PESHAWAR Nov 23: Seven customs stations would be set up at different entry and exit routes on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to regulate and facilitate trade as well as curb the illegal flow of foreign goods.

A high-level meeting presided over by the NWFP Governor Lt-Gen(R) Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah here at the Governors House on Tuesday reviewed the plan and identified the points where these stations would be established.

The stations would allow foreign made items to enter the country after levying customs duty as per admissible under the rules. The stations would also help greatly in curbing the smuggling thus putting positive effects on the country's economy.

The meeting identified one station each in Bajaur, Mohmand, North Waziristan and South Waziristan and three at different points in Kurram agency. Speaking on the occasion, the governor said that smuggling in every shape and form is detrimental to the national economy.

He said the stations would not only regularize the entry of foreign goods into the country but would also control the flow of certain other items form this side of the border. "We have to look on both directions otherwise the entire exercise will go absolutely waste", he remarked.

The governor said that smuggling of foreign goods from across the border could be controlled when all the check posts are moved possibly near border. The governor said that checking on highways across the country is useless unless this exercise is carried out right on the border and the customs department will have to go up to the entry and exit points for this purpose.

He assured that the department would be extended every possible assistance and cooperation to remove any hindrance or impediment in the way of their working. The meeting was also attended by the Home Secretary Abdul Karim Qasuria, IGFC Maj-Gen Mohammad Tariq Masood, Secretary to Governor Sahibzada Saeed Ahmad, Secretary FATA Security and Collector Customs Liaqat Ali Agha, besides the political agents of Bajaur, Mohmand and Kurram agencies.