Anti-narcotics day: Making the country drug-free

Hundreds of thousands of kilograms of drugs burnt.


Umer Nangiana June 27, 2011

ISLAMABAD:


Hundreds of thousands of kilograms of drugs including cocaine, morphine, heroin and hashish - confiscated by Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) during 2010 - were burnt here on Sunday.


Speaking at the occasion, Federal Minister for Anti-Narcotics Haji Khuda Bux Rajar said Pakistan’s role in controlling drug trafficking during the last few years has been commended by the international community.

“Pakistan stands committed in its fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking and ANF’s role has been crucial in this fight,” said Rajar.

ANF Director General, Major General (retired) Shakeel Hussain said that ANF officials seized over 19,813 kilograms of opium in 2010. He added that 4,345 kilograms of morphine, 4,221 kilograms of heroin and 212,145 kilogram of hashish were also seized from different ports and border areas of the country.

“Pakistan was always at a peril of becoming a victim of drugs abuse due to its mass production in Afghanistan,” said Hussain. He added that the smugglers try to use Pakistan as a smuggling route; therefore, it is a challenge keeping Pakistan drugs-free.

He added that though severely diminished compared to the 80s and the 90s, people are still using drugs in the country. He urged the international community to keep on supporting Pakistan in its fight against drugs and illicit trafficking.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2011.

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