Poppy cultivation has been contained, claims Sherpao
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Poppy cultivation in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) has been curbed in the country as a result of the initiatives taken by the government, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said Friday.
In the past poppy was cultivated on an area of 740 acres in NWFP which has now been reduced to 400 acres," Sherpao said during a meeting with US ambassador Ryan C. Crocker here.
Sherpao said there were some 25 villages in FATA where growing poppy was the only source of income for the people.
"The Government is making all out efforts for installation of marble factories, construction of roads, schools and hospitals in the areas so as to provide job opportunities for the people," he said.
The minister further said that more FC personnel had been deployed to boost vigilance against narcotics, human trafficking, illegal infiltration and movement of anti-state elements along the border.
Sherpao told the US ambassador the Interior Ministry had also sent ten additional FC units to Balochistan to secure 900 km long Pak-Iran border as well as to check human trafficking.
He said a directorate of Passport and Immigration department had also been established there to check illegal immigration.
The minister said that Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Greece would hold ministerial talks in Athens on December 13 to enhance their cooperation against human trafficking. The US ambassador appreciated Pakistani leadership's tangible steps to combat the menace of terrorism, human and drug trafficking.
Eulogizing the interior ministry's efforts for the protection of intellectual property rights, he said that there was a need to further build capacity in this regard through training and by creating awareness among the public and all stakeholders.
The ambassador also appreciated the efforts of the government of Pakistan and military in rescue, relief and rehabilitation process in the quake-hit areas.
He said the US would continue its supports till complete rehabilitation and reconstruction in the affected areas of NWFP and AJK.
Ryan C Crocker told the minister that US had set up a field hospital at Shinkiari in NWFP to look after the quake victims and the facility was fully operational now. Sherpao thanked the ambassador for extending the help and support of the US government and people in this time of need.