Bugti announces to launch massive crackdown against hoarders, smugglers

Islamabad: Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti on Sunday announced to launch a massive crackdown against hoarders and said that there would be zero tolerance against smuggling and hoarding.

Addressing a news conference, along with Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi, in Islamabad on Sunday evening, he said all the state institutions and provincial authorities are committed to go to any extent to eradicate the menaces of smuggling and hoarding from the face of the motherland.

The Interior Minister further said operation, against smuggling of wheat, sugar, urea, dollars and other commodities, has been continuing and the government recovered sugar and urea worth thousands of metric tons in various parts of the country.

He said 59 people involved in the illegal business of hawala hundi, have also been arrested. But, what an irony it is that now the elements involved in smuggling have started hoarding of various things. However, he made it clear that no one would be spared and the state machinery is determined to curb smuggling and hoarding.

Sarfaraz Bugti also announced price money for Pakistani citizens, who will help the government authorities, in identifying smuggling rackets. He said action will also be taken against illegal immigrants in the country and soon price money will be announced in this regard.

To a question regarding terrorists' attacks from Afghanistan, Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti urged the Afghan government to abide by the Doha Agreement which ensures that Afghan soil will not be used against any country.

He said every inch of the country will be defended.