Customs Goes High-Tech: AI to Replace Manual Verification in Pakistan

Customs verification and assessment system is set to go faceless with the integration of modern technology to ensure transparency and efficiency. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to minimize administrative delays, adopt best international practices, and provide maximum facilitation to businesses linked with imports and exports. According to the Prime Minister, reforms in the customs regime aim not only to simplify procedures for traders but also to enhance national revenue. He stressed that effective implementation of reforms requires close coordination among all relevant institutions under a coherent strategy. The Prime Minister also underscored that business ease, investment promotion, and trade growth remain among the government’s top priorities. The meeting was informed that customs reforms include introducing a faceless assessment mechanism and empowering independent officers to hear appeals on reassessment, ensuring neutrality and fairness. Immediate measures have also been directed to make the appeals process more transparent. Furthermore, systematic planning is being developed for ports to expedite cargo clearance and ensure the swift movement of goods to their destinations. Officials briefed the meeting that an Artificial Intelligence-based Risk Management System is being introduced, while AI-enabled scanners are already reducing clearance time. With stronger enforcement against smuggling, illegal transportation of goods has decreased, and clearance through the formal customs system has increased. The review meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, and other senior officials. The Prime Minister instructed customs authorities to accelerate reforms and ensure their full and effective implementation for the benefit of the economy and trade sector.