Muhammad Haseenullah
Pakistan stands at the frontline of an undeclared war that fuses narcotics, crime, and terrorism. The Khyber district, with its border connectivity and remote valleys such as Tirah, has become the primary corridor for the movement of illicit drugs and armed elements originating from across the frontier. The consequences extend far beyond law enforcement: they threaten Pakistan’s youth, social stability, and economic foundations.
An entrenched network of narco-politico-terror actors uses narcotics production and trafficking to fund terrorism and maintain parallel power structures. These networks exploit weak governance zones and manipulate local populations with financial incentives, creating a cycle of addiction, poverty, and militancy.
Why it Matters:
Pakistan’s national security is undermined by the financial strength of these networks.
The illicit drug economy erodes social values and fuels extremism.
It drains national resources by diverting security efforts from development to enforcement.
National Priorities for Breaking the Cycle:
Disrupt the Financial Flow: Launch integrated investigations into cash movements, hawala channels, and local collection systems.
Strengthen Border Resilience: Intensify surveillance in the Tirah–Bara corridor while protecting legitimate trade.
Reclaim Local Economies: Introduce targeted alternative-livelihood programs and small-scale industries to replace drug-based incomes.
Community Partnerships: Empower tribal elders and civil networks to resist the narco influence.
Synchronised Enforcement: Coordinate operations across agencies to dismantle both cultivation and protection rackets.
Breaking the narco-terror chain is not merely a law-and-order task; it is a test of Pakistan’s national will. Every action that dries up a drug field or shuts a trafficking route is an act of national defence. The time has come to protect our soil, our youth, and our future.
