By News Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has stressed the role of intelligence agencies in identifying smugglers and hoarders, as he termed smuggling, hoarding and profiteering “a curse for the national economy”.

Chairing a meeting to control smuggling, crackdown on hoarders and eliminating locust attacks on crops, the Prime Minister said smuggling and hoarding resulted in inflation that put direct financial burden on general public and poor.

The Prime Minister emphasised the role of intelligence agencies in checking smuggling and hoarding and called for appointment of honest and dutiful officers at checkpoints. Khan directed the government to seek help from intelligence agencies in identifying smugglers and hoarders.

The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Brig (retd) Ijaz Shah, Minister for National Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Minister for Economic Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar, Finance Adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, PM’s Special Assistant on Information Firdous Awan, National Disaster Management Authority Chairman Lt-Gen Muhammad Afzal and senior officials.

As per a proposed ordinance, those found guilty of hoarding will be slapped with a three-year imprisonment sentence and a heavy fine.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister reportedly said that stern action against hoarding and profiteering was unavoidable as the offences damaged the country’s economy.

He called on the government to appoint honest and trustworthy officers to keep in check hoarding and similar offences. PM Imran asked the government to monitor the situation regarding food prices on a daily basis and ensure no administrative hurdles thwarted the government from performing its duties.