Rehman Malik, Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior has ruled out any external threats to the country's security, saying that "Pakistani borders are completely safe and this sort of propaganda is being spread to damage the country's sovereignty."He was speaking in a narcotics destruction ceremony, which was organised by Pakistan Coast Guard (PCG) on Anti Narcotics Day at Hawksbay here on Friday.
He said that, "the key objective of the government is to strengthen the structure of all institutes through rule of law and proper management besides eliminating corruption and political influence because nation is almost in insurgency position."
Rehman said that the cultivation of hashish has again been practised at Afghanistan, which rapidly increases its smuggling and Pakistani territory was being used in this regard. Keeping this in view, government is taking stern action to curb drugs smuggling from Pakistan, he said and lauded the efforts of all concerned agencies in this connection.
He requested Afghan government to use their influence for stopping its cultivation and added that Pakistani government could not alone fight against drugs smuggling until Afghan government will not take positive measures to eradicate its cultivation. Rehman apprised that nine suicide bombers have been arrested, who would be soon presented before media and added that about 96 percent suicide attacks have been reduced after the formation of democratic government.
He announced lucrative incentives for PCG officials, saying that housing scheme for PCG officials is under consideration, which would be provided on their retirement. He said that government has also increased the Shaheed compensation fund up to 0.7 million, which were 0.5 million in the past.
In his keynote address, Director General, Pakistan Coast Guards, Brigadier Muhammad Javed Iqbal highlighted that narcotics were not only plaguing the Pakistani society but have also become a point of great concern world wide.
He informed that PCG seized a substantial quantity of narcotics including 11,500 Kgs of hashish, 112 Kg of opium, 22 kg of heroin and approximately 90,000 bottles of liquor during the year 2006-07 and also arrested 111 drugs traffickers, whereas 25 vehicles and 08 launches were also taken into custody. He stressed upon the PCG team to work with further dedication to assist Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) to eradicate the menace of drugs from the country.
The PCG destroyed huge quantity of Hashish, Heroin, Beetle Nuts and Liquor worth Rs 60.2 million, which has been cleared by the courts. The details are Hashish 4,600kg, heroin 13kg, beetle-nuts 32,500kg and bear 15,000 tins.