Pakistan launches investigation into abnormal surge in Afghan transit trade

By: Shahzad Paracha

ISLAMABAD: In response to the recent and unusual surge in Afghan transit trade (ATTA), the Pakistani government has announced the formation of a four-member committee to investigate the matter.

Sources revealed to Hum News English that caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar has appointed senior officer A D Khawaja as the chairman of the committee. He has a background in the Police Service of Pakistan and is currently serving as the Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights. Other members of the committee include retired officers of the Pakistan Customs Service, Saeed Jadoon and Rashid Sheikh, and Pakistan Administrative Service officer Nabeel Ahmed Awan.

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The primary objective of the committee is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the situation, identifying the factors contributing to the failure in managing the surge in transit trade.

One of the key aspects the committee will scrutinise is the failure on the part of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to monitor ATTA goods volume and identify the shortcomings that hindered the timely recognition and redressal of the abrupt increase.

The committee will also analyse historical background of Afghan transit trade. By delving into the past, the committee aims to gain insights into the patterns and trends that may have led to the current scenario.

Additionally, the committee is tasked with determining the extent of goods that may have been smuggled through Afghan transit routes. This includes a thorough examination of cargo that has been returned, shedding light on potential discrepancies and irregularities in the trade process.

Moreover, the investigation will focus on identifying the individuals or groups involved in any smuggling activities related to Afghan transit goods. The committee will also assess the performance of the relevant customs staff and border security forces to pinpoint any lapses that may have contributed to the failure to curb smuggling effectively.

The committee is also tasked to investigate the reasons for the steep rise in ATTA imports in the fiscal year 2022-23, focusing on enforcement and policy failures. Identifying inadequacies in Tracking System employed by the FBR are also among the responsibilities of the committee.

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The committee will also examine the role of Pakistan Customs officials, border security forces, and other government entities in weak enforcement leading to a significant influx of smuggled goods. It will also identify any legal gaps contributing to ineffective border interdiction.

Finally, the committee will scrutinise policy issues contributing to the current magnitude of smuggling, and fix the responsibility for the failure in the regulation of ATTA and prevention of large-scale smuggling, causing substantial economic losses.