ISLAMABAD: World Customs Organization Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya has admitted that Pakistan Customs has keen on progress in regional cooperation and reforms of customs. He has made these remarks during his recent visit to Pakistan.
According to the details, World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Islamabad on the invitation of Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Pakistan, Tariq Mehmood Pasha. He was briefed on the progress made in Customs reforms and met with officials to discuss ways to strengthen the cooperation between Pakistan and World Customs Orgnaization.
The senior management team of Federal Board of Revenue, led by the Minister of State and Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Revenue Haroon Akhter Khan, including Member Customs Muhammad Zahid Khokhar, Special Assistant to Chairman FBR Zubair Tiwana, Director General Customs Intelligence & Investigation Shaukat Ali, Member Operations Khawaja Tanvir, Member Taxpayers Audit Rehamt Ullah Khan Wazir, Member FATE Nausheen Javaid, Chief Collector Sarwat Tahira Habib, Director General Post Clearance Audit Sumaira Nazir, Project Director ITTMS Dr. Zubair Yusafani, Chief International Customs Syed Asad Raza Rizvi, Secretary Asim Rehman and other senior officials, also welcomed Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya to discussed the Pakistani Customs reforms initiatives, including the Web-Based One Customs System (WeBOC).
During the meeting which was held at Federal Board of Revenue Headquarters, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Revenue Haroon Akhter touched upon the aspect of integrity.
Dr. Kunio Mikuriya acknowledged the progress made and underway by Pakistan Customs in many areas, including single window, securities aspects using API and PNR and non intrusive inspection technology and transit system. The FBR agreed with Dr. Mikuriya suggestions that the increase of Pakistan engagement in standard setting and the sharing of practices would benefit the global customs community.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhter has assured Dr. Mikuriya that Pakistan is promoting security, facilitating international trade, simplifying customs procedures by making them compatible with conventions, standards, instruments and guides on facilitating the trade, using smart risk management, implementing new ways and techniques, supporting the effective implementation of the articles of the agreement between World Customs Organization (WCO) and World Trade Organization (WTO), promoting cooperation with border administration to get efficient results.
He appreciated the measures taken by WCO for protecting the society, public health and security, contribution to fighting against crimes and terrorism, reinforcement of capacity building and promotion of digital customs.
