‘Clandestine harvest’: Aerial spray to destroy poppy crop opposed

Provincial Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani says technique would be harmful for other crops of adjoining areas


Qaiser Butt December 25, 2014

ISLAMABAD:


Recommending aggressive measures to curb poppy cultivation in Balochistan, the divisional administration of Loralai has asked the provincial government for aerial spray to destroy the crop in its initial stage, revealed a senior district official, requesting anonymity. While expressing its serious concern over the issue, the administration had sent a letter to the Home Department last month.


The official said that thousands of hectares of land in Dukki and Makhtar had been acquired by Afghan nationals for the current sowing season. The crops will mature by March next year for harvesting.


Provincial Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani, while opposing the use of aerial spray for eradication of poppy crop, said that the technique would be harmful for other crops of adjoining areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2014.

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