Kakar orders effective tracking system for ATTA

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Pakistan prime minister has ordered the establishment of effective tracking systems at Chaman, Torkham and Ghulam Khan crossing points.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar asked authorities to take more steps for putting in place a foolproof tracking system for the Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA(, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan.

Kakar also asked for the formulation of an immediate mechanism for the establishment of an integrated transit trade management regime.

At a meeting in Islamabad on Monday, the prime minister said one of the major reasons behind the country’s economic setbacks was smuggling and illegal movement of goods.

He instructed the chief secretary of Balochistan to completely change the administrative machinery of Chaghai district.

He directed for initiation of criminal proceedings against the personnel found involved in smuggling, advising intelligence clearance of officers before deployment on sensitive customs posts.

The prime minister said the checking system should be further strengthened at Chaman, Torkham, Ghulam Khan in border areas of Balochistan.

Cargo checking should be improved and the number of customs staff at Chaman  crossing increased, he added.

sa/mud