Convert illegal drugs to medicines: Pakistan minister's speech goes viral

The narcotics control minister took to social media to clarify his comments.

Pakistan's state minister Shehryar Afridi had created quite a stir when he recently said that opium and other drugs can be used to manufacture medicines. The Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) and Narcotics Control stressed that other developed countries followed the norm, The Express Tribune reported.
Afridi faced criticism after the video of him making the statement at a public gathering in Tirah Valley went viral. In spite of all the criticism, Afridi on Wednesday reiterated that narcotics can be used to manufacture medicines instead of being destroyed.
Responding to the criticism, Afridi also announced that a factory was being built on the directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan where seized drugs will be used to manufacture medicines.

This video is viral on social media with misleading comments by opponents. I was telling my constituents that Govt plans to develop factory in Tribal areas to develop organic medicines through seized drugs 1/2 pic.twitter.com/KCEaSy994A
- Shehryar Afridi (@ShehryarAfridi1) February 2, 2020

Moreover, hemp & CBD oil would also be produced so as the youth of tribal districts can get employment & help boost our exports.India,Aust,NZL & other nations r already earning billions evry year from such exports.Again proved fact that opponents hv nothing so projecting lies 2/2 pic.twitter.com/3gKM3sm7TA
- Shehryar Afridi (@ShehryarAfridi1) February 2, 2020

"Countries have achieved a lot by doing this but unfortunately we are still following traditional methods," Afridi said. He added that India had earned $22 billion last year by exporting medicines manufactured using illicit drugs.

False propaganda alert: @ShehryarAfridi1 says they will use seized drugs to prepare organic medicine, like it is done in many countries. But opponents say that govt is planning to make drug factories. Don't believe everything on social media!!
????? ?? ??? ?? ????#PropagandaWars https://t.co/TnAbVFRbJn
- Ovais Mangalwala (@ovaismangalwala) February 2, 2020

He stressed that herbal, homeopathic and allopathic medicines were being produced using narcotics. "Illicit drugs can be used in a positive way for the benefit of the country," Afridi said, adding the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan is to adopt proactive approach and "utilise every resource positively".

• Pakistan