{
  "id": 17155481,
  "title": "FCA performance: FBR rejects APTMA’s concerns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/fca-performance-fbr-rejects-aptmas-concerns",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-30T01:30:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40446599/fca-performance-fbr-rejects-aptmas-concerns"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has firmly rejected the figures presented by All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) concerning customs clearance delays following the implementation of the faceless customs assessment (FCA). The FBR argues that the performance data cited in APTMA's complaint largely reflects the early stages of FCA implementation and does not accurately represent later improvements. Average customs clearance time has decreased from 40.2 hours to 20.57 hours, with 83 percent of consignments now cleared within 48 hours. The FBR is committed to resolving genuine operational obstacles without undermining the core goals of the reform. They have extended an invitation to APTMA and other trade organizations to present specific and verifiable cases, including relevant Goods Declaration numbers, to address reported delays, valuation disputes, and classification errors. The FBR remains steadfast in its dedication to enhancing the faceless customs assessment, emphasizing the relocation of the Central Appraising Unit to Islamabad as a subsequent step in customs modernization, not a revertible action.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has out rightly rejected figures submitted by All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) regarding Customs clearance time/delays after implementation of the new Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA). According to the FBR, responding to concerns raised by the APTMA regarding clearance delays, valuation disputes and laboratory referrals, FBR stated that…",
  "key_points": [
    "FBR rejects APTMA's customs delay figures",
    "Customs clearance time dropped from 40.2 to 20.57 hours",
    "FBR invites APTMA to present specific delay cases"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The FBR’s refusal to backtrack on faceless customs assessment signals a commitment to modernization that prioritizes long-term systemic efficiency over the immediate operational grievances voiced by textile industry representatives.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}