Posted on 22 Feb 2022
The rising influx of smuggled steel from neighbouring Afghanistan has created “havoc” in the Pakistan domestic steel market, says the Pakistan Association of Large Steel Producers (PALSP).
According to PALSP, the domestic steel industry has witnessed an estimated revenue loss of PKR 4.8 billion ($27.21 million) due to steel being smuggled from Afghanistan as well as Iran in recent months, Kallanish notes. Around 50,000 tonnes of steel are reported to have been smuggled in the last couple of months.
“The industry is facing a new threat of smuggling of steel from the Afghan border which is destroying the domestic steel industry. Now, the smuggling of steel from Iran is also taking place,” says PALSP.
“The smuggled steel rebars of non-Pakistani origin are openly available in Wana, Mir Ali, Miran Shah, Bannu, D I Khan and Karak. The steel rebars are abundantly available in the cities near the Angoor Adda-custom border post at very low prices, indicating that smuggling is occurring either through the custom border post or in a location near the area,” it adds.
The association demands the smuggling is curbed by strengthening mobile patrolling in border areas and markets. Also, the warehouse/shops selling the smuggled steel should be penalised by authorities, says PALSP.
Source:Kallanish
