PM Sharif orders crackdown on smuggling to be stepped up

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed the resolve to purge the country of smuggling and directed the authorities concerned to accelerate the

countrywide drive against the menace.

Chairing a high-level meeting to curb smuggling, the Prime Minister paid tribute

to Army chief General Syed Asim Munir for his full cooperation with the government in its endeavour against smuggling.

A report of the investigation committee headed by AD Khawaja was also presented at the meeting. PM Shehbaz lauded the committee for identifying the elements involved in misuse of Afghan Transit Trade for smuggling and the officers facilitating them.

He was told that a list of smugglers, hoarders, and their facilitating officers had been forwarded to the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and provincial governments.The Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to remove the identified officers from their respective posts and initiate disciplinary proceedings against them.

He also asked the LEAs and intelligence agencies to cooperate with each other to curb the smuggling. Calling for punishing the smugglers and drug dealers, the Prime Minister asked the law ministry to carry out immediate necessary legislation for the purpose.

He said no leniency would be shown towards the plunderers of public money and their facilitators. PM Shehbaz also called for taking measures to provide alternative earning opportunities and conducive atmosphere to the youths living in the frontier regions.

He emphasised the need for more swift and effective monitoring of sale and smuggling of Afghan Transit Trade goods in the country, and called for third party audit of the monitoring system.

The Prime Minister ordered that complete elimination of sugar smuggling and immediate release of funds to examine the prevalence of drugs consumption at the national level be ensured.

The meeting was apprised of the smuggling, misuse of Afghan Transit Trade, drugs, besides sugar, wheat, fertiliser, petroleum products and illegal weapons.It was told that after consultation with the stakeholders, a national anti-smuggling strategy was in final stage which would be presented

for approval.

The meeting was told that the LEAs raided a godown of smuggled goods a couple of days ago in Mastung and confiscated goods worth over Rs10 billion. The Prime Minister appreciated the LEAs for their accelerated efforts to curb smuggling.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema, Rana Tanweer Hussain, Dr Musadik Malik, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Chairman of Federal Board of Revenue, attorney general, LEAs personnel and senior officers.