ISLAMABAD – Poppy cultivation in FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has not been eliminated despite the funding from abroad, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Narcotics was told Wednesday. Ministry of Narcotics Control Secretary Iftikhar Ahmed informed the committee, which met with Murtaza Javed Abbasi in the chair, that the target of making FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa poppy-free was not achieved despite the fact that the United Stated had provided funding for the purpose.
The committee also showed dissatisfaction over the performance of the ministry, as the chairman observed it was alarming that the Ministry of Narcotics Control was unable to curb the drugs business. “There is no place in the country where drugs are not available,” Abbasi said.
The meeting also expressed concern over supply of drugs to the prisoners in jails by the corrupt police officials on which the chairman directed the federal secretary to take action against responsible elements. Surprisingly, the secretary said it was a reality that neither the ministry nor the officials were serious in eliminating drugs trade in the country.
On the other hand, Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Prisons Qadratullah told the committee that 8,100 prisoners, including 500 terrorists, were currently housed in the 23 jails of the province, adding that the jails had more prisoners than their capacity.
The members noted that the provincial government should have constructed more prisons in the province and directed the IG to expand the area of the prison in Peshawar.
