ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar directed relevant law enforcement agencies including Frontier Corps, Pakistan Customs and district administration to expedite their efforts to completely curb smuggling.

He observed that with abhorrent practice of smuggling, few influential people were benefited and stressed that with establishment of special economic zones and industries in border areas of country, provision of alternate livelihood opportunities to inhabitants should be ensured.

Caretaker PM chaired review meeting regarding Afghan Transit Trade and anti-smuggling operations which was attended by caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar, chief secretaries of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, IGs of FC, federal secretaries and relevant senior officials, PM Office Media Wing said in press release.

Report over Afghan Transit Trade and curbing of smuggling was presented in meeting. Meeting was informed about performance of Pakistan Customs, FC, district administration and NLC in border areas. All these agencies had been working to curb smuggling at border areas which led to saving of national exchequer from huge damage caused by millions of tones smuggling of illegal goods.

Caretaker PM directed for formulation of comprehensive mechanism for provision of employment opportunities to local people through social safety and imparting of skill sets.

He directed Ministry of Trade to ensure strict monitoring of transit trade and apprise relevant authorities about trends over export of goods. He expressed resolve to end smuggling which was causing huge losses to nation and reiterated that government would not allow those local elements who had been claiming in grotesque manner of providing job opportunities to people through smuggling.

Kakar said that interim government would continue taking steps to end smuggling till completion of its tenure and directed NLC to complete its scanning and checking project at Chaman border on priority basis.

Pakistan Customs should strengthen its capacity at border areas so that people arrested in smuggling cases should be awarded exemplary punishment in accordance with law, he stressed.

Kakar said that in border areas, legal trade should be promoted and complete documentation in this regard should be ensured, adding that for cargo monitoring, FBR track and trace system should be made functional. Ministries of trade and industries should formulate comprehensive strategy for establishment of special investment zones and industries in border areas.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 09 2024

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