KARACHI: The final passing out ceremony of Assistant Collectors of Customs from 50th Specialized Training Program (STP) was held at Customs Academy of Pakistan (CAP) Karachi on December 12th, 2023 in the most befitting manner.
Mr. Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana, chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) graced the occasion as the chief guest whereas Ms.Zeba Hai Azhar, Member Customs (FBR) along with Director General (CAP), Ms.Saima Shahzad, Director (CAP) Ms.Nawabzadi Aliya Khanji along with a number of Pakistan Customs Service officers, attended the ceremony.
Ms. Saima Shahzad, the DG (CAP) welcomed the distinguished guests and congratulated the young officers and their families upon successful completion of the training and explained the salient features and explained the growing role of Pakistan Customs and escalating challenges and to deal with changing scenario CAP has revised the curriculum of STP and now it has included subjects like Anti-Money Laundering, Countering Financing for Terrorism, Human Health & Security, Cross Border Movement of Strategic Goods, Illegal Trade in Endangered Species etc.
She appreciated the cooperation of Secretariat Training Institute, World Wildlife Fund, Strategic Export Control Division (SECDIV), United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC), US Bureau International Narcotics Law Enforcement (INL), US Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and US Customs Border Protection (CBP) etc. during the aforesaid training.
Ms.Zeba Hai Azhar, Member Customs offered sincere gratitude to the Chairman FBR for sparing his valuable time to grace the occasion to encourage the young officers on the successful completion of their training.
She appreciated the developments and addition of new training modules in the curricula of STP by CAP and for arranging collaborative training programs especially with partner agencies such as the National Police Academy of Pakistan. She referred CAP as a dynamic institution, that is playing a pivotal role for the capacity building of the customs department and appreciated the phenomenal role of DG, Director and faculty of CAP.
While addressing to the young officers Member Customs explained that authority brings responsibility followed by accountability and to become successful custom officers they should observe a balanced and rational approach towards Facilitation, Optimal Revenue Collection and Enforcement.
The chief guest Mr. Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana, Chairman (FBR) expressed best wishes to the new officers for their professional careers and appreciated the role of CAP in making officers comprehend how to maintain harmony and balance in individual and collective capacity for better execution of their professional responsibilities and authority.
The Chairman urged the young officers to serve as true public servants and ensure their accessibility to the general public r supervision, protect FBR’s core values, augment their professional competence and serve the department dedicatedly.
Referring them as guardians of Pakistan’s economic frontiers, the chairman urged the young officers to deal with the challenges arduously , maintaining balance between Facilitation, Revenue Collection and Enforcement. The chairman hoped that young officers will safeguard the rich tradition of FBR which are courtesy, efficiency & integrity.
The chairman (FBR) appreciated CAP for introducing the revised curriculum for STP in lines with the current economic landscape in which customs has to play a proactive role not only in revenue collection and trade facilitation, but also in protection of society from various threats, whether it is regulating the movement of contraband goods or the implementation of environmental protection regulations; whether it is combating money laundering or infringement of Intellectual Property Rights.
At the conclusion of the ceremony the Chairman also administered performance pledge to the passing-out officers followed by distribution of certificates. The passing-out officers thanked the academy and referred the training as a milestone, which would help them build their professional careers on solid footings.