Statement by Pakistan under Agenda Item 104 “Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice” and Agenda Item 105 “International Drug Control” at the Third Committee 07 October 2009

Mr. Chairman,

We wish to thank the Secretary General for his comprehensive reports under these inter-connected and important agenda items. These reports reinforce the fact that international organized crime in today’s world knows no boundaries and has immense impact on our security, well-being and socio-economic development.

As has been observed by the Secretary General, cooperation at the national, regional and international levels remains the most important element to cope with international organized crime. The Secretary General’s reports also reflect upon the appreciable work being done by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) by lending technical support to the Member States within its prescribed mandate.

Mr. Chairman,

In this era of information revolution, access to information on real time basis is a valuable asset for the civilized world. However, the easy access to excessive information is misused by anti-social elements and trans-national organized crime. The ills of narco-trade, money laundering, human trafficking, cyber-crime and terrorism are a source of concern and challenge for all of us including the civil society, electronic media and international organizations.

There exists a symbiotic relation between international organized crime that originates from developing and developed world. International organized crime in developing countries has much of its ground in the poorer less privileged socio-economic surroundings. Conditions of poverty, under-employment and weak socio-economic context provide breeding grounds for local and international organized crime. On the other side, their partners in rich and developed countries exploit the access to advance technical resources and technology to their advantage.

There also exists a supply and demand dimension to international organized crime specially for drug trafficking, human trafficking and money laundering. Increase in demand for drugs, cheap labour and illegal-transfer of money in the developed world results in increased supply from the developing world.

Mr. Chairman,

The multi-dimensional nature of international crime requires cooperation through a multi-pronged strategy including fulfilling obligations under relevant international treaties and to strengthen cooperative partnership and collaborative action. At the local level, as has been observed in the Secretary General’s report, alternate development including improved livelihood and poverty eradication programmes etc. can help greatly in curbing the attraction to indulge in all types of crimes.

Mr. Chairman,

We all are well aware of the complex legal, social and economic dimensions of trans-national crime. Pakistan remains fully cognizant of this complexity and its responsibility.

We believe that the world drug problem demands effective and enhanced international cooperation. We expect that the Political Declaration and Action Plan to counter the world drug problem will help in fostering eradication of drugs. Pakistan has, through a multi-pronged strategy comprising of strict law enforcement actions and alternate development plans, succeeded in eliminating the illicit opium crop.

We have suffered adversely as a transit country for drugs. We have actively contributed to the regional and international efforts to stop the outflow of drugs from the neighbouring regions and inflow of precursor chemicals for prevention of drug production. Pakistan has recently adopted a new Drug Control Master Plan for 2009-2013. This plan takes into account the impact of drug situation in our neighborhood and outlines both supply and demand reduction measures to be taken. Pakistan has been contributing in the international efforts to counter illicit trafficking in precursors under the “Rainbow Strategy” of UNODC. We have also participated in the “Triangular Cooperation Initiative” with Afghanistan and Iran to develop regional cooperation to address narco-trade. The initiative has been duly appreciated for its effectiveness and impressive results in the Secretary General’s report.

Mr. Chairman,

In order to successfully counter human trafficking, Pakistan promulgated the Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance (P&CHTO). The Ordinance also incorporates a role for the civil society to work with the law enforcement agencies for rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking. We are also in the process of laying out a National Action Plan against human trafficking. Similarly a special Anti-Human Trafficking Unit has been set up in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to crack down on criminals and curb the crime of human trafficking.

To cope with issues relating to money laundering and terrorist financing, we have recently joined the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. Earlier Pakistan had promulgated the Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance (AMLO). The Ordinance provides a structure to curb illegal financial transactions and creates a Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) in the State Bank of Pakistan, this unit is mandated to cooperate with other countries to fight against money laundering and terrorists financing.

Mr. Chairman,

Crime, whether international or local, cannot be fought without an effective judicial system. In collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, the Access to Justice Programme in Pakistan is helping in reforming the criminal justice system in particular the prosecutorial, judicial and prison system, and transforming the Police force into an accountable and responsive law enforcement agency.

Secure borders are an added deterrence against international crime, the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES) implemented with international help provides the immigration authorities and law enforcement agencies systematic and authentic information to identify travelers moving across our borders. PISCES is an example of how mutually beneficial results can be obtained through international cooperation.

Mr. Chairman,

Solution to the problem of international crime lies in an integrated and comprehensive approach with firm long-term political and financial commitments including through capacity building, technical assistance, financial assistance and provision of appropriate equipment.

Thank you