Pakistan customs system remains despite woes

Pakistan customs system remains despite woes       Pakistan will continue to test an automated customs clearance system for another two months, it was reported over the weekend.
      Rumors have circulated in recent weeks that the Pakistan Automated Customs Clearance System (PaCCS) would be shut down due to loopholes that were being exploited, resulting in a deficit of revenue being paid to Pakistan's Federal Board of Revenue. A number of fraud cases have been filed in recent months over unpaid customs duties.
      The system, developed by logistics company Agility, was even suspended for a time in June while it was audited by an accounting firm. That delay, according to a report by Pakistan's Express Tribune, resulted in the delay in processing of 14,000 import containers.
      Sohail Ahmad, chairman of the revenue board, said at a chamber of commerce meeting in Karachi last week that the system would remain in place until the government decides against its use.