Smuggling cases to be swiftly adjudicated

The federal government has decided to constitute five special courts in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan for speedy hearing of smuggling cases during the ongoing nationwide crackdown against smugglers.

Sources said the federal government had given approval on Tuesday to set up these courts.

The Ministry of Law and Justice had submitted a circulation summary in this regard.
According to the summary, three courts would be established in Balochistan whereas one each in Sindh and Punjab.

Under Customs Act 1969, the cities nominated for constituting special courts include Karachi, Quetta, Chaman, Naushki and Multan.

Officials said they were facing difficulty in prosecuting smugglers under Customs Act, 1969 due to the non-availability of customs courts in Punjab.

It was said that accused from different cities of Punjab had to be taken to Lahore for hearing of several cases which caused a delay in their proceedings.

A similar situation was witnessed while hearing smuggling cases in Sindh and Balochistan.