PNSW governing council to be established: government seeks to simplify cross-border trade processes

The government will establish Pakistan National Single Window (PNSW) governing council under the proposed Pakistan National Single Window Act, 2019 to simplify cross-border trade processes, reduce cost of doing business and facilitate trade on national and international level.
According to the draft of the Pakistan National Single Window Act, 2019 prepared by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), all government agencies shall give effect to the changes in their respective laws, rules and procedures related to regulation of cross border trade with prior consultation of the Operating Entity so that the PNSW system is accordingly aligned.
The FBR is seeking comments on the draft PNSW Act from for all the stakeholders involved with the cross border movement of goods including imports, exports and transit trade.
All government agencies that require documentation for clearing or licensing the importation, exportation, and transit of goods and associated transport shall participate in the PNSW. Provided that the Governing Council may waive, in whole or in part, the requirement for participation for any OGA based on the vital national interest of the country.
The lead agency-customs will coordinate with 44 government agencies for successful implementation of the said project. Under the said Act, the government agencies/departments/ regulatory authorities included State Bank of Pakistan, Department of Plant Protection, Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority, Inland Revenue, Animal Quarantine Department, Live Stock Wing, Mercantile Marine Department, APTMA, Sialkot Material Testing Laboratory, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, Narcotics Control Division, Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department, Ministry of Climate Change, Provincial Environmental Protection Agencies, Directorate General of Immigration & Passport, Engineering Development Board, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, OGRA/ Hydrocarbon Institute of Pakistan, Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Pakistan Engineering Council, PTV/Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, NCCW (CITES), Department of Explosives, Chief Inspector of Boilers, Pakistan Cotton Standard Institute, Pakistan Tobacco Board, Aviation Division, National Ozone Unit, Fisheries Development Board, Textile Division, Intellectual Property Organization, Trading Corporation of Pakistan, National Tariff Commission, Export Processing Zones, Pakistan Gems & Jewelry Development Corporation, Provincial Revenue Authorities, Motor Registration Authorities and Forestry Wing.
The Government may by a notification in the official Gazette, establish a PNSW Governing Council which shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue or be sued in its own name and may enter into contracts and acquire, purchase, take, hold and enjoy moveable or immovable property of every description.
Under the draft Act, Pakistan Customs shall be the Lead Agency for developing, operating, maintaining and up-grading the PNSW. The Lead Agency shall be responsible for creating appropriate governance and implementation structure including the establishment of a Program Management Office and an Operating Entity for the development, acquisition, roll out, operations, maintenance, upgrading, enhancements and marketing of the PNSW and its allied systems, as it may deem fit for maximizing the benefits of the PNSW for the trade, regulatory authorities, and other related stakeholders, it added.
The Governing Council including its Chairperson shall perform such functions as the Federal Government may by rules prescribe which may inter alia include establishing the strategic direction, principles and policies of the PNSW, monitoring and oversight of strategic objectives and policies with respect to the PNSW; serving as interface and collaborator between all relevant government agencies involved in PNSW to ensure smooth and timely implementation of the NSW; and establish, manage, and monitor the performance contract with the Lead Agency and Operating Entity to ensure achievement of the anticipated outcomes from PNSW, it added.