KARACHI: The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has become non-operational during the last couple of years which has increased smuggling activities on borders, particularly in Karachi.
According to details, the Federal Interior Ministry had constituted an Inter-Agency Task Force comprising all major intelligence agencies, including Pakistan Customs, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG), Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and Pakistan Rangers in 2014 in order to uproot smuggling activities. However; there was no such coordination has been established among all intelligence agencies for eradicating the menace of smuggling from the country.
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The IATF after its formation was fully activated in first four months, but after that not even a single meeting of the heads of all intelligence forces/agencies was held during the last two years or so.
Although, it is fact that all intelligence agencies during the same period have done remarkable jobs individually in uprooting the smuggling activities, but coordinated efforts are also needed to fight smuggling, sources maintained.
Chief Collector-Enforcement South Muhammad Zahid Khokhar, while talking to Customs Today, said that the Pakistan Customs was ready to perform coordinated efforts with any other intelligence agency, as the department is determined to eradicate the menace of smuggling from the country.
