Afghan Taliban put complete ban on opium cultivation

Interim govt also makes trade of all sorts of drugs a punishable offence

PESHAWAR:

The Taliban government on Sunday announced placing a complete ban on the cultivation of opium in Afghanistan, making the trade of all sorts of drugs trade a punishable offence.

The interim government, in a statement, announced the decision on the directives of their supreme leader.

According to them, the directives were given after a cabinet meeting and on the demands of the international community specifically Russia, Iran and China.

It warned that anyone attempting to cultivate the prohibited plant will face due punishment as per Islamic law.

The Taliban ban narcotics cultivation in Afghanistan. Their previous ban in 2000, also to seek international legitimacy, faced a popular backlash pic.twitter.com/gd00YmIfDL

— Reuters (@Reuters) April 3, 2022

Taliban further stated that the usage of wine and the trade, processing and smuggling of drugs including heroin, sheesha, tablets, hashish, and other prohibited items would be banned in the next stage.

The Ministry of Justice advised residents to be mindful of the order, adding that the executive institutions would implement the decision in letter and spirit.

Also read: Under Taliban, Kabul's drug addicts forced into withdrawal

Meanwhile, a senior Taliban official said that opium cultivation was banned after the first phase of the regime in 1997, while the world witnessed zero cultivation in a year that the US and allied forces couldn't in the longest occupation of Afghanistan.

Recognition of Taliban regime

The recent visits by Russian officials and China's foreign minister to Kabul have brightened the hope for the new government to be recognised.

The Taliban, Russia and China alongside some of the neighbouring countries have set up a special committee that would work to pave the way for the recognition of the Afghan government.

"China has pledged investments in scores of areas including healthcare and financial support, while Russia also shared similar views with services to government," sources added.

The Chinese government has urged the Taliban to take action against the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), while the Russian envoy demanded zero cultivation of drug plants and ensuring that militancy doesn't reach neighbouring Islamic states, which the group has accepted, the source acknowledged.

Moreover, two Islamic countries are reported to be resuming diplomatic ties with Afghanistan in the coming week.