Update to Response to Information Request PAK22251.E of 9 November 1995 on the Anti-Narcotics Association of Pakistan (ANAP), its activities and how it is viewed by the authorities [PAK22931.E]

Information on the Anti-Narcotics Association of Pakistan (ANAP) could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

However, the following information on the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), formerly the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), may be of interest.

The attached letter, which was sent to the DIRB by the director of the regional office of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNIDCP) in Islamabad on 28 March 1996, provides general information on, and an organizational chart of, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, which was renamed Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF).

According to The News, as the ANF, Pakistan's foremost anti-drug agency, has "tightened its net around active drug traffickers," many have fled the country for Dubayy, where they continue to operate (3 Jan. 1996). The February 1996 attachment from the Herald provides general information on the crime situation in Lahore, Punjab province, and briefly discusses the work of the ANF there.

The 3 March 1996 attachment from Dawn raises some of the criticisms made by the United States regarding Pakistan's anti-narcotics efforts. The News attachment of 4 March 1996 reports the government's defence of its anti-narcotics efforts in response to these criticisms.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


Dawn [Karachi, in English]. 3 March 1996. "Pakistan: Editorial Views Clinton's 'Reprieve' on Narcotics Issue." (FBIS-NES-96-044 5 Mar. 1996, p. 98)

The News [Islamabad, in English]. 4 March 1996. Mariana Baabar. "Pakistan: Government Defends Antinarcotics Efforts." (FBIS-NES-96-043 4 Mar. 1996, p. 99)

_____. 3 January 1996. Kamran Hoti. "Dubayy Seen as 'Safe Haven' for Drug Barons." (FBIS-NES-96-003 4 Jan. 1996, pp. 69-71)

Attachments

Dawn [Karachi, in English]. 3 March 1996. "Pakistan: Editorial Views Clinton's 'Reprieve' on Narcotics Issue." (FBIS-NES-96-044 5 Mar. 1996, p. 98)

Herald [Karachi]. February 1996. Vol. 27, no. 2. Aamer Ahmed Khan. "The Crime Game," pp. 83-88.

The News [Islamabad, in English]. 4 March 1996. Mariana Baarbar. "Pakistan: Government Defends Antinarcotics Efforts." (FBIS-NES-96-043 4 Mar. 1996, p. 99)

_____. 3 January 1996. Kamran Hoti. "Dubayy Seen as 'Safe Haven' for Drug Barons." (FBIS-NES-96-003 4 Jan. 1996, pp. 69-71)

United Nations International Drug Control Programme, Regional Office for Southwest Asia, Islamabad. 28 March 1996. Letter and organizational chart of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) sent to the DIRB.

Additional Sources Consulted

Asian Survey [Berkeley, Calif.]. Monthly. November 1995 to February 1996.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. 1996.

Current History [Philadelphia]. Monthly. November 1995 to April 1996.

DIRB. Indexed Media Review [Ottawa]. Weekly. November 1995 to present.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Report. January to 19 April 1996.

The Herald [Karachi]. December 1995 to February 1996, April 1996.

Human Rights Watch World Report 1996. 1995.

International Service Group (ISG), Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Hull. Infrequent reports. 1994 to present.
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