SMUGGLING

SMUGGLING

Smuggling means illegal import or export of goods without the permission of the government and without paying custom duties. It is thus a very serious crime. It harms not one or two persons but injures the welfare of the whole nation. It is a pity that all of us know this; still some of us are engaged in this dangerous activity and most of us are encouraging it in one way or another.

In a society, people are individually and collectively responsible for the welfare of the society. The laws of a country are made for the good of its inhabitants. They are made to ensure peace and prosperity of the country. If some persons break these laws, they are acting against the good of all citizens.

A person, however rich he may be, cannot buy everything he sees in the shops. In the same way a nation cannot import all the things of the world. If Pakistan imports goods from another country, it has to pay in gold or goods. Thus what we import depends on the amount of goods we sell in the foreign countries. Our exports are limited. Naturally we can import limited and selected number of goods. We cannot afford to impost things that are unimportant or useful only for a few persons. We should import things that are very much necessary for us. We should import things that are essential for our progress.

Pakistan imports machines, steel and other such things necessary for our industry. Those things that are made in the country are generally not imported. Luxury goods like big cars, expensive cloth, cosmetics etc. are imported in a small quantity. Very high custom duty is levied on such imports and few persons can pay the price of these things.

Many persons are tempted by things made in foreign countries. This why foreign goods like cloth, watches, crockery etc. are smuggled into the country. Their price is paid in food and gold which are smuggled out.

Smuggling can be stopped only if very strict laws are made and they are enforced without fear or favour.