Services of intelligence agencies be utilized to identify smugglers, hoarders: PM

• Imran says situation should be monitored on a daily basis with no room for negligence.
• The government has introduced "Covid-19 (Prevention of Hoarding) Ordinance, 2020” that entails a three-year jail term for hoarders and payment of 50 per cent of the sized goods’ value as fine.

(Karachi) Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that services of intelligence agencies should be utilized to identify smugglers and hoarders. H added that strict action will be taken against those involved in hoarding and smuggling as it proves damaging for the economy and hinders development of the country.

Chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Friday regarding steps taken to prevent smuggling and hoarding, he said such practices should be discouraged and those involved in these heinous acts be identified and taken to task.

He directed all relevant departments to deploy honest and dutiful officers to ensure prevention of such illegal activities. He said the situation should be monitored on a daily basis and there is no room for negligence in this regard.

Imran directed the officials to devise an effective plan to achieve the wheat target. He said it is the responsibility of the government to ensure provision of wheat and flour to the public.

Regarding locust attacks on crops, the prime minister pointed out that after COVID-19 pandemic it is a major problem the country is facing.

He instructed the authorities to prepare a strategy and provision of funds to control and eradicate the locust.

On Friday, the government introduced "Covid-19 (Prevention of Hoarding) Ordinance, 2020”. The proposed law will entail a three-year jail term for hoarders and payment of 50 per cent of the sized goods’ value as fine.

It empowers the special magistrate to take cognizance of an offence under the ordinance, upon written information by the office. “An officer may arrest any person without a warrant against whom there is credible information that he has committed an offence under this Ordinance.”

All offences punishable under the ordinance shall be cognizable and non-bailable.

The scheduled items listed in the ordinance include tea, sugar, milk, powdered milk, milk and food for infants, edible oil, aerated water, fruit juices and squashes, salt, potatoes, onions, pulses, fish, beef, mutton, eggs, gur (jaggery), spices and vegetables, red chillies, medicinal drugs, kerosene, rice, wheat, flour, chemical fertilizers, poultry food, surgical gloves, face masks, N-95 masks, sanitizers, surface cleaning products, pesticides, match stick and isopropyl alcohol.

The ordinance further enables the deputy commissioner of the federal capital, or his authorised officer, to search any premises and seize articles which are suspected to be hoarded. Seized articles can be auctioned and the money raised will be deposited in the exchequer.

The ordinance applies to individual dealers and corporations both and the special magistrate will be bound to complete the trial within 30 days. The aggrieved party can appeal before a district and sessions judge, which must be disposed of within 30 days.