Regional Counterparts Discuss Ways To Effectively Combat Drug Trafficking

The tripartite meeting of senior officials from three nations on Tuesday discussed ways and means for effectively combating trafficking of Afghan opiates.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Dec, 2018 ) :The tripartite meeting of senior officials from three nations on Tuesday discussed ways and means for effectively combating trafficking of Afghan opiates.

Secretary Narcotics Control, Arif Nawaz Khan chaired the two-day interaction between counter-narcotics authorities of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan here.

The senior officials meeting would help three sides in finding solutions to their common challenges by adhering to a comprehensive and balanced approach including brainstorming sessions, to improve regional cooperation in this vital sector as per principle of common and shared responsibility.

Addressing the event, entitled `13th Triangular Initiative Senior Officials Meeting,' being hosted by Ministry of Narcotics Control, government of Pakistan, the Secretary under his chairmanship the regional counterparts will highlight respective progress under Triangular Initiative.

This also includes enhancement of regional response through information-sharing, planning and conducting drug-interdiction operations and establishment of Border Liaison Offices (BLOs).

In his opening remarks, Representative of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Pakistan, Cesar Guedes said, "We believe that strengthening of regional partnership against massive flow of illicit drugs in region, within framework of this strategic collaborative process, can serve as a conduit for saving lives and improving their quality.

" Director General, Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) Pakistan, Major General Muhammad Arif Malik was heading Pakistan's delegation in TI-SOM whereas the Afghanistan and Iran delegations were being led by their respective Director Generals.

The Representative UNODC Country Office Iran, and Head UNODC Regional Programme Afghanistan and neighboring Countries, were amongst prominent delegates.

Since its inception in 2007, the UNODC-facilitated Triangular Initiative forum has served as a cornerstone of regional approach to drug control.

It is supported by Paris Pact Initiative and its Rainbow Strategy for Afghanistan, which encompasses a range of programmes designed to reduce the poppy cultivation, trafficking, and consumption of drugs. UNODC provides technical support to the forum, and builds the capacity of regional counterparts in counter-narcotics.

The three countries have been combating this scourge over a long period and at great cost. Many law enforcement officials, as well as ordinary citizens, have sacrificed their lives in struggle against drug trafficking.