LAHORE: A 14-member provincial Anti-Smuggling Task Force comprising all law enforcement and security agencies was constituted here on Thursday to control money laundering, hundi business and human and narcotics trafficking.

The first-ever such force was constituted under directions from the federal government at a meeting presided over by Chief Secretary Azam Suleman here at Civil Secretariat.

An official said the federal government was worried about money laundering which was not only damaging national economy, but was also being used to sponsor terrorism, narcotics and human trafficking and other crimes.

The chief secretary will be convener of the committee which comprised chief collector customs (Enforcement), Punjab (co-convener), additional chief secretary (home), inspector general of police, Pakistan Rangers director general, Punjab, fisheries, representatives of 4 Corps and MO Directorate, Intelligence Bureau joint director general, FIA Punjab director, ANF Punjab director, ISI sector commander, MI sector commander and representative of Plant Protection and Quarantine Department.

It was decided in the meeting that all forces should coordinate and will launch Intelligence Based Operations across Punjab. The performance of the task force will be monitored and monthly review meetings will be convened for the purpose.

The chief secretary said curbing financial assistance to terrorist groups was need of the hour and for this purpose all state agencies should work together and cooperate with each other.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2019