Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti announced on Monday that any security force personnel found involved in cross-border smuggling will face court-martial proceedings.
In recent months, Pakistan has escalated its efforts to curb smuggling activities transporting goods and currency to Afghanistan, which had a detrimental impact on the country’s economy.
The crackdown has yielded results, reducing speculation and leading to a strong recovery of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar, making it the best-performing currency globally. However, some analysts remain skeptical about the long-term effectiveness of these measures and anticipate further currency depreciation.
Bugti made it clear during a press conference in Islamabad that it would be inaccurate to claim that security forces were not engaged in smuggling, as smuggled items are transported via trucks, not camels.
He also highlighted that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir had unequivocally conveyed to military personnel that those participating in illegal cross-border trade would face consequences.
“Pakistan’s army chief had told his people very clearly: there won’t only be court-martials, but those involved in such activities would also be sent to jail,” stated the interior minister.
Bugti added that the army’s accountability mechanisms are not publicized and therefore not widely known by the public. However, he emphasized that the military has a robust internal accountability system, which has been evident in various instances.
Regarding the crackdown on illegal activities, Bugti stated that the government is taking strict measures against smugglers and commended law enforcement agencies for their roles in combating illegal activities.
He emphasized that the government is committed to dealing with hawala, hundi, and other illegal activities firmly and without compromise.
Bugti revealed that authorities had seized 8,000 metric tonnes of sugar, and they were also taking action against petrol pump stations involved in selling sub-standard fuel.
He announced that a database was being established to track the trucks used in smuggling operations.
The minister expressed the government’s strong disapproval of hawal and hundi transactions and stated that 168 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed against individuals engaged in illegal dollar trading.
In the same press conference, Bugti commented on the potential return of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif to politics, describing it as an encouraging development.
He noted that despite past criticism from PML-N leaders, Nawaz Sharif previously returned to the country with his daughter, which demonstrates his commitment to facing legal challenges.
Bugti emphasized that the caretaker government is obligated to uphold the law for all Pakistani citizens, including Nawaz Sharif, a three-time former prime minister.
The minister clarified that his earlier statement about arresting Nawaz Sharif at the airport if he was not granted bail was taken out of context and given a political color, emphasizing that the caretaker government is not pursuing a political agenda.
