FBR Probes Changes in Customs Clearance System

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has started looking into possible issues with the online Customs clearance system, which works with Pakistan Single Window (PSW), after finding 2,382 changes made to transhipment permits (TPs) over the last five years. The FBR has asked the Director General of Post Clearance Audit to prepare a full report within three weeks, though it’s not yet clear how these changes might have affected government revenue.

Official records show the number of TP changes fluctuated yearly: 182 in 2020, 230 in 2021, 89 in 2022, a big jump to 685 in 2024, and 102 so far in 2025. Past audits had noted technical problems in the system, but no one had officially raised concerns about it being misused for personal gain.

FBR Chairman Rashid Mehmood Langrial said it’s too early to draw conclusions until the audit is done. PSW CEO Aftab Haider stood by his organization, saying he’d push for tough action if any wrongdoing is found, but warned against unproven claims. He suggested some might be trying to tarnish PSW’s image just as it’s preparing to grow internationally.

A PSW spokesperson explained that since taking over in 2022, the system has been improved to support the government’s Digital Pakistan goals. They noted that PSW mainly handles data exchange, not Customs clearance itself, and funds its tech upgrades with its own revenue, not public money.

The spokesperson added that unnecessary rumors could harm PSW’s reputation, especially as it’s gearing up to expand globally, and stressed the importance of protecting this national resource