The government has announced decisive measures under a zero-tolerance policy to completely eliminate narcotics and prevent poppy cultivation in the newly merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Farmers in District Khyber and District Mohmand will be provided free alternative seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural facilities. A comprehensive plan for alternative crops has been sought immediately from the district administration.

These decisions were taken in a meeting chaired by Peshawar Division Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud, which was attended by Secretary Excise and Taxation Khalid Ilyas, representatives of the Anti-Narcotics Force, the Agriculture Department, the police, and the district administrations of the tribal districts.

While briefing the meeting, Secretary Excise and Taxation Khalid Ilyas stated that a modern hybrid variety of poppy has been developed from which narcotics cannot be produced. Instead, it will be used solely for pharmaceutical purposes. After approval from the federal and provincial governments, these seeds will be provided to selected farmers.

To prevent poppy cultivation, special teams comprising the district administration, Anti-Narcotics Department, Excise Department, police, and Agriculture Department have been formed.

 The government will provide farmers with free alternative seeds according to their land and climatic conditions, from which profits up to three times higher than poppy cultivation are expected.

The Agriculture Department informed the meeting that there are vast opportunities for cultivating legally and economically more profitable alternative crops in all areas of District Khyber and District Mohmand where poppy was cultivated in the past.

It was also decided in the meeting that an awareness campaign will be launched among farmers through elected public representatives and members of the National and Provincial Assemblies to effectively encourage them toward alternative crops.

Addressing the meeting, Commissioner Peshawar Division Riaz Khan Mehsud said that the month of March is considered sensitive for poppy cultivation, therefore poppy must not be cultivated under any circumstances this year. 

He directed that alternative crop seeds be provided to farmers before March so that they can make timely and better decisions.

The Commissioner Peshawar Division made it clear that the zero-tolerance policy against poppy cultivation will be strictly enforced. However, the government’s top priority is to protect farmers from losses while providing them with legal and profitable alternative livelihoods.

 A follow-up review meeting has been convened for next week to assess the implementation of the decisions taken.