KABUL: The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Mullah Hebatullah Akhunzada in a decree, ordered a ban on poppy cultivation in the country that was welcomed publicly.
“All Afghans are informed that from now, poppy cultivation is strictly banned across the country,” said the decree issued by the IEA’s Supreme Leader Mullah Hebatullah Akhundzada adding that the violators will be punished legally.
“Their crops will be destroyed immediately and the violators will be treated according to the sharia law,” according to the decree.
Following the decree, the U.S. Charge d’ Affaires lan McCary in a series of tweets said Outlawing the production of narcotics in Afghanistan is a positive first step but enforcement will be key. Having a healthy and illicit agricultural sector will help Afghanistan’s economy and ultimately the Afghan people.
“The U.S. remains committed to supporting the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people. We strongly urge the Taliban leadership to abide by its commitments to respect the human rights of all of Afghan citizen”. Said McCry.
The Secretary-General of Iran’s Drug Control Headquarter Eskandar Momeni welcomed the announcement on banning the cultivation and use of narcotics by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Gen Sec Hussein Brahim Taha welcomed the Islamic Emirate’s ban on poppy cultivation and said the cultivation of alternative crops and rehabilitation programs for drug addicts should be part of the Intl community’s assistance to Afghanistan, OIC office in Kabul said.
The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hussein Brahim Taha has welcomed the decision announced by the IEA leadership in Kabul outlawing all poppy harvesting.
The order also bans the manufacturing, trade and transport of narcotics.
The Secretary-General indicated that the strict prohibition on poppy cultivation goes in line with the commitment by the current government in Afghanistan to deploy effective drug control measures.
Cultivation of alternative high-value crops as well as rehabilitation programs for Afghans suffering from drug addiction, the OIC Secretary-General emphasized, should be an essential part of the assistance and reconstruction drive of the international community. The Kabul Times
Ban on poppy in Afghanistan highly welcomed
