ISLAMABAD: Top government officials announced countrywide crackdown against smugglers and power thieves in attempt to reduce losses suffered by national exchequer and control rising prices of different commodities.

In this connection, caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti in a message posted on X, said FC (Frontier Corps) had foiled an attempt last night to smuggle sugar to Afghanistan.

Crackdown had been launched against to curb smuggling across country on directives of caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, he added.

Move comes as sugar prices are rising at an alarming rate in Pakistan due to market manipulation by millers and dealers as well as illegal movement of sweetener across western borders of country amid food security challenge triggered by all-time high persistent inflation.

On other hand, Muhammad Ali and Murtaza Solangi two members of caretaker cabinet announced planned crackdown against electricity as huge line losses, rising cost of imported fuel for power generation and capacity charges have inflated monthly bills to record level.

"Background is that in our country, some domestic consumers steal electricity and others don't pay bills," Ali said as government action will target both those not paying their dues and involved in power theft.

He said losses were higher in region covered by Discos [power distribution companies] supplying electricity to Peshawar, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Quetta, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir regions.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 06 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.