Karachi, September 4, 2025 – The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Thursday reaffirmed its strong backing for the implementation of the Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) system.
The initiative, aimed at minimizing human interaction and increasing reliance on technology, is expected to improve transparency, reduce costs, and streamline trade operations across the country.
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh emphasized that Pakistan must align its customs procedures with international best practices. He noted that the current average dwell time of 7.7 days is nearly double that of regional competitors, placing Pakistani traders at a disadvantage. This delay, he stressed, leads to unnecessary demurrages, detention charges, storage costs, and capital blockages—significantly raising the cost of doing business. He urged authorities to prioritize green channel clearance, reduce delays, and fully operationalize the complaints resolution cell to protect traders from financial setbacks.
A consultative session at FPCCI’s Federation House in Karachi brought together senior customs officials and members of the business community. Wajid Ali, Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement South, reassured participants that more than 80 percent of traders, especially industrial importers, declare their consignments honestly. He explained that this high compliance level has encouraged authorities to expand the green channel facility for genuine businesses. According to him, customs is committed to minimizing human contact, making operations more efficient, fair, and business-friendly.
Senior FPCCI representatives also shared concerns and recommendations. Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon highlighted the need to reactivate the complaints resolution cell, which has become ineffective in addressing time-sensitive disputes, often causing financial losses. He added that the proposed use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in customs valuation would align Pakistan with global practices by ensuring precision, speed, and fairness.
Vice President Asif Sakhi applauded the FCA system’s design, where declarations are randomly assigned to officers through the Central Appraisement Unit (CAU), ensuring anonymity and reducing potential biases. He reminded participants that FPCCI represents over 290 chambers and trade bodies nationwide, making it the country’s premier platform for constructive policy dialogue. Convener Arshad Jamal further stressed that FPCCI’s recommendations reflect genuine trader concerns and should be considered with due seriousness.
With FPCCI’s endorsement, the faceless assessment system is being viewed as a critical step toward modernizing Pakistan’s customs regime, boosting trade competitiveness, and enhancing overall business confidence.