Ashhad Jawwad, Pakistan

 

Secretary Customs Budget

Federal Board of Revenue

Government of Pakistan

Public Finance Program (’08)

 

 

 

 

 

Please tell us about your career path so far. What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area?

I have been working in the Pakistan Customs Service for the past 17 years, both at operational and policy levels. Since my induction through a national competitive examination, I have worked on different assignments at middle and senior management levels. Regarding specialization, there is a saying in our service that a good customs officer is the one who is a specialist of all aspects of his field. Personally, I have more interest in assignments involving Customs Classification issues, interpretation of statues and revenue related data analysis, particularly in the area of Post Clearance Audit.

 

You are currently Secretary at the Pakistan Federal Board of Revenue. What are your main responsibilities and duties?

For last 5 years I have been working as Secretary Customs Budget at my organization’s headquarters, i.e. Federal Board of Revenue. This assignment involves three major responsibilities; regular monitoring and analysis of customs revenue collection, coordinating with all stakeholders to initiate basic documents for customs tariff & law related budgetary measures to be presented before the National Legislative Assembly at the time of annual budget for approval and, coordinating with 16 nationwide field formations and Ministry of Commerce on Import Policy related issues.

 

In the past fiver years, I have also been the editor of three technical publications on Pakistan Customs Tariff, Law & Procedures.

 

In your current capacity, what do you see as the main opportunities and challenges for Pakistan over the course of the next five to ten years?

Working in a policy environment for a long time gives a deep insight into divergent aspects and complexities of issues. Pakistan is facing many challenges but right now the most important ones are in the spheres of economy and national security. Pakistan has paid a very heavy price on its war against terror, which has jolted it to its core. But I have a firm belief that like a phoenix, Pakistan will once again rise from its ashes and join the leading economies of Asia of which it once was a part. Pakistan’s demographic dividend (more than 60% population is under 30), its strategic position and increasingly politically-aware youth provide it with such opportunities which none of the other countries in the region posses. The only requirement is consistent and well thought out policies diverging to a single target of achieving a sustainable growth over the next ten years. With the available opportunities, this is not an impossible task.

 

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work? And what have been the most interesting or rewarding aspects of your career thus far?

Since most of my current work involves revenue data analysis, I face a major challenge regarding the accuracy of data which I have to work with. I am hopeful that with the introduction of a new automated integrated system, this problem will soon be resolved.

 

Everything I did in the line of duty has always been interesting and challenging. There is a new ‘test’ every day, requiring new learning and a different approach to address it. The gratitude we get when we successfully address someone’s problems is always the best reward.

 

During your career in the Pakistan Customs service, what achievement(s) are you most proud of?

I was a member of the team that developed Pakistan’s first fully automated and integrated customs clearance system. The learning experience I had during the development phase and subsequently working in the successfully implemented pilot project, always gives me a great sense of achievement and pride.

 

What led you to GRIPS? What is the most important thing you got out of your studies here, and how has your experience at GRIPS prepared you for future endeavours?

When I was exploring to enhance my technical / economic knowledge capabilities, the Joint Japan-WCO Program in Public Finance at GRIPS was / is perhaps the only one of its

kind covering both aspects. The program gave me background in economic theory and its application as well as introduced me to those aspects of international customs subjects which I either did not know about or had very limited information on. The knowledge obtained during my studies at GRIPS has greatly helped me in the assignment I got immediately on my return to Pakistan, which otherwise would have been proved very difficult for me.

 

What is your fondest memory of your time spent at GRIPS? And what do you miss about Japan?

The humility and kindness with which I was always treated by Japanese people, and the beauty of Japanese landscape and culture are fondest memories and the same I miss whenever I come across any reference to this country.

 

How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life?

When I leave for home I leave my work at office, both physically and spiritually. So when I am with my family I am there in my whole.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to anyone considering studying at GRIPS what would it be?

“Do not miss this opportunity if you can avail it. You will not get this experience anywhere else in the world”.

 

How would you like to maintain involved with the School? What do you expect from GRIPS as an alumnus?

I regularly get updates about the school through its Facebook page. I also had contacted academic and admininistrative sections of the school a couple of times in the past for some personal information and the warm response I always got never made me feel desiring anything more.

 

Do you have any suggestions on how to further utilize the GRIPS alumni network?

You are already doing a great job which we all appreciate a lot.