US-led two weeks’ training session on customs enforcement ends

A two weeks’ training on customs enforcement, which was organised from November 11 to November 22 by the Directorate General of Training & Research (Customs), Karachi, in collaboration with the US Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and Department of Homeland Security, concluded here on Friday.The spokesman for the customs said a certificate distribution ceremony was held at the Directorate General of Training & Research (Customs). The ceremony was attended by US Acting Counsel General Jack Hillmeyer and Chief Collector Customs Enforcement (South) Dr Wasif Ali Memon along with a large number of customs officers.Faiz Ahmad, the director general customs training, during the welcome address, highlighted the modern challenges of customs administration and the change in the role of the Pakistan Customs. He also informed the audience about the current changes in a specialised training program and various international training imparted to trainee officers with international agencies like the UNODC, WCO, DEA, INL and HSI.He extended gratitude to the trainers of the HSI, CBP and the INL attaché. One of the trainee officers shared her experience of the training and presented snapshots of training sessions, which included role plays, mock exercises, simulations and other hand-on activates.The training has triggered essential stimuli quintessential for customs officers, besides having sensitised the importance of two crucial aspects; inter agency cooperation and vitality of IT in customs enforcement.In his speech, Acting Consul General Jack Hillmeyer expressed his appreciation for trainers from the HIS, CBP and DGTR for successfully arranging the two-week training. He remarked that the training was reflective of the US commitment to assist friendly countries in creating a safer and more secure trading environment.In his concluding remarks, the chief collector enforcement (South) appreciated the DGTR and the US Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security for successfully conducting the training.He highlighted that the training provided an excellent opportunity to the newly inducted trainee officers to benefit from the experience of international law enforcement agencies.He highlighted that US and Pakistan law enforcement agencies face peculiar and similar challenges along their land borders and thus are uniquely placed to share their experience to combat illicit movement of goods, narcotics and people.He informed the gathering that this training was part of broader cooperation between the Pakistan Customs and the US Consulate General in Karachi, and expressed the hope that the scope of such collaboration would be enhanced in future.Moreover, the training is aligned with broader vision of the government for the introduction of reforms in the FBR and recently approved Border Management Initiative (BMI). He expressed the hope that this would also be extended to the training and skill enhancement of the in service officers, officials and train the trainer program as well.A statement issued by the US Consulate General quoted acting Consul General Hillmeyer as saying that customs officers were “Pakistan’s front line in preventing smuggling of narcotics and other illicit goods through your land borders, airports, sea ports, and coastline...We are proud to support Customs with training and equipment to assist in your mission to enforce Pakistan’s customs laws”.INL has provided over $1,531,000 (Rs238,836,000) in support for the Pakistan Customs since 2001 through the provision of training and the donation of vehicles and other equipment to support customs’ efforts to protect Pakistan’s borders and prevent illicit smuggling.According to the statement, the United States Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs works in more than 90 countries to help countries combat crime and corruption, counter drug-related offences, improve police institutions, and promote laws and court systems that are fair and accountable.

from The News International - Karachi https://ift.tt/2QH0NI3