Pakistan Customs celebrated the International Customs Day on 26th January, 2020 to acknowledge its valuable contributions for fostering sustainability for people, prosperity and planet.
It is indeed an opportunity for Pakistan Customs to reiterate its resolve to be a modern organization and play its due role in making Pakistan safe and grow economically. This day reminds us to integrate with other countries for introducing the best international customs practices. Pakistan Customs would be helpful in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by creating an environment where trade flourish and people become prosperous.
This year’s theme makes us ponder over the responsibilities placed on us and impel Pakistan Customs to re-engineer the Customs processes and procedures which duly cater to the trade needs in the modern world.
This day also reminds us of the vast and changing role of Customs service for the betterment of people, society and the world. Modernization and rationalization of the Customs regulatory regime in Pakistan, with the aim of facilitating/securing the trade and aligning the governing procedures with the best international practices, will help Pakistan improve its ranking in Ease of Doing Business Index.
In this context, I am pleased to share that the reform process for Pakistan Customs has been initiated and I hope that in the next few years there would be seamless and fully automated systems in place to cater the future/economic needs of the country.
In addition to revenue generation, the important task of Customs is security of trade for greater and predictable economic activities. Therefore, laws should be implemented in such a way that the society remains safe from the perils of money laundering, drugs and tax fraud. Here, I do emphasize upon the use of modern technology, techniques, and a solid IT infrastructure for achievement of the afore-stated objectives.
Finally, I felicitate Pakistan Customs and the Federal Board of Revenue on the efforts made for facilitating and securing trade with the world and feel confident that Pakistan Customs would play its role in fostering sustainability for brighter future for generations to come.
