RAWALPINDI - In connection with International Day against Illicit Trafficking and Drug Abuse, drugs burning ceremony was held at Jeddah Town here on Thursday. Federal Minister for Narcotics Control Nazar Muhammad Gondal was the chief guest on the occasion. Director General (DG) Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) Major General Khalid Amir Jaffery welcomed the distinguished diplomats and the honourable guests. A large number of dignitaries, high-ranking officers of military and civil bureaucracy, media persons, social workers, representatives of NGOs, heads of various educational institutes and people from various sectors attended the ceremony. Drug abuse awareness material was distributed among the visitors and banners with anti drug slogans were also displayed to highlight the adverse effects of drugs on human health and mind. Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister Nazar Muhammad Gondal said that unfortunately Pakistan is being used by drugs traffickers as transit country and they are now using most difficult routes besides adopting unconventional methods of smuggling. "They are ruthless and are mostly difficult equipped with latest weapons and communication system," he added. He appreciated the efforts of ANF in fight against the menace of drugs. He further added that narcotics being burnt had been seized by ANF, which spoke volumes of their commitment to the noble cause to combat against drug traffickers. He said that this huge quantity of narcotics was intended for local consumption as well as smuggling abroad, which the ANF seized at the risk of their lives. "I am entirely satisfied with their working and congratulate them for good efforts and performance despite heavy odds," he maintained. In the end, he expressed thanks for giving him opportunity to witness the event which should be a clear message for the drug barrons that government would not allow them to use its territory for this heinous activity. "This is out commitment on which we stand firm no matter how much sacrifice we may have to give," he added. The ANF DG Maj Gen Kahild Amir Jaffery addressed the spectator and said that today Pakistan was facing multiple problems, which make the task of ANF more difficult. We were located in the neighborhood of Afghanistan who was fulfilling the requirements of drugs need at international level by producing almost 93 per cent of narcotic. Pakistan was used as transit as well as victim country. He further said that I am proud of fact that despite these challenging and tough environments, the ANF was a short span has been able to achieve major breakthroughs in combating the menace of drugs at national and international level. Force Commander Regional Directorate Brig Muhammad Asif Alvi shared his views that during the period from 2001 to 31 May 2008, Regional Directorate has seized 1,507.96 kgs of herion, 864.61 kg of opium, 2,8908.759 kg hashish, 4,557 bottles of wine, 793 ecstasy tablets and 4010.500 kg of poppy straw. "On the legal side, Regional Directorate has registered 1,770 drugs seizure cases. Some 1203 criminals have been convicted and 388 cases are yet under trial," he maintained. "Assets worth Rs 7.29 million have been realised. Pakistan is actively collaborating with the UNODC, regional and other countries like UK, USA, China, Germany, Australia and trying to effectively prevent smuggling of drugs into and through Pakistan," he added. He said that ANF has been playing a leading role in mass awareness and community action programs to educate people against drug abuse, ANF also eastablished a 45 bedded Model Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre (MATRC) for the detoxification of drug addicts, simultaneously running a Drop-in Centre for injecting drug users for the registration of addicts to motivate them for treatment.