ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has made significant drug seizures of 288 ton during last one year and eight months which shows its commitment towards making Pakistan a drug-free country.

Of the total, the ANF seized 165.97 Metric Tons (MT) of narcotics and 56.63 MT of precursor chemicals during 2017, and 50 MT narcotics and 15 MT of precursor chemicals during the first eight months of this year.

The year-wise data regarding seizures, issued by Narcotics Control Division, has revealed that in 2007, ANF seized 33 MT of narcotics, in 2008 74 MT narcotics and 17 MT precursors chemicals, in 2009 71 MT narcotics and in 2010 98 MT narcotics and 68 MT precursor chemicals.

Similarly, the year 2011 witnessed seizures of 107 MT narcotics, one MT precursor chemicals, 76 MT narcotics in 2012, 130 MT narcotic and 120 MT precursor chemicals in 2013, in 2014, 158 MT narcotic and 101 MT precursor chemicals, and 205 MT narcotics and 5 MT precursor chemicals in 2015.

The year 2016 saw seizures of 215 MT narcotics and 25MT precursor chemicals, 164 MT narcotics and 56 MT precursor chemicals seized in 2017 while the number of seizures during first eight months of this year was 50 MT narcotics and 15 MT precursor chemicals.

Besides, significant number of seizures, ANF also registered a number of cases at its Police Stations countrywide and arrested numerous accused involved in these cases.

Meanwhile, under international coordinated operations, the ANF has been providing assistance to international Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and on shared information a larger amount of seizures were made during the period.

The ANF provided assistance to 28 countries and major amongst them were United Kingdom (UK), Malaysia, Canada, South Africa, Indonesia, UAE, Iran, Brazil, China, Germany New Zealand,

Poland, China etc.

When contacted, official sources said a lot of drug demand reduction and awareness activities including walks, games/sports competitions, speech/debate competitions, lectures, seminar and workshops have been conducted under awareness campaign.

The ANF is striving for establishment of a Drug Free Society and under the campaign the Force arranges awareness for general public through bill boards, LEDs, steamers, banners and distribution of material e.g. brochures, pamphlets and leaflets in different parts of country, especially major cities including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Rawalpindi through Regional Directorates of ANF Pakistan.—APP