ISLAMBAD: Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan is a big challenge for Pakistan and efforts are being made to eradicate the menace of drugs from our society, said Federal Secretary Ministry of Narcotics Control Iqbal Mehmood on Tuesday. Speaking at a seminar on ‘Anti-Drugs Awareness’ jointly organized by the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) and the Ministry of Narcotics Control, Mehmood said the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) was doing a commendable job for the eradication of narcotics from country. He said that Afghanistan was the epicenter of this menace and that Pakistan had been badly affected by smuggling of drugs from the neighbouring country. He said that during the Taliban-era, poppy cultivation was at zero level. He said Pakistan was doing its best to control drugs in the country despite limited resources. “Our mission is to rid Pakistan of this menace and ANF is taking every possible step in this regard,” ANF Director Brig Saghir said, adding that Pakistan has reduced poppy cultivation to zero on its soil. NUML Rector Major General (r) Zia ud Din Najam in his remarks said that drugs had become a global threat. He stressed the need to arrange seminars to raise awareness in society about the issue. Several heads of departments, faculty members and a large number of students also attended the event.
Published in Daily Times, February 21st 2018.
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