Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran discuss narcotics control strategy

Islamabad: The 13th Senior Officials Meeting of the Triangular Initiative on drug control was held in Islamabad on Tuesday.
 Narcotics Control, Arif Nawaz Khan chaired the two-day interaction between counter-narcotics authorities of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan.
 The meeting discussed ways and means for effectively combating trafficking of Afghan opiates.
 It will help three sides in finding solutions to their common challenges by adhering to a comprehensive and balanced approach as per principle of common and shared responsibility.
 In his opening remarks, Representative of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Pakistan, Cesar Guedes said strengthening of regional partnership against massive flow of illicit drugs in region can serve as a conduit for saving lives and improving their quality.
 Since its inception in 2007, the UNODC-facilitated Triangular Initiative forum has served as a cornerstone of regional approach to drug control.
 UNODC provides technical support to the forum, and builds the capacity of regional counterparts in counter-narcotics.
 The three countries have been combating this scourge over a long period and at great cost.