Improving Border Management in Sindh: Joint Technical Working Group Meeting held in Karachi

 

 

As part of its efforts to liaise and coordinate its efforts with provincial authorities and stakeholders after the 18 th constitutional amendment and the devolution of powers to the provinces, UNODC organized a meeting of the Joint Technical Working Group Sindh, in Karachi on 10 April.

Opening the meeting with an introduction of the UNODC Country Programme 2010-15 was UNODC's Adviser on Illicit Trafficking and Border Management, Mr. Naweed Riaz. He stressed that institutionalization of the support given by UNODC is imperative in order to ensure sustainable development of the law enforcement agencies' and provincial governments' to deal with border management issues. A closer cooperation with provincial governments and stakeholders is necessary after the passage of the 18 th amendment, which has redefined the framework of provincial autonomy. 

In the meeting, the participants discussed opportunities for improving cooperation between the agencies in order to strengthen border management. Heads of law enforcement agencies expressed the need for increased resources and training material as well as support in improving forensic and investigation facilities. Coordination of training between the various agencies was suggested as a strategy to ensure cooperation between the different organizations. In addition the participants discussed importance of properly educating investigation officers of all the agencies in order to increase the standard of prosecution. 

The meeting was attended by delegates from various provincial authorities including the Deputy Home Secretary of Sindh, Additional Inspector General of  Sindh Police, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Sindh, Additional Prosecutor General Sindh and Director HQ Excise and Taxation  Sindh. Representatives of federal authorities also attended the meeting.