Anti-smuggling moot advised

KARACHI: Organising an inter-ministerial conference has been advised to prevent menace of smuggling and smooth clearance of consignments in order to facilitate trade and industry.
This was stated by Abrar Naqvi, former Senior Member Customs on Monday at a seminar on “Coordinated Border Management: an inclusive approach for connecting stakeholders” organised by the Directorate General Training and Research (DGTR) Customs on the occasion of International Customs Day.
“Complicated supply chain has created security risks,” said Naqvi, while addressing as the chief guest of the event. “An integrated approach is the need of the hour,” he said.
He stressed the government departments should have a mechanism of information sharing to prevent informal trade.
Besides, he suggested establishment of one-stop border force to face challenges.
Naqvi said the trade facilitation should be the prime objective of Pakistan Customs and for the purpose the authorities should provide single-window clearance system.
The reform process had been initiated in Pakistan Customs and an online system for clearance system is in operation, he said, “Around 75 percent of the total consignment clearance is done through WeBOC (Web-Based One Customs),” he added.
Director General of Directorate General Training and Research Customs Ghulam Ahmed highlighted the measures taken for officials’ capacity building.
Besides, he also said a research-based magazine of Pakistan Customs had been re-launched to facilitate trade and industry.
Chief Collector Enforcement Nazim Saleem and Chief Collector South Nasir Masroor were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, in the morning flag hoisting ceremony and parade was held at the Customs House Karachi to mark the International Customs Day.