Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and Pakistan Customs on Friday thwarted an attempt to smuggle approximately 60,000 liters of diesel oil into Pakistan from a neighbouring country. Lieutenant Commander Farooq of PSMA giving details of the joint operation said two boats Al-Shabbir and Al-Akhtari were intercepted in the high seas and 20 crew members involved in fuel smuggling were apprehended and handed to concerned authorities.
The Agency is maintaining regular surveillance of the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to safeguard nation's maritime interest, he said. Lieutenant Cdr Farooq said this was the fifth major PMSA operation that foiled fuel smuggling attempt during the current year.
PMSA corvettes, since May 2011, have also cleared 653 Indian fishing boats involved in illegal fishing inside Pakistan EEZ; he said and mentioned that 31 boats were taken into possession. The official also mentioned that attempts to smuggle liquor was also foiled twice this year and 2,134 bottles along with 31,272 beer cans were confiscated by PMSA during its operation within EEZ.
He said PMSA is the only Maritime Law Enforcing Agency mandated to protect economic interest of the country in the high seas in accordance with UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS-82). PMSA is authorised to carry out search and rescue operations up to 840 NM as assigned by the International Maritime Organisation. Lieutenant Cdr Farooq said PMSA would continue with its efforts to counter smuggling, poaching and other illegal activities through maritime routes.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.