Anti-smuggling operation on the cards in Balochistan

Balochistan’s apex committee on Monday decided to improve governance, eradicate terrorism and combat smuggling.

The body’s 16th meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and comprising top civil and military officials of the province, also reviewed the overall law and order situation of the province.

Central to the agenda were strategic measures aimed at addressing paramount concerns of law enforcement, border security and immigration management. The committee pledged to intensify anti-trafficking operations, fortified by robust administrative and legal frameworks.

Acknowledging the pivotal role of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the committee reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to ensuring security of the Chinese personnel and assets. It decided to strictly adhere to the stringent standard operating procedures (SOPs) to safeguard infrastructural vital to the development of the province.

The committee also decided to start large-scale operations aimed at preventing smuggling by removing administrative and legal loopholes. It was also decided to take effective measures with a view to stopping cross-border smuggling of sugar, fertiliser, petrol and diesel.

In the meeting, it was decided to prevent the smuggling of non-customs paid vehicles from the area bordering the neighboring countries.

Earlier, in the briefing presented by the home department the data of repatriation of illegal immigrants was presented. The meeting was told that as per the guidelines and decision of the federal government, the process of repatriation of more immigrants has been subjected to a fixed timeline.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Bugti said that a peaceful Balochistan was the guarantor of a stable Pakistan, adding that the fight against terrorism was not confined to the security forces and militants but it involves all of us, and we have to fight it collectively.

He said murderers of innocent people do not deserve any leniency and whoever has taken the gun will be dealt with iron hand. “We will go to the house of every disgruntled Baloch, who has genuine reservations and we will try to address them.”

The chief minister said that they were determining the positive direction for better governance, the fruits of good governance will start reaching the people in five to six months. “Everyone has to play his role for the betterment of the province,” he maintained.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2024.