LIMA: Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Director General Major General Nasir Dilawar Shah has said that illicit drugs are one of the biggest threats to human lives, health, properties, peace and stability.
He was speaking at International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC), held at Lima, Peru. The ANF DG not only headed the Pakistani delegation, but also led 24 members South and Central Asia Region Working Group.
The director general expressed gratitude to the government of Peru for hosting the meeting and also acknowledged the commitment of US Drug Enforcement Administration for organising the mega event, which was attended by representatives of 140 countries.
He said that estimates reveal that more than 500 deaths per day are caused by illicit drugs overdose. Moreover, around 246 million drug addicts worldwide and their families suffer from the miseries caused by illicit drugs. “Statistics clearly show that damage caused by drugs to humanity in terms of lives, health, properties, peace and stability is much higher, more permanent and universal in nature,” he highlighted.
He maintained that that international cooperation is the pivotal element for materialising the concerted efforts. “World must continue such enduring efforts to enrich teamwork among drug law enforcement agencies regionally and internationally through sharing of best practices, robust information sharing, staff training and enhancing cooperation coordination.”
He emphasised that issues lacking consensus may be selectively adopted as per the ground realities rather than universally imposed. “No two countries and no two regions have similar environment. Diversity in regional environment calls for regional and sub-regional approaches in accordance with the prevailing regional dictates and in conformity with the United Nations conventions,” he remarked.
He said the international community ought to realise that despite scarcity of resources, the regional countries are doing their best.
“The finest way to eliminate drugs is to counter their production with stringent law enforcement,” said the director general, urging all the countries to work together and extending full support to partners and international community.
