Pakistan’s Fight Against Narcotics

The narcotics environment in Pakistan is deeply intertwined with its geographical location, particularly its proximity to Afghanistan, which has historically been the global center for opium cultivation. This has led to Pakistan facing an ongoing battle against drug trafficking, consumption, and the influence of international drug syndicates. However, Pakistan, led by its Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), has made significant strides in countering the influx of drugs and combating drug abuse.

Afghanistan’s Shift in Narcotics Production

For decades, Afghanistan has supplied over 80% of the global opiate demand through poppy cultivation. Following the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021, a crackdown on poppy cultivation led to a 95% decline in production, according to the 2023 World Drug Report. This decline caused a global opium shortage and rising prices. While the Taliban have publicly stated intentions to ban drug cultivation, their control over the economy and the lack of alternative livelihoods for farmers complicate enforcement.

Impact on Pakistan

Pakistan, sharing a 2,611 km porous border with Afghanistan, faces significant narcotics challenges due to drug trafficking and consumption, with the involvement of foreign nationals, particularly Afghans. Since 2018, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has arrested 340 foreign nationals, including 184 Afghans, linked to drug crimes. The influx of undocumented Afghan refugees post-2021 has exacerbated this issue. The Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) 2010, while aimed at facilitating trade, has also been misused for drug smuggling, highlighted by the seizure of 9.5 million alprazolam tablets from an Afghan-bound container.

Pakistan’s Drug Consumption Profile

According to the 2013 National Drug Survey by the UNODC, 6% of Pakistan’s population has used controlled substances, with cannabis being the most common. Regular heroin users numbered 860,000, while 430,000 people inject drugs, predominantly men. The survey revealed the highest opiate use in Balochistan and the highest overall drug use rate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (10.9%), indicating a widespread drug problem that necessitates urgent action.

Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF)

The ANF has been at the forefront of Pakistan’s battle against narcotics. Established in 1995, the force has led numerous operations against drug traffickers and syndicates, achieving tangible results. The ANF has undertaken a holistic approach that includes conducting interdiction operations, launching awareness campaigns, and coordinating with other law enforcement agencies, both nationally and internationally.

Operations and Outcomes

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) of Pakistan continues its intensive efforts against drug trafficking, leading to substantial operations and seizures. From June 30 to July 7, 2024, significant quantities of drugs were confiscated across several regions: 1,094 kg in Balochistan, 133 kg in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 5 kg in Gilgit-Baltistan, 2 kg in Punjab, and 73 kg in Sindh. In a nationwide crackdown initiated in September 2023, more than 1,000 metric tons of various narcotics were confiscated. The seizures included 3.52 metric tons of heroin, 45.18 metric tons of hashish, 3.65 metric tons of methamphetamine, 8.55 metric tons of opium, and 982 metric tons of other narcotics substances. This aggressive operation resulted in the arrest of nearly 1,883 individuals involved in drug-related activities across Pakistan.

In its ongoing operations targeting drug sellers in educational institutions, the ANF has achieved notable success. Recent seizures amounted to drugs worth over 4.2 million rupees, with eight suspects arrested. In Lahore, near a university on Raiwind Road, 450 grams of hashish and 20 grams of ecstasy were confiscated, while another suspect in Johar Town was caught with 130 grams of crystal meth and 40 grams of ecstasy pills. Islamabad witnessed similar actions, with 120 grams of hash recovered from a suspect near Kak Pul, who was selling drugs to students. Significant operations at M1 Toll Plaza in Islamabad led to the recovery of 4.8 kilograms of hashish and 1.2 kilograms of opium from a vehicle. In Hyderabad, two separate operations resulted in the seizure of 400 grams and 350 grams of hash near a university and hospital, respectively. A motorcycle rider in Islamabad’s F-10 Market was found with over a kilogram of hash, while further raids near M1 Toll Plaza led to the recovery of 28.8 kilograms of hash and 7.2 kilograms of opium. On September 27, 2024, six suspects were arrested in five separate operations near educational institutions, with authorities seizing approximately 15 kilograms of drugs valued at over Rs 1.2 million. This included hashish, ecstasy pills, and methamphetamine in Islamabad and Lahore, as well as large amounts of hashish and alcohol in Hyderabad. The suspects confessed to selling these drugs to students. The ANF previously shut down a drug manufacturing factory in Peshawar, recovering narcotic tablets and chemicals used for drug production.

The ANF plays a critical role in controlling the inflow of drugs, particularly due to its strategic location along the 2,611 km border with Afghanistan, a key global source of opiates. Since 2018, the ANF has arrested 340 foreign nationals, including 184 Afghans, involved in drug-related crimes. After the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the ANF seized over 644 kg of drugs in a single operation in September and continued to dismantle networks involved in smuggling and trafficking synthetic drugs, which are harder to detect using traditional methods.

The ANF has led successful poppy eradication campaigns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan. In 2024, 415 hectares of poppy fields were destroyed, highlighting the ongoing commitment to keeping Pakistan poppy-free, a status maintained since 2001.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s drug problem, shaped by its proximity to Afghanistan and domestic vulnerabilities, poses a significant challenge to national security and societal well-being. However, the ANF’s persistent efforts in countering drug trafficking, educating the public, and coordinating with international bodies have yielded tangible results. While challenges remain, particularly with the rise of synthetic drugs, the ANF’s multi-faceted approach offers hope for a drug-free future in Pakistan.