ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has officially established the Directorate General of Special Initiatives – Customs.
This initiative is aimed at reinforcing measures to eliminate revenue leakages and improve the overall efficiency of Pakistan’s customs operations.
According to an official statement issued on Friday, the FBR has set up the office of the Director General (Special Initiatives – Customs) along with two Directors (Special Initiatives – Customs) at FBR Headquarters.
Their primary role will be to collaborate with field formations, identify weaknesses in the revenue collection system, and propose effective solutions to counter challenges such as mis-declaration, under-invoicing, and smuggling.
The FBR recognizes that systemic inefficiencies within the Customs framework have been a persistent cause of revenue loss to the national exchequer.
The establishment of this new Directorate is expected to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks, streamline processes, and introduce modern methodologies to enhance tax collection efforts. The Director General (Special Initiatives – Customs) will also liaise with various Ministries, Divisions, and Departments to ensure seamless coordination on Customs-related matters.
Key Functions of the Directorate General of Special Customs Initiatives
1. Coordination and Information Exchange: The Director General and Directors (Special Initiatives – Customs) will maintain a structured information-sharing mechanism between field formations, government bodies, and provincial authorities to improve Customs operations.
2. Identifying Revenue Leakages: A core responsibility of the new Directorate will be to detect and analyze loopholes within the revenue collection system and recommend effective countermeasures to the FBR.
3. Preventing ms-declaration & under-invoicing: By devising stringent policies and preventive mechanisms, the Directorate aims to curb mis-declaration and under-invoicing—two of the major factors contributing to revenue loss in Customs operations.
4. Capacity Building and Training: The Directorate will work closely with the Customs Academy Pakistan to develop specialized training programs, workshops, and awareness sessions for Customs officials to enhance their ability to detect and counter fraudulent activities.Pakistani cuisine
5. Reporting to Member Customs-Operations: The Director General will directly report to Member Customs-Operations, ensuring a streamlined and hierarchical approach to implementing the proposed reforms.
With the establishment of this new Directorate, the FBR aims to reinforce Customs operations, enhance transparency, and optimize revenue collection. These efforts will play a crucial role in strengthening Pakistan’s fiscal stability by eliminating inefficiencies and tackling illicit trade practices head-on.
