Adoption of Voluntary Code of Conduct for Chemical Industry: A Milestone in the Control of Precursor Trafficking in Pakistan

 

 

Under the Pakistan Country Program (2010-2015), UNODC Pakistan has implemented a number of initiatives to bring together relevant law enforcement agencies, regulatory authorities and the industries aimed at harmonizing measures against illicit drug trafficking and diversion of precursor chemicals.  

Since October 2012, UNODC has successfully conducted two national workshops on illicit diversion of precursor chemicals as well as an exploratory meeting with regulatory authorities, industry representatives, and relevant law enforcement agencies on adopting a voluntary code of conduct (VCC) since October 2012. 

Following up on these developments, UNODC held a joint working group meeting on 10 April 2014 at Karachi. UNODC's Adviser on Law Enforcement, Mr. Naweed Riaz, chaired the meeting. He stressed the need for a VCC, elaborating on the problem of diversion of precursor chemicals from licit to illicit use in the Pakistani context. Mr. Riyaz also briefed participants on the outcomes of a May 2013 workshop in which Narcotics Control Division and industry representatives unanimously agreed to implement the proposed code of conduct for the industry.

In the meeting on 10 April, the Secretary of the Federal Bureau of Revenue, Mr. Khaleel Yousafani, highlighted the negative effects of the illicit use of drugs and chemicals for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the security situation in Pakistan. He stressed that the security context dictates the need to adopt the VCC and urged for expediency on part of all participants and stakeholders. Challenges and issues were discussed in detail and agreements on several key issues were made. The participants unanimously agreed to implement the proposed VCC and to conduct a follow-up meeting in the future. 

Commenting upon the meeting and its outcome, participants from NCD, FBR and other government agencies recognized the efforts of UNODC in assisting with formulating and implementing effective control mechanisms and procedures against drugs precursor control. The VCC represents a milestone in the efforts by UNODC to assist with formulating and implementing effective control mechanisms and procedures against drugs and precursor trafficking in Pakistan. UNODC in coordination with Narcotics Control Division will further continue to organize  awareness raising sessions for industry representatives on the issue of precursor trafficking.  

The meeting was co-chaired by Narcotics Control Division (NCD) and Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR). It was attended by delegates/representatives from all key stake holders including Anti Narcotics Force (ANF), Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCCA), Pharma Bureau, Alpha chemicals, Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association (PPMA), Pakistan Chemical & Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA), Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) and provincial Excise & Taxation (E&T) departments.