July 17, 2023
2 mins read

Afghan police crack down on poppy cultivation in Badakhshan

In the eastern province of Ghazni, authorities destroyed 20 acres of poppies last week….reports Asian Lite News

Poppy has been eradicated from around 40,000 acres of land in the Badakhshan province in the last three months, Khaama Press reported citing Shafiqullah Hafizi, the director of the counter-narcotics police department in the province.

“The poppy eradication campaign started three months ago, and so far, we have destroyed 40,000 acres of poppy, and the process will continue until the poppy fields are completely demolished in the province,” Hafizi said. The official predicted further that the anti-poppy campaign would end soon.

Earlier, on Wednesday, a drug processing lab was destroyed by police in the Jawzjan province of northern Afghanistan, and the owner was taken into custody, Khaama Press reported.

In the eastern province of Ghazni, authorities destroyed 20 acres of poppies last week.

Saeed Iravani, the permanent representative of Iran to the UN, said earlier that the UNSC had expressed concern about the growth of drug production in Afghanistan.

The UN representative for Iran stated that although drug trafficking has decreased somewhat in Afghanistan, it is still a thriving industry, according to Khaama Press.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in a report earlier, said Afghanistan continued to account for the “majority (80 per cent) of global illicit opium production in 2022.”

In a separate report, UNODC said Afghanistan is home to an estimated 3.5 million drug users, accounting for nearly 10 per cent of the total population.

“Since the political change in August 2021, most drug treatment and rehabilitation centres in the country are struggling to remain operational due to resource limitation,” the report said.

“The ban on the cultivation of poppy and production of drugs and its trafficking can happen when there is international monitoring, and this process is being assisted by the international organizations and being practically put into effect,” said Wais Naseri, a political analyst.

While another political analyst, Hassan Haqyar said, “The cultivation and trafficking of drugs has been reduced based on the decree of the Islamic Emirate leader. To eliminate it fully, there is a need for the cooperation of the international community, but unfortunately, the international community has not helped Afghanistan in this regard as it should.”

Farmers in the country’s south said that the Taliban authorities had destroyed their harvests of poppy. They have time and again called on the government to help them by providing alternative crop cultivation. (ANI)

ALSO READ: China increases investment in Afghanistan

Previous Story

Uyghur girls endure abuse, forced labour in garment factory

Next Story

Fodder shortage plagues livestock farmers in drought-hit Bamyan

Latest from -Top News

Visa Interview Pause Nearing End, Says US

India is the source country for the largest group of international students in the US and Bruce’s comments will be closely followed there….reports Asian Lite News The United States said the pause

No Talks Till Terror Ends: India to Pakistan

The MEA’s strong response came at a time when Pakistan, pushed on the backfoot by India’s decisive Operation Sindoor, has suddenly started talking about its intent on having peace talks with India….reports

BNP ramps up poll demand

Chief Adviser Yunus had earlier promised elections in December 2025, but the timeline has since been pushed back first to February 2026 and then to June 2026, fuelling suspicion and dissatisfaction among

Saudi backs India’s strategic outreach

In a series of engagements, the Indian delegation met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State Adel Al-Jubeir and other senior officials. A high-profile Indian all-party parliamentary delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay

India clears stealth fighter project

New execution model paves way for private sector involvement in India’s ambitious stealth aircraft programme; Army showcases next-gen drone warfare systems. In a landmark decision bolstering India’s defence self-reliance, Defence Minister Rajnath
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Afghanistan tops list of countries most affected by terrorism

According to the United Nations, more than 24 million people

Taliban Tighten Grip on Book Stores, Publishing Houses

Last week, Taliban security forces forcefully detained an employee of