PR No. 26
The Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, Brig (R) Ijaz Ahmad Shah welcoming the bilateral and regional initiatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran to combat drug trafficking, has pledged to further strengthen Pakistan's cooperation with Iran.
Islamabad: January 05, 2021


Brig. (Retd) Ijaz Ahmad Shah expressed the views during a meeting with an Iranian delegation headed by Chief of Iran's Anti-Narcotics Police Brigadier-General Majid Karimi at the Ministry of Narcotics Control on Tuesday. Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan, H.E. Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini, Secretary Anti-Narcotics Control Shoaib Dastagir, Col. Omid Sarwari, Liaison Officer of Iranian Police Force in Pakistan and senior officials of the Ministry of Narcotics Control, also attended the meeting. Welcoming the Iranian delegation, the Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, Brig (R) Ijaz Ahmad Shah referred to his background in the field of anti-narcotics and services in the border areas between Pakistan and Iran. He emphasized on the fact that the fight against narcotics is of global importance because today we see serious harm to communities and the young generation. "Each country may have its own methods and approach to curb the illicit drug problem, but in Pakistan we are looking to cut the illicit drug demand, and if demand is stopped, supply and trafficking will also be stopped," the Minister said. Ijaz Ahmad Shah, emphasizing the need to strengthen Iran-Pakistan border cooperation, welcomed Iran’s initiatives and proposals to effectively combat drug trafficking. He added: "We are trying to identify and cut the narcotics demand in Quetta, the area close to the border with Iran, and in addition, we demand the exchange of information between the two countries and the strengthening of cooperation between relevant institutions". The Federal Minister for Narcotics Control also promised to follow up the issues caused by drug traffickers. Brigadier-General Majid Karimi stressed the readiness of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iran’s Anti-Narcotics Police to expand cooperation with Pakistan's friendly and neighboring country. Welcoming the issues raised by the Federal Minister, he said that "Our main problem today is the increase in poppy production in the region". The Federal Minister agreed and further said that "I believe that overcoming drugs problem that include, production, demand, supply and consumption will help in enhancing overall peace in the society". Chief of Iran's Anti-Narcotics Police emphasized by saying that "We have the capacity to face this challenge, but it is necessary to further strengthen relations and bilateral cooperation between the Anti-Narcotics Forces of Iran and Pakistan". He stressed Iran and Pakistan are victims of the drug problem and at the same time have an active role in the front line of this fight, so there is a need for more coordination on the common border to deal effectively with drug traffickers. Brigadier-General Majid Karimi called for an immediate response of Pakistani forces at the common border if any incident of smuggling occurs. He said Iran is ready to train Pakistani forces and considering the strong capabilities of anti-narcotics force officers in Iran, we are ready to exchange staff and experts between the two countries. Chief of Iran's Anti-Narcotics Police and Federal Minister for Narcotics Control mutually agreed for further cooperation to eradicate the menace of drugs from both the countries. The Federal Minister for Narcotics Control said that my ultimate goal is to create a drug free society and ensure that my future of my younger generation is safe. *-*-*-*

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