LAHORE: Customs Preventive and Appraisement jointly held International Customs Day celebrations at the Customs House and Alhamra Hall and expressed their allegiance to the Customs service.
The day started with flag hoisting ceremony which was held at Customs House where Chief Collector Madam Samara Nazir hoisted the flag and national anthem mesmerized by the customs officials from top to bottom all alike.
This was followed by a simple and graceful event in connection with the International Customs Day celebrations held in Alhamra, the Mall Lahore.
On the occasion, Governor Punjab Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana who was the chief guest urged the customs officers to strive further to make the customs service a proud department of the country.
The governor appreciated the working of customs especially the initiatives taken by customs for automation of procedures to facilitate trade.
Member HRM Federal Board of Revenue Rozi Khan Burki while Chief Collector Customs Central Region Samaira Nazir, officials of the US Consulate, officers of various departments including police, ANF, CAA, Railways, President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry also attended the ceremony.
Member HRM Rozi Khan Burki said that various measures are being taken to improve trade and passenger traffic at border customs stations like Wagha and Torkham.
Collector Preventive Zulfiqar Younas said that the theme of International Customs Day for 2017 is Data Analysis for Effective Border Management and Customs Preventive has been already started working in the direction to make the Customs Lahore degitilized one.
He also added that the Collectorate initiated a number of projects for the welfare and capacity building of the customs staff.
Certificates of merit were also awarded among the officers of Pakistan Customs (Central Region) for their meritorious services.
Cash awards to the winners of poster competition organized by Model Customs Collectorate (Preventive) Lahore which included young participants from universities and colleges from all over Pakistan
The Governor Punjab along with the Member HR, FBR and Chief Collector Customs (Central Region) launched the Anti-Smuggling Operations Management Application developed by the Model Customs Collectorate (Preventive) Lahore in collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB)
The Chief Collector Customs (Central Region) Madam Samaira Nazir delivered a note of thanks to the guests at the end of the main event.
Later, the Governor Punjab inaugurated the exhibition of posters prepared by the young and old artists from across Pakistan at the Alhamra Art Gallery.
