Established in Lahore in 1942, the Government Opium Alkaloid Factory has resumed operations from today (Thursday) as per media reports.
The plant is now overseen by the Punjab Excise and Narcotics Control Department. Members of this high-level committee include Punjab Excise Additional Director-General Mian Ahmad Saeed with Excise Director Rizwan Akram Sherwani, Muhammad Asif and Deputy Director Hafiz Zia Mustafa.
The facility was shut down because of irregularities reported in the distribution of opium tablets to patients and lapses in enforcement.
It is expected that the revival of the unit will bring major benefits to the economy, potentially saving $400 to $500 million in foreign exchange.
Additionally, this reactivation may bring about the legal transmission of opium powder to licensed pharmaceutical companies and nationwide herbal centres so that they stop relying on less effective alternatives. Indigenous use may also include its provision to addicts under a registered doctor’s prescription.
Leave a Reply