31 officials implicated in aiding wheat smuggling

Interior ministry urges action, sends names to FBR chief

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government has identified 31 Customs officials stationed in Quetta allegedly complicit in facilitating the smuggling of essential commodities, notably wheat.

The interior ministry has forwarded their names to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman for action.
Simultaneously, an intelligence report on the matter has been shared with provincial governments and the FBR chairman to prompt necessary measures against wheat hoarders.

Additionally, the ministry has provided lists of middlemen, flour mill owners, and the locations of warehouses storing essential food items.

Reports also detail smugglers and inter-provincial routes involved. Furthermore, lists highlight officials involved in smuggling activities and corruption, particularly in collusion with Balochistan-based smugglers.

Moreover, a roster of Balochistan-based smugglers implicated in sugar trafficking to Afghanistan has been circulated.
An intelligence report in this connection has been shared by the interior ministry with all the provincial governments and the FBR chairman.

The purpose of sharing the intelligence report is to take necessary action against wheat hoarders.

Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reiterating the resolve to purge the country of smuggling, directed the authorities concerned to accelerate the countrywide drive against the menace.

During a meeting, the premier was told that a list of smugglers, hoarders and their facilitating officers had been forwarded to the law enforcement agencies and provincial governments.

Read Punjab hoarders exploiting wheat farmers

A report of the investigation committee headed by AD Khawaja was also presented in the meeting.

PM Shehbaz lauded the committee for identifying the elements involved in misusing the Afghan Transit Trade for smuggling and the officers facilitating them.

The premier directed removing the identified officers from their respective posts and initiating disciplinary proceedings against them.

He also asked the LEAs and intelligence agencies to cooperate with each other to curb smuggling.
Calling for punishing smugglers and drug dealers, PM Shehbaz asked the law ministry to carry out the necessary legislation for this purpose without delay.