ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to expand strategic Customs collaboration through advanced technologies during a high-level bilateral meeting on the sidelines of an international conference held in Tashkent.
A Pakistani delegation is in Tashkent to participate in the conference organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)–World Customs Organisation (WCO) Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP). Syed Shakeel Shah, Member Customs (Operations), Federal Board of Revenue, is leading the delegation.
The Pakistani delegation met the First Deputy Chairman of the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan to review existing cooperative mechanisms and map out future initiatives. The discussions focused on advancing joint efforts in Customs digitalisation, transit cargo tracking, and intelligence-led enforcement. Both sides committed to exploring technological integration through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning-based risk management, the establishment of National Targeting Centres, and enhanced real-time exchange of customs information to boost regional trade security.
During the meeting, the Pakistani team highlighted that Uzbekistan is the first country with which Pakistan has established advance Customs information exchange through the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) for both imports and exports, marking a significant milestone in digital customs cooperation.
The two sides also agreed to extend the existing digital connectivity to include transit trade information. This initiative is expected to improve the quality and speed of customs data exchange, strengthen border controls, reduce clearance times, and facilitate faster, more secure and seamless regional trade and transit.
The two sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening bilateral customs cooperation through enhanced digital connectivity, coordinated border management, exchange of best practices, and adoption of modern customs technologies. These efforts will contribute to strengthening supply chain security, facilitating legitimate trade and advancing regional economic integration.
The meeting brought together senior customs officials from across the region to discuss strengthening regional cooperation for secure, seamless and technology-enabled trade.
Discussions also focused on advancing trade facilitation through mutual recognition of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes, recognition of regulatory documents, wider adoption of AI-enabled risk management and data analytics to support Customs clearance and enforcement, and enhanced public-private partnerships to facilitate legitimate trade while effectively combating illicit cross-border activities.
The participating representatives agreed to establish technical working groups to develop draft protocols for these priority areas, paving the way for greater digital integration, improved regulatory cooperation, and more efficient regional trade and transit.
Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026
