Pakistan, UAE agree to strengthen fight against drug trafficking

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to enhance cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking following a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Interior.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held talks with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE’s National Anti-Narcotics Authority. Both sides discussed strategies to curb the global drug trade and appointed key liaison officers for continuous collaboration. Major General Abdul Mueed, Director-General of Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), was designated as Pakistan’s focal person, while Brigadier Taher Gharib will represent the UAE.

Naqvi praised the UAE for establishing its National Anti-Narcotics Authority and congratulated Sheikh Zayed on his appointment as its first chairman. He stressed that this step would significantly strengthen joint efforts, adding, “The war on drugs is a war for our future generations, and defeat is not an option.”

Naqvi revealed that Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies had recently arrested 400 suspects linked to drug smuggling to the UAE and seized five tons of narcotics. He credited the success to timely intelligence sharing and cooperation between the two countries. Sheikh Zayed reaffirmed the UAE’s full support in counter-narcotics operations, emphasizing the need to intensify cooperation to safeguard future generations.

The meeting also addressed the growing threat of synthetic drugs. Both sides vowed to launch a strong crackdown on drug cartels, with Minister Naqvi stressing that those engaged in this “heinous trade” were being dealt with “an iron hand.”

The talks concluded with Pakistan and the UAE pledging a united front to combat drug trafficking.