ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the government’s determination to eradicate smuggling from the country during a high-level meeting held in Islamabad on Friday. Chairing the meeting focused on curbing smuggling, the Prime Minister commended the cooperation of Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir in the government’s anti-smuggling efforts.
The meeting included a presentation of a report by the investigation committee led by AD Khawaja. Prime Minister Shehbaz praised the committee’s work in identifying individuals involved in the misuse of Afghan Transit Trade for smuggling purposes, as well as the officials aiding them.
It was reported that a list of smugglers, hoarders, and their accomplice officers had been forwarded to law enforcement agencies and provincial governments. The Prime Minister instructed for the removal of identified officers from their positions and for disciplinary action to be taken against them.
He also called for enhanced cooperation between law enforcement agencies and intelligence services to combat smuggling effectively. Emphasizing the need for strict punishment for smugglers and drug dealers, Prime Minister Shehbaz urged the Law Ministry to expedite necessary legislation.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of providing alternative livelihood opportunities and creating a conducive environment for youth in border regions. He stressed the need for improved monitoring of Afghan Transit Trade goods and called for third-party audits of the monitoring system.
Additionally, Prime Minister Shehbaz ordered the complete eradication of sugar smuggling and immediate action to assess the prevalence of drug consumption at the national level. The meeting was briefed on various forms of smuggling, including drugs, sugar, wheat, fertilizer, petroleum products, and illegal weapons.
It was reported that a national anti-smuggling strategy was in its final stages of development. Furthermore, recent law enforcement raids on smuggling warehouses, such as the one in Mastung resulting in the seizure of goods worth over Rs10 billion, were acknowledged and praised by the Prime Minister.
Several federal ministers, including Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema, Rana Tanweer Hussain, Dr Musaddik Malik, and Azam Nazeer Tarar, along with the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue, the Attorney General, and personnel from law enforcement agencies attended the meeting.
