KARACHI: Pakistan Customs' Group-less Assessment Model is facing increasing scrutiny as concerns arise over its impact on trade facilitation, transparency, and clearance efficiency. Khurram Ijaz, Chairman of the FPCCI Advisory Council on Customs and former Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), has called for an Independent Performance Evaluation (IPE) of the model. He urges authorities to undertake an impartial review to identify operational shortcomings and recommend corrective measures.
According to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the proposal is not a criticism of the Faceless Assessment, which aims to enhance transparency, integrity, and uniformity in customs assessments. However, Ijaz emphasized that the abolition of sector-specialized assessment groups alongside FCA represents a significant structural change that warrants evaluation through an objective, evidence-based study.
Ijaz noted that while Pakistan adopted a completely group-less assessment model, other leading customs administrations have chosen different approaches. For instance, India strengthened commodity specialization post-Faceless Assessment by establishing National Assessment Centers and Faceless Assessment Groups, while countries like the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia, and Singapore continue to rely on sector-specific expertise for complex assessments.
The importance of professional competence and technical specialization, particularly in areas like tariff classification and customs valuation, is consistently highlighted by the World Customs Organization (WCO). As international trade becomes more technology-driven, the assessment of complex sectors such as machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and electronics requires officers with specialized knowledge and experience.
Ijaz proposed that Pakistan Customs consider commissioning an Independent Performance Evaluation, preferably with support from an internationally recognized institution such as the World Bank, WCO, or Asian Development Bank, to benchmark Pakistan's group-less assessment model against global best practices.
According to Ijaz, the evaluation should assess whether the current system has reduced customs assessment and cargo dwell times, improved trade facilitation and predictability, enhanced consistency in tariff classification and customs valuation, reduced assessment disputes and litigation, strengthened revenue protection, and improved assessment quality for technically complex goods.
He further noted that recent World Bank trade facilitation frameworks increasingly measure customs performance through operational indicators such as customs processing time, cargo dwell time, and border efficiency, making it essential to assess whether structural reforms are delivering measurable outcomes.
Ijaz concluded that if the independent evaluation confirms that the present group-less model delivers better results, it should be further strengthened. However, if opportunities for improvement are identified, Pakistan Customs should consider adopting a hybrid model that combines the transparency of Faceless Assessment with sector-specific specialization, aligning with internationally recognized best practices.