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Thank you, Madam Chair,
We thank the Secretary General and the Executive Director of the UNODC, for their comprehensive reports on various aspects of drugs and crime prevention and criminal justice, and take note of the recommendations therein.
Our discussion on the global drug situation is particularly opportune, as it comes in the wake of the landmark General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the World Drug Problem, in April this year. This meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the international community ‘in addressing and countering emerging and persistent challenges’ related to the drug problem.
The need for enhanced international cooperation is greater than ever, especially as the World Drug Report 2016 affirms that while important progress has been made in checking the production, manufacturing and trafficking of major drugs and substances, the markets for new psychoactive substances (NPS) are emerging.
Madam Chair,
We believe that Drug Dynamics in producing countries, transit countries and target countries are diverse. No two countries and no two regions have similar environment. Therefore there are no "one size fit all" solutions.
Pakistan’s geographical location has made us both a victim as well as a transit country for global opiates and cannabis. We have put in place a robust and comprehensive legal policy and an administrative framework to counter the menace of illicit drugs. Drug Demand Reduction, treatment and rehabilitation are high on our priority.
As a measure of our accomplishment, Pakistan has seized over 1.86 billion narcotics doses in last three years. During the last year alone, we seized over 342 tons of illicit drugs. Pakistan has also contributed to almost 25 tons of illicit drugs seizures around the world.
Madam Chair,
We are concerned over the emerging trends in some parts of the world to legalize use of illicit drugs. We believe this approach is counter-productive, and would give a fillip to drug demand thus igniting the supply chain having direct fallouts on our region. Our objective, after all, has been to build a drug free society, not a drug tolerant society. We should remain true to our objective.
We also believe that the three existing UN Drug Control Conventions should be treated as a repository of core guiding principles for developing international counter drug approach. Greater focus should be focused on the prime target and transit countries in terms of mustering resources for the capacity building of the frontline states in the war against narcotic drugs, commensurate to the threat they are confronted with and proportionate to their core contributions to the cause.
Madam Chair,
Concomitant is the challenge stemming from transnational organized crime, a phenomenon that manifests itself in different forms including trafficking in human beings and firearms, smuggling of migrants and money laundering. It impedes social, economic, political and cultural development of societies around the globe. Keeping in view its nature and scope, cooperation at the national, regional and international levels remains the key to tackle international organized crime. The United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which is an important mechanism dealing with crime prevention and criminal justice policy, needs to be further strengthened.
Madam Chair,
Money-laundering and corruption also remain formidable challenges. Pakistan has also joined the International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism. Under Pakistan’s Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010, a special Financial Monitoring Unit has been set up in the State Bank of Pakistan, to cooperate with other countries to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
Madam Chair,
Let me conclude by re-emphasizing the key importance of a balanced strategy, global cooperation and the role of UNODC in tackling the serious problems of drugs and international crimes. We need to strengthen all these mechanisms.
I thank you.