Opium cultivation has moved increasingly into Pakistan and Iran since the Taliban banned narcotics in Afghanistan in 2022, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.
Satellite imagery and interviews with farmers point to a sharp rise in poppy growing in Pakistan's Balochistan province and Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan. Analyst David Mansfield, who wrote a report for the British satellite firm Alcis, said more than 9,000 hectares had been identified in Balochistan alone, mainly in Loralai and Killa Abdullah districts. He described the border region as a global centre for opium production.
Pakistan denies significant cultivation and says crops found are destroyed. The UN drugs agency said data was scarce but pointed to some spillover from Afghanistan.
Farmers told RFE/RL that drought, floods and insecurity had made fruit growing unviable. Experts warn of more cultivation in 2027, which could increase heroin supply and fund armed groups.
Source: RFE/RL
