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Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
CM vows to continue efforts for a drug-free Punjab
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that for the better and bright future of the youth, we reiterate our commitment to a drug-free Punjab. The Punjab government is committed to carry out coordinated efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs across Punjab, she said, in her message on the 'International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.' The CM said, 'The purpose of celebrating the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is to provide awareness and consciousness about drug abuse and its eradication from the society.' She highlighted, 'We must pledge to create a safe environment for children free from the detrimental effects of drugs.' She expressed her best wishes to all organizations and well aware citizens who are playing their due positive role in preventing drug abuse from the entire society. She emphasised that the drugs addicts are a great cause of concern for the entire society. She revealed that Anti-Narcotics Force is being reactivated and streamlined in Punjab so as to stamp out drug trafficking in the province. She vowed, 'Our firm resolve and determination to halt drug trafficking is unwavering at all costs.' She urged the parents to fully support the efforts of the government and other relevant organizations for the prevention and eradication of drugs from the society. She exhorted the parents to keep a vigilant eye on the movements and habits of their children. She appealed to all the citizens to create awareness about the hazards of drugs and help those fighting against drug abuse. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PM, President reaffirm commitment to eradicating drug abuse
Listen to article Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari have reiterated their unwavering commitment to eliminating drug abuse and strengthening collective efforts to tackle the menace, emphasising the importance of a united front to combat this pervasive issue. In their separate messages on the observance of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, both leaders called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, the private sector, and international partners, to eradicate drug abuse from society. Shehbaz, in his message, recognised the gravity of the drug abuse issue, acknowledging the government's ongoing efforts to combat the menace. Read: Two female drug suspects exonerated He pointed out that while the government is fully aware of the challenges, the success of these efforts will ultimately depend on the collective resolve of individuals, society and the broader community. He also underscored that drug abuse and trafficking are unacceptable not only in terms of Pakistan's international obligations but also in relation to the country's legal framework and societal norms. PM Shehbaz expressed deep respect for law enforcement agencies, praising their sacrifices and tireless work in dismantling drug networks and ensuring a narcotics-free Pakistan. Read more: TikToker Babrah arrested for drug dealing Meanwhile, President Zardari said Pakistan remains steadfast in its fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, underlining the significant role played by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), which operates under the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, in curbing the drug trade. He stressed that the government would continue to take strong measures to rid the nation of these harmful practices. Zardari also highlighted the need for greater awareness and education, particularly among the youth, about the dangers of drug abuse. He called on citizens to unite in efforts to eliminate drugs and contribute to creating a safer, healthier society for future generations. Both leaders expressed their gratitude towards law enforcement agencies, paying tribute to those who have lost their lives in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking. In conclusion the premier and the president urged all citizens to stand together in the battle against drugs and reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a drug-free society through cooperation and sustained effort.
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Dark web fuels drug shift: ANF
The use of the dark web and social media platforms to procure drugs using cryptocurrency has reached alarming levels, posing new challenges for Pakistan's anti-narcotics efforts. Authorities report a growing influx of weed and cocaine from Western and African countries, alongside a troubling shift from plant-based substances to synthetic drugs. The law enforcement agencies are tightening controls on drug smuggling via courier and parcel servicesroutes increasingly exploited by traffickers seeking to bypass conventional checkpoints. Over the past year, 33 drug trafficking groups, including a prominent Nigerian network, have been dismantled. Smugglers are also adopting increasingly sophisticated methods to conceal narcotics, often hiding them in sports goods, surgical instruments, and textile shipmentstactics seen not only as criminal but as attempts to damage Pakistan's global reputation. According to Brigadier Syed Imran Ali, Director Enforcement at the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Headquarters Pakistan has maintained its poppy-free status since 2001, a milestone reaffirmed this year. Speaking at a briefing in Karachi, Brigadier Ali noted that Pakistan's geographic location makes it a key transit route for international drug trafficking. He expressed concern over the rising use of the dark web and social media platforms for purchasing drugs through cryptocurrency, terming it a growing threat. Traffickers, he added, are increasingly shifting from plant-based substances to synthetic narcotics. Recent ANF operations have uncovered significant inflows of weed and cocaine from Western and African countries. Brigadier Muhammad Umar Farooq, Regional Directorate Commander Sindh, stated that a significant aspect of drug smuggling involves the courier and parcel system, both internationally and domestically. While major courier offices are equipped with scanners and require documents such as copies of national identity cards and complete addresses of senders and recipients, traffickers are exploiting loopholes in neighborhood-level parcel handling. As a result, institutional measures are being further strengthened to counter drug smuggling through couriers and parcels. Out of Pakistan's 240 million population, approximately 170 million are between the ages of 18 and 31. Protecting this vast youth demographic from the scourge of drugs is a national responsibility. While the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) continues its efforts to curb drug smuggling, there is a pressing need for widespread social awareness. Addressing this challenge requires collective action across all sectors of society. Providing details of crackdowns conducted throughout 2024 and the current mid-year periodspanning roughly one and a half yearsANF officials stated that joint operations with various individuals and institutions resulted in the seizure of 452 tons of drugs. Of this, the ANF alone recovered over 244 tons, accounting for more than 58 per cent of all anti-drug operations. At airports across the country, 436 suspects were arrested, and attempts to smuggle drugs through 373 parcels were foiled. Maritime operations led to the seizure of 19 containers. Efforts to smuggle drugs to Gulf countries were also thwarted, resulting in the arrest of 403 suspects and the seizure of 5,783 kilograms of narcotics. In collaboration with international organisations, 44 maritime operations were conducted against drug trafficking networks, leading to the dismantling of 33 groups, including a Nigerian syndicate. Attempts to malign Pakistan's reputation through drug smuggling concealed in sports goods, surgical instruments and textile products have been uncovered. Nationals from Afghanistan and Nigeria have been found to be more frequently involved in these operations. Meanwhile, Pakistan ranks fifth among the countries most affected by climate change. In line with environmental concerns, the ANF incinerates confiscated drugs in secure facilities rather than burning them in open fields. The rising use of drugs in educational institutions is alarming. The ANF has conducted multiple operations around these institutions, seizing 1,420 kilograms of drugs. A total of 363 operations aimed at curbing drug spread were carried out, leading to the arrest of 421 suspects identified through intelligence as suppliers to students. Since 2005, rehabilitation efforts have helped 30,000 drug addicts return to normal life. The ANF not only targets those involved in the drug trade but also actively pursues legal action to ensure their conviction. Following arrests, the ANF has achieved an impressive conviction rate of 85 per cent.
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Business Recorder
Legal custody of 14,000 kg of donkey hides: Customs enforcement-export collectorate tug of war intensifies
KARACHI: A tug of war between Customs enforcement and the export collectorate for taking the legal custody of 14,000 kilograms of donkey hides has intensified with the export collectorate filing a formal complaint against enforcement officials for alleged misconduct and violation of established procedures. A bitter jurisdictional dispute began on April 29, 2025, when Customs officials discovered the massive consignment of donkey hides during examination of a container at SAPT. The shipment, declared as 'leather goods' by a trading company through their clearing agent, was being exported to China when it was flagged for inspection despite initially passing through the green channel clearance process. According to a formal complaint, the consignment was first put on hold by the Anti-Narcotics Force on April 29, following routine examination procedures. However, the situation became complicated when the Port Control Unit of the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement applied an additional hold on the container, creating a conflict over which department had legal authority to handle the case. The export collectorate has accused the deputy collector of the PCU Enforcement of overstepping the jurisdiction and violating established Customs procedures outlined in CGO number 3 of 2018. The complaint alleged that the deputy collector insisted on taking custody of the container and removing it from the port area without following the proper joint examination procedures required under the regulations. The banned donkey hides were identified as prohibited exports under an Economic Coordination Committee order from September 2015, which classified such shipments as restricted items. The discovery has highlighted ongoing concerns about illegal wildlife trade and the enforcement of export regulations at Pakistani ports. It further claimed that the enforcement collectorate acted unilaterally in removing the container from port premises, bypassing mandatory joint examination procedures that require cooperation between both departments, arguing that donkey hides did not fall under the specific mandate of the PCU, which is primarily designed to target narcotics, psychotropic substances, explosives, and other security-related contraband. The complaint alleged that this incident represents a pattern of jurisdictional overreach by enforcement officials, with the export collectorate providing a list of similar cases where holds were improperly applied to their operations. 'Such actions could create serious operational anomalies and increase friction between different customs departments, it added. Earlier, the enforcement collectorate in an official media statement claimed they successfully intercepted the said banned shipment that had been cleared through the green channel and was being prepared for loading onto a China-bound vessel after getting a permit from the export collectorate. They maintained that their intervention prevented the illegal export of prohibited materials. The complaint has asked the Federal Board of Revenue to investigate the matter and take action against what the export collectorate describes as misconduct and misuse of authority. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan eyes enhanced cooperation with Saudi Arabia to prevent drug trafficking
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan wants to enhance cooperation with Saudi Arabia in curbing illicit activities such as drug trafficking and human smuggling, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday. Pakistan this week organized the Pak-GCC Regional Narcotics Conference, organized by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) in Islamabad, where delegates from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait gathered to develop a joint strategy against narcotics trafficking and abuse. Naqvi visited the Saudi embassy in Islamabad on Sunday where he met Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki. The two discussed matters of mutual interest, enhancing bilateral relations and increasing mutual cooperation, the interior ministry said. 'We want to enhance cooperation with Saudi Arabia to prevent drug trafficking and human smuggling,' Naqvi was quoted as saying by his ministry. Islamabad has been worried about the trend of Pakistani beggars abusing visas to beg in foreign countries. Pakistan fears this could impact genuine visa-seekers and particularly religious pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia. According to widespread media reports, Riyadh raised this issue with Islamabad at various forums last year. Naqvi assured Malki that the government has 'tightened the noose' around the begging mafia in Pakistan. 'New conditions are being imposed for obtaining passports to curb begging and illegal immigration,' he said. Naqvi thanked Saudi Arabia for releasing a Pakistani family that had been 'framed' for smuggling narcotics to the Kingdom earlier this year. 'Saudi Arabia provided significant support for the release and repatriation of the innocent family,' he said. 'Thanks to the cooperation of the Saudi government, five members of the family were released and returned home,' he added. As per the interior ministry, Malki said Riyadh enjoyed close relations with Islamabad and wanted to strengthen them further. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial relations rooted in shared faith, culture and traditions. Pakistanis are the second-largest expatriate community in the Kingdom, with over 2.5 million living and working in Saudi Arabia, the top source of remittances to the South Asian country.
