Pakistan ready to curb illicit drug trafficking in cooperation with SCO, UN.

ISLAMABAD -- Minister for Narcotics Control Shehryar Khan Afridi Monday said that Pakistan was ready to work with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) to curb the illicit drug trafficking through Dark Net.

He was addressing at the joint event of United Nations and SCO in fight against illicit drug traffic titled, 'Countering Drug Trafficking via Darknet' at Vienna, Austria, said a press release received here.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that Pakistan sincerely appreciated and acknowledges the effective role of SCO for promoting peace, stability and economic uplift in our region.

'Especially, in the wake of increasing challenges and threats posed by illicit drugs, SCO has taken concrete measures to strengthen regional cooperation to counter this menace. Pakistan is effectively contributing in all counter narcotics endeavors of SCO since becoming full member in 2017,' the minister said.

Reaffirming Pakistan's commitment and support to 'Anti-Drug Strategy of the SCO Member States 2018-2023', Afridi told the SCO forum that Pakistan's Action Plan was robustly being implemented as a national priority.

'The concepts of establishment of SCO Universal Center and SCO Anti-Drug Center are also significant initiatives and will facilitate in strengthening regional cooperation. Additionally, phase one of the anti-drug operation 'Spider-Web' was successfully conducted in July 2019 and its second phase is scheduled in the end of this month. I am hopeful that this second phase of the operation will also achieve its optimum,' he added.

Afridi said that today Pakistan was ranked amongst countries that were making effective contributions in the global fight against illicit drugs.

He said 'Pakistan's counter narcotics initiatives are not only yielding desired results at the domestic front but are also duly acknowledged and appreciated by all relevant international organizations and partner countries. Hands in hands with our regional international partners, Pakistan is determined to continue these endeavours with the same resilience to protect our own society as well as shield the international community from the devastating effects of illicit drugs'.

Taking...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT