Pakistan Advances Unified Counter-Narcotics Strategy Through Inter-Agency Workshops

Pakistan has taken a significant step toward enhancing its national drug control framework by concluding a five-day series of inter-agency workshops. Organized by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL-P), the workshops focused on developing Pakistan’s first Drug Information Fusion System (DIFS).

Toward a Unified Drug Control Framework

Held as part of the broader initiative to establish the National Counter Narcotics Coordination Center (NCNC2), the workshops brought together 48 representatives from 16 national, provincial, and international stakeholders. The goal was to build consensus around a unified framework for intelligence-sharing, enforcement coordination, and strategic planning in the fight against narcotics.

Technical Discussions and Strategic Planning

Participants engaged in in-depth technical discussions to shape the architecture of the DIFS platform. This system is designed to streamline inter-agency communication, enhance surveillance capabilities, and improve operational efficiency across Pakistan’s drug enforcement landscape.

Leadership and Commitment to Collaboration

Brigadier Syed Imran Ali, Secretary of IATF, expressed gratitude to UNODC and INL-P for their technical and material support. He praised the active participation of all stakeholders and emphasized that effective counter-narcotics efforts require coordination, shared responsibility, and a whole-of-nation approach.

Next Steps: Policy-Level Engagement

The outcomes of the workshops will be presented in a policy-level session scheduled for next month. This meeting will further refine the strategic direction and ensure high-level commitment to implementing the unified framework.

A United Front Against Drug Threats

The workshops concluded with a collective pledge to strengthen Pakistan’s counter-narcotics response. With enhanced coordination and shared resolve, the country aims to protect its youth and communities from the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse.