ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has instructed authorities to move towards a fully transparent and faceless customs system by integrating advanced technology into inspections and assessments. The initiative is designed to provide greater facilitation to businesses engaged in imports and exports while ensuring stronger national revenue collection.
During a progress review meeting on faceless customs appraisals, the prime minister emphasized minimizing procedural delays and reducing manual intervention in customs operations. He said that modernizing the customs mechanism would not only improve efficiency but also encourage trade and investment, which remain a top government priority. He urged relevant institutions to operate under a unified strategy to ensure reforms are implemented effectively.
The premier stressed that international best practices and feasible strategies must be applied to achieve these reforms. He added that economic stability, trade facilitation, and revenue growth were closely tied to improving the customs framework. In his directives, he instructed that appeals filed by businessmen against customs assessments be handled by impartial officers to build confidence in the system. He also called for structured planning to manage the rising volume of cargo at ports, ensuring swift and efficient movement of goods from ports to final destinations.
Officials briefed the meeting on the progress of digitizing customs inspections and assessments, revealing that an Artificial Intelligence–based risk management system is being introduced to further streamline operations. The use of AI in customs scanners has already reduced clearance times, while stricter actions against smuggling have led to a notable increase in goods cleared through formal channels. The meeting was informed that additional steps were being taken to fully transition towards a faceless customs system, minimizing human involvement in decision-making.
The session was attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Climate Change Minister Dr. Musadik Malik, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, and senior government officials, who expressed support for the reforms. With AI integration and faceless operations at the core of the strategy, the government aims to create a customs system that ensures transparency, reduces bureaucratic hurdles, and facilitates smoother trade processes across the country.
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