Drug User Has No Future, Says FBR Chief

ISLAMABAD (APP) - Chairman Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) Suhail
Ahmed said that the drug ramifications range from increase in crime,
injustice, inflation in certain cases, and financing of terrorism.

He stated this while addressing the drug destruction ceremony
organized by Customs formations Rawalpindi on the eve of international
Day against Drug Abuse and illicit Trafficking here. Chairman FBR said
customs officials are prepared to thwart any attempt of Narcotics smuggling.

The Chairman said that the Directorate General FBR has chalked out a
holistic multi-pronged strategy to combat the menace of drugs completely.

This strategy on the one hand aimed to curtail movement and use of
drugs through intelligence operations and on the other hand to raise
the awareness among public against the ill effects of drug usage.
Director General Custom Intelligence and Investigation, Sikandar Ahmed
Rai, addressing the ceremony said that to commemorate the
International Day against Drug Abuse and Trafficking, the destruction
of drugs today has a symbolic value and is reflective of our
commitment to eradicate this menace from our society.

He said that the geo-political environment of our country has put
serious constraints.

He also urged to spearhead a strategy to combat this social economic
problemy.

Sikandar added that this strategy may include training, enhancement of
our existing capacity and capability to take on this challenge.

The Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation has devised
a concept paper laying down the requirements of the organization in
terms of manpower and logistics which would enable the organization to
effectively contribute to the efforts of combating drug abuse and
trafficking. In an impressive ceremony more than 4500 Kilograms of
Narcotics including Heroine, Opium, Charas and more than 1000 bottles
of liquor were destroyed.

These Narcotics were seized by Rawalpindi Customs at Benazir Bhutto
International Air Port, Anti Smuggling operations in Rawalpindi
Division and Islamabad, International Mail Offices in Rawalpindi and
Islamabad and along Pakistan China Border in Northern Areas.

The ceremony was attended by member customs Munir Qureshi, Secretary
Information and Broadcasting Ashfaq Gondal, FBR officials, Islamabad
Police, Rawalpindi Police, Anti Narcotics Force, Local-Government
Representative and United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and other
Consulates were represented through Drug Liaison Officers and their
representatives.

Certificates were awarded to the officers and staff for meritorious
services for apprehending narcotics.