In a strong move against currency hoarding and smuggling, Pakistan’s caretaker interior minister, Sarfraz Bugti, announced that security forces personnel engaged in cross-border smuggling would face court-martial. This crackdown has already yielded results, leading to the recovery and stabilization of the Pakistani currency against the dollar.
During a press conference, the minister emphasized that items and currency were being smuggled through trucks, not camels. He cited Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, who conveyed a clear message to military personnel that anyone involved in illegal cross-border trade would be subject to punishment.
Bugti stated that General Asim issued explicit directives, emphasizing that not only would there be court-martials, but individuals engaged in smuggling and other unlawful activities would also face imprisonment. He also clarified that the accountability process within the armed forces is not disclosed publicly.
Commenting on the return of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Bugti viewed it as a positive development for the country’s political landscape.
