President's message on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 26 June‏

Message from Mr. Asif Ali Zardari
President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
(On International Day against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking, 26th June, 2012)

 ISLAMABAD

Illicit drugs continue to threaten nations in many ways including the way drug trade has been used as a major source of funding for the militants and extremist in the region. The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking being observed today is therefore a right occasion to call upon every one-be it the government leaders, the NGOs or the general public - to join hands in fighting the menace for the sake of regional and global peace and for the sake of protecting the human society.
The International Drugs Day is a wake up call to every one that lack of organized and determined action against illicit drugs will only strengthen the organized criminal cartels and the militants and extremists. The countries in the region where Pakistan is located are particularly vulnerable. They need to give much greater attention to the menace to prevent their countries from slipping into anarchy and instability at the hands of drugs-financed criminal gangs and militants.
It was this realization that at the SCO summit in Beijing early this month Pakistan offered to host an international conference on drugs of the member states of the Organization. The call for international conference is a measure of our commitment to collectively fight illicit drugs. On this day while reiterating our call for an international conference on drugs, I also express the hope that that the proposed conference in Islamabad would prove an important milestone in the fight against illicit drugs and against militancy.Let us also remember that provision of alternate means of resources, adequate economic opportunities to the youth and promoting equitable and just socio-economic development in the areas which have been the worst sufferers are no less important to effectively deal with the issue of drugs.
The democratic government of Pakistan is committed to fighting illicit drugs trade. Having attained status of poppy-free country in year 2011, Pakistan is among the top three countries in global narcotic seizures. Our interdiction of illicit drug trafficking has been one of the best in the world due to stepped up border surveillance. Our successes in drug control have been widely appreciated and acknowledged by the international community. Yet we feel that a lot needs to be done to completely eliminate this menace and will be done.I wish to once again call upon people from all walks of life to contribute their share in making Pakistan a drug free society by sensitizing the people, especially the youth about the dangers of the drug abuse. Let us all reiterate our commitment to combating this menace collectively.



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