Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan reaffirm to improve counter-narcotics

Islamabad:A Senior Officials Meeting of the Triangular Initiative hosted by the Government of Pakistan and supported by UNODC Pakistan was held between the Islamic Republics of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan in Islamabad today. Mr. Javed Iqbal, Secretary – Narcotics Control Division, Government of Pakistan, Major General Malik Zafar Iqbal – Director General Anti Narcotics Force and Mr. Jeremy Douglas – Representative UNODC Country Office Pakistan co-chaired the meeting.

Attended by officials and heads of anti narcotics, border control and criminal justice agencies in the three countries, the participants discussed drug trafficking and law enforcement challenges faced by the three states and reiterated their commitments to strengthen regional cooperation. The heads of the forces of the three countries expressed hope that this cooperation between the three countries will continue to grow under the Triangular Initiative. The three delegations discussed and agreed on methods to promote regional cooperation even further, in order to synergize efforts against the menace of trafficking and attainment of common objectives.

UNODC estimates that Afghanistan produces over 90% of the worlds opiates, with most trafficked directly through neighbouring countries to the region and international markets. The three countries are actively involved in furthering cooperation through mechanisms including establishment of a Joint Planning Cell for sharing real-time information and planning simultaneous interdiction operations, Border Liaison Offices on the common border to promote inter-agency cooperation, cross-border collaboration and real-time communication through various advanced means of communication. The three states also agreed to explore various new cooperation mechanisms under the Triangular Initiative.