PESHAWAR, March 2: The people and government of Afghanistan are thankful to Pakistan for extending support to Afghan refugees who are still living here in large numbers, according to Dr Abdul Shakoor Haidari, who is a member of Afghanistan’s ministry of drug regulation and counter narcotics.

“The Afghan people and their government are highly appreciative of Pakistan’s continuous assistance and cooperation to the refugees for decades,” said Mr Haidari on Friday.

The Afghan official was here to receive a certificate following the completion of the five-day Joint Pakistan-Afghanistan Precursor Training Course organised by the United National Office for Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) with the financial assistance of High Commission of UK and Canada.

A total of 26 officers of law-enforcement agencies and organisations, including 14 from Pakistan and 12 from Afghanistan participated in the training course that started on Feb 26. Collector Customs, Peshawar, Rozi Khan distributed the certificates among the successful candidates.

He said his department was also trying to create public awareness about the dangerous effects of drugs.

“We are seizing properties of narcotics' smugglers,” said Mr Haidari. He said special focus had been made to eradicate poppy cultivation in Afghanistan.

“We have launched alternative livelihood programme to encourage farmers to avoid poppy cultivation by giving them financial incentives.”

He said the anti-drugs public awareness programme had shown encouraging results.

“Afghanistan is building its infrastructure and Pakistan’s support in curbing the menace of illegal drugs would be highly welcomed.”—APP