Nisar lauds ANF hard work

Islamabad

Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday lauded Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) saying hard work pays dividends and resulting in successful prosecution of narcotics related cases.

The minister said acknowledgement and appreciation at regional as well as international level of ANF as a leading counter drug Agency is a matter of satisfaction. He was talking to Director General ANF Maj. Gen. Nasir Dilawar Shah, who called on him here and presented a report on mid-year performance of the Force.

The minister was informed that ANF seized narcotics worth Rs3.985 billion in six months a statement issued here said. The ANF operations up to June 2016 helped the Agency seized 49.12 tons of narcotics which included 2.233 tons of heroin, 33.248 tons of hashish, 7.703 tons opium, 1.443 tons morphine, 1.62 kg cocaine, 931.87 kg amphetamine, 6.085 kg methamphetamine, 790 ecstasy tablets and 28,550 xanax tablets.

During this period 3.55 tons of precursors (chemical used in preparation of drugs) were also seized while 426 cases were registered and 506 drug criminals arrested which included 57 cases at airports and 11 cases of parcel consignments destined abroad.

The minister was also informed that a special Anti-Drug Drive was launched in April 2016 focusing on educational institutions at Islamabad and all provincial capitals which helped the Agency to seize drugs priced worth of Rs. 1.17 billion in international market.

In this connection 136 operations were conducted by the ANF across Pakistan which resulted in arrest of 155 drug suppliers and seizure of 19 vehicles. During the operations 1.344 tons of narcotics was recovered including 44.726 kg heroin, 1,274.775 kg hashish, 23.150 kg opium, and 1.120 kg cocaine.

Majority of the operations were undertaken at Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Lahore, Attock, Haripur, Peshawar, Kohat, Multan, Gilgit, Sukkur, Karachi, Quetta and Qilla Abdullah.

Ch Nisar appreciated leadership of the ANF for speedy trials to meet justice which included comprehensive ground-work by investigation officers deliberate preparations by prosecutors and ensuring timely appearance of witnesses.

The investigations also concluded in freezing of property(property withheld) worth Rs301.55 million as well as realization of property (property auctioned) worth Rs6.95 million.

Regarding Drug Demand Reduction activities 195 country-wide activities were conducted by ANF including lectures, free medical camps, sports events, workshops, poster-competitions, musical shows, and distribution of awareness material.

ANF Drug Addiction Hospitals treated 318 patients at Islamabad, Quetta and Karachi.

The minister was apprised that ANF was also in process of upgrading drug treatment facilities for which 45-bedded Treatment Center at Rawalpindi has already been renovated while 55-bedded Treatment Centre at Karachi is undergoing expansion withaddition of female and children wards.

The ANF is also constructing a 100-bedded Treatment Center at Peshawar which will be operationalised by end of this year.  The minister directed ANF to ensure timely completion of treatment centre at Peshawar.