Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking during high-level talks in Islamabad. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warmly welcomed Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE’s National Anti-Narcotics Authority, and his delegation. Both sides discussed strategies to enhance anti-narcotics efforts and addressed matters of mutual interest to ensure effective collaboration.
During the meeting, Minister Naqvi highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to combating drug smuggling as a national priority. He stressed that closer coordination between the two nations would deliver stronger results in countering narcotics. To streamline communication, Pakistan appointed DG Anti-Narcotics Force Major General Abdul Mueed as its focal person, while the UAE named Brigadier Taher Gharib as its special representative for joint operations.
Furthermore, Naqvi congratulated Sheikh Zayed on becoming the first chairman of the UAE’s newly created National Anti-Narcotics Authority. He praised the establishment of the authority as a major step toward enhancing regional cooperation against narcotics. Naqvi emphasized that Pakistan’s frontline role in intercepting drug trafficking has already led to the arrest of over 400 suspects involved in smuggling to the UAE and the seizure of five tons of narcotics.
Naqvi credited these achievements to effective information sharing between Pakistan and the UAE but warned of an alarming rise in synthetic drug trafficking. He called the fight against narcotics “a war for the future of our generations” and firmly stated that “defeat is not an option.” These remarks highlighted the urgency of stepping up joint efforts to secure a safer future.
Sheikh Zayed reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to providing full support to Pakistan in combating drug trafficking. He stressed the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation to eliminate the growing narcotics threat. The UAE delegation included senior anti-narcotics officials from all seven emirates, while Pakistani officials attending the meeting included Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the Federal Interior Secretary, and other senior representatives.