Pakistani Offensive Against Taliban Pushes Tribesmen Off the Land and Threatens Their Hash-Based Livelihood

PESHAWAR , PAKISTAN - For decades, Taj Muhammad Afridi had been making stoners mellow around the world.

By now, at his family homestead in the Tirah Valley in Pakistan's tribal belt, hundreds of marijuana plants should be full-grown, some as tall as a one-story house. The traditional harvest would be in October, and that's when Afridi would start making some of the world's most sought-after hashish.

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Secretary Narcotics Control spells out steps

Interview Kaswar Klasra

Monday, July 13, 2015 - Islamabad-Meet the man whom Nawaz Sharif led federal government picked up last year in November as federal secretary Narcotics Control tasking him to save million of Pakistanis from the brunt of Afghan drug.

Sitting on an un-easy wooden chair and putting on black Shalwar Kameez, Pakistan's national dress, Ghalib A Bandesha looked fresh and well determined.

Coming from Police Service of Pakistan, Ghalib A Bandesha's excellent service record and achievements as head of 'Federal Investigation Agency' prompted higher authorities to appoint him as federal secretary Ministry of Narcotics Control which deals with making policies to counter ever growing use of drugs by country's youth and transit of Afghan drug worth multi-billion US dollars from Pakistan through various routes especially air and sea.

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QUETTA: Canadian High Commissioner Heather Cru-den and UNODC Representative in Pakistan Cesar Guedes handed over essential operational equipment to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) of Balochistan.

The assistance package comprising high-powered binoculars, night-vision devices and personnel safety equipment was received by Brig Adnan Azim, the ANF Commander of Balochistan.

The Canadian High Commissioner acknowledged challenges of drug trafficking being faced by Pakistan as the main transit country and the first line of defence.

"I sincerely hope that the equipment will add strength to the ANF's operational capacity against drug trafficking in the country, which will have a greater impact on the world at large," she said.

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QUETTA- Canadian High Commissioner, Ms. Heather Cruden, and UNODC Representative in Pakistan, Mr. Cesar Guedes Thursday handed over essential operational equipment to the ANF Balochistan. The assistance package comprising of high powered binoculars, night vision devices and personnel safety equipment was received by Brigadier Adnan Azim, Force Commander ANF Balochistan.

Staff from UNODC Pakistan and Canadian High Commission Islamabad were also present on the occasion. The Canadian High Commissioner acknowledged the challenges of drug trafficking being faced by Pakistan as the main transit country and first line of defence.

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