KARACHI: Pakistan Customs Directorate of Post Clearance Audit, Directorate Karachi has detected tax evasion to the tune of Rs 54.196 million by Sui Southern Gas Company Limited by availing inadmissible exemptions under SRO 678(I)/2004 dated 7.8.2004.
According to details, the PCA while scrutinizing import data of Sui Southern Gas Company Limited observed that the company imported various consignments of components for domestic gas meters and cleared the same from Port Qasim and Air Freight Unit of Customs Preventive, Karachi, through their clearing agent namely M/s. Muhammad Amin Muhammad Moqeem by availing inadmissible exemption, concession under Clause (2) and Clause (3) of SRO 678(I)/2004 dated 07.08.2004.
Whereas conditions with reference to aforesaid clauses of the SRO clearly stipulate that only such goods shall be entitled to the exemption by a company other than an E&P company, for its own use or its contractors, sub-contractors and service companies for its projects of oil and gas exploration and production, refinery, oil and gas pipeline, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) petroleum terminals, energy conservation, environment and safety controls. Further, without prejudice to above, the imported goods also fall within the ambit of CGO No. 11/2007 dated 28.08.2007, being locally manufactured, according to sources.
In view of above, Sui Southern Gas Company Limited by availing inadmissible exemption/concession under SRO 678(I)/2004 dated 07.08.2004, have evaded/short paid custom duty Rs 44,181,174/-, sales tax Rs 7,370,905/- and income tax Rs 2,644,361/- totaling Rs 54,196,440/, sources added.