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Pakistan Customs has reported its highest-ever revenue collection, bringing in Rs 2.31 trillion during the current fiscal year, a 20 percent increase compared to the previous year.
The milestone was shared on Monday during an event held to mark International Customs Day, where senior officials highlighted the department’s ongoing shift towards digital operations and stronger enforcement.
Speaking on the occasion, Member Customs Operations Syed Shakeel Shah said the department is moving away from manual systems to a technology-driven model aimed at improving transparency, reducing delays, and facilitating legitimate trade. He noted that customs duty and related taxes recorded an overall increase of 48 percent during the period.
According to official figures, Pakistan Customs also intensified its enforcement efforts, seizing smuggled goods worth Rs 41 billion over the year. At the same time, the department processed around 3.85 million containers, reflecting increased trade activity at ports and border points.
Shah said the crackdown on smuggling has had a direct impact on the formal economy. He pointed to a noticeable rise in the legal import of petroleum products, tyres, and textile goods, which were previously entering the country through undocumented channels.
“These measures have helped redirect trade back into the legal system, ensuring that revenue reaches the national exchequer,” he said.
Customs officials also credited recent reforms, including the rollout of the Pakistan Single Window and the gradual introduction of a “faceless” customs system, for improving efficiency. The digital setup reduces direct interaction between officials and traders, a step authorities believe will help curb corruption and speed up clearance procedures.
Additional initiatives such as digital enforcement stations and modern cargo monitoring systems are also being introduced to strengthen oversight while easing the cost of doing business.
Pakistan Customs has long faced criticism over delays, leakages, and weak enforcement. However, the latest figures suggest that technology-driven reforms and tighter controls may finally be showing results. If sustained, these changes could play a quiet but important role in stabilizing revenue collection and restoring confidence among legitimate traders.
For businesses and consumers alike, the real test will be whether these gains translate into smoother trade, fairer competition, and fewer loopholes in the system.
