This interview has been conducted prior to the visit of Iran’s anti-narcotics police chief to Pakistan. Head of Iran's Anti-Narcotics Police (ANP), Brigadier General Majid Karimi is schedule to visit Pakistan on Monday.
Reducing and bringing demand of drugs to zero is my main target-Ijaz Ahmad Shah
While addressing a question from IRNA Representative, the Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, Brig (R) Ijaz Ahmad Shah said that "I would like to tell you that couple of years back I was the regional director of Anti Narcotics Force Punjab, so I am fully aware about the fact that no single country can achieve 100 percent result in the subject of narcotics until and unless there is coordination between the states".
He further stated that Iran and Pakistan are not only in the same region but we are neighbors and if we don’t have any coordination in the field of narcotics control we cannot be successful. The Federal Minister was of the view that "We cannot work in isolation". He added that "I was being told Iran and Pakistan have good coordination in narcotics control but there is always a room for the improvement".
Talking about the previous experience of Brigadier General Majid Karimi, the Federal Minister said that "a good thing is that the head of Iran's Anti Narcotics Police has served in Pakistan and he knows the environment of Pakistan, he knows from where the drugs come into our countries as we are the victim states but we are the poppy free country".
Brig (R) Ijaz Ahmad Shah said that I am looking forward to the visit of Iran’s anti narcotics police chief to Pakistan and the delegation so that the matters of mutual interest can be discussed in detail.
"I would be delighted to brief him about my vision on narcotics control which is slightly different from other people" the Minister explained "I do look on enforcement and seizures but I think we have to work on demand reduction an area which requires more attention, because if there is a demand of anything there would be supply despite all efforts".
Ijaz Ahmad Shah reinforced on the point that "I want demand of this narcotics in Pakistan and Iran and in the entire world should be reduced, when it will be reduced supply will definitely be reduced".
"When there is so much of a margin of profit between any item, then it is very difficult to control the supply". He added. "Therefore, bringing demand down to zero is the only possible way to eradicate drugs from society" the Minsiter said.
In his concluding remarks he said that cooperative gesture from Iranian side is welcomed and further matters will be discussed in details when the delegations meet.
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