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Drug trafficking from Afghanistan to Pakistan is a dilemma which has its roots in regional geo politics and cold war rivalries. It is not only the biggest threat with severe implications for social sector and good governance in both the countries but also to regional security. Pak-Afghan drug trafficking has emerged as a lucrative business and a biggest challenge to keep Pak-Afghan relations on solid footings. Both countries are closely linked in drug trade. Afghanistan produces largest and fine quality of opium while Pakistan is an important consumer, transshipment point and important regional actor involved in drug trade. Blaming Afghanistan for drug smuggling to Pakistan deteriorates their relations which are already strained because of cross border infiltration of militants. The current article highlights the issue of drug trafficking from Afghanistan to Pakistan.
It endeavors to find ways and means to address the issue effectively so as to reduce the pitfalls of drug trade on their bilateral relations. Moreover, it recommends a regional approach treating Pakistan and Afghanistan as a single entity to dismantle poppy cultivation in Afghanistan and its infiltration to Pakistan.
Introduction: Drug trafficking is the biggest challenge with the detrimental effects on Pak-Afghan relations. It has played an important role in fuelling insurgency, destabilization, terrorism and exacerbating the current Pak-Afghan conflict. Pakistan sees Afghanistan a narco state where the world 90 % opium is grown. Its geostrategic location, geographical proximity and porous border play an important role in narco-trafficking from Afghanistan. Pakistan blames Afghan government for not taking a hard-line on poppy cultivation and giving it a secondary importance in counter insurgency strategies in post Taliban setup.
Both Taliban and Hamid Karzai government inherited the drug economy which was fuelled by cold war rivalries and civil war. However, the Taliban government banned it successfully in 2001for a brief period, until their government was toppled by US military intervention. One of the biggest challenges faced by Afghanistan after the ouster of Taliban is the horrendous increase in poppy cultivation and its trafficking. Poppy is converted into heroin in laboratories at different places in Afghanistan. Local administrators and senior military officers take a share of the profit as it is transported through their provinces to the international markets. Drug trade has negatively impacted economy, social...