UNODC and Narcotics Control Division stand committed to control the diversion of precursor chemicals

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Pakistan in collaboration with Narcotics Control Division (NCD) and Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) organized a two day sensitization workshop on precursor control, for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry representatives on 04-05 May 2017 at Movenpick Hotel, Karachi.  

On behalf of Mr. Cesar Guedes, UNODC Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Anila Rahim, Program Officer, Precursors in her welcome address thanked the Government of Pakistan for their continued cooperation and highly appreciated the Government of Pakistan and its law enforcement agencies; for making concerted and highly commendable efforts in interdicting and seizing large amounts of illicit drugs and illegally diverted precursor chemicals destined for international markets. 

Mr. Toaha Hussain Bugti, Senior Joint Secretary; Narcotics Control Davison  in his opening remarks, highlighted the important role of industry in helping law enforcement agencies combat drug trafficking and related crimes. He also expressed appreciation for UNODC's support of the country's law enforcement agencies in combating the trafficking of drugs and precursors to and from Pakistan. 

The Program Officer dilated upon the UNODC global mandates including countering transnational organized crimes and illicit trafficking. She emphasized the importance of the workshop in the context of the UNODC Country Programme, Pakistan. officials responsible for various control mechanisms at the NCD and ANF briefed the participants on the processes and rules followed at their levels; and discussed the problems faced by the industry as well by the regulatory and law enforcement agencies. In his address Col. Sajid Aslam covered the overall prevalent drug situation in the region, with special emphasis on the diversion of precursor chemicals.  

This workshop on precursor control was one of the many deliverables under a new project on 'Strengthening Border Security Against Illicit Drug Trafficking and Related Transnational Organized Crime' (2016-2019), recently signed between the Government of Japan and UNODC. The objective of this workshop was to raise awareness within the industry on the diversion of precursor chemicals and their illicit use.  

On workshop conclusion, Certificates were distributed to the participants by Mr. Toaha Hussain on behalf of the NCD. 

The workshop was widely attended (40 individuals) by the managers (sales), supervisors, health and safety officers, proprietors, and traders of leading national industries based in Karachi including Zafa Chemicals, Ittefaq Traders, Indus motors co. LTD, Gul Ahmed Textiles mills, Denim clothing, Linz Pharmacia and many other notables in the relevant industries from Sind. 

UNODC in coordination with the Narcotics Control Division & Anti Narcotics Force will organize a high profile workshop for the industry associations and relevant regulatory authorities and law enforcement on further strengthening the existing precursor  diversion control mechanisms. 

This achievement has been made possible by the generous support of the Government of Japan.