Islamabad: Pakistan Customs has strengthened its commitment to regional customs cooperation and secure, technology-driven trade facilitation by participating in the 11th Policy-Level Meeting of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and World Customs Organization (WCO) Passenger and Cargo Control Programme held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

According to Press Information Department, the Pakistan delegation, led by Mr. Syed Shakeel Shah, Member Customs (Operations) of the Federal Board of Revenue, was joined by Mr. Muhammad Imran Khan Mohmand, Director General of Reforms & Automation, Pakistan Customs. The meeting convened senior customs officials from the region to discuss secure, seamless, and technology-enabled trade. Key discussions focused on advancing trade facilitation through mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator programs, recognition of regulatory documents, AI-enabled risk management, and enhanced public-private partnerships.

Participants agreed to form technical working groups to develop protocols for digital integration, regulatory cooperation, and efficient trade and transit. In a bilateral meeting with Uzbekistan’s First Deputy Chairman of the Customs Committee, Pakistan reviewed existing customs cooperation and explored collaboration in strategic areas, including National Targeting Centres and AI-based risk management.

Pakistan highlighted its milestone achievement of establishing advance customs information exchange with Uzbekistan through the Pakistan Single Window. Both countries agreed to extend digital connectivity to transit trade information, aiming to improve customs data exchange quality and border controls, reducing clearance times, and facilitating smoother regional trade.

The two nations reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral customs cooperation through digital connectivity, border management, and modern customs technologies. These efforts aim to strengthen supply chain security, facilitate legitimate trade, and promote regional economic integration.

Pakistan Customs remains dedicated to innovation and international cooperation to support trade competitiveness and ensure effective border security.