More Appraising Officers at Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) to Speed up GD Processing
Karachi: Latest. overhauls in Pakistan’s Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) are greatly affecting. how are Goods Declarations (GDs) are dealt with. The 3,500 pending GDs prompted a leap in the customs appraisers from 44 to 60. Where previously, only 25% of the GDs went through the Green Channel, it now processes up to 50%. However, there still isn’t any defined criterion as to which of the GDs are placed under the Green Channel.
Why Was There a GD Backlog?
The backlog occurred since one officer could only undertake one GD at a time. They would not be issued a second GD unless the first was completed. This procedure entailed massive checks on several documents, such as SROs, IPO provisions, PPRO, PSQCA, and environmental requirements, that consumed much time.
Thanks to the changes, the backlog has been reduced to 1,500 GDs. Officers are now working, 12-hour shifts, including Sundays, to speed things up. However, only half of the appraising officers are working. on Sundays since they are entitled to a weekly day off.
Corruption Concerns and Enforcement Issues
An FCA official mentioned that the objective of decreasing corruption is not fully met because the same “settings” prevail. The powers of Customs Intelligence have been curtailed, and enforcement in cities like Quetta, Peshawar, and Karachi is tight, leaving little scope for mischief. However, in Lahore, enforcement is lax, and imports are likely to be diverted to Lahore for nationwide distribution.
The official further. added that this same approach, which is being followed now, was tried in 2005 and failed, and the authorities are repeating the same mistakes. The official further added that to effectively. fight corruption customs officers should be paid better and rewarded similarly to the employees. of the State Bank of Pakistan, so they may be motivated to do their jobs honestly and efficiently.
