The Afghanistan Essays | Understanding Afghanistan’s Poppy Economy

Date: January 5, 2018

This 2018 short-essay series by the Jinnah Institute (JI) reflects a range of Pakistani thought leadership on Afghanistan and it’s complex history with Islamabad. With the region in the current crosshairs of a seemingly intractable conflict, these essays attempt to spur old and new thinking on the history of Pakistan’s relationship with Afghanistan and existing challenges. The essays cover a range of subject matter on Afghanistan-Pakistan including efforts for peace and reconciliation, threats to security, the broader geopolitical dynamic, and the role of civil society and economy.

This essay titled ‘Understanding Afghanistan’s Poppy Economy’ examines the central role of opium production and trafficking in fuelling warlordism and terrorism in Afghanistan.

The essays by no means attempt to be a comprehensive commentary on the subject, nor do they claim to offer definitive conclusions. All views are attributable to the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute.