Syed Asad Raza Rizvi

• Successfully operationalized the Customs Mission after a 23-year gap
• First ever Permanent Representative with a task to operationalize a new Mission that was successfully achieved
• Coordinated with WCO and member administrations to seek technical assistance
• Attended multiple WCO meetings, providing valuable reports to the Customs wing
• Actively engaging with other Member Administrations for supporting new initiatives especially on capacity building, automation and modernization

• Conceived and developed the idea of National Targeting Centre (NTC) as a project in 2018 and kept on working as an additional assignment with a main idea to develop it using the all available WCO tools and other modules available locally and internationally.
• Negotiated and Coordinated with the International partners such as INL, WCO, UNODC, HSI, UK Border Force, UK HMRC to get the different modules mainly form WCO such as nCEN, GTAS & CTS.
• Conceived and developed some local modules such as Currency Declaration System (CDS) and Customs Interdiction Module (CIM- Mainly to support the mobile interdiction units and get online and real time information).
• Currently working on deployment of goTravel with the support from UNODC, WCO and UNOCT.
• Designated its first Director as well in 2023 when this office was formalized. .

• Overall Incharge for all Operational both for revenue and Customs enforcement activities at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore and actively monitored and supervised the officers and officials working in the relevant functional areas in jurisdiction. Managed HR, trade facilitation, and legal cases
• Significant achievements in revenue collection, enforcement activities, and training staff
• Project Director for National Targeting Centre

• Overall responsible for all Export Consignments through Karachi seaport, Including 3 major Terminals and 6 Off Dock terminals to oversee export consignments, compliance, and trade facilitation at Karachi seaport
• Monitoring and supervision of operational activities on enforcement and compliance, implementation of strategies for Trade Facilitation mechanism in order to facilitate exports through Export Facilitation Scheme of Government of Pakistan
• investigations and prosecution
• Overseeing and management for human resources management, administration, logistics, financial management, budget expenditure, audit and procurement
• Led the National Targeting Centre project for proactive profiling and targeting of suspicious cargo
• Lead for Pakistan Customs FATF team on Recommendation No 32 of the MER and Immediate Outcome 8 (Cash couriers and TBML)

• Overall Incharge for Directorate Intelligence and Investigation- Customs -Lahore Gathering of intelligence/ information gathering , its effective synthesis and dissemination pertaining to organized crime, trade supply chain security, staff vigilance, TBML, fiscal frauds, border management, drug trafficking, Environmental Crimes, wildlife trafficking etc.
• Monitoring and supervision of operational activities on enforcement and compliance, implementation of strategies for prevention of smuggling, drug interdictions, law enforcement, organized crime, border management through effective passenger controls.
• Ensuring trade supply chain security through supervision of 4 land customs ports and 02 airports to plug revenue leakages, counter commercial/ fiscal frauds, monitoring of port clearances.
• Overall Supervision of analysis of Suspicious transaction Reports (STRs) from Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) and related ML/CFT and TBML related cases institution, investigations and prosecution
• Overseeing and management for human resources management, administration, logistics, financial management, budget expenditure, audit and procurement
• Activities pertaining to Field Intelligence Units Management and supervision of Audit, Law, Auctions State warehouse, Administration, discipline and Human Resource management for the Directorate.
• Monitoring staff activities through an effective vigilance system Interagency cooperation, coordination, correspondence and liaison activities. .
• Project Director for National Targeting Centre since year 2018 for proactive profiling/ targeting of suspicious passengers and cargo and their interdiction.
• Focal point for FATF and Money laundering matters since year 2018.

• Headed the FATF Cell, coordinating and implementing FATF action plan requirements
• Entrusted with responsibility to cater for FATF MER Recommendation 32 and Immediate Outcome8 (Cash Couriers, Currency Smuggling and TBML) which included 04 action items out of 27 for Pakistan. All these items were successfully responded and mitigated helping Pakistan getting out of FATF grey list in 2022.Developed sectoral risk assessment on Cash smugglingand implemented Border Management Initiative while identifying the risk areas and proposing a Risk Based Mitigation Strategy(RBMS) to cater for this issue.
• Necessary legal amendments were drafted and got approved form the Parliament.
• Led the development of the Currency Declaration System and international cooperation mechanisms
• Awarded with a special commendation letter from the Government of Pakistan.
• In order to improve the cross border controls for cash and BNI movement, Border Management Initiative (BMI) was developed that included the deployment and recruitment of customs staff at all entry/ exit points and to improve the existing infrastructure/ controls.
• Unprecedented currency seizures were reported during the last 2 years
• 
  
• Pakistan is probably the only country that has implemented a regime with an annual limit for carrying foreign currency as well. In order to monitor the effectiveness of this regime, a Currency Declaration System (CDS) was developed. I developed this declaration system concept note and implemented it firstly at 3 Airports and then it was rolled out to 25 entry/ exit points in Pakistan. It is connected with the FMU and Inland Revenue Service on real time-Online basis.
• Headed a multiagency team to draft an MoU was drafted by the team facilitating information exchange and cooperation amongst 14 domestic LEAs For International Cooperation to identify risk prone destination on the basis on the Sectoral cash smuggling study and trends from Currency
• Developed the NTC concept with information sources including CDS, Advanced Passenger Information System, Cargo Targeting System, Seizure/ Case Management system, etc. using international cooperation and support from WCO, USCBP, NCA, UNODC, HMRC

• Overall Incharge for Directorate Intelligence and Investigation- Customs -Multan having largest jurisdiction in Pakistan covering 70% of the Punjab province
• Gathering of intelligence/ information gathering , its effective synthesis and dissemination pertaining to organized crime, trade supply chain security, staff vigilance, TBML, fiscal frauds, border management, drug trafficking, Environmental Crimes, wildlife trafficking etc.
• Monitoring and supervision of operational activities on enforcement and compliance, implementation of strategies for prevention of smuggling, drug interdictions, law enforcement, organized crime, border management through effective passenger controls.
• Ensuring trade supply chain security through supervision of 4 land customs ports and 02 airports to plug revenue leakages, counter commercial/ fiscal frauds, monitoring of port clearances.
• Overall Supervision of analysis of Suspicious transaction Reports (STRs) from Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) and related ML/CFT and TBML related cases institution, investigations and prosecution
• Overseeing and management for human resources management, administration, logistics, financial management, budget expenditure, audit and procurement, activities pertaining to Field Intelligence Units Management and supervision of Audit, Law, Auctions State warehouse, Administration, discipline and Human Resource management for the Directorate.
• Monitoring staff activities through an effective vigilance system
• Interagency cooperation, coordination, correspondence and liaison activities. .
• Project Director for National Targeting Centre since year 2018 for proactive profiling/ targeting of suspicious passengers and cargo and their interdiction.
• Focal point for FATF and Money laundering matters since year 2018

The Chief of International Cooperation is the overall responsible head of organization pertaining to matters of International Cooperation. The responsibilities included

• Provide overall Policy guidelines to all matters pertaining to International Cooperation and related matters especially dealing with Customs administrations as well as development partners. Liaison, Coordination and co-operation with International Organizations including WCO and WTO and Customs Administrations worldwide on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs matters.
• Supervise and coordinate the Organization of International and Regional Meetings, Events and Seminars.
• Planning and managing the meetings of various ministries and to act as focal point in the area of Customs/ Enforcement To plan and support Capacity Building initiatives for Pakistan Customs and coordinate for international support and trainings through donor outreach and advocacy:
• Act as a focal point for different new initiatives taken by Pakistan Customs Develop and maintain a close working relationship with all Customs formations as well as national and international agencies for coordination, resource sharing and support.
• Focal point for all anti-money laundering and FATF related issues pertaining to Recommendation #32 Cash Couriers and International and domestic cooperation matters
• Development of good networking with the Partner agencies such as HSI, UNODC, INL and NCA for support of different initiative by Pakistan Customs through capacity building of officers/Officials of Customs as well as technical assistance.
• For the first time ever, legal provisions pertaining to International Cooperation were enacted by me and are now a part of the Customs Act, 1969.
• Actively pursued negotiations with the Customs Administrations of Belarus, Russia, and Mexico for agreements on mutual assistance and cooperation and exchange of bilateral trade data. Similar negotiations are currently underway with Tajikistan, Iran, Afghanistan and other ECO countries as well Chief Coordinator for the 8th Meeting of the ECO Heads of Customs Administrations (CHCA) in Pakistan in November 2018 which was attended by Member Countries, ECO secretariat as well as Secretary General of WCO.
• Represented Pakistan Customs at Permanent Technical Committee of WCO as well as CCP meeting at Baku, Azerbaijan, IPR workshop at Washington DC, USA and Global E-Commerce Meeting at Beijing, China.
• First ever MoU with WWF-Pakistan was conceived, developed and signed for training of Pakistan Customs officers and to involve them in a more proper interdiction of smuggling prone wildlife species.
• Coordinated and actively pursued for the revival of Customs Minister Position for WCO at Pakistan Embassy in Brussels that was abolished since year 2000. The seat was finally revived by the Prime Minister during the year 2018. Developed the concept of the Unified Approach for Trade Facilitation through effective
• Enforcement for maximization of Revenue. Concept papers were developed and development partners were approached. This concept is being carried forward as the future approach for the development plan for future operations of Pakistan Customs as it will act as a Single window of enforcement for all stake holder agencies.
• Pakistan Customs was designated as the lead agency for Immediate Outcome # 8 of FATF Action Plan for Pakistan based on Recommendation # 32 Cash Couriers of the Mutual Evaluation Report. I was appointed as the team leader to provide the following outputs on providing support for the strategies and coordination mechanisms in respect national anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) strategies. The team was required to devise a mechanism to monitor cross-border transportation of cash and bearer negotiable instruments (BNIs), the identification of cash couriers and seizure of cash and BNIs while covering the four main areas of
• identification and mitigation strategies for cross border movement of Cash and BNI
• Development of legislative and physical controls at the borders (entry/ exit point) and to monitor the effectiveness of the system while strengthening the existing structures
• Development of an integrated System that can monitor the movement of cash couriers
• To strengthen the domestic and international cooperation mechanism for monitoring, information sharing, seizures, confiscation and sanctions
• Lead for Customs National Targeting Centre including components such as Advance Passenger Information System, Cargo targeting System, Case management System as well as a monitoring system. The already developed Currency Declaration system under my supervision will also be embedded in this after it is being linked with the Immigration database.

• Overall Incharge for human resources management, administration, logistics, financial management, budget expenditure for Jinnah International Airport, Karachi which is the largest airport in Pakistan in terms of Passenger movements as well as quantum of air cargo.
• Performed my duties as being the overall head of the Customs operations with a special focus on Enforcement activities/ operations. The main target areas have been to counter Smuggling of Narcotic drugs & its precursors, Synthetic Drugs, IPR and counterfeits, Gold & Currency, Money Laundering, Strategic goods (CBRNE materials), Endangered Species Environmental Crimes, wildlife trafficking etc. etc. Multiple cases of Narcotics and precursor Chemicals, CITES and Commercial goods were identified and goods were seized. Many cases of smuggling on Falcons, Freshwater turtles and their meat, pangolin scales were interdicted. I spear headed a series of operations while rummaging and searching and recovering more than 30 Kgs of Heroin in three different instances from the aircraft bodies.
• Greater focus during this tenure has been on anti-Money laundering matters. Strenuous efforts were made to curb the menace of Cash Smuggling through the airport which resulted in many seizures including Pakistan largest seizure of foreign currency amounting to $550,000 from a passenger.
• Also instrumental in development of Currency Declaration System (CDS) was developed which was connected to multiple entry/ exit station on real time basis to monitor the inflow/ out flow of foreign Currency. The system later on expanded to 24 entry/ exit points in Pakistan and it wasa strong supporting tool for Pakistan in wake of FATF sanctions.
• Alos acted as the focal point for many UNODC initiatives such as Triangular initiative, CCP and Air Cargo Control Units.
• Represented Pakistan Customs in two UNODC-CCP related meeting at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The main areas of responsibilities has remained focused on Liaison, Coordination and co-operation with International Organizations including WCO and WTO and Customs Administrations worldwide on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs matters.

• Remained involved in Drafting, vetting and dissemination of agreements on Mutual Legal Assistance on Customs Matters between Pakistan and other countries.
• In addition, the Organization of International and Regional Meetings, Events and Seminar as also one of the assignments.
• Other responsibilities included to coordinate for the meetings of various ministries and to act as focal point in the area of Customs/ Enforcement as well as to support Capacity Building initiatives for Pakistan Customs and coordinate for international support and trainings:
• Developed and maintained close working relationship with all Customs formations as well as national and international agencies for coordination, resource sharing and support. It also included coordination with all the donor agencies to conduct outreach and advocacy to develop a close cooperation mechanism and development of technical assistance and capacity building for the Projects involving Pakistan Customs

• Managed HR, administration, and logistics for Customs Intelligence
• Provided policy advice and initiated the development of a Case Management System

• Coordinated training and implementation of the Container Control Programme (CCP)
• Supported the expansion of CCP to new countries, organized international training, and fundraising activities
• Developed strategic initiatives, such as regional approaches and Air Cargo Control Units

• Implemented project strategies, coordinated training, and inter-agency cooperation
• Led the establishment of 15 Port Control Units with landmark seizures
• Developed new initiatives like regional approaches and Air Cargo Control Units

The main responsibilities were

• operational management of all activities and operations on Intelligence collection,
• dissemination of information and subsequent Enforcement pertaining security of trade supply chain and interdiction of Narcotics and Psychotropic substances, Intellectual property issues, anti-money laundering and CITES related matters. coordination with multiple local counterpart agencies for effective interdictions
• Overall HR management including Financial and administrative management. Procurement, Budgeting, Analysis and reporting, Budget estimation and Expenditure Bridging the skill gap of staff through training Detection and investigative audit of Sales Tax payers
• Project Management for multiple government projects
• During these 10 years of operational activities, I have worked at senior level positions with Pakistan Customs mainly pertaining to multi- faceted enforcement activities particularly on interdiction of drugs, precursors and other contraband items.
• Remained proactively involved in the Container profiling, tracking, interdiction, detection and seizure of the suspicious consignments. One of the most important cases was a case involving case of more than 1400 containers that went missing in Afghan Transit Trade and Transshipment of the containers to up country dry ports.
• Spearheaded all the investigations including tracking and recovery of the missing containers, assessment of Computer System, role of terminal operator, carriers, agents, importers etc. The final outcome of the investigations resulted in sacking of 07 very senior level Customs Officers on account of negligence, inefficiency as well as corruption.
• Worked as member of the Core team for development of STARR (Sales Tax Automated Refund Repository) Project from May 2001- Sep 2003 pertaining to establishment of an online system for automated Sales tax refunds, infrastructure establishment, procurement, training of the concerned officials, rolling out of the project to 10 different locations (adopting a methodology of distributed databases),establishment of central database, post implementation, monitoring and evaluation, report writing. The system introduced an advanced level of automated refund systems gradually from a paper-based system to a fully automated system. This was a home-grown solution for which funded by the World Bank and is still operational with great success all across the country.
• The other projects include the establishment of Large Tax Payers Unit (LTU) at Lahore in year 2004. The project included establishment of an LTU processes, infrastructure development, procurement of equipment and training of the concerned officers/officials. Unit is operational and successfully operating all across Pakistan
• Attended a one moth MTCP Fellow ship programme at Royal Malaysian Customs Academy in April-May 2007 and wrote a paper on comparison of Malaysian and Pakistani Customs Administration systems. This paper was rendered as the best paper in the course.

• · Detection of cases required to file tax returns through internal and external surveys. -Supervision of processing of the tax returns.
• · Assessment of income and tax thereon as per law and its recovery.
• · Education and periodic audit of tax withholding agents and agencies.
• · Coordination with other Government Departments for the broadening of tax base. -Financial and administrative management
• · successfully managed the collection and adjudication of Income Tax Cases
• · Supervised three division of assessment, recovery , adjudication
• · All the pendency for the outstanding cases relating to assessment and recovery was liquidated in the division with due time limit
• · Financial and Management reports were prepared and sent within due time limit
• · New mechanism was evolved for recovery of the tax from the withholding agents.
• · Auditing if these agents resulted in increase of revenue as well as broadening of the tax base.

• · Assessment, Adjudication, Recovery, etc. of all Provincial levies Government of the Punjab, Excise & Taxation Deptt, Lahore
• · Successfully administered enforcement and collection of Provincial taxes

• Designing of Civil Structures especially for the Dams
• · Review of the Designs of Structures
• · Supervise the work of the sub Engineers and draftsmen
• · Coordination with the consultants/contractors and field formation under Wapda
• · Worked on different projects including Hingol Dam and Kalabagh Dam