Islamabad, December 13, 2025 – Pakistan Customs has intensified its crackdown on smuggling, confiscating substantial quantities of gold and silver valued at more than Rs306 million during the first five months of the ongoing fiscal year 2025–26.
The seizures were made at various international airports across the country as authorities strengthened monitoring systems and enforcement measures.
According to an official news release, customs teams intercepted 234.133 tolas (2.73 kg) of gold and 30,785 tolas (359 kg) of silver during routine and intelligence-based operations. The recovered gold carries an estimated market value of Rs100.67 million, while the silver haul is valued at Rs205.67 million, highlighting a recent surge in silver smuggling attempts.
Authorities noted a significant increase in illegal silver transport over recent months. Silver import flows remain tightly regulated by the State Bank of Pakistan and the Ministry of Commerce, which require strict compliance with documentation and licensing protocols.
Market analysts attribute the rise in smuggling to a dramatic surge in silver prices. Once commonly referred to as the “poor man’s gold,” silver has more than doubled in price over the past ten months, outperforming gold in percentage growth. This rapid escalation has prompted smugglers to exploit the price differential, attempting to bring silver into the country through unauthorized channels.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reaffirmed its commitment to combating smuggling networks to protect Pakistan’s financial stability. The agency emphasized that decisive enforcement actions are essential to curb illicit trade and minimize the negative impacts of smuggling on the formal economy.