Khurram Ijaz, Chairman 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 Group-less Assessment Model introduced following the implementation of Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA).
He clarified that the proposal is not a criticism of Faceless Assessment, which is an important reform aimed at enhancing transparency, integrity, and uniformity in customs assessments. However, he emphasized that the abolition of sector-specialized assessment groups alongside FCA represents a major structural change whose impact should now be evaluated through an objective, evidence-based study.
Khurram Ijaz noted that while Pakistan adopted a completely group-less assessment model, several leading customs administrations have followed a different approach. India strengthened commodity specialization after introducing Faceless Assessment by establishing National Assessment Centers (NACs) and Faceless Assessment Groups (FAGs), while the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia, and Singapore continue to rely on sector-specific expertise for technically complex assessments.
He observed that the World Customs Organization (WCO) consistently emphasizes professional competence and technical specialization in areas such as tariff classification, customs valuation, and risk management. As international trade becomes increasingly technology-driven, the assessment of complex sectors, including machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, requires officers with specialized knowledge and experience.
He proposed that Pakistan Customs consider commissioning an Independent Performance Evaluation, preferably with the support of an internationally recognized institution such as the World Bank, WCO, or Asian Development Bank (ADB), to benchmark Pakistan’s group-less assessment model against international best practices.
According to Khurram Ijaz, the evaluation should determine 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.
Khurram Ijaz concluded that if the independent evaluation confirms that the present group-less model delivers better results; it should be further strengthened. However, if the study identifies opportunities for improvement, Pakistan Customs should consider adopting a hybrid model that combines the transparency of Faceless Assessment with sector-specific specialization, in line with internationally recognized best practices.
“Major customs reforms should be evaluated on the basis of evidence, measurable performance, and international benchmarking. The ultimate objective is not merely organizational change, but faster cargo clearance, better trade facilitation, improved technical accuracy, and stronger revenue protection for Pakistan.”
