A government agency submitted a comprehensive report to the PrimeMinister’s House, shedding light on the alarming issue of Iranian oilsmuggling and the widespread practice of hawala hundi business withinPakistan. This report, delivered on a Sunday, offers a deep dive into theextent of these illicit activities, exposing the nation’s vulnerabilitiesto financial malfeasance and security threats.
The report unveils staggering statistics, revealing that a staggering 722currency dealers are ensnared in the web of hawala hundi business acrossPakistan. Astonishingly, Punjab emerges as the epicenter of thisunderground trade, with a staggering 205 hawala hundi dealers operatingwithin its boundaries. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, and AzadKashmir are not far behind, with significant numbers of hawala dealersconducting their business in these regions.
The gravity of the situation becomes even more apparent when consideringthe report’s revelation that approximately 2.810 billion liters of oil aresmuggled from Iran into Pakistan annually. This massive oil smugglingoperation inflicts staggering revenue losses of 60 billion rupees per yearon the national exchequer. What’s even more concerning is the report’sassertion that terrorists are exploiting the proceeds from this illicit oiltrade to fund their activities.
Moreover, the report exposes the complicity of those living in closeproximity to the border, with 76 dealers implicated in oil smuggling inborder areas. Shockingly, nearly a thousand petrol pumps across the countryare selling Iranian oil, highlighting the pervasive nature of thissmuggling operation.
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The report also identifies 90 government officials and 29 politiciansinvolved in this nefarious activity, painting a grim picture of corruptionwithin the highest echelons of power. This report serves as a stark wake-upcall, demanding immediate action to curb these illicit practices andprotect the nation’s interests.
