Press Release

UNODC National Goodwill Ambassador Shehzad Roy performed at the Youth Offenders Industrial School, Central Prison Karachi

Karachi, 21 November 2017 - Today at the Youth Offenders Industrial School (YOIS), Central Prison Karachi, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) presented and introduced singer Shehzad Roy to the media in his new role as Goodwill Ambassador for UNODC Pakistan in a gathering of young inmates from YOIS, senior officials from the Ministry of Narcotics Control, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Police, Judiciary, Prison Department,  Home Department Sindh and the diplomatic community.

Today at the Youth Offenders Industrial School (YOIS), Central Prison Karachi, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) presented and introduced singer Shehzad Roy in a gathering of young inmates from YOIS, senior officials from Ministry of Narcotics Control, Foreign Affairs, Health, Police, Judiciary, Prison, Home Department Sindh and Diplomatic community, to the media in his new role assigned to him as Goodwill Ambassador for UNODC Pakistan.

UNODC has been working in Pakistan for over 35 years, in close collaboration with the Government of Pakistan (GOP) and civil society, with the purpose of addressing development challenges, specifically related to drugs and crime and to ensure that its support is clearly directed towards strategic priorities and meets Pakistan's needs. UNODC have extensive experience of implementing programs with Police, Prisons, Prosecution, Drug Treatment, Prevention and Rehabilitation in Pakistan. UNODC aims to continue its support improving all these areas, for which UNODC decided to bring on board singer Shehzad Roy, who has been keenly following up UNODC's work and showed interest in working for the cause.

Shehzad Roy has been awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz for his excellence in public service and for his organization's rehabilitation work in 2005. After the Kashmir earthquake in 2005, he was awarded the Sitara-e-Eisaar in 2006. He was also selected to be a torch bearer for the 2008. He has won several music awards during his career 1999-2013. His recent ventures in music are: a music video "Ballay Ballay", His recent ventures in music include a music video "Ballay Ballay", the anthem of the Pakistan Super League  season IIin 2017, and a music video "Dhan Dhana Dhan Hoga Re", the official anthem of  Karachi Kings in  PSL season II.

"When we were discussing to hold the launch ceremony, Mr. Roy said that he would like to have the event with the inmates of the Youth Offenders Industrial School at Central Prison Karachi rather than a hotel," said César Guedes, Representative UNODC. "He also said that he should be performing between them rather than for them somewhere else. This was a tall order from him, and a new dimension which he brought to our work. We fulfilled it with the kind support of Mr. Mangan, IG Prison Sindh and the Home department Sindh, and we are excited to have him on board," added Mr. Guedes.

Mr. Roy shall be promoting UNODC's work in the areas of Criminal Justice and Drug Demand Reduction emphasizing positive values during his visits to schools, colleges, prisons, and rehabilitation centres. He will also raise awareness of the work UNODC is doing in Pakistan and highlight the need to curb drug abuse and associated crimes in the margins of UNODC's mandate.  He is expected to take part in a wide range of activities, such as the marking of the World Drug Day, Anti-Corruption Day, Anti Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Day, supporting prison and police reforms, raising awareness and advocating gender-responsive services for drug abusers, and promoting knowledge of drug-related and HIV/AIDS issues.

"It is disheartening to see children imprisoned for petty crimes or drugs ruining the lives of young people. If I can help one child out of prison or convince just one boy or girl to turn away from drugs, I feel proud that I have made a difference," said Mr. Roy on accepting his two-year assignment.

Speaking on his appointment Mr. Roy further added: "I have been following UNODC's work even before joining them as Goodwill Ambassador. Their work is commendable in the fields of criminal justice, drug demand reduction and HIV/AIDS prevention. These things are close to my heart especially when children are concerned, and I give my all to my new role as National Goodwill Ambassador for UNODC Pakistan."

During his term, Roy will speak out on criminal justice and drug demand reduction, visit UNODC projects, educational institutions and rehabilitation centres, and raise awareness of the Office's important work. He is also expected to take part in a wide range of activities, including the marking of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, supporting prison and police reforms, and advocating gender-responsive services for drug abusers.

For further information please contact Ms. Rizwana Asad, Communications Officer, cell: 0301 8564255, email: rizwana.asad@unodc.org