In a decisive move to curb smuggling in Balochistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the provincial government to implement measures to tackle the illegal transportation of diesel and petrol out of the province, which has resulted in significant financial losses to the national exchequer.
During a meeting on anti-smuggling at the Prime Minister Secretariat, Mr. Sharif issued a one-month deadline for the Chief Secretary and Inspector General of Police in Balochistan to put effective measures in place. The meeting, which resulted in nearly ten decisions, also set deadlines ranging from 15 days to two months for various ministries to adhere to the new directives.
The Prime Minister has emphasized the importance of addressing smuggling, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Among the decisions made, the Foreign Secretary has been tasked with addressing the issue of border markets in Balochistan with Iranian officials, with a 15-day deadline for completion.
Despite previous efforts, smuggling of petroleum products from Iran has seen minimal reduction. However, the negative list of items for the transit trade agreement with Afghanistan has been expanded to include over 200 commodities, effectively reducing smuggling. Additionally, 212 vehicles suspected of being used for smuggling from the Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) fleet have been banned, and ATT cargo now requires bank guarantees.
Significant progress has been made in reducing the smuggling of essential goods, with petroleum product smuggling down by 50% and sugar by 80%. In the fiscal year 2024, smuggled goods worth Rs106 billion were seized, and anti-smuggling operations have also led to a reduction in hoarding practices.
The Prime Minister proposed the confiscation of vehicles involved in smuggling and called on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to develop a comprehensive anti-smuggling strategy using new technologies. If needed, the FBR may enlist an international consultant to assist with the project.
Mr. Sharif praised the decrease in smuggling and stressed his commitment to protecting the national economy from smuggling activities. He has directed the FBR, Ministry of Interior, and other relevant authorities to enhance coordination and take legal action against those involved in smuggling.
A detailed plan for improving employment opportunities along the Balochistan border was also requested. The Ministry of Interior is conducting an extensive campaign against the smuggling of various items, including petroleum products, cigarettes, mobile phones, gold, tea, clothing, car tires, and spare parts.
An online portal for preventing sugar and urea smuggling has been developed, and work on identifying and mapping non-customs paid vehicles is nearing completion. Additionally, 54 joint checkpoints have been established under the Prime Minister’s direction to combat smuggling, with ongoing efforts to identify smugglers and facilitators in collaboration with the National Data Registration Authority and other ministries.
