ISLAMABAD: The customs organizations worldwide observe the International Customs Day each year on 26th of January. This marks the day of the first official meeting of the Customs Cooperation Council held in Brussels on 26th of January 1953. The World Customs Organization has devoted this year’s International Customs Day to the theme “Data Analysis “with the slogan “ Data analysis for effective border management “.
Regarding the ICD, an event was held at Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad auditorium. Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Dr Muhammad Irshad was the chief guest while Member Administration of FBR Muhammad Majid Qureshi, Chief International Customs Dr Muhammad Zubair, Chief Customs F&C FBR Ikhlaq Ahmad Khattak, Chief Collector Begum Sarwat Tahira Habib, Collector Dr Arslan Sabughtageen, Deputy Collector AFU Shahid Jan, Col Amir of Anti-Narcotics Force, senior officials from FBR, MCCI and related departments including diplomats and UNODC Country representative participated in the function.
On this Occasion, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Dr Muhammad Irshad conveyed the message that process, despite great challenges, should be even greater. We should gather each and every ounce of our energies and efforts and work for the noble cause of socio-economic wellbeing of our society for Pakistan. Pakistan is facing many challenges and Pakistan Customs job is very difficult and hard.
Chairman FBR said the lives of Pakistani customs officers are threatened at ports due to terrorism and security issues at border customs stations. There should be a specific Shuhada Fund for customs officials for the martyred employees, who lost their lives in protecting economic borders of Pakistan. In this regard, he saluted lower customs staff working day and night at border areas including Chamman, Tokrhum and Wagha etc without any fear. Chairman FBR highly appreciated the performance of MCC Islamabad in breaking all previous records of revenue collection during 2015-16 and current fiscal year.
The work on country borders is not an easy job but we will resolve all the problems facing the customs officers in the field, he reaffirmed. He said the CPEC will open a new world for customs.
Member Administration Muhammad Majid Qureshi has said Pakistan Customs as a border agency playing an effective role in curbing the menace of smuggling and generating a handsome revenue for Pakistan. I assure the Pakistan customs of solving its issues on priority bases, he added.
Chief International Customs Dr. Muhammad Zubair said all operations managed by Pakistan Customs are incomplete without data analysis. During the function, certificates of merit and shields from World Customs Organization and MCCI were also distributed in acknowledgement of the meritorious services rendered by trade partners and outstanding officers and Officials of Pakistan Customs Service.
