In a decisive move against narcotics cultivation and trafficking, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), in close coordination with provincial and local authorities, has launched a province-wide campaign in Balochistan to eradicate opium poppy fields and dismantle drug dens. The drive, initiated under the direct instructions of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the Government of Balochistan, seeks to make the province free from narcotics and to permanently eliminate the menace that fuels crime and terrorism.
According to officials, large-scale operations have already destroyed poppy fields in multiple districts and dismantled networks involved in the production and supply of drugs. Law-enforcement teams also seized material used in narcotics processing and distribution during raids across affected areas.
“This campaign goes beyond enforcement; it is a comprehensive national mission,” a senior official said. “Our objective is not only to uproot narcotics but also to provide communities with sustainable alternatives, ensuring that no farmer or family is forced back into this destructive cycle.”
The strategy rests on two pillars: strong enforcement to dismantle organised drug cartels and long-term rehabilitation to provide alternative livelihoods. Farmers previously dependent on poppy cultivation will be offered vocational training, microfinance facilities, seed support for legal crops, and market access to ensure a viable shift away from narcotics-based income.
Officials stressed that the nexus between narcotics, crime and terrorism remains a grave threat to national security, and breaking this link is central to ensuring stability. “The fight against drugs is not the responsibility of one department alone it is a collective duty,” the statement added, urging civil society, community elders and religious leaders to join the effort.
Relief and development teams are also being mobilised alongside security operations to support affected families and reinforce the transition toward lawful, long-term economic stability.
The ANF and partner agencies vowed that operations will continue until opium poppy cultivation is wiped out and drug trafficking networks are permanently dismantled. Authorities reiterated that the mission is as much about security as it is about protecting the social fabric of Balochistan.
