'FBR has no intention to close PaCCS'

The Federal Board of Revenue has no intention to close Pakistan Customs Computerised System (PaCCS) under the customs reforms agenda for speedy clearance of imported consignments under automated system. Responding to a query, FBR Member Customs Muneer Qureshi told Business Recorder on Saturday that the customs operations under the PaCCS would continue and new staff including technical experts would soon be deputed at PaCCS.
"We were extremely busy in budget preparation exercise and necessary staff would be transferred to the PaCCS. However, the FBR did not intend to close down this project as it would continue to exist and perform. The automation of customs procedures is top priority of the FBR under reforms program", he added.
Recently, Project Director (PaCCS), Karachi has noted with concern that all technical members of PaCCS were transferred without any replacement having requisite knowledge and skills. It resulted in inadequate technical expertise in project office of the PaCCS, he added.
The Project Director (PaCCS), Karachi had informed the FBR that few months back, the Project office was manned by four core team members, supported by another two officers for administrative work. Recently, 3 of the 4 core team members and both support members were transferred without any replacement. The transfer of support officers has marginal impact on the project, but transfer of core team members drastically affects its performance.
He said that, "The PD office is now left with only 01 lady officer to handle all technical issues." Kindly appreciate that the system is huge, its design very complex and functionalities enormous. After the transfer of Ashir Azeem (a core team member) the only official, due to her lack of technical knowledge and expertise in certain areas, has shown serious inability to handle and effectively address all types of scenarios, due to sheer enormity and complexity of PaCCS system design.
Now, there is a strong apprehension that due to Project office's complete lack of technical expertise, system issues will remain unresolved, leading to numerous problems for trade and jeopardising performance of operational Collectorate. Being a swift web-based automated system, PaCCS cannot afford delays in resolution of system-related problems.
"It may kindly be noted that the Board support for the Project office has been gradually diminishing and it has now been totally deprived its experience base" he said. He further pointed out that it is indeed very unfortunate that all technical members were transferred without any replacement having requisite knowledge and skills.
Nevertheless, the PaCCs continued to pull along during the last 3 months due to sheer hard work and commitment of remaining 2 officers. The situation has now become very dismal as the only available core team member (Ashir Azeem) has also been transferred, rendering this office vulnerable to situations, which it is incapable to handle.
Project Director PaCCS said that, "Under these circumstances, it has become impossible to function and give the desired results. It is, therefore, very humbly requested that since the Project Office has been incapacitated on account of sheer dearth of requisite technical expertise, the PD office should into be expected to deliver, any further".
Meanwhile, it is proposed that the operational Collectorate of PaCCS, having a large number of experienced officers and resources may kindly be assigned the task of looking after the day-today system issues, and to co-ordinate with Agility, a company which developed the software for PaCCS, the Project Director PaCCS added.