Poppy eradication drive launched in Nangarhar

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): A poppy eradication campaign has been launched in all districts of eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Monday.

Police spokesman Abdul Basir Zabuli told Pajhwok Afghan News the poppy eradication campaign was started from Sararud  district and would be extended to all districts of the province.

He said the illicit crop was being eradicated based on the order of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) supreme leader Sheikh Haibatullah Akhunzada.

On the other hand, Maulvi Abdul Hakim, counter-narcotics police chief, said during the campaign, poppy crops would be destroyed in 22 districts and nine police districts of Jalalabad city.

He said farmers should cultivate legitimate crops on their lands to enjoy their legal benefits.

He added that very little land had been planted with poppy in Nangarhar and it would be brought to zero in the future.

Meanwhile, farmers said they were happy with the launch of the campaign and asked the government to assist them in finding alternative to poppy.

kk/ma