KARACHI: Pakistan’s leading customs agents associations have expressed strong support for the faceless assessment system introduced at Customs Karachi, calling it an important step toward transparency and improved trade facilitation. According to the All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA) and the Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA), the system aligns with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s reform agenda while addressing long-standing concerns over discretion and discrimination in cargo clearance. Both associations have emphasized that the merit-based, first-in-first-out (FIFO) process is helping build confidence among trade stakeholders and offers the kind of consistency that has often been missing from customs operations.
In their joint statement, APCAA chairman Arshad Khurshid and KCAA president Muhammad Aamir welcomed the reforms and praised the leadership of Chief Collector of Customs (Appraisement-South), Wajid Ali, for his active engagement with stakeholders. They credited his early interventions for resolving operational hurdles that had initially slowed down the clearance process when the system was rolled out. Khurshid stated that the faceless framework ensures fairness and efficiency, while Aamir noted that its balanced enforcement approach underscores a shift toward facilitation without weakening compliance obligations. The system, they stressed, is laying the groundwork for greater predictability in trade procedures.
Earlier this week, Wajid Ali chaired a stakeholder meeting where both associations raised concerns about challenges in the early stages of deployment, particularly delays in assessment and clearance. In response, a series of reforms were announced, including the appointment of Assistant Collectors as focal persons in each Collectorate to address delays, the requirement of formal hearings before rejecting second reviews, and improvements to strengthen merit-based decision-making in assessments. Plans for a dedicated facilitation center at Custom House were also discussed to address non-assessment issues, while steps to overcome staffing shortages and enhance the quality of reviews are being prioritized to minimize the need for reassessments. These measures, agents said, will provide the kind of operational clarity that businesses require for timely cargo movement.
The associations noted that the faceless system reduces unnecessary human interaction, a long-standing source of inefficiency and complaints in customs clearance. They also highlighted that the reforms, if sustained, could set an example for other regulatory institutions exploring digital transformation. The ongoing involvement of stakeholders has been seen as crucial in ensuring that trade facilitation objectives are met alongside regulatory obligations. The APCAA and KCAA have pledged continued cooperation with customs authorities, underscoring their commitment to making the reforms both effective and sustainable in the long run.
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