KARACHI: The Directorate General of Transit Trade (DGTT) has penalized M/s Vehicle Tracking (Pvt.) Ltd. with a PKR 300,000 fine following a serious lapse in monitoring a cargo vehicle that was attacked by armed robbers in a remote area of Balochistan.
The incident, which exposed critical weaknesses in transit cargo security, occurred when Vehicle No. TKH-387, transporting goods under Transit Permit GD No. TAFT-TP-20416, broke down near Tuzki Sand Dunes on February 26, 2025.
While repairs were being conducted, the vehicle became the target of an attempted robbery on March 4, 2025, when 10–12 armed assailants arrived in pickup trucks. The robbers cut open the cargo’s tarpaulin but ultimately stole only tools and spare parts after finding the shipment uninteresting.
An FIR was promptly filed based on the account of escort sepoy Mr. Naseebullah, who avoided detection by speaking Balochi. Customs officials later confirmed that the cargo seal remained intact, but additional precautions were taken to prevent further risks.
Investigations under the instructions of Director Agha Saeed and supervision of Additional Director Moin Afzal revealed that M/s Vehicle Tracking failed to issue an immediate alert when the vehicle stalled, delaying notification until four minutes after DGTT officials intervened. Compounding the error, the company’s system inaccurately displayed the vehicle’s location as being near Hazarganji, Quetta, nearly 560 km away from its actual stranded position. The firm later admitted its tracking software lacked updated geographical data for Balochistan, relying instead on outdated reference points.
The DGTT found the company in violation of Sub-Rule 3 of Rule 1102 and Rule 1124 of SRO 996(I)/2023, as well as Section 156(1)(i) of the Customs Act, 1969, which mandates strict oversight of transit cargo. Despite the company’s explanation citing poor GSM coverage and outdated mapping, the DGTT deemed the response inadequate, emphasizing that such negligence compromises cargo security.
In addition to the financial penalty, the DGTT issued a stern warning, threatening stricter measures, including potential license revocation, if performance does not improve. The company has 30 days to appeal the decision before the Chief Collector of Enforcement (South) or the Director General of Enforcement, Islamabad.
The incident has sparked broader concerns about the reliability of cargo tracking systems in Pakistan’s high-risk transit zones, particularly in Balochistan. Experts are calling for enhanced real-time monitoring solutions, stricter enforcement of tracking protocols, and better coordination between private firms and law enforcement to prevent future breaches. With transit trade playing a pivotal role in regional commerce, authorities are under pressure to address these vulnerabilities swiftly.