Shehbaz asks LEAs to expedite countrywide anti-smuggling drive

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed the law enforcement agencies to expedite the countrywide anti-smuggling campaign.

He was chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad today regarding prevention of smuggling in the country.

The Prime Minister said monitoring of Afghan transit trade items should be made effective to prevent their smuggling.

He directed the customs authorities to conduct a third-party audit of the system that monitors Afghan transit trade.

Appreciating the performance of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, he directed them to cooperate with each other to prevent smuggling and ensure strict action against those involved in drug dealing.

He also directed the Ministry of Law and Justice to immediately enact necessary rules in this regard.

The Prime Minister said youth should be provided with employment opportunities and favorable environment for business to avoid border area smuggling.

The Prime Minister issued instructions to immediately release funds for a survey to check the use of drugs at national level.

He also issued instructions to completely stop the smuggling of sugar.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to Army Chief General Syed Asim Muir for his all out cooperation with the government to end smuggling.

During the meeting, committee on illegal use of Afghan transit trade and identification of elements involved in smuggling and their facilitators presented its report.

The Prime Minister was briefed that a list of smugglers, hoarders and their facilitators has been prepared and provided to the law enforcement agencies and relevant provinces.

He was informed in detail about misuse of Afghan transit trade, food items including sugar, wheat, fertilizers, petroleum products and illegal weapons.

The meeting was informed that National Anti-Trafficking Strategy is in the final phase and after consultation with all stakeholders, it will be presented for approval.