By Raja kamran
Prime Minister Imran Khan visited the Anti-Narcotics Force Headquarters Rawalpindi. Federal Minister for Drug Control Azam Khan Swati and DG ANF Major General Muhammad Arif Malik, Hilal Imtiaz (Military) received the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister laid flowers at the Martyrs’ Memorial and recited Fateha after which he inaugurated the new ANF building. The Prime Minister was also given a tour of the ANF Headquarters building.
The DG ANF gave a detailed briefing to the Prime Minister on the ANF’s operations to curb drug trafficking. During the briefing, the DG ANF briefed the Prime Minister on the international and regional situation of drugs and its harmful effects on the society, ANF’s strategy and ensuring the establishment of a drug-free society, issues and forces. Informed about departmental construction and development planning. The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of the ANF to seize record quantities of drugs during the years 2019 and 2020.
Addressing senior ANF officials, Drug Liaison Officers from different countries in Pakistan and ANF Youth Ambassadors, the Prime Minister said that the elements involved in the production and sale of drugs are a major threat to the country and society. He further said that it was inevitable to deal with the elements involved in drug trafficking with iron fists. That drug addicts cause the destruction of the whole family. The growing trend of drug use among students in educational institutions is worrying. The Prime Minister reiterated that he would not allow the elements involved in the drug trade to adversely affect and destroy their future generations at any cost. It was imperative to further intensify the anti-drug awareness campaign. He said that the society needs to play its role against drugs and other crimes and we will soon unite all the ministries and stakeholders against drugs and eradicate this evil with more vigor. Finally, the Prime Minister said that KANF is well aware of the challenges and capacity constraints it faces. He assured full cooperation to tackle the drug problem effectively and meet the professional needs of the department.
Addressing the function, Federal Minister Muhammad Azam Khan Swati said that about 6.8 million people between the ages of 24 and 49 are addicted to drugs. “Our first priority is to save the people from the scourge of drugs through awareness campaigns,” he said. He also asked Prime Minister Imran Khan to increase the number of anti-narcotics forces and deploy ANF personnel on the Afghan border. He also requested the Prime Minister to assist the Anti-Narcotics Force in financial and other matters.