SECURITY — May 9, 2026
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Reports Near-Zero Drug Cultivation Following Anti-Narcotics Decree
State authorities report that a decree issued four years ago by the Supreme Leader has reduced Afghanistan’s drug cultivation and trade to near zero. Officials are urging the United Nations and other nations to adopt the Islamic Emirate’s zero-tolerance anti-narcotics strategy.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Bakhtar News — 2 min read

State authorities report that a comprehensive anti-narcotics campaign has reduced the cultivation, production, and trade of illicit drugs in Afghanistan to near zero. The initiative follows a decree issued approximately four years ago by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate, which mandated a strict, nationwide ban on all narcotics-related activities.
Government officials state that security and law enforcement agencies have systematically eradicated poppy fields, dismantled clandestine production facilities, and arrested individuals involved in drug trafficking in accordance with state regulations. The administration maintains that consistent enforcement, combined with a unified command structure, has been central to the campaign’s reported success and the stabilization of rural agricultural sectors.
The campaign has been characterized by coordinated operations across multiple provinces, with authorities citing the elimination of cross-border smuggling routes as a key objective. State representatives argue that the centralized approach offers a replicable model for international counter-narcotics efforts.
Representatives of the Islamic Emirate note that international organizations and multiple foreign governments have recognized the scale of the eradication efforts. Officials have urged other countries affected by illicit drug markets, along with the United Nations, to consider implementing similar zero-tolerance frameworks to address global narcotics production and distribution networks, emphasizing the need for sustained international cooperation.
Read the original reporting at Bakhtar News →
Reliability assessment
Single official source (Bakhtar News) reports on the Islamic Emirate’s anti-narcotics decree and enforcement campaign. The core event (issuance of the ban and subsequent eradication efforts) is directly attributable to state authorities with specific references to the Supreme Leader, timeline (~4 years ago), and enforcement actions. Claims regarding 'near zero' cultivation and international acknowledgment are self-reported by the state outlet and lack independent corroboration in this dataset, but the policy announcement and enforcement narrative are verifiable as official statements.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Bakhtar News: The text uses heavily loaded advocacy language such as 'devastating and country-disgracing substances' to frame the issue, and 'shakes the world' to hyperbolize the global impact of narcotics. It also employs honorifics like 'highly respected Amir al-Mu'minin, may Allah protect him' and presents the administration's policy as an unquestionable model for global adoption, blending reporting with state-promotional framing.
Independent web corroboration
An independent web search turned up no separate corroborating reports. Treat the account as single-sourced until more outlets pick it up.
Across the newsrooms
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Bakhtar News
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Security — Islamic Emirate, Bakhtar News, Anti-Narcotics Policy, Poppy Cultivation, Drug Enforcement
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