Pakistan was re-elected by a United Nation’s physique to its Fee on Narcotic Medication (CND) on Friday for a four-year time period beginning in 2026.
The CND opinions and analyses the worldwide drug state of affairs, contemplating the interrelated problems with prevention of drug abuse, rehabilitation of drug customers and provide and trafficking in illicit medicine, its website says.
As of January 2024, the CND had 53 member states which are elected by the United Nations Financial and Social Council (Ecosoc) in New York. Nevertheless, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) places the variety of member nations at 54.
Pakistan secured the best variety of votes amongst member states contesting for the seats obtainable to numerous regional teams, a press release by the Pakistan Mission in New York acknowledged.
Based on APP, Pakistan obtained 50 votes whereas Kazakhstan was the runner-up (46 votes), adopted by United Arab Emirates (43), Krygyzstan (41) and Iran (25).
“Pakistan is gratified by the resounding assist obtained from Ecosoc,” the press launch acknowledged.
It added: “It displays confidence and belief reposed in Pakistan to play its lively position within the CND as a part of world counter narcotics efforts and multilateral coverage discourse on drug associated points.
“Pakistan has been on the forefront of world counter-narcotics efforts, taking part in a vital position in combating illicit drug trafficking, manufacturing, and abuse,” the Mission asserted.
It highlighted that Pakistan has been an “lively and constructive participant in world drug coverage discussions” on the UN, significantly inside the CND.
“Pakistan appears ahead to working intently with the opposite members of Ecosoc and with the broader UN Membership to strengthen the CND’s position as the first world drug policy-making physique,” it reaffirmed.
It pledged to work in direction of guaranteeing that “worldwide drug management efforts stay complete, efficient, and in step with the obligations of the three UN drug control conventions” — referring to the Single Conference on Narcotic Medication of 1961, Conference on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, and United Nations Conference in opposition to Illicit Visitors in Narcotic Medication and Psychotropic Substances of 1988.
Pakistan was additionally re-elected to the CND in Might 2019 for a four-year time period beginning in 2020. Based on a international ministry statement on the time, the nation has “served on the fee for 4 many years since its institution”.
The 53 member states comprising the UN physique include 11 members from Africa, 11 from Asia, 10 from Latin American and the Caribbean, six from Easter Europe, 14 members from Western Europe and different areas, together with one seat rotating between Asia and the Latin America.
Courts in Pakistan hand years-long jail terms, together with life imprisonment, for drug trafficking.
Legislation enforcement companies — such because the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) and the Organised Crime Unit (OCU) of Lahore police routinely bust networks of worldwide drug traffickers.
In July 2024, Narcotics Minister Mohsin Naqvi approved an already underway Nationwide Drug Survey to gather information on drug customers throughout the nation.
Naqvi, who additionally serves as the inside minister, had asserted that drug prevention was a nationwide subject and no compromise will likely be made on it.
