QUETTA: The massive poppy cultivation in Afghanistan is a big threat to Pakistan and the government is determined to rid the country of this menace at all costs, the federal minister for narcotics control said on Wednesday.

“The government is making all-out efforts to cleanse the country of narcotics in accordance with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan,” Azam Swati said at a press conference.

The National Assembly’s Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri was also present.

Afghanistan accounts for over 80 per cent of the world’s total poppy output and the commodity is smuggled to the Middle East and other regions through Balochistan, the minister observed.

A large quantity of drugs seized by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) would be burnt in Quetta on Thursday.

Azam Swati said the ANF and other institutions had launched a crackdown on drug barons.

Referring to the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) plan to launch an anti-government drive, he said it would not affect the PTI as the opposition had no support among the masses. “Nawaz Sharif is an absconder and has lost support and credibility.”

There was no difference between Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif as both were involved in ‘mega corruption’ while in power, Mr Swati alleged.

“Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari will not be given NRO-like deals. Both will be treated according to the law.”

The minister said the government was determi­ned to take the process of accountability to its log­­ical conclusion in order to rid the country of corruption. “The government and national security ins­ti­tutions are on one page on eliminating corruption.”

Mr Swati was confident the PTI would sweep the Senate elections and the victory would enable the party to make good on its pledge to bring about a change in the lives of the majority.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2020