ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan left for Saudi Arabia on Monday to participate in a business conference there, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a brief statement.
He will be taking part in the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, on the invitation of King Salman.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce, Abdur Razak Dawood, are also accompanying the prime minister.
The conference, also known as ‘Davos in the Desert’, is expected to bring together businessmen, investors, corporate giants, representatives of the hi-tech industry and major media outlets on a single platform, a statement released by the Foreign Office read.
By participating in the event, PM Khan will look at projecting Pakistan’s economic and investment potential and the country’s vision for the next five years. The FII conference will also provide an opportunity to interact with important business leaders interested in investing in Pakistan, the press release added.
During his visit, PM Khan will also call upon King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman to discuss matters of mutual interest.
PM Khan to attend ‘Davos in the desert’
PM Khan to attend ‘Davos in the desert’
- Looks to project Pakistan’s economic and investment potential at Saudi business conference
- Will interact with industry leaders to invite investors to the country
Customs seize narcotics, smuggled goods, vehicles worth $4.9 million in southwest Pakistan
- Customs seize 22.14 kg narcotics, consignments of smuggled betel nuts, Hino trucks, auto parts, says FBR
- Smuggled goods enter Pakistan’s Balochistan province from neighboring countries Iran and Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs seized narcotics, smuggled goods and vehicles worth a total of Rs1.38 billion [$4.92 million] in the southwestern Balochistan province on Tuesday, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said in a statement.
Customs Enforcement Quetta seized and recovered 22.14 kilograms of narcotics and consignments of smuggled goods comprising betel nuts, Indian medicines, Chinese salt, auto parts, a ROCO vehicle and three Hino trucks in two separate operations, the FBR said. All items cost an estimated Rs1.38 billion, it added.
Smuggled items make their way into Pakistan through southwestern Balochistan province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan.
“These operations are part of the collectorate’s intensified enforcement drive aimed at curbing smuggling and dismantling illegal trade networks,” the FBR said.
“All the seized narcotics, goods and vehicles have been taken into custody, and legal proceedings under the Customs Act 1969 have been formally initiated.”
In the first operation, customs officials intercepted three containers during routine checking at FEU Zariat Cross (ZC) area. The containers were being transported from Quetta to Pakistan’s Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, the FBR said.
The vehicles intercepted included three Hino trucks. Their detailed examination led to the recovery of the smuggled goods which were concealed in the containers.
In the second operation, the staff of the Collectorate of Enforcement Customs, Quetta, intercepted a ROCO vehicle at Zariat Cross area with the local police’s assistance.
The driver was interrogated while the vehicle was searched, the FBR said.
“During interrogation, it was disclosed that drugs were concealed inside the spare wheel at the bottom side of the vehicle,” it said.
“Upon thorough checking, suspected narcotics believed to be heroin was recovered which was packed in 41 packets, each weighing 0.54 kilograms.”
The narcotics weighed a total of 22.14 kilograms, with an estimated value of Rs1.23 billion in the international market, the FBR concluded.
“The Federal Board of Revenue has commended the Customs Enforcement Quetta team for their effective action and reiterated its firm resolve to combat smuggling, illicit trade and illegal economic activities across the country,” it said.
