ISLAMABAD – The government has announced the establishment of a centralised customs assessment centre in Islamabad under its “Faceless Customs Assessment” (FCA) framework, aiming to curb corruption, dismantle vested interests, and ensure fair treatment of importers.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said the new hub will process Goods Declarations (GDs) from across Pakistan, replacing the existing Karachi-based assessment system. Member Customs Operations Shakeel Shah, joined by FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial and senior officials, unveiled the plan at a press briefing.
Officials explained that the Islamabad facility will be staffed primarily by newly recruited graduates on three-year contracts. Their performance will be closely monitored, with only capable staff retained. Existing appraisers in Karachi will be redeployed to departments facing shortages.
The move follows controversy after internal audit reports suggested revenue shortfalls ranging between Rs53 billion and Rs100 billion since the FCA’s rollout. FBR rejected the findings as “flawed and motivated,” asserting that per-GD revenue has increased and oversight has improved. “We will not roll back the system,” Shah insisted, accusing beneficiaries of the old setup of spreading misinformation.
FBR Chairman Langrial stressed that the goal is not immediate revenue spikes but transparency and an end to “speed money” in customs. “The genuine business community is the main beneficiary, while those involved in corrupt networks are the losers,” he said. He also confirmed that the FIA has been tasked to arrest corrupt customs officers linked with illegal vehicle registrations.
Analysts say the centralisation marks a major reform in Pakistan’s trade and customs regime. While some importers fear clearance delays, officials argue bottlenecks are linked to port congestion rather than FCA itself. The government insists the system will be strengthened further to improve compliance, boost revenues, and restore trust in customs operations
