TRIBAL LEADERS DESTROY POPPY FARMS IN NWFP

PESHAWAR - In the wake of government's crackdown on drugs, tribesmen
from various parts of Bara Tehsil Khyber Agency in North West Frontier
Province (NWFP) have destroyed poppy plants over an area of 500 acres.

Briefing newsmen about the development, Political Tehsildar Bakhtiar
Khan said that in accordance with the decisions of the Political Agent
Arbab Mohammad Arif, the tribe held a meeting of elders from Aka Khel
and Sultankhel clan of the Afridi tribe.

After a prolonged discussion, the tribesmen decided to voluntarily
destroy poppy crops on their lands.

Mr Bakhtiar Khan informed that tribal elders were reminded about
Pakistan's commitment to the international community regarding
eradication of poppy cultivation from the country.

The tribal elders were also briefed about the adverse effects of drugs
on society and families.

The Political Agent of Khyber Agency Arbab Mohammad Arif Khan said a
plan had been chalked out for ensuring the execution of government
development projects and the availability of essential amenities like
health, education, drinking water etx. to the tribes.

He said that the availability of such facilities helps tribesmen in
choosing the cultivation of crops other than poppy.

During the Jirga meeting, the tribal elders pointed at the lack of
proper economic and communication facilities in their area. They
demanded the immediate construction of roads, schools, hospitals and
other facilities in the region. Later, the political agent himself
supervised the voluntarily destruction of poppy crop in Bara Tehsil of
Khyber Agency.