LAHORE: All the agencies working at the borders have to adopt coordinated, collaborated and cooperative approach in order to protect the borders and eradicate smuggling, secure food stuffs safety, ensure national security and speedy clearance of goods and articles.
This was the unanimous conclusion of the deliberations of the collector of Customs central region on World Customs Organizations’ theme “Coordinated Border Management- An inclusive approach for connecting stakeholders” on the occasion of International Customs Day 2015 at the Wagha Border.
“At Customs Preventive Lahore collaboration and coordination, we cannot run our business at the border without the active supports of dozens of the agencies. When goods arrive at the border from across the border the rangers open the gates and the NLC manages the scanning and unloading,” Collector of Preventive Lahore Mukarram Jah Ansari said.
“When travelers arrive from abroad, the FIA, the Railways and PTDC are working side by side with us. At the airport we share responsibilities with Anti-Narcotics, the Civil Aviation Authority, the shed operators and the Airport Security Force (ASF). Every day I and my officers talk to our counterparts to gain their support and provide our assistance.”
“Today’s ceremony being held right now at the World Customs Day is itself a testimony to the support extended to us by Rangers and NLC despite the fact that extensive security measures are required at the Wagha border, ” he said.
The Collector of Preventive Lahore said apart from day to day operation, the collectorrate’s officials are engaged with the Pakistan Railways to improve the infrastructure at the Railways station and the Railways police to improve security for the passenger trains.
“At Wagha we have recently introduced the new computerized system WeBoc working side by side with the NLC and the Customs Clearing Association who have been very much supportive for us. Similarly, at the Airport our modernization is continuing due to the continued support of the airlines and the other stakeholders.”
He said that he understands when multiple stakeholders are engaged in dialogues, stressful situations can results and conflicts can be created. But we have also learned through successful experiences that it is worthwhile to vie through such difficulties to create win-win situation for all.
“We believe in building alliances, partnerships and we assure our partner agencies if you come forward towards us you will find us meeting you the half ways,” he finished.
Collector of Customs Appraisement Zahid Khokhar said Pakistan has been blessed with very important geographical location. “In the coming days, if normalcy returns to Afghanistan, the whole central region will depend upon the Gwadar Port once it starts functioning. The phenomenon will enable the country to make economic growth and development.” He added that Pakistan Customs has taken very wide- ranging measure especially n the field of automation of the goods Clearance system.
“Now the traders Importers and exporters can clear their goods and article while sitting in their houses and offices. In the past, the exclusive feature of Pakistan Customs was in imaginable,” he said, adding that coordinated efforts are need of the hour at the borders for the eradication of menace of smuggling
The MCC Multan Collector of Customs said that CBM has its immense importance in the present world. “All across the world at national and international levels work on coordinated border management is being done by all the agencies working at the borders in order to secure food stuffs, national security speedy clearance of goods and articles.
“We will be wasting away our valuable resources unless we are ensuring Coordinated Border Management among all agencies including rangers, customs, intelligence agencies, NLC, carriers and freighters. In this regard all the agencies should come forward to work together for better border protection”.
MCC Faislabad Tauseef Qureshi said that CBM refers to a coordinated approach by border agencies at national and international levels in the context of trade and travel goods. “Borders have gone a political change the border is there and the risk is somewhere else. There is need to address the risks wherever they rest. No single agency can solely protect the border. All the border agencies have to adopt collaborated, coordinated and cooperative approach to protect borders,” he said, adding that MCC Faisalabad is working in this direction positively.
Others including chief guest and chief collector of customs Rozi Khan Burki, collector of Customs Appeal Asif Mehmood Jah, additional collector Irfan Wahad, PAC Director Imran Saud, ADC Munib Serwar, Sadia Muneeb, ADC Tayaba Kyani, ADC Belum Ramzan, Deputy Collector Tuqeer Dar, Deputy collector HQ Shafiqur Rehman, Deputy collector Saqib Wariach, Commander Lahore Major Shaukat, Superintendent Mumtaz Ajmal Mian, Deputy superintendent Saeed Joya, Inspector Shahid Bhatti, ADC Farrukh Sharif, Pakistan Customs Lawyer advocate Zafar Iqbal, Agha Ifthikhar and a large number of Customs officials were also present on the occasion.
