KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has developed “Pakistan Customs – Strategic Plan 2019-2024” in collaboration with the World Bank, which will serve as a roadmap for customs in future. This was stated by Dr Jawwad Uwais Agha, Member (Customs-Operations) at a seminar on “Pakistan Customs – Strategic Plan 2019-2024” arranged by the Directorate General of Training & Research (Customs) at Karachi in collaboration with Customs Wing, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Islamabad.
The seminar was attended by all officers of Pakistan Customs posted at Karachi. The Member Customs informed the participants about the progress achieved by Pakistan Customs at both National and International levels. At national level, the Customs has been re-organized on professional lines of Appraisement and Enforcement streams. Accordingly, new field formations relating to these streams have been established across the country, he said and added that human resource has accordingly been deployed at these formations on need basis.
He specially highlighted starting up of 24/7 operations of Pakistan Customs at Torkham border station; apprising the progress regarding modernization in automation of Pakistan Customs, ie, from WeBOC module to latest state-of-the-art WeBOC Glo.
Furthermore, Dr. Jawwad said that Pakistan customs was working as lead agency in National Single Window (NSW) initiative and performing great role in progressing the country towards a fully automated business and trade friendly country in comity of nations and making great achievements in the ease of doing business in the country.
He said that Pakistan Customs is striving to improve the country’s image and the anti-money laundering Directorate was performing a laudable role. For achieving the objectives of highly motivated work force to achieve national objectives of maximum collection of tax revenue at import stage and perform anti smuggling activities, he announced introduction of uniforms for enforcement officers/staff, launching of medical insurance scheme for all officers and staff across the board and merit based transparent policy for transfer and posting of all customs personnel with internal evaluation of performance and integrity.
Earlier, in his address of welcome, Faiz Ahmad, Director General, Directorate General of Training & Research (Customs) highlighted the progress of Pakistan Customs being the first public sector organization to initiate computerization and automation in the country and also apprised the participants of the role of Directorate General of Training & Research. Subsequently, other speakers including Ahmad Rauf, Wajid Ali and Mumtaz Ali Khoso also addressed the participants and explained the way forward on specific demand like Risk Management, Post Clearance Audit, Valuation and the time line to complete the task.
