The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has retracted its decision to implement significant changes in Customs under the Prime Minister’s Information Plan. The issuance of SRO 1637(I)/2024 had raised legal issues, requiring a two-thirds majority for approval, and no presidential order was issued to implement the proposals. Consequently, all changes made in the SRO issued on October 18 have been withdrawn through SRO 1673 issued on October 28.
SRO 1637(I)/2024 had proposed amendments to the jurisdiction of Collectors/Directors of Customs and transferred the powers of the Chief Collector of Customs to the Director General. The establishment of the Director General of Customs Enforcement in Islamabad was also part of the plan, granting the DG Enforcement all the powers of the Chief Collector and placing all Enforcement Collectorates across the country under its jurisdiction. The scope and responsibilities of customs and other collectors were redefined.
However, under the Federal Board of Revenue’s transformation plan, all these changes have been abolished. The previous setup with the Chief Collector has been restored, ending the new setup of the Director General of Customs Enforcement in Islamabad. The plan, which aimed to transform Customs appraisement and enforcement, has been shelved.