The United States government is eager to keep up its close partnership with Pakistan in order to tackle the problems of the illicit traffic in drugs, narcotics, and weapons and protect both the local communities and those around the globe.
Since we are no longer in Afghanistan to combat the illegal trade in drugs, narcotics, and weapons, we have to rely even more on Pakistan, according to Todd D. Robinson, US Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, who spoke exclusively to the newspaper company .
Because they are familiar with the problems and the regions, Pakistan has proven to be a capable (not enabling) partner, according to Robinson.
He remarked, “We can assist them in training and equipment to perform a really hazardous work. “I salute my Pakistani business partners. In many ways, they are defending the area and global communities.
He was in Pakistan to commemorate both the 75th anniversary of US-Pakistan bilateral relations and 40 years of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’ presence and cooperation with Pakistan.
The US State Department invests more than $21 million annually in programmes in Pakistan for cooperation in counter-narcotics to community policing through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
Robinson stated that the US and Pakistan have a shared interest in protecting Pakistan’s seaports and the Indian Ocean from illegal trafficking in regards to maritime crime in the area. As part of Combined Task Force-150’s mandate, Pakistan Navy is assisting in the war on drugs. During patrols in the Gulf of Oman in April, a Pakistani naval ship discovered illicit drugs. He continued, “We truly admire these efforts.
To assist Pakistan in battling violent extremism, increasing access to justice, and upholding the rule of law throughout the country, US programmes support civilian law enforcement, the rule of law, corrections, and counter-narcotics.
In support of the changes in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, the US refocused its programmes on strengthening the justice and law enforcement apparatus in regions where extremist and criminal networks are active, especially by promoting the hiring and retention of women in law enforcement.
In Pakistan, the US has already committed $24 million. According to Robinson, this amount could not have been reached without the close collaboration of the MNC, provincial partners, UNODC, and the Colombo Plan.
He emphasised that in places where the US collaborates with Pakistani authorities on crop control efforts, poppy planting has fallen by 87 percent.
One such facility was successfully delivered by the INL to Pakistan’s National Highways and Motorway Police earlier this year (NHMP). With a dining hall, breastfeeding area, and daycare facilities, the new barracks can house 100 female trainees. The facility will assist the NHMP in achieving its objective of hiring 1,200 new female officers over the following five years, or 10% of all new recruits.
Mahnur is MS(development Studies)Student at NUST University, completed BS Hons in Eng Literature. Content Writer, Policy analyst, Climate Change specialist, Teacher, HR Recruiter.
