PESHAWAR, May 18: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has taken a serious notice of smuggling of livestock, poultry and dairy products from down districts to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and onwards to Afghanistan and held officials of livestock and police department responsible for facilitating the smugglers.

“This negligence on the part of field formation staff is a gross violation of clear orders of the Peshawar High Court and could lead to sky-rocketing prices in the local markets,” said a statement issued from Home and Tribal Affairs Department here on Saturday.

It was stated that in the wake of directions of the Peshawar High Court and chief secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the campaign to control cattle/poultry smuggling/illegal transportation from settled areas to Afghanistan was still continuing throughout the province and all the frequented/unfrequented routes were properly kept under watch.

However, in the first week of May 2013 the anti corruption establishment, Kohat, intercepted 13 trucks carrying 173 cattle on main Kohat-Hangu road.

On inquiry from the truck drivers they could not produce valid permits/documents and the trucks along with cattle and 13 accused were taken into custody. A case in this regard was registered vide FIR No.512, on May 2 in City police station, Kohat.

Besides, it was noted that cattle smugglers were doing this business in connivance with the officials of livestock and police officials posted at different checkposts from Khushal Garh up to Thall. It was stated the permit holders did not have computerised permits as per policy of the Home and Tribal Affairs Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The government also directed open enquiry against all the officials of the departments concerned who were involved in this illegal business. The home and tribal affairs department asked the provincial police officer and commissioner Kohat division to furnish their detailed reports to it for further action.