PM Shehbaz calls for technology-driven customs reforms to facilitate trade

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday chaired a meeting on reforms in the customs system, stressing the need to modernise procedures through technology to improve transparency and efficiency.

During the session, officials reviewed proposals to make customs inspection and valuation processes faceless. The prime minister said that technology-driven changes would not only ensure transparency but also help increase national revenue.

Focus on efficiency and revenue growth

The prime minister directed authorities to minimise the time required for administrative procedures related to customs checks and valuation. He noted that a modern and efficient system would play a crucial role in facilitating trade and attracting investment.

“Upgrading the customs system with the latest technology and removing unnecessary human interaction will create a fairer environment for traders,” he said. “This modernisation will directly contribute to higher revenue for the country.”

Collaborative approach for reforms

Shehbaz Sharif urged all relevant departments to work in close coordination under a unified strategy to implement the reforms effectively. He highlighted that economic and trade reforms are among the government’s top priorities, aimed at strengthening the overall economy.

The prime minister further said that improving the customs framework was part of broader efforts to boost national economic growth, promote trade, and encourage investment. He added that all stakeholders were committed to moving forward with determination in this regard.

Industry at the centre of economic revival

A day earlier, Shehbaz Sharif also chaired a separate high-level meeting on the formulation of a new national industrial policy. In that session, he reaffirmed his government’s commitment to revive the country’s industrial base, declaring that “industry lies at the heart of our export strategy.”

He said empowering domestic industries with globally competitive skills and cutting-edge technology was a top national priority, as sustainable industrial development would unlock export-led economic growth.

The prime minister pointed out that the country’s long-term resilience depends on having a strong, modern, and export-oriented industrial ecosystem. “We are working on a priority basis to sustainably resolve the issues faced by the industrial sector,” he said, stressing that structural bottlenecks holding back growth must be removed without delay.

Shared vision for growth

By linking industrial revival with customs reforms, the government is aiming to create a more business-friendly environment that supports both local industries and international trade. Officials at the meetings noted that the twin reforms would not only make it easier to do business in Pakistan but also help attract new investment.

The prime minister reiterated that economic reform, transparency in governance, and support for industry remain at the centre of his administration’s strategy to put the country on a path of sustained growth.

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