Govt to centralise customs assessment to curb corruption

The government has decided to establish a centralised customs assessment centre in Islamabad to process Goods Declarations (GDs) from across Pakistan under the faceless assessment framework. The move aims to reduce corruption and ensure fair treatment of genuine importers by replacing the current assessment unit based in Karachi. Member Customs Operations Shakeel Shah announced the plan during a press briefing on Monday, which was also attended by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial and other senior customs officials. The centre is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) system, despite recent internal audit reports indicating revenue shortfalls following its rollout.