By : Muhammad Wasay Qasim
Menace of drugs is becoming a grave concern for all nations. Likewise, Pakistan’s unsteady economy is equally hurt by this issue of drug trafficking but often not taken into consideration. The United Nations Office on Drugs & Crimes (UNODC) says that the value of all kinds of drugs, brought through Pakistan could be as much as $1 billion a year. This black market not only makes corruption worse, but it also damages government systems and legalized businesses. Beyond trans-national security or economic concerns, drug trafficking has severe affects. As of UNODC’s National Drug Use Survey of Pakistan 2022-24, there are an estimated 6.7 million drug users in Pakistan, and the problem is getting worse day by day. This public health disaster is exacerbated by the widespread availability of narcotics, which is a result of trafficking.
Not understanding, the supply chain of drugs via maritime routes is an urgent problem for both national and international law enforcement agencies. Pakistan’s strategic location, with a coastline spanning over 1,000 kilometers along the Arabian Sea, makes it an ideal transit point for narcotics travelling from Afghanistan to markets in Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere. Maritime drug trafficking in Pakistan is also linked to other organized crimes, such as human trafficking and arms smuggling. Drug trafficking remunerations are frequently used to fund other illegal activities and often support militant groups or non-state actors.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province that borders Iran and Afghanistan, is a prime center for drug trafficking. Due to its remote location and rugged terrain, the Makran Coast, which is about 750 kilometers long, is notorious for being used by smugglers. There are many small towns and isolated beaches, and people of these areas due to poor economic development, unfortunately are the easiest victims of this peril.
According to UNODC in year 2023, Pakistan recovered about 77.4 metric tons of opium, 23.8 metric tons of heroin, and 239.5 metric tons of cannabis. However, despite the efforts to curtail this number, main drugs that are brought into Pakistan through via sea routes are heroin, hashish and methamphetamine. Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) is indispensable in combating maritime drug trafficking. In various operations along the coastline in 2021, the PCG claimed to have seized more than 5 tons of narcotics. Comprehensive monitoring and interdiction efforts are strenuous as the resources are less and task is huge. Along with PCG, Pakistan Navy and Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) are also carrying out campaigns and operations for seizure of drugs.
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed on June 26 every year to strengthen action and collaboration in achieving a drug-free world. For this transnational problem to be effectively addressed, international cooperation is not just beneficial, but essential. Pakistan actively participates in a number of global and regional programs to combat drug trafficking, recognizing the crucial role of alliances in this fight. The Triangular Initiative, The Paris Pact Initiative, The Container Control Program (UNODC -World Customs Organization program) are few to quote. Pakistan has been developing its technological capabilities to combat maritime drug trafficking more effectively. Some examples are the deployment of coastal radar systems, greater use of aerial surveillance, and the purchase of cutting-edge patrol boats. The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) added two new offshore patrol boats in year 2022 to improve its ability to implement maritime law. Strategies to tackle the issue of maritime drug trafficking must evolve on modern lines. Awareness campaigns among coastal communities, capacity building workshops, training of youth and addressing mental health issues while keeping in view socio-economic challenges to the country can bring the statistics on low level.
Wasay Qasim, research intern at the Institute of Regional Studies with interest in, International Politics, Peace & Conflict Studies can be reached at qasimwasia@gmail.com
