Pakistan Launches Comprehensive Crackdown on Petroleum Smuggling

Pakistani authorities are initiating a crackdown on the rampant smuggling of petroleum products, worth 396 billion Pakistani rupees annually. The plan involves empowering district administrations, revising petroleum regulations, and implementing digital solutions to monitor and curb illegal operations, while addressing national refinery losses and revenue declines.

In a substantial effort to combat the thriving illegal petroleum market, Pakistani authorities have unveiled a major crackdown targeting the rampant smuggling of petroleum products, Ary News reported. The country faces an alarming annual smuggling valuation of approximately 396 billion Pakistani rupees, prompting urgent measures to stifle these illegal operations.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), tasked with enforcing tax laws and curbing financial crimes, has advocated for legislative amendments aimed at tightening petroleum regulations. The smuggling crisis not only imperils local refineries but also causes a significant drain in national revenue, with billions of rupees lost yearly. The government's strategy seeks to protect domestic industries and fiscal health by introducing stringent anti-smuggling measures.

As reported by Dawn, smuggled Iranian oil is being clandestinely stockpiled in underground facilities across various cities such as Gwadar and Quetta, before its covert redistribution. This illegal trade is a lifeline for over 2 million people in economically deprived regions like Balochistan, where alternatives are scarce. Government proposals now include empowering local administrations to seal unauthorized petrol sites, with further technological measures such as sim-based sales monitoring and real-time stock tracking to bolster enforcement efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)