KARACHI: Director General Transit Trade Ashraf Ali has advised his team to keep a watchful eye on the Afghanistan-bound import and clearance of chemicals so that dangerous chemicals could not be moved onwards for destination.
The Director General held a meeting, which was attended by additional directors, deputy/assistant directors, principal appraisers and examiners and discussed affairs of the Afghan transit trade.
Dangerous chemicals, which can be used in the manufacturing of heroine and explosives are prone to be mis-declared as dyes and other non-dangerous chemicals. Dangerous chemicals, which are prone to be transported to Afghanistan through the transit trade include Acetyic Anhydride, Ammonium Nitrate, Toluene carbide, red phosphorous and potassium chlorite.
Ashraf Ali has advised the staff to keep strict vigilance on the import and clearance of above-mentioned chemicals particularly those consignments imported by persons other than the regular importers including manufacturers and traders/suppliers.
The dramatic growth in chemicals production and trade has raised concern about the potential risks posed by hazardous chemicals. Countries lacking adequate infrastructure and capacity to monitor the import and use of these chemicals are particularly vulnerable.
Acetyic Anhydride can be used in the manufacturing heroine while other chemicals can be used in making explosives.
It may be mentioned here that Afghan Transit Trade has been a tool of terrorists and anti-social elements as a mammoth number of containers destined for Afghanistan were pilfered within Pakistan. The pilfered goods even included arms, ammunition, narcotics and foreign currency.