The United Nations office on Drugs and Crime is mandated to support governments, worldwide, in matters related to drugs, crime control, border management, human trafficking and human smuggling.
UNODC Country Office (COPAK) is mandated to support the Government of Pakistan with technical assistance to enhance the capacity of police, law enforcement and prosecution authorities.
To improve prosecution service through training, a position of National Prosecution Consultant was announced in March this year. On the basis of my impressive credentials and long work experience, I was shortlisted for interview on April 16, 2014. The date was changed to April 17, 2014, due to non-availability of Advisor, Criminal Justice, in Islamabad.
On April 17, 2014, when I reached UNODC office in Diplomatic Enclave at 1400 hours, I found Front Office completely ignorant about my interview. After contacting the concerned authority, the receptionist guided me to the kitchen (Canteen). After sometime Manager Programme Prosecution appeared in the kitchen and guided me to the Conference Hall.
Advisor, Criminal Justice, was out of office. However, he joined the discussion after lunch at Islamabad Club. After he left, HR Associate also showed up.
I came back from the interview with the impression that UNODC had no respect for Pakistanis. I think terrorism, crime, drugs and corruption have tarnished the image of Pakistan in the eyes of the international community. It is a very serious situation. Citizens of Pakistan are treated with disrespect in their own country. It does not happen in other jurisdictions.
Our leadership must address issues of terrorism, human trafficking and drugs on priority basis, if we want to live with honour in the world.
ASGHAR MAHMOOD
Islamabad