Capacity building: ANF gets 200 kits for drug identification

Equipment part of project aimed at strengthening border security against drug trafficking, organised crime

ISLAMABAD: Anti-Narcotic Force (ANF) on Thursday received 200 drugs and precursors identification kits to increase its capacity for controlling drug trafficking.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Country Representative Cesar Guedes and Embassy of Japan Deputy Head of Mission Yusuke Shindo handed over the kits to Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) at the force’s headquarters in Rawalpindi.

The UNODC test kits, developed and produced by the Laboratory and Scientific Section, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, are one of the agreed deliverables under the Japanese funded UNODC project, which is aimed at strengthening border security against illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organised crime.

Through this programme the UNODC aims to enhance the operational capacity of drug law enforcement, especially ANF, in line with its Country Programme (2016 - 2019). Senior officials from the Japanese Embassy, UNODC and ANF were present at the occasion.

ANF Chief of Staff Brigadier Sheikh Ali Muhammad thanked the government and people of Japan and UNODC for their continuous support to the government of Pakistan, especially ANF, for building their operational capacity in countering numerous existing and emerging challenges posed by drug trafficking in the country and the region. Lastly, Brig Ali assured his continued support in all mutual endeavours.

Guedes said that UNODC along with its international donors especially Japan is committed to strengthening operational capacities of ANF and other LEAs for addressing the drug trafficking and global organised crime issues through proactive responses. Guedes thanked the government of Pakistan for committing to smooth implementation of the Japanese funded project activities (2016-2019) and specially thanked the government of Japan for its commitment and generous financial support for this very important project.

Shindo acknowledged the efforts made by UNODC and ANF and highlighted the importance of these drugs and precursors identification kits to enhance ANF capacity for effective interdiction and investigation of illicit drugs. He reaffirmed Japan's commitment to helping Pakistan combat all types of transnational organised crime including illicit drug trafficking which hinder the economic development and over all prosperity of the country. He noted that enhancing border security between Pakistan and Afghanistan is crucial as stability of the region is essential to the national security of Pakistan.

UNODC is leading global efforts against drug trafficking and is the guardian of all international conventions on drugs and transnational organised crime. UNODC Country Office in Pakistan has been active for over 35 years and works in close collaboration with the government of Pakistan. Its mandate is to assist the national institutions in their efforts to overcome the challenges associated with transnational organised crime, thereby contributing towards the nation’s development. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th, 2018.