FBR notifies 16 working groups to overhaul Customs

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has notified 16 working groups to overhaul Customs including contemplating upon changes in laws and procedures and replacing Web-Based One Customs (WeBOC).

The working groups notified by the FBR comprise Appraisement, Preventive including Anti-smuggling Confiscation and auctions related Operation, Exports and Quota Management, Transit, Criminal Proceedings, Case management functions, Post Clearance Audit, Valuation and many others.

According to Terms of Reference (ToRs) notified by the FBR, in order to transform operations of Pakistan Customs, the board has hired international consultants for comprehensive business process analysis and development of artifacts for new digital system to replace WeBOC. The consultancy also involves changes in laws and procedures as well as change management. The board has already notified a Project Implementation Committee (PIC) to oversee this important consultancy. In order to support the PIC, Working Groups have been notified for various workstreams of Pakistan Customs.

The primary objective of the Working Groups is to make an operational technical assessment of the business requirement specification document developed by the consultants as well as their recommendations pertaining to their specific assigned work stream. The international consultants are funded from the Technical Assistance part of the World Bank’s Pakistan Raises Revenue project.