Border security bolstered to check smuggling

Pickets, fences and foot patrolling increased on the Pak-Iran and Pak-Afghan borders.

ISLAMABAD: Border security forces have established hundreds of check posts and fenced the entry points of the country as part of measures to control smuggling of various items. 

Around 700 check posts have been established along the Pak-Afghan border while foot patrolling is also being conducted to control smuggling.

Listing the measures, a senior official on Sunday said that the Frontier Corps and Pakistan Rangers carry out anti-smuggling coordination as such powers have been delegated to them by the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) through a special SRO.

The official said the responsibility of checking of different items being imported and exported and smuggled through entry point at Wagah/Attari as well as though Samjhota Express train rests with the customs authorities. No worthwhile smuggling has, however, been reported through this route so far, he added.

He added that since the fenced border was being guarded by Pakistan Rangers, the ratio of smuggling is very little.

The steps taken include the erection of a fence all along the eastern border, establishment of observation posts by Pakistan Rangers and the construction of 340 check posts at the Pak-Afghan and Pak-Iran borders by Frontier Corps.

Other measures include the establishment of 700 check posts by Frontier Corps at the western border of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, mobile and foot patrol, occasional road checks, and deployment of intelligence tentacles for information gathering.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2012.