60 Afghan citizens arrested to stop drug cultivation: Balochistan minister

Balochistan Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said Sunday that 60 Afghan citizens were arrested to stop drug cultivation, whereas, a drive is still underway to stop currency smuggling, ARY News reported.

While addressing a press conference, Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said that steps will be taken to promote sports in the province.

“Balochistan government is taking steps to eliminate currency smuggling. Money earned through smuggling is used for terrorism.”

“We have seized nearly 117 illegal currency businesses and more than 500 stations selling Iranian petrol. During the anti-currency smuggling drive, over $10 million was recovered in Quetta. We are also taking steps to secure the supply line of Sindh and Balochistan borders.”

“60 Afghan citizens have been arrested to stop drug cultivation. We want to make Balochistan an international investment hub. We are also addressing the complaints regarding the law and order.”

Jan Achakzai demanded the Afghanistan government to take action against the terrorist bases. “Those Afghans who are cleared by our system would be allowed to reside in Pakistan.”

In another development today, a government agency submitted a report on Iranian oil smuggling and hawala hundi business to the PM House.

According to sources, the report provides details about Iranian oil smuggling and hawala hundi business.

“In Pakistan total of 722 currency dealers have been involved in hawala hundi business and Punjab have a maximum 205 hawala hundi dealers,” according to report.

“In KP 183 and Sindh 176 hawala dealers operating in this business,” report disclosed. “Moreover, 104 dealers working in Balochistan and 37 dealers involved in hawala hundi business in Azad Kashmir”.

Apart of it 17 hawala dealers operating in federal capital Islamabad.

Iranian oil smuggling

The government agency has also unveiled details of the officers, politicians and dealers involved in Iranian oil smuggling.

According to report around 2.810 billion litres oil being smuggled from Iran to Pakistan in a year. This oil smuggling inflicting 60 bln rupees revenue losses per annum to national exchequer.

“Terrorists using the revenues generated from smuggling of oil from Iran,” report stated.

Report stated that 76 dealers in areas adjacent to border have been involved in oil smuggling.

Moreover, 995 petrol pumps selling Iranian oil across the country, report disclosed. “In oil smuggling 90 government officials and 29 politicians have been involved,” according to report.

“The oil smuggles into Pakistan in Iranian vehicles, these vehicles are named Zamyad,” the report added.