France 24 Report: Pakistan Emerging as a Major Drug Consumption and Export Hub

France 24 has reported that Pakistan, which previously mainly served as a transit route for narcotics, is now moving towards becoming a major center for drug consumption and export. According to the report, recent regional changes have led to an increase in drug-related activities within Pakistan.

The report states that the Taliban’s crackdown on drug cultivation and trafficking in Afghanistan is considered one of the factors that has heated up the drug market across the borders, especially in Pakistan. Sources indicate this situation has caused part of the drug-related activities to shift into Pakistani territory.

According to the report, the province of Balochistan and some other areas in Pakistan have witnessed a booming opium trade and a rise in domestic drug consumption. It is said that millions of Pakistanis are affected by the consequences of this phenomenon.

Sources added that currently millions in Pakistan are struggling with addiction, and the expansion of this trend could have serious economic and health repercussions for Pakistani society.

This report comes as Pakistani nationals have previously been arrested on drug trafficking charges in neighboring countries as well as in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.