The launch of Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) is nothing short of a revolution—one that’s shaking the foundations of the deeply entrenched system of corruption and malpractice in Pakistan’s import-export sector.
This bold, technology-driven initiative has triggered panic in the hearts of those who thrived in the shadows of manual customs clearance—where palms were greased, rules bent, and documentation manipulated at will. But now, the game has changed.
This faceless system, rolled out by Pakistan Customs under the supervision of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), has become a beacon of transparency. No more backdoor meetings, no more whispered deals in Customs Houses—just a clean, digitized, and impartial system powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology (IT).
From the very beginning, this flagship reform was met with resistance—not from the legitimate business community, but from those corrupt elements who had milked the old, manual system for years. They launched a propaganda campaign, attempting to undermine the reform by spreading false narratives and exaggerated glitches, hoping to get the government to backpedal. But their efforts were in vain.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif himself gave the FCA system his seal of approval after personally inspecting its functionality at the launch. An internal report by Pakistan Customs may have identified minor technical glitches, but it never recommended rolling back the system. The goal was always refinement, not reversal.
And the real business community knows it. The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the largest and most influential chamber in the country, has unequivocally endorsed the Faceless Customs system. Its president praised the FCA initiative as a “game-changer,” lauding its immediate impact on reducing corruption, speeding up clearance, and bringing fairness to trade practices.
Let’s face it—the only people troubled by this faceless revolution are those who can no longer twist the system for personal gain. For compliant traders, FCA has simplified the documentation process, eliminated the need for middlemen, and slashed costs related to delays, demurrage, and detention. With customs clearance now free from human interference, trust in the system is rising—rightfully so.
Jawed Bilwani, a leading voice in the KCCI, made it clear: the Faceless Customs system has transformed Karachi’s port operations and must be rolled out across all cities. The dramatic reduction in physical visits to Customs offices has not only minimized corruption but has also empowered importers to control their own shipments using a digital interface.
What we’re witnessing is the slow death of corruption, and the birth of a smarter, cleaner, and more transparent customs regime. The corrupt are howling because their easy money has dried up, but for Pakistan’s legitimate traders, the FCA system is a long-awaited breath of fresh air.
The government must resist all pressure and build on this momentum. Roll it out nationwide. Expand its scope. Digitize every department tied to trade. Faceless Customs is the future—and the enemies of reform have no face left to hide behind.