Smuggling has affected country's economy, threatens food security: PM

• PM says government is committed to take action against smuggling and no compromise will be made in this regard.
• The government had introduced Anti-Smuggling Ordinance to curb smuggling of items and punish hoarders.
• As part of the ordinance, those found supplying currency, wheat, flour, rice, and other essential food items through illegal routes would be treated as smugglers, and would face imprisonment up to 14 years.

(Karachi) Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that smuggling has affected the country's economy and it threatens food security and causes irreparable loss to the industrial sector.

Chairing a meeting on checking smuggling and regulating prices of essential commodities in Islamabad on Thursday, he said all the departments concerned should submit report about action being taken against smugglers and hoarders.

He said the government is committed to take action against smuggling and no compromise will be made in this regard.

Regarding reduction in prices of petroleum products, Imran maintained the government move aimed to provide relief to the people.

On the occasion, the provincial governments presented reports of actions taken against hoarders and profiteers.

Earlier, the government introduced Anti-Smuggling Ordinance to curb smuggling of items and punish hoarders. Under the new ordinance, smuggling and hoarding will be criminal offences.

As part of the ordinance, those found supplying currency, wheat, flour, rice, and other essential food items through illegal routes would be treated as smugglers, and would face imprisonment up to 14 years.

The ordinance further described that a person found smuggling Rs3 million worth of commodities would face up to two-year in jail, while smugglers of Rs5 million worth of essential items would be imprisoned for three years.

The ordinance also stipulates five-year imprisonment for smuggling of commodities worth Rs7.5 million, 10-year imprisonment for smuggling of items whose value range from Rs7.5 to Rs10 million, and 14-year jail term for smuggling of commodities worth more than Rs10 million.