KARACHI: Taking notice of sale of smuggled petroleum products inflicting ahuge loss on the national exchequer, Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered acrackdown against elements involved in it.

The decision to launch the clampdown was taken during a high-level meetingwhich was attended by top civil and military officials. A report abouttrade of smuggled petroleum products in the country was presented to thepremier.

The meeting was informed that the country is deprived of an estimatedrevenue of Rs150 billion per annum due to sale of smuggled oil. As many as2,094 fuel stations were found to be involved in sale of smuggled petroleumproducts in three provinces.

Prime Minister Khan said the economy is suffering irreparable loss due tothe menace of smuggling and called for final action action against elementsinvolved in such illegal acts.

The premier approved an action plan, according to which a crackdown will belaunched against illegal petroleum outlets, FIRs will be registered againsttheir owners, their properties will be forfeited and heavy fines willimposed.

The prime minister resolved that the money recovered from theanti-smuggling drive will be spent on the public.