PESHAWAR: Collector Qurban Ali Khan has inaugurated WeBOC (Web Based One Customs) system at Torkham border post.
The installation of computerised system at Torkham, for checking imported items including cotton and mineral coal, is a step towards Digitalisation of Customs as envisioned in World Customs Day theme of this year, said Qurban Ali while addressing a ceremony held in connection with observance of international Customs Day.
The collector said initially the WeBOC is limited to clearance of imported items including cotton and mineral coal. With the passage of time more items would be included in it to expedite clearance of truck loaded with goods, he added.
Qurban Ali said the new era of Digital Customs has transformed the way that Customs operate. Digitalisation would ensure ultimately the enhanced ability of Customs administration to communicate, process goods and information, coordinate border management collaborate on law enforcement actions and promote transparency.
He also announced that soon the WsBOC system would be launched at newly-established Customs Posts in Kurram Agency. He said the Customs Department has embarked a policy of facilitating business community of the country by providing them maximum facilities besides generating revenue for the official kitty.
The whole Customs Department has been computerised ensuring in speedy processing of documentations relating to clearance of goods for imports and exports, Qurban Ali Khan said, adding that about 20 years earlier in Customs Department there was only one Collector for whole KP, FATA and Gilgit-Baltistan areas, but now there are around 1,000 officials in the whole Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now Customs Collectorate has become a progressing organisation where no one can fleece the traders in name of documentation, he remarked.
Qurban pointed out that Pakistan Customs has made phenomenal progress in the use of technology in recent years. “We have installed digital cameras at various Customs stations and offices for better monitoring and enforcement”, he said, adding that several other projects like the digitalisation of office record and an automated Human Resource Management System shall be completed during current fiscal year.
