PM orders modern cargo scanning system to curb smuggling

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the relevant authorities to install international standard cargo scanning system in Karachi and other key trading hubs to tackle the issue of smuggling in the country.

"The old systems of tracking, tracing and scanning in the trading hubs must be replaced with the new systems equipped with modern technology," the prime minister said while chairing a review meeting regarding transit cargo and tracking system.

He also issued directives to ensure the third-party validation of quality of the cargo tracking services providing entities.

The prime minister noted that with the improvement of the tracking system, smuggling had significantly reduced.

He highlighted that due to steps taken to stop smuggling, sugar export worth $211 million to Afghanistan became possible.

Shehbaz pointed out that Pakistan would become center of transit trade for other regional countries due to an integrated communication system and improved cargo tracking,.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Economic Affairs Division Ahad Khan Cheema, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and senior government officials.

Current account surplus

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday welcomed current account surplus posted for the third consecutive month.

The continuous surplus in the current account for October, November, and December 2024 reflected the right direction of economic policies, the prime minister said in a press statement.

He noted that a surplus of $1.2 billion was recorded in the first six months of the current fiscal year. We are actively working to further increase the surplus in the current fiscal year, the prime minister added.