Nisar wants strong ties with Moscow

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Thursday proposed in a meeting with Director of Federal Drug Control Service Russian Federation Victor P Ivanov held at the Punjab House to establish a Pak-Russia Joint Working Group (JWG) to put the existing bilateral cooperation on a fast track and make efforts to identify potential areas for further strengthening the existing ties, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry said.
During the meeting, both the sides discussed Pak-Russia bilateral relations, mutual cooperation, regional situation, efforts being made at individual as well as at regional level to fight the menace of illegal drugs and to devise future strategy.
Welcoming Victor P Ivanov, the interior minister said that Pakistan valued its friendly relations with Russia and desired to further strengthening the existing ties.He said that Russia had a critical role to play in regional peace, stability, development and finding solutions to the issues being faced by the region.
Discussing the menace of drugs and narcotics, Nisar observed that drug trafficking was a major hurdle in regional peace and development. He said that there was a need to further strengthening actionable-intelligence-sharing mechanisms among various countries of the region in order to effectively bust drug dealers and their networks.
The interior minister remarked that Pakistan was one of those countries where anti-narcotics authority was proactively taking steps against drug mafias.Nisar said that increasing level of drug production in neighbouring Afghanistan was a matter of great concern.
He said besides ensuring implementation of the relevant laws and effectively checking the movement of drugs, it was important to focus on creating alternative source of income in the drug production areas.
The two leaders also agreed to further strengthening cooperation and invigorating Central Asian Anti-Drug Quintet that included Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan and Russia.They also agreed to further strengthening mutual cooperation in the area of analysis and forensic capabilities.
Victor P Ivanov appreciated the efforts of Pakistan made for regional peace.He said that Russia greatly valued efforts being made by Pakistan towards curbing drug trafficking.He said that Russia desired to further strengthening its cooperation with Pakistan in all possible areas.
Regarding forging greater cooperation and partnership, especially against illegal drugs, the minister observed that there was a need for greater and collective efforts towards anti-narcotics utilising the platform of SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization).