On the directives of PM Imran Khan, anti smuggling campaign is continuing rigorously.
An official said smuggling had been reduced to a considerable extent, and legal imports increased. The official said reduced supply of smuggled goods also caused price hike and inflation.
Within last one month, Director I&I Lahore team under the supervision of ADC Hassan Farid and DC Ali Asad, has been successful in seizing huge quantity of fabric, cigarettes, tyres and food stuff, being smuggled from Quetta to Lahore with in last one month.
Last night, I&I Lahore intercepted two containers loaded with clothes, cigarettes and Guru Indian Tobacco of notorious smuggler Haji Sadiq coming from Quetta. The phenomenon of massive movements of smuggled goods loaded on vehicles continues unabated from Quetta to Lahore . The total count of such vehicles intercepted stand as follows: 13 Mazdas (Rs200 Million), 2 Containers (Rs65M) and two 12 wheelers (Rs80M).
Most of these vehicles belong to Haji Sadiq and Nabi Bux, who have hired new warehouses in South Punjab for transit dumping of smuggled goods from Quetta to Lahore. Moreover, Customs Quetta foiled an attempt smuggle abroad large quantity of urea fertilizer worth Rs300 million. Customs Quetta team led by AC Baz Gul also seized large quantity of urea, which was being smuggled abroad.
Government is faced with multiple challenges post Covid and high debts which Imran Khan government inherited. Imran Khan government is afoot to stabilize the economic situation, which warranted certain unpopular but necessary decisions such as elimination of SRO-1125 though it earned him several enemies including the pressure group trade bodies.
An official said media was undermining the efforts of the government as in the case of fuel price hike. The official said oil prices in the international market were high and the impact was passed on, and added government had already waved sales tax on fuel prices.
The official said given the geo-political scenario wherein Russia Ukraine stand-off and other world powers facing each other, Pakistan has remained neutral. This has also resulted in pressure on the government.
The official said despite all resistance and challenges, things were moving in the right direction and troubles were only temporary.