ISLAMABAD : (Parliament Times) Pakistan and United States of America have resolved to jointly work to save the suffering humanity by eradicating the menace of drugs.
US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, James Walsh, called on Minister for Narcotics Control Shehryar Khan Afridi in Vienna, Austria, on the sidelines of the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).
The meeting agreed that after peace dialogue signed between the US and Afghan Taliban, it was about time to wage joint efforts to scuttle drug trafficking to save the suffering humanity.
Minister Shehryar Afridi emphasised upon the need for continued engagement for countering the threat of opiates originating in the region. Shehryar Afridi said that it was about time that Pakistan and the US closely work towards securing the region from menace of drugs.
James Walsh expressed his appreciation for the initiatives taken by Ministry of Narcotics Control Pakistan (MNC) and the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and assured of all possible cooperation.
It was decided in the meeting that a workable plan of action will be developed in the wake of Peace Deal recently signed between the US and Afghan Taliban in Afghanistan.
Walsh said that the US administration would make efforts to ensure end of violence in Afghanistan. He said the US is fully committed to fight the spread of drugs and it will continue to engage with Pakistani authorities.
Shehryar Afridi suggested that bilateral engagements between the two countries should be held in Islamabad and Washington to help wage joint efforts to eradicate the illicit drugs trade. James Walsh agreed to the idea and said that the US was looking forward to work closely with Pakistan in this regard.
