Launched earlier this year, the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) is a digital portal which allows importers and exporters to submit customs declarations, permits and documents required by governmental departments which administer non customs regulations. Previously, filings with such departments had to be undertaken manually and required physical visits to their offices. PSW is a revolutionary project that makes import and export of goods into and out of Pakistan faster, easier and cheaper by providing a single standardised online form on which information relevant to customs declarations and up to 74 government departments, whose involvement depends on the nature of goods sought to be imported or exported, may be submitted. These include the State Bank of Pakistan, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, Department of Plant Protection, Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority, Animal Quarantine Department and Federal Seed and Certification Department.
RIAA Barker Gillette (Pakistan) was engaged by International Finance Corporation – a sister organisation of the World Bank – to act as the legal and regulatory expert to undertake the preparatory work for the establishment and operation of the PSW – a comprehensive regulatory system to speed up the flow of goods into and out of Pakistan. Other members of the consortium included Sovereign Border Solutions and Grant Thornton.
Our team led by Mazhar Bangash, Partner – Pakistan, and Ehsan Ejaz, Senior Associate, conducted a legal gap analysis comparing the existing trade related legal and regulatory framework of Pakistan with internationally recommended best practices. Furthermore, we reviewed national laws as well as the governing statutes/regulations of individual stakeholders to suggest appropriate amendments and recommendations on the next steps to be taken at national level to fill the identified gaps and drafting of new legislation underpinning the implementation and maintenance of PSW.
For further detail on PSW and how it operates, please visit their website at www.psw.gov.pk.
