ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday stressed the importance of utilizing artificial intelligence to further enhance the newly installed Faceless Customs Assessment System at Karachi Port, a move aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in customs operations.
Sharif inaugurated the system, installed by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Pakistan’s tax collection agency, during a daylong visit to the southern metropolis on Wednesday.
Launched as a pilot project in December 2024, the system seeks to streamline customs clearance by minimizing human interaction, reducing clearance times and improving trade facilitation.
The prime minister met with the chief collector of customs in Karachi Zone, Jameel Nasir, praising him and his team for their efforts in implementing the system.
“The Faceless Customs Assessment System has significantly improved transparency, efficiency and service delivery in customs operations,” Sharif was quoted as saying in a statement released by his office following the meeting.
The statement added that he “emphasized the need to incorporate advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to make the system world-class and foolproof.”
The initiative marks a step in the government’s broader strategy to digitize its tax collection, a key condition set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of its $7 billion loan program.
The government plans to expand the system to other ports and border stations across the country in the coming months.
The prime minister announced a reward of Rs15 million ($54,000) for Nasir and his team, acknowledging their dedication to the project.
“This system is a major milestone and will play a crucial role in Pakistan’s economic development,” he continued, adding that it aligned with the government’s vision of fostering a business- and investor-friendly environment.
Pakistan has been actively working to modernize its port facilities to transform the country into a transit trade hub.
The government has also extended an invitation to landlocked Central Asian nations to use its ports for access to global sea lanes, a move expected to enhance regional trade connectivity.
Pakistan PM calls for AI integration to strengthen faceless customs system in Karachi
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Pakistan PM calls for AI integration to strengthen faceless customs system in Karachi
- Sharif inaugurated the system Wednesday to increase transparency, minimize human interaction
- The initiative also aims at digitizing the tax collection system and reduce clearance time at the port
Pakistan expands crypto engagement with appearance at Mar-a-Lago finance forum
- Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Chairman Bilal bin Saqib attends World Liberty Financial event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate
- Discussions focused on future of global financial infrastructure, digital assets, stablecoins, capital markets innovation, says Saqib’s office
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) Chairman and Minister of State Bilal bin Saqib joined global finance leaders at an event hosted by World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture linked to US President Donald Trump’s family, Saqib’s office said on Thursday.
The event was hosted by World Liberty Financial, a crypto-based finance platform launched in September 2024 linked to Trump’s family. According to Saqib’s office, the gathering was held at Mar-a-Lago, the private estate and club owned by Trump in Florida.
Speakers and attendees at the event included David Solomon, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, Adena Friedman, chairperson and CEO of Nasdaq as well as Lynn Martin, president of the New York Stock Exchange, Saqib’s office said. The event was organized and hosted by Eric Trump and American businesspersons Zach Witkoff and Alex Witkoff.
“Discussions focused on the future of global financial infrastructure, digital assets, stablecoins, capital markets innovation and the evolving relationship between regulation and emerging financial technologies,” the statement said.
It said Saqib’s attendance at the event reflected Pakistan’s growing engagement with global discussions shaping the next phase of financial and technological transformation.
“As Pakistan moves toward modernizing its financial infrastructure and strengthening its position in the global digital economy, such high-level engagements signal increasing international recognition of the country’s regulatory direction and leadership,” the statement added.
Last month, Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding with a company affiliated with World Liberty Financial to explore the use of a dollar-linked stablecoin for cross-border payments.
Pakistan has stepped up efforts recently to regulate its digital asset sector and is exploring digital currency initiatives as part of broader measures to reduce cash usage.
