KARACHI: Pakistan Tax Advisory Forum (PTAF) expressed serious concerns over the several pressing issues prevalent in the field formations of Pakistan Customs, which are directly affecting the performance, integrity, and public perception of the service.
In a letter address to Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, PTAF sought immediate intervention of FBR’s Chairman on the following issues:
- Lack of punctuality & misuse of authority:
It has become an unfortunate norm in many Collectortes that officers regularly report to duty lat, with minimal adherence to punctuality. A recent incident at the Customs Office, Air Freight Unit, Karachi Airport, reflected this grave concern.
A customs broker captured a short video around 11 am, showing an empty office without a single officer present. The clip was shared in the Customs Agents Association’s WhattsApp group, prompting concern. Instead of addressing the issue, the Customs officials reportedly under the instruction of the Additional Collector took retaliatory action. The agent was unlawfully detained for approximately four hours, harassed and threatened with the registration of an FIR. Such misuse of authority not only violates legal norms but also severely damages the reputation of the department.
- Overreach and miscro-management by chief collectorate:
Subordinate officers are frequently asked to justify quasi-judicial decisions before the Chief Collector, leading to undue pressure and interference. This creates a climate of hesitation and fear among officers, deterring tem from taking firm, independent decisions in accordance with the law. The resultant administrative inertia directly impacts trade facilitation and increases the suffering of importers and customs brokers.
- Inexperience in review assessments:
Assessment review cases are often marked to Assistant Collectors who, due to limited exposure and lack of experience, struggle to address to complex and technical valuation or classification issues. It is respectfully suggested that such responsibilities be assigned to senior Deputy Collectors, who are better equipped to conduct hearings and decide review cases with the required competence and confidence.
- Delays in review proceedings:
The number of review cases assigned to individual officers if often excessive, leading to inordinate delays in resolution. Moreover, in the current age of digital assessment and round-the-clock trade review hearings should be operational 24/7, ensuring swift redressal of importer grievances in real-time.
Structural rationaliazation of collectorates:
With the centralization of assessment functions under a unified Collectorate, there is a strong case to rationalize and reduce the number of Collectorates, avoid redundancy, overlapping jurisdiction, and administrative bottlenecks.
Centralization of review hearing:
It is proposed that all review hearings for Karachi-based Collectorate be conduced at a central location, Customs House, Karachi and instead of outlying stations such as SAPT. This would save time, reduce duplication of effort, and provide ease of access to stakeholders.
Appointment of senior-principal appraisers as super auditors:
Under the newly introduced Faceless Assessment Scheme, it is imperative to strengthen background oversight. Deployment of Senior Principal Appraisers as Super Auditors will ensure effective scrutiny of data and decisions and will help detect irregularities, strengthen risk management, and reinforce accountability.
Initiation of special audit of Green Channel Clearances:
In view of the new centralized and faceless assessment regime, it is essential to initiate a special audit of clearances made under the Green Channel.
It is pertinent to highlight that currently imports from customs-free transit ports as such Dubai are being cleared under the Green Channel without rigorous scrutiny, exposing the system to significant risk. Historically, audit exercises of Green Channel clearances under the previous systems i.e. PaCCS and One Customs were initiated but never reached fruition. Given the sensitivity and risk exposure, immediate special audits should be mandated to safeguard revenue and strengthen compliance mechanisms.
The above issues and suggestions are share with the utlmost and sincerity, with the sole objective of strengthening the functioning of Pakistan Customs.
The proposed reforms are in line with the Government of Pakistan’s vision of promoting the “Ease of Doing Business” and aligning customs practices with globally recognized international standards, including the principals of good governance, transparency and trade facilitation as championed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and other multilateral institutions, the letter concluded as saying.
