CHARSADDA: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Anti-Narcotics Fakhar Jahan said on Wednesday that the spread of narcotics, including crystal meth or ice in the province, was part of a coordinated effort and warned that proceeds from the drug trade may be used to finance terrorist organisations.
He made the remarks while addressing a Khuli Kuchehry in Charsadda. Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals Arif Ahmadzai, Minister for Prisons Iftikharullah Jan and Minister for Social Welfare Liaqat Ali Khan were also present on the occasion.
During the event, residents complained about the growing trade in crystal meth and other narcotics in Charsadda. Participants alleged that law enforcement agencies were carrying out only superficial actions against major drug traffickers, which, they said, encouraged rather than deterred those involved in the illegal business. Responding to the concerns, Fakhar Jahan said there were reports suggesting links between drug proceeds and terrorist financing.
He said that the matter would be taken up with the Federal Investigation Agency and the federal government for further action.“Information has been received about the use of drug money for terrorist financing. We will raise this issue with the federal authorities,” he said, adding that cooperation from some federal departments had been limited despite the seriousness of the matter.
The minister said the provincial government was working on amendments to anti-narcotics laws, under which punishments would be determined according to the quantity of drugs recovered.
Highlighting the performance of anti-narcotics authorities, he said that more than 3,600 kilograms of narcotics had been seized over the past seven months through anti-narcotics police stations in Peshawar and Mardan.
He claimed that an Anti-Narcotics Police Station had recently been established in Charsadda, expressing confidence that the facility would strengthen efforts to curb drug trafficking in the district.
