Narcotics a global challenge, not just Afghanistan’s problem: Khalid

KABUL (Pajhwok): Deputy Minister of Counter-Narcotics at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) Mawlawi Mohammad Qasim Khalid stated that narcotics are not just Afghanistan’s problem but a global phenomenon.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Scott Smith, Director of Political Affairs at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and his accompanying delegation in Kabul on Tuesday, the MoI said in a statement.

Khalid highlighted that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has taken serious measures against narcotics and has not allowed anyone to cultivate, traffic, purchase, or sell illegal drugs.

He emphasized that addressing narcotics—including treatment of addicts, prevention, vocational training, providing alternative livelihoods for farmers and eradication—requires international cooperation, as the issue is a global challenge.

Scott Smith, for his part, appreciated the decree issued by the Supreme Leader of the IEA on drug eradication and praised the government’s efforts in combating narcotics.

Both sides underlined the importance of continued bilateral cooperation.

kk/sa