Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: A series of coordinated anti-smuggling operations by Pakistan&rsquo;s naval and customs authorities has disrupted illicit trafficking across maritime and land routes, seizing hashish, smuggled mobile phones, vehicles, and other contraband worth millions of dollars, according to official statements. &ldquo;This successful interdiction at sea underscores Pakistan Navy&rsquo;s unwavering commitment to combating illicit activities and ensuring security in the maritime domain,&rdquo; the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Sunday. The Pakistan Navy reported that its ship YAMAMA, deployed on a Regional Maritime Security Patrol (RMSP) in the Arabian Sea, intercepted and seized 1,500 kilograms of hashish valued at approximately $3 million. According to ISPR, the operation highlights the Navy&rsquo;s role in collaborative maritime security efforts with regional and international partners. Meanwhile, Customs Enforcement Karachi conducted an intelligence-driven land operation near the Karachi-Hyderabad Toll Plaza, recovering 564 high-end smuggled mobile phones and a tampered Toyota Land Cruiser Prado worth a combined Rs96 million ($342,591). The Collectorate of Customs Enforcement Karachi noted that specially created cavities concealed the mobile phones and confirmed the vehicle was non-duty paid. An FIR has been registered, and investigations into the smuggling network are ongoing. Similarly, the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement Peshawar foiled multiple smuggling attempts across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seizing goods valued at Rs74.4 million ($265,354). The operations included the interception of three trucks carrying 12,200 kg of betel nuts, 4,021 sleeves of foreign cigarettes, and 170 tyres, alongside non-duty-paid cosmetics and vehicles such as a Toyota Vitz and Toyota Aqua. The Anti-Smuggling Directorate in Nowshera also confiscated a JAC Pickup loaded with 2,000 sleeves of smuggled cigarettes. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) emphasized that these operations reaffirm Pakistan Customs&rsquo; commitment to curbing smuggling and protecting the national economy. &ldquo;These coordinated efforts across sea and land routes demonstrate a robust, intelligence-driven approach to safeguarding Pakistan&rsquo;s borders and maritime interests,&rdquo; the FBR said.

Pakistan Navy ship YAMAMA seized 1,500 kg of hashish worth about US $3 million in a successful anti-narcotics operation in the Arabian Sea. (ISPR)

Security

From the Arabian Sea to highways in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan’s multi-agency operations this week underscore an integrated approach to anti-smuggling enforcement, blending naval vigilance with customs intelligence.

Pakistan forces seize millions in drugs, smuggled goods across sea and land

Reuters

BRUSSELS: European Union member countries began rolling out a new entry and exit system on Sunday at the bloc&rsquo;s external borders, electronically registering non-EU nationals&#39; data. The Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated system that requires travellers to register at the border by scanning their passport and having their fingerprints and photograph taken, will be introduced over six months. The move is aimed at detecting overstayers, tackling identity fraud, and preventing illegal migration amid political pressure in some EU countries to take a tougher stance. &quot;The Entry/Exit System is the digital backbone of our new common European migration and asylum framework,&rdquo; European Internal Affairs and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner said in a statement. SIX MONTHS TO ADJUSTNon-EU citizens will have to register their personal details when they first enter the Schengen area - all EU member countries apart from Ireland and Cyprus, but including Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Subsequent journeys will only require facial biometric verification. The system should be fully operational, with passport stamping replaced with electronic records, on April 10, 2026. &quot;Every third country national who arrives at an external border will undergo identity verification, security screening, and registration in the EU databases,&quot; Brunner said, adding that &quot;the six-month rollout gives member states, travellers, and businesses time to transition smoothly to the new procedures&quot;. For British travellers using the Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone, orthe&nbsp; Eurostar terminal at London&#39;s St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK. At Dover and the Eurotunnel terminal, only freight and coach traffic will be subject to EES checks from Sunday. Passenger vehicle checks will follow in November at Dover and by the end of the year at Eurotunnel, while the Eurostar at St Pancras will gradually introduce the new process, starting with some business travellers from Sunday. &quot;We recognise that EES checks will be a significant change for British travellers, which is why we have worked closely with our European partners to ensure the rollout goes as smoothly as possible,&quot; British Minister for Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris said. &quot;The UK and EU have a shared objective of securing our borders, and these modernisation measures will help us protect our citizens and prevent illegal migration,&quot; Norris said.

 European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES)

Europe

The EU has begun a six-month rollout of its new Entry/Exit System, replacing passport stamping with biometric registration to enhance border control, detect overstayers, and combat illegal migration across the Schengen area. 

Articles tagged with "Border control"

Pakistan forces seize millions in drugs, smuggled goods across sea and land

EU Entry/Exit System to be rolled out over six months