ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: The German ambassador, Dr Christopher `, on Thursday said the bumper produce of poppy in Afghanistan would be smuggled to Europe and the rest of the world via Pakistan.

He said this while speaking at a ceremony in which he handed over 20 computers and IT-related hardware to Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) here in the ANF headquarters.

Mr Brummer urged the world community to play an effective role in the eradication of poppy in Afghanistan to save the world from the menace. He stressed the need for extension of mutually beneficial ties between Pakistan and Germany.

The envoy recognized the efforts of the ANF in combating drug menace in Pakistan and for the world community. He said donation of computer equipment would enable the ANF to enhance its activities. This is the second batch of computers donated by Germany. It donated the first batch in 1999, he added.

“Drug trafficking is a matter of common concern for the international community and should be dealt with concerted efforts of all stockholders,” he said.

Meanwhile, a source in the interior ministry told Dawn that Pakistan was used as a transit country for drug trafficking from Afghanistan to the Middle East, Europe and the rest of the world.

The source said law enforcement agencies in Pakistan were also worried about the cultivation of bumper poppy crop in Afghanistan and considered it a big challenge to control trafficking through Pakistan.

Earlier, speaking at a ceremony in the ANF headquarters, the force’s director-general, Maj-Gen Nadeem Ahmed, said the government had prepared a comprehensive strategy to eradicate cultivation of poppy crop in the country.

He said this year the ANF in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies seized thousands of kilograms of opium, hashish and heroin. The huge amount of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan was posing problems to Pakistan, he added.

The ANF chief said the use of information technology would increase operational efficiency of the ANF in intelligence gathering and collection of data.

The process of computerization will help the ANF police stations to efficiently manage database of criminal elements and their activities, he added.

Mr Nadeem said a sub-regional forum including Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Gulf states would be formed to coordinate efforts against drug trafficking.