August 11, 2006	Friday	Rajab 15, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 10: Federal Minister for Narcotics Control Ghous Bux Khan Mahar on Thursday told Senate that 15,046 kgs of opium, 79,330 kgs of heroin/morphine and 282,375 kg of hashish had been seized by the government during the last three years.

In a written reply to a question by Senator Mohammad Talha Mahmood, the minister said the government seized 2,495.1 kgs of opium, 24,743.5kgs of heroin/morphine and 135,638kgs of hashish during 2004, 6,447.6kgs of opium, 24,341.2kgs of heroin/morphine and 93,994.4kgs of hashish during 2005 and 6,103.4kgs of opium, 30,245.3kgs of heroin/morphine and 52,742.6kgs of hashish from January to June 30, 2006.

He said the government had destroyed 12,000.4kgs of opium, 21,188.8 kgs of heroin/morphine base and 55,842.3kgs of hashish during the period.

Moreover, the minister informed the house that the law enforcement agencies had arrested 49,175 persons during 2004, 42,174 during 2005 and 21,733 during first six months of 2006, in connection with narcotics trade.

In response to a supplementary question of senator Prof Khurshid Ahmed, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan admitted that the production of opium and heroine had been increased over the past few years. He referred to the situation in Afghanistan as the main reason for this increase in the production. He said when production increased, the number of drug traffickers and smugglers also increased.

Prof Khurshid Ahmed claimed that the Taliban government in Afghanistan had totally eliminated the poppy cultivation and it was now the responsibility of the post-Taliban regime to control it.

Ilyas Bilour of the Awami National Party (ANP) suggested that the poppy should not be destroyed and instead it should be used in medicines. Dr Sher Afgan said that it was a good proposal and the health ministry should look into it.

Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro asked Federal Minister for Health Mohammad Nasir Khan to look into the proposal seriously.

Replying to a question raised by Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, federal minister for defence said that 34 light and heavy aircraft had owned by Pakistan International Airlines while seven of them had been acquired on lease.

Replying to a question raised by Senator Mohammad Ali Brohi, the minister said domestic fares of PIA had revised 11 times during the last two years, while the international fares had been increased six times during the period.

Domestic fares has been increased one per cent in economy, economy plus and club class on January 16, 2004, 20 per cent on January 10, 2005, one per cent on March 1, 2005, 35 per cent reduction on May 16, 2005, Rs300 increased in all classes on July 1, 2005, 12 per cent on August 1, 2005, 15 per cent on November 1, 2005, eight per cent on April 1, 2006, one per cent on May 1, 2006, 12 per cent in all classes on May 15, 2006 and Rs300 in all classes on July 1, 2006, he said.

The minister said fuel surcharge of $6 on one way had been imposed on September 16, 2004. followed by Rs750 one way for the US, Canada and Far East and Rs360 one way for UAE, Gulf, KSA and India on January 16, 2005, $8 on July 1, 2005, 10 per cent on November 1, 2005, fuel surcharge on May 1, 2006 and $10 on one way for Gulf, Far East, Saudi Arab, $20 one way for Europe, UK, US and Canada.