Article of Bisma Noor Jatoi (Assistant Collector), Collectorate of Enforcement, Karachi on the occasion of International Customs Day 2026

Rousseau, a philosopher of the Social Contract, says, “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” The idea is also relevant to the chains of customs duties and taxes, or somehow his saying fits well with the dilemma of taxed freedom. It is a commonly established fact that known chains are resisted less, but the sudden clench of some alien chain of laws or rules creates a revolutionary resistance. This is why the World Customs Organization’s core idea of “compliance through education and not just force” holds significant importance. A recent viral video of an influencer on social media, labeling customs compliance as government extortion, is one of many emerging issues due to a lack of customs literacy among the general public. Due to this very fact, the act of smuggling is still just another business pitch in many areas of Pakistan.

To understand the impact of such perceptions, it is important to define what customs literacy entails. Customs literacy here refers to the notion of an informed public in terms of rules and laws pertaining to Customs. Over the years, Customs Administrations in Pakistan have been facing the dilemma of correcting their public image. Every duty collected is compared to some illegal procurement by officials instead of being recognized as a national responsibility of all citizens. Interestingly, there have been instances of passengers and traders offering heavy bribes but not complying with the payment of duties and taxes. In such a scenario, the burden of sin cannot solely be put on national character, but it is primarily the lack of Customs literacy that breeds non-compliance among the public.

This gap in literacy directly affects public behavior, leading many into smuggling traps, as observed by Enforcement Collectorates across Pakistan. Thousands of vehicles and consignments involved inactive smuggling acts are intercepted; however, sans a few, many owners are either daily wagers or members of the white-collar community trying to explore the business arena of Pakistan. Sadly, dueto the low visibility of Customs and the absence of Customs laws on the public agenda, these common citizens fall into the trap of smuggling wrapped in some business idea. However, once the reality of laws comes in front of them, they agitate and resist strongly.

While the current scenario shows public vulnerability, the phenomenon of smuggling itself is not new in Pakistan. Although the act of smuggling goes back to times unknown and is ever-present, Pakistan started focusing more on this phenomenon after the end of the Cold War and, lately, in thewake of cross-border terrorism and economic woes. As per UNODC estimates, global figures of smuggling stand at USD 870 billion. Specifically, Pakistan loses nearly 25–30% of its federal tax targets. Given the quantum of smuggling and tax evasion, one cannot rule out political and strategic reasons, but one also cannot ignore the importance of customs literacy among the public to control the menace of smuggling.

Understanding the scale of the problem brings us to question why such a literacy gap has persisted over decades. Why, following independence, has no heed been paid to the need for public agenda-setting of Customs rules and laws? The emphasis on the invisibility of bureaucracy and the reiteration of distance from all kinds of media has cost Customs a lot—not only in terms of non-compliant citizens but also in creating a draconian pen picture among common people. However, times have changed now. No civil servant escapes accountability and social media trials, no matter how much one tries.

Given these challenges, the focus must now shift towards practical strategies to enhance Customs literacy. The most effective strategy would be the adoption of all kinds of media as a tool to proliferate and preserve Customs laws. Moreover, regular public engagement by Customs officers is another way to educate citizens over time. From targeted workshops with relevant communities topublic service messages reiterating the illegality of smuggling and tax evasion, Pakistan Customs needs to ramp up its efforts to curb the lack of Customs literacy. Only an informed and literate public on relevant laws and rules can help the government end the menace of smuggling. In contrast, Customs illiteracy shall lead to a state-versus-people dilemma that will undermine Pakistan Customs’ progress.

SOURCE: Taxhelpline Team