Daily Times

Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed to remove all unnecessary obstacles in customs operations.

PM Shehbaz Sharif issued these directives while chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Thursday to review matters related Pakistan Customs and Federal Board of Revenue.

The Prime Minister said Customs Department is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and stressed to utilize modern technology, artificial intelligence and latest tools for full enforcement of customs duties.

He further instructed establishment of Project Management Unit immediately for ongoing project regarding reforms in the customs system.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said all issues related to mis-invoicing should also be resolved, while under-invoicing should be abolished for protection of Pakistan’s industries and products. He directed the concerned authorities to apprise about the details of revenue collection through enforcement.

The Prime Minister said a regulatory framework for shipping sector operations should be put in place, while a third-party audit of Customs’ web-based One Customs (WeBOC) system should also be conducted.

About Federal Board of Revenue, the Prime Minister said reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue and its complete digitization are inevitable for our economic survival. He said all ongoing reforms and digitization projects in the FBR should be brought under one umbrella.

PM Shehbaz Sharif directed that a third-party audit of ongoing reform projects in FBR and other institutions should be ensured at all levels. The meeting was informed that Pakistan Customs has been completely shifted on a sophisticated automation system.

It was further informed that services of experts of internationally repute have been hired for reforms in customs system and these reforms will result in a new system that will be based on the latest artificial intelligence. The meeting was apprised that 72.4 percent of imports and exports were cleared through Green Channel during the year 2023-24. Pakistan Customs earned an additional revenue of 240 billion rupees in the previous financial year through valuation controls, which is 80 percent more than the previous year.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday has directed relevant authorities to conduct a third-party audit of Web Based One Customs (WeBOC) System. The development came after a meeting held under the chairmanship of PM Shehbaz Sharif regarding the affairs of Pakistan Customs and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in Islamabad. “All ongoing reforms and digitization projects in the FBR should be brought under one umbrella,” the PM was quoted as saying in an official statement.

WeBOC is an indigenously developed, web-based computerized clearance system, providing end to end automated customs clearance of import and export goods. Back in May, the FBR had decided to replace WeBOC customs clearance system with the new customs digital management system.

Meanwhile, during the meeting on Thursday, the officials informed the PM that during the fiscal year 2023-24, 72.4% of the imports and exports were cleared through the green channel.

From July 2023 to June 2024, the Pakistan Customs received an additional revenue of Rs240 billion through valuation controls, the PM was informs.

“Reforms in the FBR and complete digitization is the issue of our economic survival,” said the premier. The PM directed the relevant authorities to ensure third party audit of ongoing reform projects in FBR and other institutions at all levels.

He also directed the authorities that steps should be taken to make the customs operation transparent and corruption free on all the ports of Pakistan. Shehbaz also called to immediately establish a project management unit for the ongoing project regarding reforms in the Customs system.

Meanwhile, the PM also directed to put in place a regulatory framework for the operation of the shipping sector.