Taliban ban opium cultivation around the nation

Kabul, Apr 5: The Taliban have announced a ban on cultivation of opium, on Apr 3. Taliban supreme leader Hebatullah Akhudzada made the announcement, where he also clarified that along with opium cultivation, drug trafficking too will be banned in the country.

Hebatullah announced a strict ban on opium cultivation as well as use and trafficking of all types of illicit drugs. Hebatullah's order, read by Zabihullah Mujahid, said, "There is a strict ban on the use and trafficking of all types of illicit drugs such as alcoholic beverages, heroin, Tablet K, Hashish and others. Other than consumption, the order also puts a ban on production of such illicit drugs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The order further reads, "If anyone violates the decree and cultivates opium, their crop will be destroyed and the violator will be punished based on the Sharia law. The enforcement of the order is mandatory. Violators will be prosecuted and punished by the judiciary." The announcement is made on an extremely odd time, when Afghan farmers have already cultivated their crop in some regions, whereas in some the cultivation is due the coming season.

 

 

While Taliban make the announcement, reports suggest that opium cultivation and drug trafficking provide big source of income for the Taliban, mainly in the southern and northern region. Most of its drug smuggling goes through Iran, where the Taliban earn a good deal of income.