ISLAMABAD: Talks are underway with several countries to curb smuggling of narcotics, a source in the Narcotics Control Division of the Interior Ministry told Customs Today.
He said the international community has acknowledged achievements of the ANF in seizure of narcotics. “Unprecedented and record seizures by ANF are indication of ANF’s resolve to combat the menace of drugs,” the source added. He said that 28 police stations of ANF were working in the country.
“To monitor the trafficking and use of synthetic drugs, regional directorates of ANF have been directed to take stringent measures with regards to diversion of precursors for manufacturing of narcotics, drugs an elaborate SOP has been formulated and being implemented in letter and spirit,” the source added.
“Similarly, a number of campaigns and crackdowns have been conducted against drug peddlers. Poppy crop has also been destroyed in coordination with the provincial government and FATA administration from a vast cultivated area,” the source said, adding that canine units had been established at regional directorates in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.
He added that special attention had been paid to the capacity building of ANF officials and other law enforcing agencies through training and provision of equipment as well as intelligence network of ANF had been expanded in cities.
“With the purpose to check sale of narcotics and drugs to young people, areas around educational institutions are being monitored on a regular basis,” the source said, adding that enrollment of 590 officials in the ANF force was also in process.
He said that checking of international arrivals at all airports and domestic flights in Quetta and Peshawar airports had been tightened and NADRA verification system had been extended to RD headquarters.
The source added that trainings for effective precursor control and check and induction of intelligence software for assistance in investigation and backtracking had been accelerated besides random or surprise checking by ANF special squads at all railway stations.
Moreover, the source said that scope of Port Control Unit (PCU) in Karachi had been expanded and checking of imports at seaports had commenced despite paucity of resources.
“CCTV cameras for effective profiling of passengers at all airports are being utilised with frequent engagements with courier and parcel companies and extension of NADRA Biometric Verification System to them,” the source said, adding that Pre-Export Notification (PEN) online system had also been made operational to keep a check on misuse and diversion of precursors.
The Pakistan Narcotics Board was set up in 1957 in the Revenue Division to fulfill Pakistan’s obligations under the International Opium Convention 1925. Pakistan ratified the Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs 1961 on 15 August 1965 with a view to meet its obligations under the convention. The government, through a declaration on 8 March 1973, reorganised the PNB as Pakistan Narcotics Control Board (PNCB). The Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) was established in December 1991. In February 1995, the PNCB and ANTF were merged to form the ANF.
