KARACHI: All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA) has raised issues related to customs reforms during the second meeting of the sub-committee of standing committee on finance and revenue.

The meeting chaired by its convener MNA Faheem Khan, was attended by MNA Jamil Ahmad Khan and APCAA delegation in Islamabad.

APCAA senior vice chairman Arshad Jamal expressed serious reservations on customs' Risk Management System (RMS), saying that manual RMS was causing massive revenue leakages and urged the authorities concerned to look into the matter to ensure that RMS should not only be automated but also remained active since the manifesto of the vessel was received by the authorities in order to plug revenue leakages and to eradicate malpractices in customs operations.

He said although FBR was doing much but there was a lot to be done and for the purpose, a strong public and private partnership was needed and added that the rules, which used to be made against the basic principle of natural justice, in customs department, alleging the customs authorities to exploit rules for undue gains.

APCAA senior vice chairman said the customs' act, rules and procedures should be redrafted under international guidelines in order to attract potential foreign investors. He also requested the authorities to take APCAA on board before taking any decision related to the determination of goods valuation or any amendment in the licensing rules.

Later, the committee noticed the seriousness of issues discussed during the meeting and showed consent to hold the next full scale meeting with all stakeholders in Karachi.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020