RAWALPINDI: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) intercepted a consignment at the Islamabad International Airport that was to be sent to the United Kingdom (Manchester), and recovered 10.4 kg narcotics.

According to airport sources, the ANF intercepted the consignment of 69 cartons, containing clothes at the air freight unit (AFU) of the customs.

The sources said packets of heroin of more than one kilogramme each were recovered from one of the cartons after which the ANF staff called their investigation team.

The ANF team which arrived on the scene separated 13 suspected cartons from the consignment and started searching them. A further investigation recovered a total of 10 packets of heroin approximately weighing 10.4kg. The consignment was intercepted by ANF at the point of weighing.

ANF intercepts consignment of UK-bound narcotics at Islamabad airport

NA committee concerned

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Narcotics Control expressed concern over the growing drug abuse in educational institutions, especially schools and colleges, and cross-border drug trafficking and directed the ministry to take action to address the issue.

The ANF briefed the committee on several issues, including the shortage of manpower, to combat drug trafficking, particularly in high-risk areas like Dalbandin, Turbat and Gwadar.

The first meeting of the standing committee on narcotics control was held on Monday under the chairmanship of MNA Malik Shah at Parliament House, Islamabad.

A press release issued by the National Assembly Secretariat said the committee expressed concern about the increasing drug abuse in educational institutions and cross-border drug trafficking. The committee directed the ministry to take immediate action to combat the increasing drug abuse in educational institutions.

“In collaboration with the district administrations, police and law enforcement agencies, the ministry is expected to play a pivotal role in eradicating this menace to protect the youth from the harmful impact of drugs, said the committee.”

Moreover, ANF informed the committee that Pakistan plays a minimal role in drug formulation. Most synthetic and other drugs enter Pakistan through transit from Afghanistan and Iran, eventually being smuggled to European countries and other markets. Pakistan is thus mainly a transit route for these substances, making it imperative to strengthen anti-smuggling measures along its borders.

The ANF stated that its total workforce across Pakistan was 3,200 with 516 personnel stationed in Balochistan.

Despite covering 47pc of Pakistan’s land area, Balochistan faces a severe shortage of staff to combat drug trafficking, particularly in high-risk areas such as Dalbandin, Turbat, and Gwadar.

The ANF emphasised the need for additional resources and personnel to tackle drug trafficking in these regions.

It also clarified its mandate which was primarily focused on intercepting large-scale drug trafficking and bulk transfers. However, it noted a troubling trend toward synthetic drugs which pose an even greater threat to society due to their harmful effects.

The ANF urged the need for targeted actions to curb the spread of synthetic drugs, which are increasingly entering the market.

MNAs Malik Sohail Khan, Mian Khan Bugti, Abdul Hakeem Baloch, Abdul Latif, Yousaf Khan, Mohammad Jamal Ahsan Khan attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2024