State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali claimed to issued directives to stop gold smuggling abusing the air route.

He was addressing a dialogue organised by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) in the capital on Tuesday.

The ministry has issued an order to stop gold smuggling to protect image of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the country at large, he said.

About development, he said “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered proper checking of airways passengers at the time of getting down. I also issued similar directive. Gold smuggling tarnishes image of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the country. It has to be stopped.”

“As a plane lands, it is put under supervision of the airport authorities. Before taking off, the pilot takes over charge of the plane. We ordered installation of cameras. Plane is operated following international rules. We cannot take any decision going beyond the fixed rules,” he said.

BSRF president Tapan Biswas presided over the talk while general secretary Masudul Haque moderated it.