ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities concerned to present draft for necessary legislation to prevent smuggling. He issued directives while chairing high-level review meeting here to prevent smuggling of sugar, wheat, flour and urea in country.

During meeting, PM Shehbaz Sharif also directed to make anti-smuggling courts active and effective immediately. The meeting was informed that nationwide operation is underway to prevent smuggling of urea fertilizer and sugar. Day earlier, 49 trucks were seized by Federal Board of Revenue and law enforcement agencies, while Frontier Cops also foiled attempts to smuggle thousands of tons of urea and sugar and seized items.

Joint patrolling teams are being established to stop cross-border smuggling while four joint patrolling check posts have been established in Balochistan. Prime Minister issued instructions to institutions concerned to increase number of these check posts. He also directed SUPARCO to provide real-time satellite imagery of country’s borders and traffic data to prevent smuggling. In meeting was informed that items caught in failed smuggling attempts are being delivered to dealers and f acilitators under track and trace system.

PM directed Chief Secretary Punjab to supply sugar seized in recent failed smuggling attempts to vendors and ensure that it is sold at government-fixed rate of 95 rupees per kilogram

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 18 2023

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