Pakistan Single Window (PSW) has achieved a significant milestone by integrating seven major government organizations, including provincial revenue authorities and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), to streamline the data exchange process during the clearance of imports and exports. This development, aimed at improving Pakistan’s trade and business activities, marks a transformative step in the modernization of the country’s customs and trade procedures.
FBR issued a notification (SRO.2076(I)/2024) on Friday, announcing that the integration would apply retroactively from July 1, 2024. This move is part of PSW’s efforts to enhance the efficiency of trade and business activities across the nation. The newly integrated departments include the Department of Plant Protection, Animal Quarantine Department, Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority, Marine Fisheries Department, Sindh Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department, Pakistan Mercantile Marine Department, and the Export Development Fund.
As of now, PSW has also been fully integrated with banks, enabling seamless financial transactions as part of the clearance process. In addition to the provincial revenue authorities, the following government agencies are now part of the PSW system: DRAP, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Special Technology Zone Authority (STZA), Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority (KPRA), Balochistan Revenue Authority (BRA), and Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA).
Under the business process reforms introduced by PSW, 96 paper-based documents have been replaced with electronic verifications. This is a significant move toward digitizing the trade process, reducing administrative burden, and ensuring a smoother experience for businesses. Sources reveal that the government has urged the provinces to facilitate PSW’s operations and ensure the security of the system. It is also crucial to engage all stakeholders and harmonize their processes to ensure a cohesive and efficient system.
The PSW system is designed not just to automate existing processes, but also to eliminate redundant documents and steps, making the entire system more efficient. As part of the reforms, all trade-related documents will now be standardized and QR-code enabled. This further simplifies the process and improves traceability and security.
A key aspect of the PSW is its revision of the entire transit trade regime for various countries. Instead of maintaining separate transit trade procedures for different nations, PSW has introduced a unified cross-border trade procedure to facilitate smoother transactions and reduce delays.
In addition to the local integrations, PSW has connected with the China International Trade Single Window. This partnership will facilitate data exchange between Pakistan and China, helping eliminate the possibility of under-invoicing of imported goods. The integration will enable the exchange of Goods Declaration data, phytosanitary certificates, certificates of origin, and logistics data. This will also allow for advanced risk management techniques and expedite the clearance of goods.
With the integration of these systems, Pakistan is taking significant strides in modernizing its trade infrastructure, facilitating smoother and faster processes for importers and exporters. The PSW system is expected to have a lasting impact on Pakistan’s trade environment, boosting transparency, reducing costs, and enhancing business efficiency.
