Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has directed the relevant departments to expedite their efforts to eliminate smuggling activities in the country, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Monday.

The interim prime minister said that while chairing a review meeting in Islamabad regarding trade and ending smuggling in the border districts under the Afghan Transit Trade Agreement.

During the meeting, the prime minister said provision of alternative dignified employment should be ensured in the border districts by establishing special economic zones and industries.

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He also directed to make a comprehensive plan to provide employment opportunities to the people of the border areas, their social security, and make them independent.

PM Kakar said that the caretaker government would continue to take measures to eradicate smuggling till the last minute of its term.

Meanwhile, he also instructed the National Logistics Cell (NLC) to complete its scanning and checking project at Chaman border on priority basis.

The prime minister stressed that along with the prevention of smuggling, there is also a need to control the demand for smuggled commodities in urban areas.

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Legal trade should be promoted in the border areas and complete documentation should be ensured, Kakar said, directing the authorities to activate track and trace system of the Federal Board of Revenue for cargo monitoring.

“Good infrastructure key to economic development”

In another review meeting regarding the National Highway Authority during the day, the prime minister stressed the need for construction and maintenance of highways on a priority basis in parts of the country where foreign investment is expected.

The prime minister said good infrastructure is a key to the economic and social development of any country.

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Special attention is needed for the road network in Balochistan, he emphasised, adding that the stalled work of rehabilitation and reconstruction of Karachi to Chaman highway should be started as soon as possible.

During the meeting, PM Kakar directed that detailed planning and optimal utilisation of resources should be ensured while planning new highways to provide maximum benefit to the public.