Pak, US collaboration can end drug smuggling: Gondal
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—US is ready to enhance its cooperation and contribution in the efficient working of Ministry of Narcotics Control and its department Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) to eradicate poppy cultivation and control drug menace, stated by Minister for Narcotics Control Nazar Muhammad Gondal after his meeting with American Ambassador Anne W. Peterson in his office.
The Minister stated that both Government of Pakistan and US Government have agreed to increase assistance in the field of alternative area development and logistic/operational support to enhance the effectiveness of ANF and both sides agreed to smoothen the working of matters of mutual concerns.
Minister apprised the Honourable Ambassador about the level of performance of ANF in the areas of narcotics interdiction, poppy eradication and raising awareness in the media about ill-effects of narcotics use and about 140,000 families are likely to be served in the rehabilitation centres and detoxification centres. The Ambassador praised the working of the awareness campaign that consists of seminars, walks and radio and TV programmes that are creating sense of awareness among the people, college and university students about drugs. She also promised to enhance financial assistance for the effective working of the ANF and ANF is likely to expand its manpower by increasing its number of posts in all districts of Pakistan.
US Ambassador informed the Minister that in the last seven years, substantial amount of assistance has been provided by US Government to stem the tide of drug menace in Pakistan. The meeting was attended by Secretary, Ministry of Narcotics Control, K.B. Rind, Deputy Secretary (Admn) Sajid Mehmood Qazi and Section Officer (ANF/Admn) Shahzad Hameed Durrani. Gondal said that it is the need of the hour that Pak-US collaboration make gigantic efforts to eliminate drug trafficking and Control the Cultivation of Poppy.
On the other hand, US Ambassador Anne W Peterson made it clear that US will keep on supporting Pakistan, as undoubtedly Drugs are a menace to any country.
She said that US will make sure to provide optimum facilities to Pakistan to end the menace.
The two leaders discussed host of issues relating to Heroin Smuggling in Pakistan and the measures to tackle and control it.
The Minister stated that both Government of Pakistan and US Government have agreed to increase assistance in the field of alternative area development and logistic/operational support to enhance the effectiveness of ANF and both sides agreed to smoothen the working of matters of mutual concerns.