A major network of poppy cultivation in Dera Ismail Khan and nearby border areas of Balochistan has come to light, sparking serious alarm over its link to terrorism and drug trafficking. According to The News, this discovery has raised deep concerns about how narcotics are being used to fund militancy in Pakistan.
Reliable sources confirmed that poppy is being grown in the Pastwari and Kochmina regions. The fields are spread across 4 to 5 different locations, covering around 25 acres. Reports suggest the harvest has produced roughly 500 kilograms of opium. This stash is estimated to be worth Rs1.6 billion in the black market.
Despite this alarming development, officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa deny receiving any reports. The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has also not officially confirmed any poppy cultivation in Dera Ismail Khan. “We haven’t received any intel from any agency so far,” said a KP government official. He added that the relevant department has been directed to launch an inquiry. According to him, the cultivation might be on the Balochistan side of the border.
Sources further revealed that at least 40 armed militants have set up safe havens in the area. Among them are two wanted terrorists—Tariq Kalachi and Habib Ur Rahman. These militants are reportedly joined by others arriving in recent weeks. Locals also disclosed that Afghan workers are actively involved in tending the poppy fields. They are allegedly being paid by the terrorist outfit known as the Faizullah Ikhwani Group.
One of the most disturbing aspects is that the opium is being sold online. Proceeds from this illegal trade are reportedly being used to finance terrorism inside Pakistan. This growing poppy cultivation in Dera Ismail Khan is now being seen as a major threat to national security.
Previously, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported a sharp drop in opium production in Afghanistan until 2023. But recent signs point to a revival. Traffickers and militants are now shifting their focus to Pakistan’s border regions, using them as alternative drug production zones.
Security officials stressed the need for immediate action. A unified and aggressive response is necessary to tackle this emerging threat. A full-scale counter-narcotics strategy is required to target the illegal operations and cut off the financial pipeline that supports terrorism.
The ANF must work alongside the civil administration and police to carry out joint missions. These operations must aim to clean up the affected areas and break the backbone of these drug-financed terror networks.
Officials warned that if swift and firm measures are not taken, this drug-terrorism link could become harder to dismantle. The poppy cultivation in Dera Ismail Khan must be eliminated to protect Pakistan’s security and ensure regional peace.
