Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Sunday declared Pakistan Customs 'the face of country', advising its officials to improve services on modern principles to facilitate trade and businesses and achieve the national targets.

Addressing as Chief Guest at a ceremony held at the Custom House on the occasion of International Customs Day, Shaikh asked customs authorities to provide better facilities to foreigners and overseas Pakistanis arriving in the country. The Customs department's name is attached with Pakistan; it should improve its perception inside as well as outside of the country.

The role of Customs is also crucial to achieve the federal government's revenue targets, besides making Pakistan an economically independent country. The incumbent government has promoted business-friendly environment in the country and taken effective measures to increase exports. The local tourism sector is flourishing as the number of people visiting Pakistan has doubled in the last one and half year. More efforts are required to promote business and tourism, he said assuring the Customs authorities of providing all necessary support in terms of both human resource and technological advancement by the federal government. On the occasion, Jawwad Awais Agha, Member (Customs-Operations) Federal Board of Revenue, said that around 182 countries of the world are celebrating the customs day. He said that the theme set by World Customs Organization (WCO) for the year 2020 is "Customs fostering sustainability for the people, prosperity and the planet."

As per the slogan, he said the Customs had extended facilities to trade and business.

"We have invoked provisions of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and destroyed around Rs7-10 billion worth counterfeit and fake goods during last one year."

He also informed that Pakistan Customs has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with as many as 35 countries for exchange of information.

Earlier, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh formerly kicked-off the event with flag hoisting ceremony along with Waif Ali Memon, the Chief Collector Enforcement South and Jawwad Awais Agha Member (Customs-Operations).

The customs official paid salutation with national anthem and students of Customs Public School sang patriotic songs. The smartly turned out contingents of customs personnel in uniform presented guard of honor to the chief gust.

Waif Ali Memon in his welcome remarks said Pakistan customs has been playing great role to facilitating economic integration, curbing the illicit trafficking of goods into and out of the country with strong vigilance at airports, sea, dry ports, facilitating the economic integration and collecting revenue for the national exchequer. Foreign dignitaries, diplomats, heads of governments departments, business community, social workers and other prominent figures also present on this occasion. Probationary Officers (46th STP), officers of preventive services, Hawaldar and Sepoys also attended the event.

In the meanwhile the Chief Guest visited the 'Kamil Museum of Customs' that tells the history of the customs in the country right from 1878 to this age. Later on, Pakistan Customs, in order to recognize the efforts and achievements of its players presented them with awards for their outstanding performance during the year. Jawwad Awais Agha presented souvenir to Dr Abudl Hafeez Shaikh on this occasion.