RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Cesar Guedes, the UNODC Country Office Representative in Pakistan and Yusuke Shindo, Minister/Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan, handed over 200 drugs and precursors identification kits to Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) on Thursday.

The UNODC test kits, developed and produced by the Laboratory and Scientific Section, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, was one of the agreed deliverables under the Japanese funded UNODC project, which is aimed at strengthening border security against illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organised crime.

This is also part of UNODC efforts to enhance the operational capacity of drug law enforcement, especially ANF, in line with its Country Programme (2016-2019). Senior officials from Embassy of Japan, UNODC and ANF were present on the occasion.

Brig Sheikh Ali Muhammad, Chief of Staff, ANF thanked the official of Japan and UNODC for their continuous support to the Government of Pakistan, especially ANF, for building their operational capacity in countering numerous existing and emerging challenges posed by drug trafficking in the country and the region. Brig Ali assured ANF’s continued support in all mutual endeavours.

Cesar Guedes said UNODC along with its international donors especially Japan was committed to strengthening operational capacities of ANF and other LEAs for addressing the drug trafficking and global organised crime issues through proactive responses.

Guedes thanked the Government of Pakistan for committing to smooth implementation of the Japanese funded project activities (2016-2019) and specially thanked the Government of Japan for its commitment and generous financial support for this very important project.

Shindo, Minister/Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan, acknowledged the UNODC and ANF’s efforts and highlighted the importance of these drugs and precursors identification kits to enhance ANF capacity for effective interdiction and investigation of illicit drugs. He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to helping Pakistan combat all types of transnational organised crime including illicit drug trafficking which hinder the economic development and over all prosperity of the country.