ISLAMABAD: Customs officials on Friday claimed to have foiled a bid to smuggle a huge quantity of surgical masks to abroad at the New Islamabad.
According to the Customs officials, the authorities during checking three passengers, identified as Mushtaq, Asif and Tauqeer at the airport and recovered more than 71,000 masks from their custody.
The officials said the suspects wanted to smuggle the masks to abroad through private airlines flights.
The prices of the surgical masks have hiked in various cities of the country as the first coronavirus case was reported yesterday.
According to details, Cities including Rawalpindi Islamabad and Karachi are facing a hike price issue. The packet of 50 masks in the market is now being sold at Rs. 500.
The mafia in the market bought the mask and stored it and the surgical mask disappeared from the market. The mask box for Rs 120 is also available at Rs 500.
Surgical masks have become rare at all medical stores in Karachi despite the price hike. Surgical masks help prevent against the coronavirus disease.
People had requested the government to take strong action against the mafia holding the stockpiles.
It is to be noted here that the regulatory authority had banned the export of masks due to the increase in demand in the country.
