February 6, 2003	Thursday	Zul Hijjah 4,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: Saudi Arabia has asked Pakistan to take effective measures to check drug trafficking through all Haj flights.

Sources from interior minister told Dawn on Tuesday that the chief of Saudi Anti-Narcotics Police, Major-Gen Sultan Al-Harthi, has recently visited Pakistan and called on director-general Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), Major-Gen Zafar

Abbas, to discuss measures to control drug smuggling from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia during Haj.

The Saudi official has also visited Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) and offices of the ANF in various parts of the country.

The ANF chief apprised the Saudi officials about the steps taken by the government of Pakistan to control drug trafficking during Haj session. These steps include 100 per cent checking of baggage through sophisticated detectors, display of banners, distribution of leaflets and launching of awareness programme for the pilgrims.

He said special counters had been established at all airports of the country for screening the pilgrims’ luggage to minimize the chances of drug smuggling.

Gen Abbas said special lectures were delivered to intending pilgrims during the Haj training course at Haji Camps set up all over the country.

He apprised Saudi officials that the force had registered over 200 cases for drug smuggling during the year 2002.

The Anti-Narcotics Force, he said, had arrested 277 suspects under the same charges and huge amount of drugs had been seized during last year.

He said the force had seized 1,369 kgs heroin, 1,090 kgs morphine, 12,760 kgs charas, 353 kgs opium and 7,043 kgs cocaine in 2002.