KARACHI: In a decisive move to curb the rampant smuggling activities that have plagued the nation, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has revitalized a comprehensive intelligence-based anti-smuggling campaign.
This nationwide campaign has witnessed the collaborative efforts of all paramilitary forces, military branches, and law enforcement agencies, working in tandem with the Customs department to eradicate this illicit trade.
The initiative, which had previously seen significant progress, faced setbacks during the tenure of the caretaker government as smuggling activities saw an uptick. However, with the reinstatement of the campaign, Corps Commanders have established close coordination with Customs officials to ensure the success of the operations.
A notable triumph in this renewed effort was led by Collector Muhammad Saleem Memon of the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Khuzdar. On May 11, 2024, his team, with the support of Military Intelligence (MI) and Frontier Corps (FC), launched a targeted operation against illegal diesel outlets and storage facilities in Hub City. The raids resulted in the seizure of over 32,000 liters of smuggled diesel, valued at approximately PKR 7.74 million. This operation is part of a series of more than a dozen raids conducted by the Khuzdar Collectorate in the past five months, successfully confiscating smuggled goods worth billions of rupees. The relentless dedication of Collector Memon and his team exemplifies their unwavering commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against smuggling.
In Quetta, intelligence-based operations have been ramping up under the vigilant supervision of Collector Tahir Qureshi, along with Additional Collector Yousuf Magsi and Assistant Collector Saleem Khokar. These efforts have led to the confiscation of smuggled goods valued at a staggering PKR 721 million. The seized items include textiles, solar panels, automotive parts, non-custom paid (NCP) vehicles, betel nuts, and narcotics. To bolster these operations, Customs officials in Quetta have been equipped with two bulletproof vehicles.
Further enhancing the security of Customs personnel, officials in D.I Khan have been provided with bulletproof jackets, helmets, and advanced weaponry to safely conduct their duties.
Additionally, the Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) department in Karachi, under the leadership of Director Engineer Habib Ahmed and his team, has successfully recovered a significant haul of smuggled textiles from the Jama Cloth Market. The operation, assisted by the Rangers, has dealt a substantial blow to the smuggling networks operating within the city.
This series of successful operations across the country reflects the heightened vigilance and proactive measures being taken to dismantle smuggling rings and restore law and order. The collective efforts of the military, paramilitary forces, and Customs officials underscore a national resolve to combat smuggling and protect the country’s economic integrity.