The Anti-Narcotics Force burnt a total of 135.064 Metric Tons of drugs valuing Rs 3951 Million at Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi during its continuous "Anti-Drug Drives" in major cities, with special focus on educational institutions this year. This was stated by DG ANF Major General Musarrat Nawaz Malik at a function held in connection with annual burning of 1.805 Metric Tons of narcotics at Islamabad on Tuesday.
Prominent participants included Minister for Narcotics Control, Lieutenant General Salahuddin Tirmizi (retd), Secretary Ministry of Narcotics Control Iqbal Mehmood, Foreign Dignitaries, UNODC Country Head, Officials of Law Enforcement Agencies, High Ranking Military and Civil Officials, International Partners on Drug Control, NGOs, Civil Society, Sports Organizations, Celebrities, Media Persons and Students from different Educational Institutions.
While presenting a brief account of professional performance of ANF, DG ANF apprised that during 2017, ANF registered 1063 cases, arrested 1204 persons involved in drug trafficking while seized 31811.85 Kg Opium, 7132.2 Kg Morphine, 19568.615 Kg Heroin, 100436.353 Kg Hashish, 386.149 Kg Cocaine, 1881.901 Kg Amphetamine, 35.893 Kg Methamphetamine, 22.768 Kg Ecstasy Tablets, 13.805 Kg Xanax Tablets, 9.413 Kg Diazepam Tablets, 73.5 Kg Prazolam Tablets, 57.027 Kg Cannabis and Precursor Chemical comprising 917.5 Liter Acetic Anhydride, 50594.8 Liter Sulfuric Acid, 4130 Liter Hydrochloric Acid and 715 Liter Acetone.
He further stated that, out of 786 decided cases, 753 cases met conviction, hence making 96% successful conviction rate. This year ANF has frozen Assets worth Rs 933.42 million out of which Rs 21.14 Million has been forfeited and Rs 0.582 Million realized. ANF has undertaken 332 drug abuse prevention and awareness raising activities throughout the country.
Talking about drug treatment facilities, DG ANF appraised that in addition to existing 145 bedded Drug Treatment Facilities at Islamabad, Quetta and Karachi. ANF is expanding this facility to 178 more beds at Karachi, Sukkur and Peshawar including establishment of 48 bedded Female and Juvenile Drug Treatment Ward within existing MATRC Karachi.
He apprised that ANF has provided free drug treatment to 697 drug addicts at its Drug Treatment Centers in year 2017. He also highlighted the up-gradation of ANF Balochistan in respect of deployment, intelligence ability, technical capability and mobility with special focus on Gwadar in view of the CPEC. ANF is striving to achieve the goal of Drug Free Society and vigorously executing its assigned tasks with utmost dedication and determination, he emphasized.
Addressing the gathering Minister for Narcotics Control, Lieutenant General Salahuddin Tirmizi (retd), stated that Pakistan is facing both internal and external threats; and under such circumstances, drug crime is badly affecting our society. Hence, it is mandatory to tackle this menace with iron hands. ANF is rendering extraordinary endeavors to counter drug trafficking at national and international level.
The minister lauded ANF's achievements and its role as a specialized force in combating trafficking of illicit drugs at national, regional and global level. The federal minister assured his all-out support to ANF for addressing the inadequacies of the force to tackle the menace more vigorously.
Speaking on the occasion, UNODC Country Head Cesar Guedes highlighted the enormity of the drug problem in the region and its resultant fall out on Pakistan and the world at large. Pakistan is a poppy free country since 2001 but the region produces over 90% of the world's opiates which puts Pakistan in double jeopardy of being a victim as well as a transit country.