The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has initiated the process for a new Expression of Interest (EOI) to select qualified companies for deploying state-of-the-art technologies to enhance cargo tracking and monitoring systems.
The FBR said in a press release that certain sections of the press published news items on January 9, 2025, regarding the new transit cargo monitoring process according to which satellite tracking has been replaced with human monitoring only. It has been reported that the license of the only company having a satellite tracking system has been revoked abruptly and the same has been awarded to four tracking companies that qualified technically four years ago.
It was alleged that these companies do not possess modern tracking equipment and significant experience, the FBR said.
“Such news items are based on a lack of understanding about the previous system, present interim arrangement and FBR’s wholehearted efforts to put in place a vibrant, risk-free and a state of art technology-based new system.”
The FBR said that the license of the company that was tracking the cargo movement since 2013 was not terminated abruptly and without valid grounds rather it was done after following the due process of law and on account of following charges of outdated tracking technology, frequent technical faults and inability to perform the live satellite tracking en-route but charging fee to the tune of Rs 445 million and making windfall profits.
The suspension of operations was attributed to cyberattacks, and multiple cases were registered by various field formations for different violations. However, during the hearing, TPL admitted that its devices were unable to provide satellite services and frequently sent unnecessary or frivolous alerts.
FBR said that the suspension of TPL Trakker’s operations resulted in breaking the monopoly of the company providing substandard services while charging exorbitant amounts, making windfall profits, and compromising the integrity of the transit cargo.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) clarified that the credentials of four companies tasked with tracking transit cargo were evaluated and deemed eligible by the Licensing Committee under the Tracking and Monitoring of Cargo Rules. However, their licenses were canceled due to ongoing court cases.
To ensure the safe transportation of transit and transshipment cargo during the interim period, several measures have been implemented. These include the installation of Prime Mover Devices (PMDs) on vehicles and the movement of cargo in convoys under Customs escort from the port of arrival to the port of destination. Additionally, selected scanning of cargo is being conducted at both arrival and destination ports to prevent pilferage and enhance security.
A centralized 24/7 Customs Control Room has been established for real-time tracking and monitoring of en-route vehicles. The room ensures effective surveillance of Afghanistan Transit Trade (ATT) and transshipment (TP) cargo through enforcement formations across the network.
The FBR also announced that it has initiated a fresh tendering process through an Expression of Interest (EOI) to select qualified companies after a competitive and transparent bidding process. The new cargo tracking and monitoring system will employ the latest GSM and satellite tracking technologies, including Container Surveillance Devices (CSDs), ensuring a foolproof mechanism for cargo security. The process aims to deploy state-of-the-art technology at the earliest to strengthen cargo tracking and monitoring systems.
