The United Nations Narcotics Drugs Commission (CND) has elected Pakistan for a four-year term from 2026 to 2029, as announced by Pakistan’s permanent mission to the UN. This election reflects the international community’s confidence in Pakistan’s commitment to narcotic control efforts, with the mission expressing gratitude for the support from member countries. However, a 2013 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reveals a starkly contrasting reality, indicating that Pakistan has about 7.6 million drug addicts, predominantly men, with an alarming annual increase of 40,000. This situation positions Pakistan among the world’s most drug-affected nations, with widespread heroin, cocaine, and hashish use.
Adding to the concerns, last year the Anti-Narcotics Force disclosed that Mazhar Iqbal, head of the Lahore Police’s Anti-Narcotics Wing, was implicated in trafficking heroin into India using drones. Despite a controversial history, including 45 suspensions since 1994, Iqbal was appointed to oversee drug enforcement, raising serious questions about Pakistan’s drug control efforts amid its ongoing drug crisis.
