Terrorism is commonly viewed as Pakistan’s most significant threat; however, drugs pose a far greater threat, despite receiving considerably less attention. The daily death toll from drug addiction in Pakistan is 700, significantly higher than the daily death toll from terrorism, which is 39. Nonetheless, terrorism cannot be discounted in this dreadful tale.
At least 75% of the world’s heroin is produced in Afghanistan, where most narcotics originate. This booming industry makes the AfPak region extremely susceptible to illegal smuggling and crime, and it provides easy access to dangerous substances, contributing to Pakistan’s staggering death toll.
Drug abuse and criminal activity on a global scale pose significant hazards to public health, safety, and security. Drug abuse and criminality have repercussions at all levels of society, affecting individuals, families, and communities. Here are a few most highlighted crimes in Pakistan:
- Trafficking in persons
Human trafficking is a heinous offense and a grave violation of human rights. Unfortunately, no nation is immune to human trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit, or destination for victims. Human trafficking can include but is not limited to, sexual exploitation, coerced labor, domestic servitude, organ harvesting, and child marriage. Human trafficking is a significant problem in Pakistan, predominantly taking the form of forced labor, sexual exploitation, and forced begging; however, organ trafficking has also been documented. In the agricultural, construction, fishing, and textile industries, forced labor is common. In addition, Pakistanis have been subjected to coerced labor in the Middle East and Europe, even though the majority of cases of human trafficking occur domestically.
- Drugs Smuggling
In Pakistan, cannabis and opium trafficking thrive. Cannabis consumption is prevalent, particularly in Karachi, which is believed to have the second-highest consumption rate in the world. In some regions of Pakistan, cannabis is also employed for medicinal purposes and fed as a favor to animals. As a result, Pakistan has one of the world’s most excellent cannabis seizure rates. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the primary producer of cannabis, supplying both domestic and international markets in South Western Asia and the Middle East. The synthetic drug traffic in Pakistan is also expanding, with youth methamphetamine consumption growing in popularity. From neighboring countries and, to a lesser extent, South-eastern Asia, methamphetamine is trafficked into Pakistan.
- The economic and financial environment
Corruption undermines democracy and the rule of law, leads to human rights violations, distorts markets, diminishes the quality of life, and permits the proliferation of organized crime, terrorism, and other threats to human security. Pakistan possesses one of the world’s highest money laundering and terrorism financing hazards. Although the Pakistani government has made some progress in recent years, primarily due to international pressure, the rate of improvement has been slow, and the country continues to be monitored for money laundering and terrorist financing risks. This has had a negative effect on economic development, making doing business in the country challenging and discouraging foreign investors. The government has adopted more conservative fiscal policies, resulting in a gradual but constant economic growth rate.
- Terrorism
Terrorism has a real and direct effect on human rights, with disastrous consequences for the enjoyment of the victims’ rights to life, liberty, and physical integrity. Typically, the aftereffects of terrorism are reported without understanding the psychological and social causes underlying the terrorist act. Pakistan has been the epicenter of both terrorism and the struggle against it since 9/11.
A comprehensive strategy involving prevention, treatment, law enforcement, and international cooperation is required to address the abovementioned problems. The most efficient approach to lowering the adverse effects of substance abuse and criminal activity on society is to take preventative measures. Awareness-raising campaigns, drug education programs, and community-based interventions are all examples of techniques used for drug abuse prevention. Drug control and crime prevention are only possible with law enforcement. In order to help law enforcement authorities become better equipped to identify, look into, and prosecute drug-related offenses, the UNODC offers technical assistance and training. Law enforcement officers are on the front lines of the fight against organized crime in every nation. It uses cutting-edge specialized training, including computer-based training, and offers aid in enhancing information interchange between law enforcement, customs, and border control authorities in other nations.
In conclusion, drug abuse and criminality severely threaten the general public’s security, safety, and health. A comprehensive strategy that includes law enforcement, therapy, prevention, and international cooperation is needed to address these concerns. The UNODC is essential in fostering global collaboration to combat drug misuse and crime and create a safer world. Nations must cooperate to address these problems and ensure everyone has a safer and healthier future.
