Security personnel aiding cross-border smuggling to face court martial: Sarfraz Bugti

Islamabad: Federal Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti announced that any security personnel found involved in cross-border smuggling would be court-martialed on Monday.

The government has intensified its crackdown on smugglers involved in transporting commodities and dollars to Afghanistan, especially in the last few months when havoc was wreaked on the already weakening economy.

The crackdown was successful since speculation decreased and the rupee significantly appreciated versus the dollar to become the world's best-performing currency. ‘

However, analysts are concerned about another round of devaluation because they are skeptical of the long-term consequences of administrative actions.

"If I say that security forces weren't involved in [smuggling], it won't be right as the [smuggled] items are transported via trucks, not camels," Bugti said during a press conference in Islamabad.

He said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir had told military personnel that whoever is found involved in illegal cross-border trade would face the consequences.