The International Customs day is celebrated on 26th of January every year by the global Customs fraternity to showcase Customs achievements and contribution in facilitation of trade and enforcement of Customs controls for protection of societies from the influx of dangerous and illicit goods posing enormous threat to the health and safety of the people. The World Customs Organization has chosen "Security of the Business Environment" as this year's theme with slogan of "A secure business environment for economic development".
There is no denying the fact that being the frontline organization at the border; Customs' role has greatly been transformed from a revenue collecting agency to the one responsible for trade facilitation and enforcement of controls to check the influx of illicit and hazardous cargo, weapons of mass destruction, illegal arms, counterfeit and other dangerous goods. In this regard, Pakistan Customs has not lagged behind its Customs brethren. It has been strenuously striving for creating a safe and predictable automated clearance and regulatory environment for cross border movement of cargo by creating a robust risk management system capable of identifying and intercepting dangerous chemicals narcotics and other contrabands. At the same time, we have not been oblivious to the importance of enforcement arm of the department in creating a positive incentive for the trade to operate in the legitimate channel of clearances, by seizing illicit goods making their way into the country through the porous borders and long coast line.
It is indeed a matter of great satisfaction for me to state that during the last six months (July-December, 2017, the Enforcement Wing under my command has made seizures of smuggled goods worth millions of rupees including narcotics, foreign currency, gold, dangerous chemicals, mobile phones, liquor and other high duty goods surpassing the quantum and value of goods seized during the corresponding period by a considerable margin. Similarly, through a mix of enforcement and facilitation efforts, we have been able to achieve more than 20% growth in the revenue collection over the corresponding period last year and at the same time surpassing the assigned targets. This indeed, has been possible through combined team effort. Moreover, I would also like to commend our international as well as local partners for their support and assistance in our enforcement activities.
In the end I would like to felicitate my fellow officers on the occasion of international Customs day and at the same time urge them to equip themselves with the emergent skill sets to cope with the ever evolving trade patterns and inherent risks therein. I am confident that Pakistan Customs is a dynamic service and a great harbinger for creating a secure and stable business environment for economic development.
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