Pakistan unearths smuggling of NATO stuff

Islamabad, Nov 29 (UNI) Pakistan has found involvement of NATO personnel in smuggling of petrol, diesel, food items and many other goods to Pakistan before these reach the destination at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, a media report said today.

''There are two possibilities in this rampant smuggling of goods -- either these goods are smuggled back to Pakistan or sneaked here before reaching Bagram Airbase,'' newspaper The Nation quoted official sources as saying here.

They said they had provided proof of involvement of NATO forces (in this smuggling) to the CENTCOM high-ups in the shape of snaps and other relevant information.

Pakistani authorities have laid down special procedures to control smuggling of goods, especially petrol, diesel and food items, which used to find their way back into Pakistan.

The sources said when Pakistani authorities unearthed the smuggling by the NATO personnel the CENTCOM authorities visited the country from Bahrain to discuss this issue.

US Ambassador Ryan C Crocker also discussed the issue with CBR chairman and then Custom Intelligence Chief Maj Gen (Retd) Usman Ali Shah.

The NATO has sent a draft of transit framework agreement to Pakistan and discussions between both the sides are in progress over technical level details.

Pakistan's tax authorities say the government has issued special procedure and handling instructions for goods meant for Afghanistan and sent by the NATO countries for their forces in the war-ravaged country in the post 9/11 scenario.

In the draft agreement, the NATO has sought transit facility for its military and other equipment, including food items and medicines, through Pakistani land, space and sea routes.

Moreover, it has asked for relief in custom duties and other levies on these items, they said.

According to the official, Pakistan has also been requested for access to any operational airport where NATO staff could establish its office and from there its planes could transport all the required equipment for allied forces in Afghanistan.

The sources said Pakistani ministries are consulting with all stakeholders for inking a deal with NATO and other countries.

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