DERA GHAZI KHAN: In a major crackdown against smuggling, the Border Military Police claim to have seized a large quantity of silver, ice, and charas worth Rs100 million being smuggled from Balochistan into Punjab during a series of raids.

The crackdown saw the participation of Border Military Police (BMP) from three stations: Rakhi Gaj, Bewata and Kharr, and the operation was led by Commandant Ameer Taimoor.

During the crackdown, authorities recovered 41kg silver, 13kg ice and 55kg charas, with a combined value exceeding Rs100m. Five suspects were arrested in connection with the smuggling attempts.

According to the BMP commandant, the narcotics were being smuggled from Balochistan into Punjab. He said cases had been registered against the arrested suspects at the Rakhi Gaj, Bewata, and Kharr police stations.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Taimoor said new check posts at non-conventional routes in mountainous areas had also been established with the collaboration of tribal people to choke the flow of the contraband into Punjab.

SEIZED: The district administration claims to have seized millions of rupees worth of apples, bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables that were hoarded for profiteering.

Dera Ghazi Khan Assistant Commissioner Headquarters Nazar Hussain led the operation. He said the district administration carried out a significant action against elements involved in self-created inflation and hoarding during Ramazan. Eight cold storages had also been sealed, he added.

During the operation, it was found that wholesalers and middlemen in the vegetable market were hoarding hundreds of crates of apples, bananas, guavas, potatoes, tomatoes, and other food items, creating an artificial shortage. Under the cover of this scarcity, they were charging arbitrary prices for fruits and vegetables.

The assistant commissioner said the seized goods would be auctioned in the vegetable market through the Market Committee according to the market demands. The proceeds from the auction would be provided to the relevant wholesalers in accordance with the rules.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2026