LAHORE: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Punjab has organised drug burning ceremony in Lahore.
Governor Rafique Rajuana was the chief guest, while Secretary NCD Aijaz Ali Khan and ANF DG Major General Nasir Dilawar Shah HI were the (M) were the host on the occasion. The prominent guests including UNODC Country Head Cesar Guedes, Amjad Islam Amjad, Nishu Beghum, Ibrar Ul Haq, Iftikhar Thakur, Aurangzeb Laghari, Ali Aijaz, officials of LEAs, civil society, media persons and students from different universities and colleges including Government College University, University of Central Punjab, Lahore College Women University, Aitcheson College and City School were also present there.
Addressing on the occasion, Rafique Rajuana stated that the country is facing both internal and external threats, which forced us to engage in intricate operation of “Zarb-i-Azb”. “Under such circumstances, drug crime is badly affecting our society; hence it’s mandatory for us to address this menace with iron hand,” he added.
Secretary NCD said that the ANF despite of its limited resources is fighting proficiently against drug menace. The Force is also trying to minimise this crime by launching various awareness campaigns throughout Pakistan, he said.
ANF DG Major General Nasir Dilawar Shah HI, in his address, apprised that approximately 30 metric tonnes of narcotics were burnt, which include seizures of Punjab Rangers, Pakistan Railway Police and Punjab Police. He said that the ANF is homing on to “Anti-Drug Drives” in major cities, with special focus to the educational institutions.
The DG revealed that in 2016, ANF has prosecuted 424 cases, out of which 42 acquitted and 382 were convicted, which includes 4 death penalties and 81 life imprisonments, hence making 90% successful conviction rate. This year ANF has frozen Rs 839.7 million of assets, out of which Rs 19.07 million has been forfeited and Rs 6.95 million realized.
He further apprised that this year, ANF has made substantial progress towards its capacity building, whereby 547 new recruits has joined ranks & files of the force, the latest body-scanners have been installed at major airports, ANF mobility has been revamped and ANF Canine & Breeding Centre has met wishful target by providing 44 new dogs.
Major General Nasir Dilawar maintained that in 2016, ANF has undertaken 280 demand reduction activities throughout the country. Talking about drug treatment facilities, he said that in addition to existing 145 bedded drug treatment facilities at Islamabad, Quetta and Karachi, the ANF is expanding this facility to 173 more beds at Karachi, Sukkur and Peshawar.
The ANF DG also said that the Force is looking forward to extend requisite drug treatment facilities at all the central Jails at provincial capitals of country. He said that since 2004, the ANF has provided free treatment to over 13,000 addict-patients in hospitals and 1994 addict-prisoner at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.
It is pertinent to mention that the ANF Balochistan has already burned 252 tonnes of narcotics in Quetta on Oct 20, while ANF Sindh burned 20 metric tonnes of narcotics in Karachi on Oct 31.
