Nexus between terrorists, drug-pushers to be broken: COAS

RAWALPINDI: The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif, said on Monday that the nexus between drug- pushers and terrorists would be eliminated at all costs as drug peddlers and those involved in drugs production were as much pernicious to the national security as the terrorists.
“Drug money is being used for abetting terrorism and, therefore, it is important that drug dealers are dealt with an iron hand,” the COAS emphasised. The COAS was addressing on the occasion of his visit to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) headquarters, Rawalpindi, a spokesman for the ANF headquarters said.
“We will break the nexus among drug dealers, financiers and perpetrators of terrorism. We will not allow these drug barons to negatively influence and spoil our future generations,” General Raheel reiterated.
Major General Khawar Hanif, DG ANF, gave a detailed briefing to the COAS on various aspects related to the ANF operations to counter drug smuggling.
During the briefing, the DG ANF apprised the COAS of international and regional drug situation and its negative effects on the society including the ANF’s strategy and efforts to ensure a ‘Drug Free Society’, challenges faced and the Five Years Force Development Plan.
General Raheel Sharif appreciated the ANF’s endeavours on record seizures in 2014 and 2015 which helped curb the menace domestically and internationally. He also lauded the achievements of the force for maintaining Poppy Free Status for Pakistan. The army chief averred that the nation expected more to eliminate the drug dealing mafia from the country and the ANF was capable of delivering according to the expectations of the people of Pakistan.