Rs1bn sanctioned for scanners, vehicles for 14 Punjab check-posts

LAHORE: The Punjab Home Department has sanctioned Rs1 billion to purchase the latest scanners and vehicles for 14 inter-provincial check-posts to prevent smuggling.

The decision was taken in an extraordinary meeting of the committee formed under the Interior Ministry to prevent smuggling. Senior officials of Punjab Police, Special Branch, CTD, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), ISI, Military Intelligence, IB, Pakistan Customs and PITB participated.

Sources said the committee has approved the purchase of up to Rs900 million security equipment and latest scanners which will be able to scan drugs and Iranian oil along with other prohibited items.

When contacted, Punjab Home Secretary Nurul Amin Mengal confirmed that this was the biggest program to be launched not only in Punjab but also in Pakistan to prevent smuggling in which a total of Rs4 billion has been approved for the establishment of 14 sub-provincial anti-smuggling check posts. Of this, Rs3 billion will be spent on construction and Rs1 billion on logistics.

Mengal said the government system against smuggling will be strengthened with the new check- posts to be built on the national highways.

He said a committee consisting of top officials of all security agencies was formed to finalize the security equipment and its purchase, which made its recommendations in 10 days. After this, Rs1 billion was approved.

He said that deputy commissioners and DPOs of the areas where the check-posts are being built will take charge of the construction of check-posts for which the Punjab government would provide funds.