Poppy ban helps strengthen Afghanistan’s international reputation: official

Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Finance and Administration, Mohammad Naeem, says the Islamic Emirate’s ban on poppy cultivation not only promotes public health and security but also strengthens Afghanistan’s international standing.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Naeem made the remarks during a meeting organized by the ministry’s Directorate of Dawat and Guidance to explain the Islamic Emirate’s decree banning poppy cultivation.

The ministry said the meeting was attended by ministry officials, employees and religious scholars, who discussed the objectives, legal and social aspects of the decree, international support for the ban, the Islamic Emirate’s counter-narcotics policy, and its impact on preventing the cultivation, production, trafficking and use of narcotics.

Naeem described combating narcotics as a shared social responsibility, urging citizens to help raise public awareness and protect communities, particularly young people, from drug abuse.

He said the full implementation of the decree is important not only for improving public health, security and prosperity, but also for advancing Afghanistan’s development, strengthening the rule of law and enhancing the country’s international standing.

The meeting concluded with a call for greater public awareness and continued cooperation to ensure the effective implementation of the decree banning poppy cultivation.