Drug flood from Afghanistan bigger problem than terrorism:

 Drug flood from Afghanistan bigger problem than terrorism The growing drug trade in Afghanistan, which poses a major threat to global health. The flood of drugs from Afghanistan could become a major threat from terrorism in the next few years.

                                  Drug flood from Afghanistan bigger problem than terrorism:

The 20-year-old US intervention failed to eradicate the narco-economy, the biggest source of funding for the rebels. The Taliban have never kept secret their friendly relations with any of the leading Afghan drug dealers. The sad fact is that opium poppy cultivation has increased from 8,000 hectares in 2001 to 224,000 hectares in 2020.

Pakistan and the United States have been blaming each other for who is responsible for overthrowing the US-backed government in Afghanistan. This increase is a major threat to global health. The flood of drugs from Afghanistan could become a major threat from terrorism in the next few years.

The 20-year-old US intervention failed to eradicate the narco-economy, the biggest source of funding for the rebels. The Taliban have never hidden their friendly relations with some prominent Afghan drug dealers. The sad fact is that opium poppy cultivation increased from 8,000 hectares in 2001 to 224,000 hectares in 2020.

Not only were the Taliban militants making money from the drug trade, but many American allies. Such as Ahmed Wali Karzai and General Abdul Rashid Dostum. Were also involved in the trade.

In 2018, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime announced that northern Afghanistan, a stronghold of the pro-US Northern Alliance. Had become a "heroin hub" between 2001 and 2021.

A few months before the Taliban returned to Kabul earlier this year, UN officials reported that the group (Northern Alliance) was making more than 400 million a year from the drug trade.

Today, Afghanistan:

Today, Afghanistan is the world's largest producer of opium. The country is responsible for 80% of global opium production. How do the Taliban make money through this illicit business? They make a profit by taxing opium crops and protecting them from processing and trafficking.

                               Drug flood from Afghanistan bigger problem than terrorism

Laboratories that convert opium into heroin are also taxed. Sadly, Afghan opium accounts for 95% of the European market for heroin. Switzerland for an event where I talked about the lessons learned from the war on terror.

During the Q&A session, I noticed a particular problem in the mostly Italian and German-speaking audience. Many local politicians and journalists were concerned about the threat of drugs from Afghanistan.

On my return to Pakistan, Afghan and Pakistani officials about the issue. Several UN officials have confirmed that Afghanistan is becoming the biggest public health threat in Asia, Europe, and Africa.

 Pakistan, Iran, Central Asia, and Turkey are the most popular routes for Afghan drug trafficking in many parts of the world.

Afghanistan-linked heroin is being smuggled into drug cartels in Italy, Russia, and even the United States. Drug labs in Afghanistan are producing not only heroin and hashish. But also methamphetamine (also called "meth" or "ice") from the ephedra plant.

Last year, Sri Lankan and Australian authorities seized more lethal products than ever before. Boosting its production and trafficking. Much of it is linked to Afghanistan.

 In his first news conference since the capture of Kabul. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid promised that the new government would outlaw the drug trade in Afghanistan. He also appealed for international assistance in providing alternative crops to farmers.

 some Taliban leaders about their plans against the drug trade, they remained silent. Some lower-ranking Taliban officials shared details of raids on liquor stores in Kabul and the arrest of 700 drug users in Helmand last week.

Just weeks after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August, police seized tons of drugs not only in Pakistan but also in India. About three tonnes of heroin were seized from an Indian port last month. The drugs, shipped from Iran, came from Afghanistan.

In September alone, more than four tonnes of opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana, cocaine, meth, and other narcotics (valued at 62 626 million) were seized from various areas, said a senior official at the Pakistani Ministry of Narcotics Control. The source said. Said.

Most of the drugs were exported from areas adjacent to Afghanistan. The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) arrested 99 smugglers and smugglers last month, including some Afghans and Nigerians.

                                Drug flood from Afghanistan bigger problem than terrorism

ANF ​​figures show that Pakistan is at the forefront of the Afghan drug trade. Forty percent of Afghans use drugs through Pakistan.

 7 million Pakistanis are using drugs. According to the ANF, drug addiction causes 685 deaths worldwide daily, while terrorism causes 49 deaths daily.

Taliban leaders can garner much goodwill from the international community by cracking down on opium poppy cultivation. If they do not, I believe the Afghan drug trade could become a global scourge.

 Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai once said that either Afghanistan will destroy opium or opium will destroy Afghanistan. He is now based in Kabul under Taliban protection. The Taliban should pay close attention to their advice.

What is the future of Afghanistan?
War in Afghanistan