Pak-Gulf International Anti-Narcotics Conference held

ISLAMABAD: In a momentous stride towards bolstering global security, Pakistan has etched its name in history by hosting the inaugural Pakistan-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) International Anti-Narcotics Conference. This unprecedented gathering in Islamabad underscored a powerful unified front against the burgeoning menace of drug trafficking, signalling a new era of collaborative action.

The high-profile conference witnessed the distinguished presence and active participation of heads of anti-narcotics departments from the GCC nations – Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait – alongside the special participation of Italy, a testament to the international gravity of the issue. Further amplifying the significance of the event, directors general of anti-narcotics forces from the GCC countries and Italy graced the occasion, engaging in crucial dialogues aimed at forging a cohesive strategy.

The culmination of these high-level deliberations resulted in a resolute agreement among the participants to forge a robust joint strategy and undertake collective action, a decisive step towards dismantling the intricate networks of drug trafficking.

Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi extended a warm and gracious welcome to the high-level delegations from the GCC countries, emphasising Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to this critical global challenge. Addressing the distinguished assembly, Naqvi articulated the profound significance of the conference, stating: “This historic conference is a major step towards strengthening global cooperation against drug smuggling, promoting bilateral relations, and formulating a joint cross-border strategy”.

Minister Naqvi further emphasised the core objective of the assembly. “The aim of this conference is to foster international cooperation to combat the global threat of drugs,” he said and affirmed its pivotal role as “an important advancement towards a drug-free world and a safer future”. He lauded the pivotal role of ANF, stating: “The Anti-Narcotics Force Pakistan is playing a key role in eliminating drugs in collaboration with international allies”.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s dedication to collaborative efforts, he affirmed: “The Pakistan government is ready to expand cooperation with the Gulf states in every area of anti-narcotics. We aim to promote collaboration in areas like intelligence sharing, joint training, real-time coordination, and forensic and technical partnerships.”