The government has temporarily halted the satellite tracking of containers carrying imported goods to Afghanistan, opting instead for human surveillance, raising concerns about an increased risk of smuggling. After revoking the license of TPL Trakker, which had tracked containers using satellite and GSM since 2013, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) transferred the responsibility to four new firms, selected without a competitive process and lacking experience in container tracking.
The four companies were chosen based on four-year-old technical qualifications, a decision confirmed by FBR’s Director General for Transit Trade, Mohsin Rafique. However, these firms only have experience with vehicle tracking devices and not the Container Surveillance Devices (CSDs) needed for effective monitoring. The FBR admitted that the new contractors lack CSDs, raising concerns about the security of cargo in transit.
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This shift from satellite-based tracking to a human-driven model came with new standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the FBR. Customs officials are now required to provide additional human resources to monitor cargo at the port of origin and along the transit route. The abrupt termination of TPL Trakker’s license, without a robust replacement system, has sparked criticism.
The decision has also led to protests from transporters, who now face increased costs to install vehicle tracking devices and fees per trip. While the FBR claims to have implemented alternative risk mitigation measures, such as scanning cargo at ports and convoy movements under Customs escorts, the effectiveness of this new system remains uncertain.
TPL Trakker, the previous contractor, refuted the FBR’s claims of non-performance, stating its systems were fully operational after a brief cyberattack and that its hybrid devices used both GSM and satellite tracking.
