Drug control has been one major demand of the international community in order to wind down sanctions
An Afghan man works in a poppy field in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan. Picture: REUTERS
“As per the decree of the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, all Afghans are informed that from now on, cultivation of poppy has been strictly prohibited across the country,” according to an order from the Taliban's supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada. The Taliban banned poppy growing towards the end of their last rule in 2000 as they sought international legitimacy, but faced a popular backlash and later mostly changed their stance, according to experts.
The country’s dire economic situation has prompted residents of southeastern provinces to grow the illicit crop that could bring them faster and higher returns than legal crops such as wheat.
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