LAHORE: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Member Customs Zahid Khokhar has said that a secure business environment for economic development is a must and Pakistan Customs has been doing its utmost to secure the legal business by digitalizing import and export clearance besides stepping up anti-smuggling activities in the country.
He was addressing the customs officers on the occasion of World Customs Day at the Wagha Border on Friday. The FBR Member Customs said that the security of the business for the economic upliftment implies that the efficiency of the ports should be of high quality to handle rising imports and exports for which synthetic approach is now need of hour. He said that now we have improved upward 20 positions according to World Economic Forum.
He added that WeBOC is the backbone by which we are in connection with so many sister department and it has been implemented up to 90 percent and the by the end of this year it will be sent percent implemented besides One customs will be made non-functional.
He said that every border is connecting with WeBOC which ensure transparency while e payment will also be started from the next week.
“Electronic Data Exchange Systems with China is also going to be started from April 2 and import from China would be conducted thorough WeBOC system minimizing under-invoicing phenomenon will come to an end.
He said that the import and export have been secure to the level that by WeBOC system as 40 departments could see any import and exports document and it will also ensure clearance within the minimum time.
“Any department hurdling the smooth process of import be would be taken to task by PM, ” he said, adding that so far as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is concerned Pakistan Customs is fully prepared to handle .
“We are ready to handle any size of imports and exports through CPEC for which we have to be efficient in handling CPEC business and secure ensuring no leakage, he said adding, “We are bound ready to secure goods enters and leave Pakistan”.
The system of advance passenger information is in the offing. Any passenger leaving and entering Pakistan would be in the knowledge of Pakistan Customs, the Member Customs said, urging Customs fraternity you are providing blood to the country if we perform Pakistan will performs at every level” .