The government of Pakistan has adopted stringent measures to combat smuggling, hoarding, and elec-tricity theft in line with its Zero Tolerance Policy. Implemented under the State Intelligence and Fed-eral Crimes (SIFC) framework, effective from Sep-tember 1, 2023, these measures have led to numer-ous arrests and the recovery of billions of rupees.
During anti-smuggling operations, authorities thwarted the illegal movement of 3,036 metric tons of fertilizer, preventing its unauthorized distribution. Additionally, 281 metric tons of wheat and flour were confiscated from smugglers, halting the illicit trade of essential food items. In the past nine months, the seizure of 34,640 metric tonnes of sugar helped curb its unlawful exploitation, while 247,600 tons of cloth seizures combated the textile black market.
Furthermore, the crackdown on smuggling resulted in the confiscation of 6.13 million liters of Iranian oil, contributing to market stabilization and price reduction. Efforts against hoarding saw the recovery of 27,923 metric tonnes of fertilizer, ensuring its availability to farmers, along with significant sei-zures of wheat, ghee, and sugar, totaling 2,503, 56,948, and 10,379metric tonnes, respectively.
Law enforcement agencies registered 145,365 FIRs against individuals engaged in power theft, leading to the arrest of over 70,000 offenders and the recov-ery of Rs 93 billion. These collaborative initiatives between the government and SIFC underscore the commitment to upholding the rule of law and safe-guarding Pakistan’s economy. By targeting smug-gling, hoarding, and power theft, the Zero Tolerance Policy aims to dismantle illegal networks, stabilize markets.—NNI
