QUETTA: The Balochistan government and Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) have decided to jointly work for the elimination of poppy cultivation and drug trade and for rehabilitation of drug addicts in the province.

A decision in this connection was taken at a meeting between Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani and Balochistan Anti-Narcotics Force Commander Brig Aqib Nazeer on Wednesday.

“The provincial government will utilise all resources and help the ANF against drug business and its use in the province,” Mr Alyani said, adding that the government and ANF would make joint efforts to create awareness among the masses about the negative effects of use of drugs.

He said the government would consider including the subject of bad effects of use of drugs in school curriculum.

The government, he said, on principle had agreed that the provincial government’s rehabilitation centre on the airport road would be handed over to the Anti-Narcotic Force.

The chief minister also ordered the officials concerned to provide land for establishing Anti-Narcotics Force police stations in indifferent areas of the province.

The Commander of the Anti-Narcotics Force said the ANF had been established in 1995 to stop drug smuggling to foreign countries through Pakistan.

“The ANF takes action against drug smugglers in coordination with customs, police, FC and other law-enforcement agencies,” Brig Nazeer said.

He said that around 40 per cent drugs produced by Afghanistan were smuggled through Balochistan to Iran for their onward journey to other countries.

He said that 13 tonnes of drugs had been destroyed during the current year. These drugs had been seized in different areas of the province.

“The fencing of the border with Afghanistan will help stop drug movement and other illegal businesses,” Brig Nazeer said.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2019