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Mr. Chairman,
My delegation appreciates the Secretary General’s comprehensive reports on the various aspects of the world drug problem and crime prevention and criminal justice.
Our debate today is both opportune and significant. Adopting the post 2015 development agenda last month, the world leaders promised a new era of sustainable development for all. The success of this ambitious agenda would depend on a broad range of difficult actions across a number of areas. An important challenge in this regard would be the formulation and implementation of effective policies to control the menace of drug-abuse and to combat transnational organized crime.
Mr. Chairman,
The world drug problem persists even as its forms, manifestations, causes and consequences may vary from one region to another. According to last year's World Drug Report, production and manufacturing of and trafficking in most drugs and substances is on the rise; their consumption and use have also grown. Markets of Amphetamine-type stimulants are expanding, and new psychoactive substances are emerging.
We are particularly concerned about the steady rise in poppy cultivation in our neighbourhood. Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has increased for the fourth consecutive year, with 7% increase recorded in the year 2014. This presents a direct challenge to the transit countries in the region, including Pakistan.
Mr. Chairman,
We believe that there is a close co-relation between drug production, instability and lack of alternative economic opportunities. Drug cultivation has expanded in regions where state authority is challenged by armed groups and where development assistance has faltered. It is, therefore, vital to re-establish government control over the territory used for drug cultivation. Similarly, it is equally important to promote development, so as to eradicate poverty and not just drugs.
Legalization of illicit drugs is counter-productive. States must not resort to expedient policies even when unlawful actions become difficult to control.
There is an international consensus on a balanced and integrated approach to deal with the supply and demand sides of the global drug market. In dealing with the world drug problem, issues in the entire chain of drug market need to be addressed.
The inter-related criminal activities such as money laundering, smuggling of weapons and human-trafficking must also be dealt with concomitantly.
Mr. Chairman,
The three international drug control conventions and the 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action provide a comprehensive framework on drug control. We feel that there is no need for a review of these conventions or for adopting a new political declaration at this stage. The review priorities for the 2016 Special Session should focus on strengthening consensus around the existing framework and consolidating and building on the existing achievements while taking into account new trends and facts on the ground. The review process should also take into account the peculiar priorities, challenges and limitations of the member states, instead of adopting a one-size-fit-all approach.
Mr. Chairman,
Pakistan has remained a poppy-free country for over a decade. But being a transit state, we continue to encounter the problem of smuggling and the misuse of drugs in the society. For the last few years, we have seen significant increase in seizures as mentioned in the Secretary General’s report. Increase in seizure in our case is the direct result of law enforcement action. It does not indicate the emergence of new routes nor increase in trafficking over the existing routes.
In concluding, Mr. Chairman, I would like to reassure that Pakistan takes the challenge of drugs very seriously. We have the political will, trained personnel and an effective strategy to deal with the drug problem. We do, however, face challenges such as lack of latest equipment and forensic laboratories and budgetary constraints, for which we need enhanced cooperation from the UNODC and other partners.
I thank you.