Each year on the 26th of January Customs organizations around the globe celebrate the International Customs Day. The day is celebrated under the aegis of World Customs Organisation (WCO), which has 177 members world-wide. The WCO Secretariat in Brussels has announced this year's International Customs Day theme as "Borders divide, Customs connect".
In its efforts to help Customs officers understand the changed environment in which Customs now operates, Federal Board of Revenue has made remarkable achievements. Formation of new Customs stations on the country's borders, reorganisation and up gradation of the existing facilities entails the commitment of Pakistan Customs with this year's theme of WCO.
Today, Customs is facing new challenges that they must ensure the smooth flow of trade by applying necessary controls on one hand, and at the same time guarantee the protection, health and safety of the economy and community on the other. Customs are in the front line in the fight against drug trafficking, fiscal frauds and smuggling. Pakistan Customs must remain vigilant, enhance co-operation and make the best possible use of all the resources and instruments available by demonstrating a high level of integrity from decision making to law enforcement.
Pakistan Customs is one of very few organizations who pioneered in designing and automating their clearance and audit systems in the country. It is known fact that increase in trade volumes cannot be handled without state of the art clearance system and the department's efforts in this regard must be appreciated. Introduction and up gradation of automated environment is indeed a remarkable achievement providing benefit to all stakeholders ie the Government, trade and industry.
Even though considerable progress has been made, a great deal remains to be achieve in the field of trade facilitation, revenue generation, combating smuggling and fight against drug trafficking. I wish that Pakistan Customs meet all these challenges and congratulate all officers and officials on this auspicious International Customs Day.