Daily Times

KARACHI: The Pakistan Customs, being the member of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and premier anti-smuggling enforcement agency of Pakistan, celebrated International Customs Day on Jan 26.

The WCO’s slogan for this year is ‘Data Analysis for effective Border Management’. The celebrations of the International Customs Day began at the Custom House Karachi with the hoisting of flag followed by parade. A seminar was also held at the auditorium of Old Custom House Karachi, wherein speeches of distinguished officers were held followed by formal launch of ‘Documentary of Pakistan Customs based on real life event’.

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Member Customs Nasir Masroor Ahmad was the chief guest, who distributed certificates of appreciation to the officers on their meritorious services for department and also motivated the spirit of Customs officers for effective public service delivery. In his opening remarks, Additional Collector Nadeem Memon welcomed participants and the formal ceremony begun with speeches of seasoned officers of Customs who addressed audience and highlighted importance and technical details of the chosen theme for this year by the WCO.

Chief Collector Enforcement (South) Zahid Khokhar, Chief Collector Appraisement (South) Abdul Rasheed Sheikh, Collector Preventive Dr Saifuddin Junejo, Zeba Azhar, and Fareed Iqbal Qureshi were the distinguished speakers who spoke on importance of data analysis as a scientific tool for effective risk profiling and highlighted utility of WeBOC, an indigenous automated Customs Clearance System.

The ceremony concluded with the destruction of around 85,749 bottles of liquor, 147,933 cans of bear, 9,672kg charas, 5kg heroine and other contrabands items.