Oil smuggling along the Pakistan-Iran border continues to be a significant issue despite previous crackdowns.
On Wednesday, the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue was informed that although the number of smugglers has dropped substantially from 4,000 to approximately 100-200, the problem has not been entirely eradicated.
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During the committee meeting, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that Pakistan has, for the first time in history, legally exported sugar to Afghanistan. Unlike past instances where sugar was smuggled without clearing official customs, this transaction followed proper trade procedures. He stressed the importance of strengthening border controls to curb illegal trade and support economic growth.
Meanwhile, customs officials at the Taftan border have raised their fees from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000 per cargo, making trade more challenging for legal importers. Lawmakers cautioned that these trade barriers could lead to retaliatory actions from Iran, potentially resulting in restrictions on Pakistani trucks.
