On 20th April, PM Shehbaz Sharif launched a formal anti-smuggling operation. This decision came forth in a high level meeting in Islamabad that reviewed the running operations at the time. In October last year, to curb the illegal entry of goods from Afghanistan, Pakistan imposed a 10 percent processing fee on several items imported under a transit trade agreement. Correspondingly, in this meeting the premier instructed to ensure rigorous monitoring of Afghan transit trade items to prevent smuggling. Another significant statement in relation to this anti-smuggling operation came from the Finance Minister Muhammed Aurangzeb.
On 22 April, the minister restated the enforcement of this operation in context of the two officials killed in Dera Ismail Khan. He stated that the Federal Board of revenue (FBR) and Pakistan Customs would remain undeterred. He strongly condemned the firing incident, recognising the sacrifice of these martyrs. Simultaneously, however, he emphasised on ow it was utterly important to strive further for this cause. He particularly expressed his grief while being occupied in talks with IMF in Washington at the time.
ANF Operations
On the 17th of May the Anti-Narcotics Forces (ANF) reported that in the past few days a total of 133 Kgs of drugs was recovered in five operations. An ANF headquarters spokesperson informed that 65 kg hashish was recovered from Pisni Gwadar, 36 kg hashish and 2.2 kg opium were recovered from Khushab. The two individuals who were accused of this drug dealing were arrested. In the third operation, An accused individual was apprehended near GT Road, Attock, and 18 kg of hashish was recovered. Additionally 12 Kg hashish was recovered near Sabi Road Quetta, the smuggler was arrested as well. 215 grams Ice was recovered from NADRA Chowk Torkham area. The investigations on those involved i the dealing of these narcotics are currently underway.
