Latest news with #GDs
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Jeremy Busby: Gov. JB Pritzker should take a page out of Donald Trump's book by freeing Larry Hoover
As a Black man, I completely disagree with the 'Make America Great Again' agenda. However, as a political journalist, I completely recognize President Donald Trump's successful blueprint toward recruiting the Black male vote. As a result of assertive actions to correct long-standing injustices within the criminal justice system, Trump has increased his support from Black male voters from 13% in 2016 to 21% in the 2024 election. Trump's blueprint was on full display when he issued a commutation to Chicago native Larry Hoover in May. But Hoover remains locked up on state charges in Illinois — handing Trump an opportunity to one-up his Democratic rivals. Hoover grew up in the impoverished Englewood neighborhood of Chicago. He's always been controversial in the view of government officials, but he's been a staple in the struggle to improve the plight of those in the Black community. During the early 1970s when Black people were plagued with the perilous impacts of unchecked racial injustices, Hoover organized his neighbors to create better living conditions, personal wealth and political power. Forced to navigate America's unfair and corrupt socioeconomic order, he decided to operate outside of society's norms. Hoover formed an organization called the Gangster Disciples, or GDs, to serve as a mechanism for community empowerment. Some of the country's most powerful families today accumulated their wealth by peddling illegal alcohol during the Prohibition era. Similarly, Hoover's GDs got involved in drug distribution. Hoover's dedication to increasing political awareness in the Black community made him a target for government officials, and his participation in drug trafficking justified his incarceration. According to government records, the GDs amassed more than 30,000 members in over 28 states and were responsible for more than $100 million worth of drugs a year in Illinois alone. Like other influential Black leaders such as Malcolm X, Hoover abandoned criminal activity during his incarceration and committed to transforming the GDs into a pure civic improvement group. In addition to changing the name of the organization to Growth and Development, Hoover published a book called 'A Blueprint of a New Concept' that outlined a holistic vision for cleaning up Black communities across the nation. From his prison cell, Hoover started 21st Century V.O.T.E., a legitimate vehicle to incorporate young Black adults into politics, and Save the Children, a community outreach program for Black children. These initiatives, combined with Hoover's repeated disavowal of all criminal activities, have rendered his continued incarceration, after four decades, an unjust continuance of America's history of ostracizing Black leaders from the Black community. By issuing his commutation to Hoover, Trump gained political capital with Black men who have grown tired of the failed policies and broken promises of the Democratic Party to address criminal justice issues. Most Black males I have spoken with understand that Trump's infamous clemency toward people such as Hoover and hip-hop artists Lil Wayne, NBA YoungBoy and Kodak Black is mere political gamesmanship and does little to address the overall problems of mass incarceration of Black people. But sincere or not, these acts of clemency represent more than what the Democrats have offered. The commutation of Hoover's federal sentence and Trump's blueprint are a rare gift to Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, who has presidential aspirations for 2028. Pritzker could take executive action and grant Hoover his much awaited and deserved freedom. With the bold stroke of his pen, Pritzker could separate his presidential candidacy from the damaged Democratic Party brand and provide the Black male voting bloc with a viable option during the next election. By taking corrective action to free Hoover, Pritzker could offer clear evidence that he is courageous enough to take measured steps to right a wrong. Millions of Black men in this country have had a negative experience with the criminal justice system. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, Black people make up about 41% of the country's incarceration rate, despite being only 14% of the U.S. population. In my home state of Texas, I have watched the positive efforts of Hoover and his Growth and Development organization improve the conditions of numerous Black communities throughout the state. Additionally, I have witnessed the unjust incarceration of countless Black men, like Hoover, who make significant positive contributions to their environment on a daily basis and no longer pose a threat to society. Instead of spending millions searching for a way to counter Trump's appeal to the Black male voting bloc, all members of the Democratic Party have to do is transform their talk into action. Pritzker can begin a new trend by following Trump's blueprint and freeing Hoover. Jeremy Busby is an incarcerated journalist based in Texas. His nonprofit organization, JoinJeremy, is dedicated to advancing the works of incarcerated journalists and writers across the country.
Business Recorder
22-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Customs' value fixed on solar panels import
ISLAMABAD: The Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi, has fixed customs value $0.08/Watt to $0.09/Watt on the import of solar panels of all origin. According to a valuation ruling (2012 of 2025) issued by the directorate on Monday, several representations were received by the Directorate of Customs Valuation, Karachi, emphasising the need for re-determination of customs values for the aforementioned goods, citing that their prices have changed and decreased in the international market. Accordingly, the directorate undertook an exercise to re-determine the customs values of the said goods in line with prevailing international market trends. Tax on imported solar panels: what does it mean for Pakistan's renewable energy future? Analysis to determine Customs Values: An initial meeting was convened on 19.02.2025 following the receipt of a representation from the Pakistan Solar Association (PSA) dated 21.01.2025, wherein, a revision of the existing valuation ruling No 189412024 dated 04-07-2024 was requested. The representation cited a significant decline in international prices of solar panels, noting that the values prescribed in the prevailing valuation ruling were comparatively on the higher side. It was also highlighted that several importers were facing difficulties with banks, as the declared transaction values were lower than the existing customs values, resulting in delays in clearance of goods due to banking compliance issues. During the initial meeting, the majority of stakeholders/importers expressed unanimous support for the continuation of the tier-based categorisation of solar panels as prescribed in the previous valuation ruling. Furthermore, they collectively emphasised that global market prices of solar panels had declined since the issuance of the last ruling in July, 2024. The stakeholders also requested that market verification be conducted from local distributors and ongoing solar exhibitions in Pakistan to corroborate prevailing prices. It is pertinent to mention that several key importers could not participate in the initial meeting due to their attendance at an ongoing international annual exhibition in China, which spans approximately two months. In the subsequent meeting, a majority of the attending stakeholders reiterated their stance on the downward trend of market prices, requesting a downward revision in customs values. In support of their position, relevant commercial invoices, Goods Declarations (GDs), and other documentary evidence reflecting the current transaction values of various Tier-based solar panels were submitted. Additionally, clearance data for the preceding 90 days was retrieved and thoroughly scrutinised to facilitate an informed and fair re-determination of customs values. Method(s) adopted to determine Customs values: Valuation methods specified in Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969, were duly considered in sequential order to arrive at the customs values of subject goods. The transaction value method as provided in sub-section (l) of Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969, was found inapplicable due to absence of information as required under sub-section (2) of Section 25 of Customs Act, 1969. The identical goods value method as provided in Section 2-5(5) was examined, some applicable values were found but that the same could not be solely relied upon due to absence of absolute demonstrable evidence of quantities and qualities. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
19-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Gerry's Dnata establishes help desk to accept claims from importers
LAHORE: Gerry's dnata, a leading ground handling and cargo services provider, has established a help desk and dedicated email address, [email protected], to accept claims from importers whose consignments were damaged in the recent warehouse fire at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport. This move aims to provide efficient support to affected customers and facilitate the claims process. This development comes on the heels of a recent incident where a massive fire engulfed the Gerry Dnata warehouse at Allama Iqbal International Airport, resulting in significant damage to consignments. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The fire sparked controversy, with customs clearing agents expressing frustration over delays in processing Goods Declarations (GDs) by Pakistan Customs appraisers. A devastating fire broke out at the Gerry Dnata warehouse on Wednesday, causing extensive damage to goods worth millions of rupees. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, suspected to be linked to the ongoing rainy weather conditions. Meanwhile, Customs clearing agents have expressed frustration over delays in GD processing, leading to demurrages and losses. A delegation from the All Pakistan Customs Agents Association had already met with the Collector of Customs Air Freight Unit (AFU) Exports section to register their protest and discuss issues leading to the incident. The Collector had assured that show-cause notices would be issued to responsible staff and duties would be refunded after due confirmation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Airports, dry ports: FBR intensifies enforcement steps
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has intensified enforcement operations at airports and dry ports and empowered the customs department to re-assign functions relating to assessment and examination of import and export goods to the Central Appraising Unit (CAU)-Faceless Customs Assessment or Centralised Examination Unit (CEU) at Karachi. The FBR has issued a SRO.1156 (I)/ 2025 here on Wednesday to amend the SRO.1637 (I)/2024. According to the notification, Board may re-assign functions relating to assessment and examination of import and export goods assigned to any organisation to the CAU of Faceless Customs Assessment and CEU established by the Board. Now, the designated customs officials have also been allowed to conduct information-based checking of customs cleared cargo anywhere including blocking within airport or dry port areas. The FBR had introduced the Centralised Customs Examination system by establishing a Centralised Examination Unit (CEU) at Karachi where all examinations of imported consignments would be completed on the same day. According to the new procedure, in order to improve the quality of customs examinations, bring transparency, expedite clearance of goods and enhance trade facilitation, the Centralised Customs Examination is introduced. The Board has established Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) to improve the quality of assessment, bring uniformity and transparency in processing of Goods Declarations (GDs), rationalise the workload of Appraising Officers (AOs) and ensure trade facilitation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
FCAA demands changes in FCA
PESHAWAR: President Frontier Customs Agents Association (FCAA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi has demanded changes in newly introduced 'Faceless Customs Assessment', making it convenient and practical for business community dealing in import and export through upcountry dry ports such as Peshawar. In a press statement issued here on Sunday, Sarhadi who also holds the offices of Senior Vice President Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) and Executive Member Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), said that centralisation of Goods Declarations (GDs) process at Karachi port is causing difficulties for business community of other cities due to delay in processing and clearance. The government must immediately engage with the business community to craft flexible and practical policies, Zia emphasized. He welcomed a recent decision by Peshawar High Court (PHC) directing FBR to make necessary amendments in the system and bring it in conformity with the scheme governing the assessment and clearance of goods. The court also issued a directive for restricting application of Faceless Custom Assessment to clearance of goods reached at Azakhel Dry port. Sarhadi explained that under the new system introduced by the Custom Department, all Goods Declarations (GDs) are routed to the Central Assessment Unit (CAU) in Karachi, even if they are filed at local dry ports. This centralization has resulted in delays in clearance, as local agents cannot directly communicate with the assessing officers in Karachi in case queries or objections are raised, he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
