Policy Brief 25/10/2024
Narcotics trafficking and drug abuse have been eroding Pakistan’s economy and society for a long time and have become a growing concern. Despite maintaining a zero-tolerance policy against all types and forms of drugs, Pakistan has not been able to eliminate the issue. Being part of the Golden Crescent and its proximity to Afghanistan, Pakistan not only serves as a transit route but also plays a major role in the global cannabinoid trade with high-quality production of cannabis. To eliminate the menace of narcotics, Pakistan has a comprehensive legislature and institutional framework. In addition, Pakistan is a party to several bilateral and multilateral agreements and collaborates with different NGOs. However, domestic demand and production of drugs are still on the rise. In order to strengthen the drug control apparatus, the government may consider a widespread awareness campaign against drug use, establishment of a robust coordination mechanism among agencies, use of the latest technology for drug enforcement, targeting of high-level narco kingpins, regional collaboration and investment in research.
