Govt to amend laws to curb smuggling, illegal money dealing

The government has decided to make necessary amendments in laws to prevent losses being incurred to the national exchequer through smuggling and illegal money dealing.

The decision was taken a high-level meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, at the PM office in Islamabad on Monday, Express News reported.

The commerce secretary and officials of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) briefed the meeting regarding unlawful activities damaging the country’s economy.
The prime minister formed a committee, headed by the attorney general and comprising officials of Customs, State Bank, FBR and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which will recommend necessary amendments to current laws in this regard.

The committee was directed to present its recommendations to the prime minister by the next week. Prime Minister Khan also directed the Ministry of Interior to present its recommendations within a week for administrative measures regarding a coordinated and comprehensive strategy in that respect.

Finance Minister Asad Umar, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi, PM’s advisor for Institutional Reforms Dr Ishrat Hussain, Special Advisor on Accountability Mirza Shehzad Akbar, Special Advisor on Political Affairs Naeem-ul-Haq, the finance and commerce secretaries, Attorney General of Pakistan, State Bank Governor, FBR Chairman, DG FIA and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Source: Express Tribune