ISLAMABAD: The caretaker government has decided to delegate extensive powers to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to prevent smuggling of US dollars, sugar, fertilizers and petroleum products, Interior Ministry sources said.

The decision of entrusting powers to the FIA was taken in a meeting chaired by caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti at the Interior Ministry on Friday. The ministry issued a notification on delegating extra authority to counter the smuggling.

The FIA has started a crackdown against US dollar smugglers and hoarders in different areas of the country.

The FIA will embark upon activities pertaining to the smuggling of sugar, fertilizers, petroleum products, US dollars and other foreign currencies. The investigation agency will be able to exercise its authority and take necessary measures at all entry and exit points of foreign currencies. Furthermore, FIA’s zonal directors have been instructed to report to the agency’s headquarters on a day-to-day basis through relevant channels.

An inspector-level officer belonging to FIA’s anti-money laundering directorate has been appointed as the focal person.

It is significant to mention that the caretaker government last month announced its decision to import one million metric tonnes of sugar at an inflated price of Rs220 per kilogramme to address the depleted stock of the commodity in the country.