Pakistan Customs reinforces regional cooperation at UNODC-WCO meeting

August 03, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan Customs reaffirmed its resolve to strengthen regional customs cooperation and promote secure, technology-driven trade facilitation.

The commitment took place while participating actively in the 11th Policy-Level Meeting of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)–World Customs Organization (WCO) Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP/IREN), held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, said a press release issued.

Pakistan's delegation was led by Syed Shakeel Shah, Member Customs (Operations), Federal Board of Revenue, along with Muhammad Imran Khan Mohmand, Director General Reforms & Automation, Pakistan Customs.

The high-level session brought together senior customs officials from across the region to deliberate on strengthening regional cooperation for secure, seamless and technology-enabled trade.

Deliberations centred on advancing trade facilitation through mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes, recognition of regulatory documents, wider adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled risk management and data analytics for customs clearance and enforcement, and stronger public-private partnerships to facilitate legitimate trade while curbing illicit cross-border activities.

Participating administrations agreed to set up dedicated technical working groups to draft protocols in these priority areas, paving the way for greater digital integration, improved regulatory cooperation, and more efficient regional trade and transit.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Pakistan delegation held a bilateral meeting with the First Deputy Chairman of the Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, where both sides reviewed progress under existing customs cooperation mechanisms and explored expanding collaboration in areas including National Targeting Centres, transit cargo tracking, AI and machine learning-based risk management, customs digitalization, intelligence-led enforcement, and enhanced exchange of customs information.

Member Customs (Operations) noted during the meeting that Uzbekistan is the first country with which Pakistan has established advance customs information exchange through the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) for both imports and exports, describing it as a significant milestone in digital customs cooperation.

Building on this, both sides agreed to explore extending the existing digital connectivity to transit trade information, a move expected to improve the quality and timeliness of customs data exchange, strengthen border controls, reduce clearance times, and facilitate faster, more secure regional trade and transit.

Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening bilateral customs cooperation through enhanced digital connectivity, coordinated border management, exchange of best practices, and adoption of modern customs technologies, efforts expected to strengthen supply chain security, facilitate legitimate trade, and advance regional economic integration.

Pakistan Customs remains committed to leveraging innovation, digital transformation and international cooperation to build a modern customs administration that supports trade competitiveness while ensuring effective enforcement and border security.

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