Land debate: Senate panel wants ANF-civic agency tussle over land resolved

Hameed added that the ANF has planned multidimensional activities associated with the use of illegal drugs.


APP July 16, 2014

ISLAMABAD:


The Senate Standing on Interior and Narcotics Control on Tuesday directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for early resolution of a dispute over the procurement of land for the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF).


Committee chair Senator Talha Mehmood directed the CDA to set a date for a board meeting to decide on the procurement of land and inform the committee within three days of the meeting. He asked, “Why is the CDA reluctant to give additional land to a government organisation while on the other hand it is responsible for selling several illegal plots in the capital to individuals.”

CDA Planning Member Wasim Ahmad has assured the committee that in the light of its recommendation, the issue will be referred to the authority’s board for consideration.



Narcotics Control Secretary Muhammad Akbar Khan Hoti said preparation and implementation of projects and programmes in relation to drug prevention is the top priority of the ministry. He said the ministry is also working on liaising with national and international organisations connected with research into drug abuse.

He said the ministry is also working to provide meaningful assistance for demand reduction activities besides creating a body of resource persons all over the country to help the national effort in drug abuse prevention and demand reduction. Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) Director General Maj Gen Khawar Hameed apprised the committee that the ANF is a unique organisation as it not only deals with interdiction of narcotics but also demands reduction activities. He said most other countries have separate organisations for enforcement and for demand reduction.

Hameed added that the ANF has planned multidimensional activities associated with the use of illegal drugs. He said that the force has seized drugs worth Rs8.6 billion during the last year.

Hameed said new police station at Naukundi has been established to cover major drug trafficking routes from Afghanistan.

The meeting was attended by senators Col (retd) Tahir Hussain Mashadi, Shahi Syed, Muhammad Yousaf, Sardar Ali Khan, Sardar Fateh Muhammad Muhammad Hasni and Mukhtiar Ahmad Dhamrah Aajiz.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2014.

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