PSW would like to address the recent article titled "Customs fraud causes loss of billions" published on March 19, 2025, in The Express Tribune in which unsubstantiated and unverified claims have been made to unfairly implicate PSW officials in an alleged fraud committed by some importers and clearing agents through breach of system controls. While PSW acknowledges the gravity of the issues highlighted, it is imperative to provide a comprehensive perspective to ensure accurate public understanding and to avoid maligning an organization that prides itself on transparency and professional integrity.

1. PSW would like to point out that the phenomenon of Goods Declaration (GD) manipulation in the dry ports stretches back several years and in fact pre-dates Single Window implementation. This is acknowledged in the news report itself. Hence, system vulnerabilities and glitches in the system developed before PSW’s existence or its subsequent takeover of the WEBOC system cannot be ascribed to PSW. 

2. Secondly, the claim that the data fields in the GD were manipulated by traders/clearing agents in connivance with PSW officers is unfounded, unsubstantiated, and without a clear understanding of how the system works or PSW’s role in customs clearances. Facts of the case are that some importers/clearing agents took advantage of a previously unknown vulnerability in the WeBOC system to alter the declared HS codes/weights in the declarations filed at the dry ports. This alteration effected through changes in the browser script did not need any help from WeBOC/PSW IT staff. Whether they were able to bypass the hardcore customs controls applied physically at the assessment/examination level and benefit from tax evasion or fraud remains to be established by customs authorities. PSW has shared the complete data of such GDs including those that were cleared before PSW’s takeover of the WeBOC system with Customs authorities for a post clearance audit and determination of actual facts. Also, a fix was immediately deployed in the system to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future. 

3. It is the responsibility of the editor/publication outlet to reach out to the concerned organization for comments or clarification before publishing any news. Failing to do so constitutes a violation of ethical journalistic standards and appears to be a deliberate attempt to defame an organization that is gaining national and international recognition for its innovative services and best practices across all aspects of its operations. PSW has also learned that Customs, in its response to the newspaper staff, clarified the aforementioned facts, but this clarification was deliberately omitted from the published piece. This failure to seek comment, combined with inaccurate reporting, raises concerns about the intent behind the coverage, which appears to be an attempt to damage the reputation of an organization that is actively contributing to better governance and service delivery through improved business processes and enhanced data visibility. PSW is regularly cited as a model for efficient service delivery, free from bureaucratic delays and inefficiency. 

4. It is important to clarify that, under PSW’s management since 2022, the WeBOC system has been significantly improved, aligning with the Government of Pakistan's Digital Pakistan vision. PSW ensures the highest ethical standards in the selection and performance management of its employees. A competitive selection process, market based salary, a capable workforce hired from the private sector, continuous system audits, and robust performance appraisals have ensured a trained and quality team in PSW unmatched by many of its peer organizations and government departments. The fact that PSW does not have any physical presence on any customs station nor allows members of the trade to interact with its staff has contributed to PSW’s stellar reputation as an ethical and transparent organization. It may be pertinent to mention that PSW is primarily a data exchange platform and has no role in customs clearance on the ground. Moreover, PSW does not receive any funding from the public exchequer developing and implementing a sustainable business and operating model that is reinvested in improving the PSW platform and its allied systems. 

5. At a time when PSW is looking to expand its operations overseas and contribute to Pakistan’s economic development, the above referred news article without following the highest ethical journalistic standards is hugely damaging to a national asset besides being extremely demoralizing to the PSW team working tirelessly in creating an outstanding digital platform.  

Read More: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1293872-breaches-found-in-online-customs-clearance-system