Afghan Drug Trade: ‘Pakistan major victim’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is the major victim of the drug production in Afghanistan; approximately 50 percent of the drugs traded from Afghanistan are consumed here. Director General Ministry of Narcotics Control Muhammad Shahid stated this on Tuesday while addressing an advocacy event on drug prevention, gender justice and protection project here at a local hotel. He said that only 5% of the drug is being confiscated by the enforcement agencies across the world however, 95% reaches end users or drug consumers. He highlighted that Afghanistan is the only source of heroin supply to Pakistan. He said that one gram of heroin costs $3 in Afghanistan and its price rises to $74 when it crosses European border and again increases to $150 when it lands in America. The participants from all walks of life shared their views during a fruitful discussion session.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2012.