On February 16, 2026, significant developments occurred in Pakistan regarding gold smuggling and theft. The Airport Security Force (ASF) at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport seized over 2 kilograms of gold from a passenger, Shahzad Ahmed, who was attempting to smuggle 18 gold bars hidden in his socks. An ASF official stated, "The total weight of the smuggled gold exceeded 2 kilograms," emphasizing the ongoing efforts to combat smuggling at international airports. Following the seizure, the gold was handed over to Pakistan Customs, which initiated legal proceedings against Ahmed. This incident is part of a broader trend, as customs officials previously seized approximately 20 kilograms of gold and silver at Islamabad International Airport, valued at over Rs880 million, highlighting the persistent issue of precious metal smuggling in the region (Tribune Latest, Dunya News).