Pakistan, China decide to jointly tackle drug trafficking

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have decided to adopt appropriate joint measures to effectively counter perceived emerging threat of illicit drug trafficking and additional resources to ANF for establishing and deploying dedicated check posts and drug interdiction teams.

The drug interdiction teams deployment would be ensured especially its transit and terminal points in Pakistan i.e. Sost (being established) and Gwadar would be supported in all aspects.

A Chinese delegation along with representatives from United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is currently visiting Pakistan and also visited Anti-Narcotics Force Headquarters and discussed issues of mutual concern, especially countering narcotics across Pak-China border.

The delegation from National Narcotics Control Committee (NNCC) of China alongwith representatives from UNODC included Mr. Deshing Xiong, Deputy Secretary General NNCC, Mr. Jermey Douglas, Representative UNODC Regional Office South East Asia & Pacific and Mr. Cesar Guedes, Representative UNODC Pakistan.

Director General ANF, Major General Musarrat Nawaz Malik briefed the delegation about ANF’s achievements in controlling drug menace.

He thanked

the delegates with a resolve to provide all possible services at regional, continental and global level to control illicit drug and precursor trafficking to make the region and the world a “Drug Free Society”.

Both sides further decided jointly that unanimous stance of Pakistan & China on issue of maritime cooperation as well as on other drug related issues would be re-affirming at all regional and international fora.

During the visit, issues of mutual concern in field of controlling drugs & precursor trafficking were brought under discussion.

Representatives of both the countries also agreed upon further augmentation of existing level of bilateral counter narcotics cooperation between the two countries by supporting each other’s anti drug initiatives and by establishing bilateral interaction mechanisms at appropriate levels.

Border Liaison Office (BLO) has been recently inaugurated at Pak-China border, Sost to help both the countries in real time information sharing and carrying out intelligence based joint operations to effectively counter the drugs related activities across the border.