ISLAMABAD:Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan has said all possible steps are being taken to check smuggling of essential items including wheat, sugar and fertilizer. He made the remarks while co-chairing the third meeting of the committee on prevention of essential items' smuggling along with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif here in Islamabad on Friday.

The Interior Minister said smuggling of essential commodities is not only a matter of our food security but also of national security. Speaking on the occasion, the Defence Minister said this is a serious problem and we have to take all possible measures. The meeting also approved the establishment of joint check posts comprising police, customs and other law enforcement agencies to stop smuggling.

The meeting was informed that a central data cell had been established in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) besides amendments made in laws to effectively prevent smuggling of essential goods.