STAFF REPORT
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Finance Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, chaired a follow-up inter-ministerial meeting on measures to counter smuggling.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, ADG FIA, Governor SBP, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Pasha, Secretary Finance, Secretary Interior, DG I&I Customs, Member Customs, and senior officers attended the meeting, a press release said.
The ministers reviewed the roadmap to strengthen the anti-smuggling regime and the progress on anti-smuggling measures in Pakistan.
The meeting was apprised that vigilant and strict operations have been launched against the illegal cross-border movement of wheat, foreign currency, urea, and other items by intelligence agencies, customs, and law enforcement.
Strict measures to curb smuggling
Due to these strict measures, the meeting was informed that large quantities of valuable items and foreign currency were seized in different areas between December 9 to 15, 2022.
The representatives of the Interior, Pakistan Customs, and FIA informed the meeting about their progress and recommended pragmatic steps to control the menace of smuggling.
The finance minister highlighted the necessity to stop the cross-border smuggling of valuable items and foreign currency affecting the country’s economic growth and expressed satisfaction over the concerned agencies’ progress.
Ishaq Dar further stressed coordination among all the concerned agencies for this purpose. He ordered the concerned agencies to take combined and comprehensive action against those involved in currency speculation and smuggling activities.
Dar directed the relevant authorities to speed up their operations to curb cross-border smuggling.
It was also decided that a regular review meeting on anti-smuggling operations would be held weekly.
In conclusion, the participants thanked and appreciated the finance minister for taking appropriate and active measures to tackle the current economic situation and ensuring their support for ensuring smooth and sustainable economic growth.
