Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) seized 1,260 kg heroin, 84,324 kilogram charas, 8,623 kg opium, 3,456 kg morphine and 1.8 kg cocaine during last year, sources in the ministry of narcotics control revealed, here on Monday. The ANF has enhanced its anti-drug trafficking drive and rounded up 19 drug traffickers from Peshawar and Islamabad during Hajj Operation 2010, they said while talking to this scribe.
They said that the ANF held more than 2,389 persons, including 246 foreigners in drug-related cases. The prosecution rate of detained drug pushers remained 90 percent, as special courts established by ANF awarded death sentence to three persons and life imprisonment to 278 in 2010. ANF started operation in tribal areas and in its first joint operation with Frontier Constabulary, ceased 31.266 tons charas on December 8, the sources said adding that the efforts and initiatives taken by the ministry in this regard have been appreciated by the Cabinet.
They said the ministry achieved all targets set for the year 2010, and also announced a new Anti-Narcotics Policy 2010 aimed at re-energising existing co-ordination and control mechanism and mobilising people, especially youth and institutions to ensure their active participation in eradicating drugs. They said the policy also focuses on drug supply reduction, demand reduction and promotes international co-operation for mutual support and partnership against drugs. They informed that the ministry also initiated a 'drug-free jail' programme and established its first drug treatment centre in Central Jail Adiala Rawalpindi where 95 prisoners have been given treatment so far.
Sources said that United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) had signed a MoU with Pakistan under its four-year Country Programme (2010-14), supporting the ongoing initiatives in illicit trafficking and border management, criminal justice and drug demand reduction. The ministry also designed a Drug Control Master Plan (2010-14) in consultation with UNODC. Under the plan, the ministry will act to control production and trafficking of narcotic substances, limit smuggling, trafficking and distribution of illicit narcotics and psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals, check the increase in drug demand and achieve reduction in number of drug addicts through prevention, treatment and rehabilitation measures.
They added that the ministry has also set up Planning and Monitoring Unit (PMU) to evaluate and monitor the ongoing projects. The PMU will co-ordinate and monitor the projects being implemented by SDU, P&D Department, Government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, ANF, UNODC and other donor agencies.
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