Press Release    

 

Technical assistance provided to the province of Balochistan under the framework of Country Programme: UNODC Representative

 

15 May 2014, Quetta - As part of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's assistance programme to Pakistan, the Country Representative Mr. Cesar Guedes along with a senior delegation from his office, visited Quetta in light of challenges faced by Balochistan.

Mr. Guedes engaged in dialogue with the senior leadership of the Anti-Narcotics Force, Federal Investigation Agency, Prosecution Department, Balochistan Police and the Home Secretary Mr. Akbar Durrani.

The visit culminated in a high-level strategic exchange of views on matters related to law enforcement, border management, criminal justice and drug demand reduction with the Chief Minister Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch. The Chief Minister reflected on various issues effecting the province including trafficking of opiates through Balochistan to Makran Coast and beyond. 

After the meeting, the Governor Mr. Muhammad Khan Achakzai, expressed his appreciation of the UNODC delegation's visit and lauded Mr. Guedes for technical assistance provided to the province of Balochistan under the framework of UNODC's Country Programme.

Mr. Guedes assured the Governor and the Chief Minister of UNODC's continued engagement to help the province in meeting its multi-faceted challenges. He further added that technical assistance to Balochistan was made possible with the firm commitment of the international community especially the Governments of Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, United Kingdom, United States, Denmark and Norway.

Lastly, Mr. Guedes offered to assist the Government of Pakistan in the implementation of the recently signed MoUs with the Islamic Republic of Iran, in areas encompassing UNODC mandate specifically related to border management and anti-money laundering.