ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) organized the Drug Burning Ceremony 2017 at Islamabad in the presence of Federal Minister Narcotics Control Lt Gen (R) Salahuddin Tirmizi and a number of prominent foreign dignitaries, UNODC country head, officials of law enforcement agencies, high ranking military and civil officials, international partners on drug control, NGOs, the civil society, sports organizations, celebrities, media personnel and students from different educational institutions.
ANF Director General Major General Musarrat Nawaz Malik while addressing at the occasion said: “The menace of drugs is one of the most damaging and life crippling threat to society and ANF is striving for its absolute elimination to achieve the goal of a drug free society”, adding that ANF is vigorously executing its assigned tasks with the utmost dedication and determination.
He apprised that 1.805 metric tons of narcotics are being burnt at Islamabad today, however, this year ANF burnt a total of 135.064 metric tons of drugs worth Rs 3951 million at Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi.
ANF DG said that the organization is continuously launching “Anti-Drug Drives” in major cities, with a special focus on educational institutions.
While presenting a brief account of the professional performance of ANF, DG ANF apprised that during 2017, ANF registered 1063 cases, arrested 1204 persons involved in drug trafficking and 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.
Speaking on the occasion, the Salahuddin Tirmizi stated that Pakistan is facing both internal and external threats; and under such circumstances, drug crimes are badly affecting our society. Hence, it is mandatory to tackle this menace with iron hands.
He appreciated the ANF for rendering extraordinary endeavours to counter drug trafficking at a national and international level.
The federal minister assured his all-out support to the ANF for addressing the inadequacies of the force to tackle the menace more vigorously.
UNODC Country Head Cesar Guedes, while addressing the occasion highlighted the enormity of the drug problem in the region and its resultant fall out on Pakistan and the world at large. He added that 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.
