DRUG-FREE PAKISTAN AT ALL COSTS: PM

ISLAMABAD-Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the present
democratic government, which has assigned the highest priority to
control narcotics, is committed to achieve the goal of a drug-free Pakistan.

"The government has initiated some far reaching policy measures as a
new vision for Counter Narcotics", Gilani said in a message on the
occasion of International Drugs Day, observed every year on June 26.
The Prime Minister mentioned the measures such as the formulation of
new Narcotics Control Policy, launching of an Inter Agency Task Force
headed by Director General, ANF and comprising all Federal and
Provincial Law Enforcement agencies for better coordination and
implementation of counter narcotics strategy.

He also mentioned initiating the Five Year Drug Control Master Plan,
approval of special allowances for ANF officials as incentive to
improve their performance, establishment of more addiction treatment
centres, and posting of Drug Liaison Officers abroad for enhancing
international cooperation on drug matters.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan is a signatory to global conventions
and protocols pertaining to the control of drug abuse and illicit
trafficking. "Therefore, our interventions have been aligned with our
global commitments and international conventions," he added.

The Prime Minister said, "We are expanding international cooperation
and have put forward Pakistan's proposal for the 5-Years Perspective
Plan of drug control with the European Union".

He expressed his confidence that "with the commitment and dedication
of the Ministry of Narcotics Control and ANF, we will strive for our
goal of Drug free Pakistan".

Meanwhile, addressing on Drug Burning Ceremony held in Rawalpindi
Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, Arbab Muhammad Zahir, to
commemorate the International Drug Abuse Day. Director General Anti
Narcotics Force, high ranking officers from Law Enforcement Agencies,
Civil administration, Diplomats, Drug Liaison Officers of many
countries media representatives also participated in this occasion
where almost 95,000 Kgs of different types of drugs were burnt.

While addressing gathering, he said government has formulated new
anti narcotics policy. The main features of policy are supply
reduction, demand reduction and international cooperation. He said
that drug burning ceremony is clear messages for the drug barons that
Pakistan will not allow to use its territory for this heinous
activity. New measurements taken by Narcotics Ministry include five
years Drug Control Master plan , establishment of Inter Agency Task
Force (IATF), to make Lahore drug free city and establishment of
treatment centre at Adyla Jail Rawalpindi.

Federal Minister said that through awareness campaign youth would be
enlightened against harms of drugs. While giving answer of cause of
increased drugs he said that we are located in the neighborhood of
Afghanistan which is major contributor to the world in opiates where
90% of total world opium is produced. Like other neighboring
countries Pakistan is also used as transit route for drugs.

He also showed full satisfaction with effort of ANF whose performance
is appreciable and widely recognized. ANF was established in 1995 and
achieved high esteem at international level in combating menace of
drugs. DG ANF further added that during the year 2009 ANF and other
LEAs have ceased 24819kgs of Opium, 1961 kgs of Morphine base,
2016kgs of Heroin and 204610 kgs of Hashish .

He also briefed that ANF has made significant seizures of 41828 kgs
Precursors including world biggest seizure of 15800 kgs of Acetic
Anhydrid (chemical used in manufacturing of heroin) in March this
year. He proudly claimed that Pakistan is occupying top three
positions and drugs seizures since 2003 according to UN drug report.