law branch and said that the efforts of the officials have made possible recovery of huge amount of Rs 80 million from the importer.
It is important to mention that the Pakistan Customs has recovered an amount of Rs 4.58 million in share of customs duty and Rs 2.21 million sales tax by the importer until now, while remaining amount is still to be recovered.
