Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad in collaboration with the Directorate General Training & Research (Customs), Regional Office Islamabad on Monday organized a seminar on the Pakistan Customs Strategic Plan 2019-2024. The purpose of the seminar was to apprise the officers of Pakistan Customs working in North Region about the future vision of the organization. Dr. Jawwad Uwais Agha, Member (Customs-Operations), Federal Board of Revenue, was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
In his welcome speech, the Director General Training and Research (Customs), Faiz Ahmad, while welcoming the participants briefly outlined the objectives of the event and informed that this is the third Seminar for creating awareness and ownership about the five year Strategic Plan. The earlier two such seminars were held in Karachi and Lahore.
The Chief Collector Customs (Enforcement) South, Dr. Wasif Ali Memon, in his remarks enlightened the participants of the seminar on the role of Post Clearance Audit and propounded that in automated environment, it is inevitable for Customs administration to apply this tool in an effective and transparent manner; and in absence thereof neither clearance time can be reduced nor the issue of residual risk can be addressed.
The Director General Customs Valuation, Mukarram Jah Ansari, informed about the issues related with Customs Valuation and highlighted the efforts for reforms in line with World Trade Organization and World Customs Organization guidelines. He further apprised the audience that in line with the directives of the Chairman FBR and under supervision of Member (Customs-Operations), the Customs as part of reforms, has rationalized Units of Measurement and reissued valuation Rulings pertaining to more than 900 tariff lines.
Mumtaz Ali Khoso, Collector Customs, Model Customs Collectorate Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, in his presentation explained the Strategic Objectives and their importance for effective Customs operations. Ahmad Rauf, Collector Customs, Model Customs Collectorate (Preventive) Lahore, presented doables in the shape of specific projects in the Strategic Plan, implementation timelines and Key Performance Indicators given in the Plan.
Dr. Jawwad Uwais Agha, Member (Customs-Operations), in his Keynote address shared latest developments in the department, besides citing the steps so far taken for enhancing organizational capacity, reforms and restructuring through which Pakistan Customs is to be equipped with modern tools to meet emerging challenges.
