48 border posts constructed near Pak-Afg border to curb smuggling, NA told

Protection of journalists was discussed during during the session as well

The National Assembly (NA) was informed on Friday that 48 additional border posts have been constructed on Pakistan-Afghan border to curb smuggling.

Parliamentary Secretary for Interior Dr Muhammad Afzal Khan Dhandla while replying to a question said that after the initiation of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, the smuggling of illegal weapons has been curtailed in the country, Radio Pakistan reports.

He mentioned that 207 illegal weapons were confiscated during 2017.

Responding to another question, he said the government has taken a number of steps to give maximum protection to journalists so that they could perform their duties without any fear or threat.



Dr Muhammad Afzal Khan Dhandla said all the Station House Officers in Islamabad have been directed to register the case upon receipt of any complaint by any journalists without any delay.

Similarly, mobile patrolling has also been increased in areas where offices of journalists, press clubs and residences are situated.

Talking to members of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on March 14, Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry Secretary General Faiza Zubair said smuggling should be dealt with firmly as it was equally destructive for both countries.

She said the regulatory duty imposed by Afghanistan on Pakistani goods was 400 times more than the duty imposed by Pakistan on Afghan products, adding mutual trade could not grow in the presence of such a duty structure.

Zubair was of the view that there was a need for an export house for checks and balances, which would ensure quality specifications of export goods of both the countries before full payments to overcome the trust deficit.