Balochistan lawmakers sound alarm on poppy

MPAs warn of drug crisis as cultivation spreads after Afghanistan's opium ban

QUETTA:

Lawmakers from both treasury and opposition benches of the Balochistan Assembly on Thursday voiced deep concern over the growing cultivation of poppy across various parts of the province, warning that the trend could trigger a full-blown drug crisis if not addressed promptly.

Raising the issue on the assembly floor, Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Zabid Reki from Dalbandin said the shift of poppy cultivation from Afghanistan into Pakistani territory is an alarming development. "After Afghanistan's ban on opium, poppy growers are now moving into Baloch and Pashtun regions of Pakistan. This is disastrous," Reki said. "The unchecked expansion of this crop is poisoning our youth and must be addressed urgently."

Former Chief Minister and National Party leader Dr Abdul Malik Baloch supported the concern, saying that the issue extends far beyond agriculture. "Poppy cultivation is not just an agricultural issue, it's a threat to our society," he said. "Strict legal action must be taken against those promoting and facilitating this trade."

On the government side, Ali Madad Jatak of the Pakistan Peoples Party assured the House of the administration's commitment to curbing the illegal crop. "We will not tolerate poppy cultivation anywhere in the province," he declared. "Opposition lawmakers should help us by identifying the areas so we can initiate swift action."

Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly, Captain (retd) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, took serious notice of the matter and issued a formal ruling. He directed the relevant government departments to identify affected areas and launch immediate measures against those involved in the illicit cultivation.