Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has directed the relevant authorities to speed up their operations to curb cross-border smuggling.

He was chairing an inter-ministerial follow-up meeting on anti-smuggling measures in Islamabad today (Friday).

The Finance Minister highlighted the necessity to stop the cross border smuggling of foreign currency and other valuable items affecting the economic growth in the country and expressed satisfaction on the progress of concerned agencies.

He further stressed upon the need for coordination among all the concerned agencies for this purpose and directed them to take comprehensive and combined action against those involved in the smuggling activities and currency speculation.

The meeting reviewed the progress on anti- smuggling measures and roadmap to strengthen anti-smuggling regime in the country. It was apprised that strict and vigilant operations have been initiated against the illegal cross border movement of foreign currency, urea, wheat and other items by the Customs, law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

The meeting was also informed that large quantity of foreign currency and other valuable items have been confiscated at various points between 9th to 15th of this month.

Source: Radio Pakistan