Cattle smuggling: PHC asks officials to consult prime minister

Ensure that export to Afghanistan does not result in a shortage in the province.

PESHAWAR: In order to regulate export of cattle and poultry products and curb smuggling to neighbouring Afghanistan, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday asked officials concerned to consult the prime minister before taking any decision.

Earlier, a summary was prepared after K-P Chief Secretary Ghulam Dastagir told the court it was important to ensure there is no shortage in the province before export of cattle and poultry products is allowed to Afghanistan.

During the hearing on December 12, the court ordered an emergency meeting be held within 10 days to discuss the secretary’s proposals and ensure that export does not result in a shortage in the province.

During the hearing on Monday, the summary of the meeting between the chief secretary and cattle exporters was forwarded to a division bench headed by PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and comprising Justice Irshad Qaisar.

The bench, however, observed that the summary needs to be approved by the prime minister before it is submitted to the court.

It also directed the Anti-Corruption Department to keep a check on smuggling of cattle and poultry products through unfrequented routes to the tribal areas and onwards to Afghanistan despite steps taken by the Home and Tribal Affairs Department to curb the illegal practice.

The bench ordered the department to continue surveillance and ensure that not a single cattle or poultry product is smuggled to Afghanistan.

The stay order against transportation of cattle and poultry products to Afghanistan was also extended till January 10 – the next scheduled date of the hearing.

The case was taken up after the Human Rights Directorate (HRD) told the PHC that prices of meat were increasing due to exports to Afghanistan despite a shortage in the province.

The court later took suo motu notice and banned transportation to Afghanistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2012.