Pakistani Minister of Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani on Thursday urged the world community to assist the Afghan government in eliminating cultivation of poppy.

Speaking in a state-run television PTV program, he said that there were reports about massive poppy cultivation in Afghanistan which would have an adverse impact not only in Pakistan but on the entire world.

He said that Pakistan had succeeded in eliminating poppy cultivation from its territory including the tribal areas.

There was a porous border between Pakistan and Afghanistan so a foolproof check on trafficking of drugs was not possible, the minister said.

He said that Pakistan had discussed the issue with the Afghan government on many occasions in the past.

Durrani said almost all extremist activities that took place in Pakistan had links in Afghanistan which was a matter of concern for both sides.

He regretted that statements were coming from the Afghan side despite the fact that Pakistan had always cooperated with Afghanistan for restoring peace and stability.

The peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan have deep rooted historic relations, he said.

Source: Xinhua