Bayan News – Abdul Matin Qani, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior in the Taliban’s interim government, has rejected the UN report on the increase in opium production in Afghanistan, asserting that the current regime has made significant efforts to eradicate drugs.
In a statement issued on Wednesday evening (November 27), the spokesperson emphasized that the interim government has done everything within its capacity to combat drug production and trafficking.
Mr. Qani explicitly stated that drugs are a destructive phenomenon and are forbidden in Islam. He added that the Taliban leadership has prioritized the fight against this issue, with the prohibition of drug cultivation and production in Afghanistan being a core and foundational component of their actions.
In the statement, he wrote: “The Ministry of Interior rejects the claim by the mentioned organization that there has been an increase in drug cultivation and production, calling it far from reality.”
According to the spokesperson, assessments by the Ministry of Interior regarding the state of drug cultivation and production in Afghanistan over the past year indicate a significant decrease compared to previous years.
Abdul Matin Qani further clarified that police forces have acted uniformly in the fight against drugs, particularly in destroying poppy fields across all provinces of Afghanistan, ensuring no area is left out of their surveillance.
However, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported yesterday that opium production in Afghanistan has increased by 30% in 2024.
UN: Opium Production in Afghanistan Increased by 30% This Year
