ISLAMABAD, DEC 1 /DNA/ – Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a high level meeting to review anti-smuggling and anti-money-laundering measures today.

The Prime Minister said that heavy damage is inflicted on economy of the country due to smuggling of food commodities due to price differential. He added that smuggling creates artificial shortage of commodities and ultimately results in price hike.

The Prime Minister directed that all stakeholders should undertake emergency measures and bring-out-of-the-box solutions to control smuggling of essential commodities. He emphasized that the objective is to provide relief to the common man against price hike.

The meeting was informed that FIA has undertaken extensive investigations against illegal money laundering and holding of US dollars. It was apprised that manpower is being increased at border crossings to check goods and to ensure that each load is recorded for tracking purposes.

The meeting was briefed that significant success has been achieved to control illegal petrol smuggling and operations against hoarders.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Syed Fakhar Imam, Asad Umar, Advisor Finance Shaukat Fayaz Tarin, Advisor Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood, SAPM Dr. Shehbaz Gill, Governor State Bank, Chairman FBR, senior civil and military officers.