RAWALPINDI, AUG 03 (DNA) – Mr. Cesar Guedes, the UNODC Country Office Representative in Pakistan and Mr. Takashi Harada, Counsellor (Economic and Development), Embassy of Japan, handed over Five (5) Progeny ResQ Handheld Raman Analyzers to Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) during the handing-over ceremony at ANF Headquarters, Rawalpindi.

The procurement of this state of the art equipment was one of the agreed deliverables under the Japanese funded UNODC project, which is aimed at strengthening border security against illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organised crime.

This is also part of UNODC efforts to enhance the operational capacity of drug law enforcement, specially ANF, in line with its Country Programme (2016 – 2019). Senior officials from Embassy of Japan, UNODC and ANF were present at the occasion.

Major General Musarrat Nawaz, Director General, ANF thanked the Government and people of Japan and UNODC for their continuous support to the Government of Pakistan, especially ANF, for building their operational capacity in countering numerous existing and emerging challenges posed by drug trafficking in the country and the region.

He stated that apart from ANF operational staff, other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) are also acquiring enormous technical advantage owing to the operational equipment, training on drugs and precursors, and related specialist training courses being organised by UNODC. Lastly, Major General Nawaz assured his continued support in all mutual endeavours.

Mr. Cesar Guedes, the UNODC Country Office Representative in Pakistan, said that UNODC along with its international donors especially Japan is committed to strengthening operational capacities of ANF and other LEAs for addressing the drug trafficking and global organised crime issues through proactive responses.

Mr. Guedes thanked the Government of Pakistan for committing to smooth implementation of the Japanese funded project activities (2016-2019) and specially thanked the Government of Japan for its commitment and generous financial support for this very important project.

Mr. Takashi Harada, Counsellor (Economic and Development), Embassy of Japan, acknowledged the efforts done by UNODC and ANF and highlighted the importance of this state of the art equipment to enhance ANF capacity for effective interdiction and investigation of illicit drugs. He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to helping Pakistan combat all types of transnational organised crime including illicit drug trafficking which hinder the economic development and prosperity of the country. He noted that enhancing the border security between Pakistan and Afghanistan is crucial as the stability of the overall region is essential to the national security of Pakistan.

UNODC is leading global efforts against drug trafficking and is the guardian of all international conventions on drugs and transnational organised crime.

UNODC Country Office in Pakistan has been active for over 35 years and works in close collaboration with the Government of Pakistan.

Its mandate is to empower the national institutions in their efforts to overcome the challenges associated with transnational organised crime, thereby contributing towards the nation’s development.