Lasbela commissioner orders zero tolerance on diesel and Indian betel nut smuggling

HUB: Lasbela Division Commissioner Saira Atta chaired an important meeting on law and order and anti-smuggling measures in Hub and Lasbela districts at the LIDA Conference Room. Additional Deputy Commissioner Siraj Karim Baloch, Assistant Commissioner Hub Mahim Baloch, SP Hub Mirza Bilal Hasan, Major Yahya of the FC 147 Wing, and officials of sensitive agencies, the Excise and Taxation Department and the ANF attended.

The meeting decided to work on comprehensive plans under a zero-tolerance policy against smuggling routes for Indian betel nut and non-customs-paid goods along the Sindh-Balochistan border belt. It also decided to stop the illegal smuggling of diesel and non-customs-paid goods on passenger buses on the RCD Highway and the Coastal Highway, to improve the performance of checkposts and to secure the highways through technical surveillance.

The SP Hub, Major Yahya of the FC 147 Wing, an officer of the Pakistan Coast Guards, Director Excise Suhail Ahmed and officials of other agencies briefed the meeting on their performance against narcotics and smuggling. Customs officials were absent from the meeting. The meeting also discussed an effective coordination mechanism among all agencies under the district administration and the implementation of security SOPs with the support of the local community.

People should see checkpost staff as protectors: Commissioner

Commissioner Saira Atta said training and resources were needed to use modern technology to curb smuggling and for snap checking. She said staff posted at checkposts should behave in a way that makes people see them as protectors, not enemies, and that law enforcement agencies should present a positive image of the state through their conduct. She said a mechanism should be set up so that public transport does not have to be checked repeatedly, and that security agencies must move towards digitalisation.

The Commissioner said the officials responsible would be held to account over complaints that water tankers were taking bribes to be allowed through to Karachi. The meeting considered organising and expanding coordination among agencies working under the security mechanism of the National Action Plan. The Commissioner directed that a letter be written to the competent authority over the absence of officials of the Gadani Customs Collectorate.

Photo: Courtesy DGPR Balochistan