By Our Correspondent
KARACHI: The All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA) has called for the immediate suspension of the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) point scoring and deduction system for licensed customs agents, urging authorities to undertake proper recalibration in consultation with stakeholders before its continuation.
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In a statement issued, APCAA Chairman Arshad Khurshid said that while the system was a “positive and progressive initiative in principle,” its current implementation was flawed and causing undue hardship to licensed customs agents across the country.
He said the mechanism, designed to identify genuine violations involving revenue impact, was being applied in a manner that resulted in point deductions even in cases where no fault or violation existed on the part of customs agents.
“Despite repeated identification of anomalies and representations made to the FBR, corrective measures have yet to materialise,” he said, adding that the lack of proper calibration and seriousness in implementation had led to operational hurdles and business uncertainty.
Mr. Khurshid noted that both the Faceless Assessment System and the Point Deduction Mechanism were introduced as part of the government’s reform agenda aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency in customs processes. The customs agents had welcomed these initiatives despite initial challenges, he added.
He acknowledged the efforts of Chief Collector Customs Appraisement South Wajid Ali in addressing operational issues related to faceless assessment, saying that several concerns of the trade had been streamlined under his tenure.
However, the APCAA chairman maintained that the point deduction system still lacked transparent review and recalibration. He said the absence of a consultative approach had resulted in unjustified deductions.
The association reiterated its demand that the system be suspended until it is properly recalibrated in consultation with APCAA and other relevant stakeholders. Following necessary corrections and alignment with its intended focus on genuine violations involving revenue impact, the mechanism could be reintroduced in a structured and fair manner, he added.
APCAA affirmed its support for reforms aimed at transparency, accountability and trade facilitation, provided they are implemented in a fair and rational manner.
