Drug smuggling tapers off post-border fencing

ANF says its efforts hampered by helicopters being out of service

ISLAMABAD: Drug smuggling has tapered off in the wake of the border fencing, as narcotics used to be captured in bulk quantity, which is no longer the case, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) told a Senate committee on Monday.

Discussing the stringent measures taken at the Pak-Afghan border, the committee was told that drugs are now being smuggled in small quantities.

The Senate Standing Committee on Narcotics Control, which met here at the Parliament House, heard the development from the premier anti-drugs agency.

The agenda entailed a briefing on the ministry’s organizational structure, its functions and role of PEMRA on drug awareness in the country.

It was revealed that the main issue confronted by ANF was the lack of human resource.  Senator Lt. Gen (retd) Abdul Qayyum was of the view that the strength of the department could not be compromised as it dealt with those who were destroying the future of the country.  He stressed the need to take all necessary measures to beef up the force.

Committee Chairman Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen expressed concern about the lack of regional directorates in the border areas, as these, he stressed, were the centres of drug infiltration in Pakistan.

Director General ANF Major General Muhammad Arif Malik said that the lack of a regional directorate in Gwadar was also a major cause of concern as it would unleash a huge drug trafficking portal.

The committee, while allowing a regional directorate in Gwadar, said the 1,500 mile long porous border should also be considered.

While discussing the budget constraints, the committee was informed about helicopters that were no longer in use due to lack of maintenance. The body recommended that fund allocation for repairs must be included in the budget.

The committee was informed that a total of 995 cases have been disposed of whereas 94 persons have been convicted and 53 acquitted.

While asserting the need for running special awareness campaigns to curb drugs abuse, the committee recommended the need to involve religious scholars.

PEMRA, in this regard, was directed to run campaigns on national and private channels. It was also suggested that achievements of ANF may be highlighted at prime time.

The committee said that in the next meeting, as suggested by PEMRA chairman, representatives of Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan be summoned.

It was stressed that the strength of rehabilitation centers should be increased.  The committee assured the ministry of its all-out support for the national cause.

This was the first meeting with Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen in chair and was attended by Senator Brig (retd) John Kenneth Williams, Senator Anwar Lal Deen, Senator Lt. Gen (retd) Abdul Qayyum and senior officers from the Ministry of Narcotics Control, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).