K-P to explore medical use of narcotic crops

The caretaker government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has decided to adopt a new approach towards narcotic crops, herbs, and seized drugs, whereby instead of destroying them, the government is examining the possibilities of using these substances to produce life-saving medicines and establish a related pharmaceutical industry.

To discuss the steps required to implement this plan, a meeting was held, chaired by the Caretaker Provincial Minister for Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Haji Manzoor Khan Afridi. The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials and heads of departments, who reviewed the challenges and difficulties being faced currently and offered suggestions and recommendations for their permanent solutions.

At the same time, the meeting directed the authorities to raise awareness among the young generation about the dangers of drugs and to organise symposiums and walks in educational institutions. This will help protect the youth from falling victim to this scourge, they suggested.

During the meeting, Afridi emphasised the importance of discouraging drug trafficking to free society from this menace forever.

Additionally, he stressed the need to integrate the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts to prevent recovered addicts from relapsing.

Furthermore, the provincial minister highlighted the need to promote universal number plates on an emergency basis, facilitate the issuance of general number plates, and make vehicle registration automatic and transparent. He directed the immediate implementation of the action plan prepared in this regard, with necessary modifications.

Afridi also clarified that the excise department needs to achieve significant increases in its goals and achievements. This will not only increase public facilities but also significantly boost the province's revenue and help manage the economy, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2023.