GUJRANWALA: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) detained a smuggler and his facilitator and handed them over to the Customs Department, after seizing illegal goods at the Sialkot airport on Sunday.

Usman Afzal Malhi, FIA inspector, told reporters that on Jan 17, Haseeb took a flight from Karachi to Dubai. Two days later, he flew back to Sialkot, bringing with him chargers, smartphones, laptops, artificial jewelry, and other stuff.

Additionally, Gujranwala businesspeople blocked Sheikhupura Road to protest the customs department’s seizure of local goods. According to them, the customs officials requested a bribe when they were asked to release the products, in some cases asking for Rs.1 million for Rs. 2.5 million worth of merchandise. Hours of traffic were halted by the protest.

Published in Dawn, January 23th, 2023