'Care clearance data no secret information'

The import and export clearance data of Customs Administrative Reforms Project (Care) is not secret information, as the Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (Pral), Directorate-General of Intelligence and Investigation, Customs and Excise and Directorate General, Inspection and Internal Audit have full access to the Care database.
In reply to a query on National Accountability Bureau (NAB) access to Care data, concerned customs officials told Business Recorder on Monday that the clearance data of Care could be accessed by any investigating agency, including NAB. It is import/export-related information about companies, which is already available to regional departments like Pral, etc. All agencies can access Care data, if required, for any kind of investigation. There is no need to hide clearance data of Care.
Interestingly, one of the senior customs officials working for Care in Karachi had expressed total ignorance about any investigation being conducted by NAB about missing containers. It was reported that the NAB had launched an investigation into the disappearance of more than 2,000 containers from various dry ports of the country to evade duties and taxes.
High officials in the Care system said that they had no information about any scam pertaining to Care project. The concerned collector in Karachi might have the information, sources said. However, customs reforms are actively working on reducing the clearance time under the Care project. Currently, Singapore, being a transit port, has average clearance time of 2 minutes. It is a record clearance time and customs had minimum interference in clearance of vessels carrying consignments for clearance through Singapore. The CBR wanted to further reduce the existing 4 hours clearance time under the Care project, keeping in view the best international practices.
The capacity building of customs officials and change of mindset is necessary for smooth replication and functioning of the Care system. Despite all necessary information technology and automation focus, the Care would be 100 percent error-free following change in the mindset of these officials, sources remarked.