Senate body for strengthening to fight drug abuse
By Fakhar Alam

ISLAMABAD—The Senate Standing Committee on Narcotics Control has underlined the need for greater coordination among the security forces and Anti Narcotics watchdog to fight the menace of drug trafficking and to remove misperceptions about Pakistan as a “transit state for drug barons”.
It was observed that the drug abuse and trafficking was a global social and health problem and therefore efforts were required to increase our liaison with world community and introduce effective legislation to strengthen the hands of the Anti Narcotics Force other agencies fighting the social evil.
The Members of the Committee noted with concern that the number of drug abusers was on the rise. They underlined the need to work collectively to educate masses about the ill effects of narcotics addiction and take stern action against those involved in the heinous crimes. They also stressed the need to create mass awareness about the drug abuse through the print and electronic media, as according to them, media has always played pivotal role in educating people about various social evils.
The Committee expressed its concern over the issuance of visas to the Nigerian nationals, who were found involved in drug trafficking. The Committee directed the Foreign Office officials to review its visa policy for Nigeria and increase its coordination with the Nigerian Government while issuing visas to their businessmen and other people visiting Pakistan. It was observed that strict visa procedure was required to get rid of those who tarnish the image of the country at the global level and that a comprehensive policy was needed to properly tap the sources of narcotics business. It also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Anti Narcotics Force to strengthen their coordination to eliminate the sources of this evil business.
It may be pertinent to mention here that Senator Muhammad Enver Baig and some other members of the Committee had earlier drew the attention of the Chairperson of the Committee towards the fact that a large number of Nigerian nationals have been caught in the country on drug charges during recent years and their number was on the rise. The Committee expressed its surprise why the Foreign Office was not taking up the matter at the Government level. They called for a proper mechanism to check such incidents so that people earning bad name to the country could be taken to task.
The senior representatives of the Federal Board of Revenue and the ANF also explained their positions on the seizure of Acetic-Anhydride, a chemical used for processing of heroin. They were directed to submit their point of view on its seizure so that the Committee may give its opinion on the issue.
Earlier, DG, ANF briefed the Committee about the steps taken during 2005 and 2006 to stop the narcotics trade. He said that all out efforts are being made to eradicate the sources. He disclosed that production of opium in the neighboring country is a constant source of trouble for the Pakistani law enforcement agencies as it was attracting many drug barons. The Secretary, Ministry of Narcotics Control highlighted various aspects, which constantly create problems for the ANF to work smoothly. He vowed to take the drug barons to task.