QUETTA: Netherlands Ambassador in Pakistan Jeannette Seppen and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Representative Cesar Guedes visited Quetta and met Balochistan Inspector General Police (IGP) Ahsan Mehboob to discuss UNODC’s important initiative to reinforce Balochistan’s criminal justice System, with the support of the Netherlands government.
During the meeting with Ahsan Mehboob, Ambassador Jeannette Seppen stated, “Pakistan faces a complex crime situation due to its unique geographical location, characterised by both conventional and organised crime. To fight against such crimes it is necessary to allocate appropriate resources in order to enhance the skills and capacity of the law enforcement in line with international norms and standards.”
Cesar Guedes thanked Seppen for the support provided by her government to UNODC Pakistan Country Programme for the benefit of the Pakistani people, particularly the support provided to Balochistan. He also appreciated the engagement of the previous and current inspectors general of police in Balochistan for their partnership in the programme and for facilitating the visit to the e-learning centres.
Guedes further stated that “this police Programme recognizes that the access to justice is fundamental to the stability of Pakistan, as it could improve trust between citizens and law enforcement institutions, in particular, the police by building confidence in civil society for a better criminal justice system more capable, fair and just”.
During the stay in Quetta, Seppen along with Guedes also held a meeting with Prosecution Secretary Dr Aftab Ahmad Baloch and Balochistan Government Prosecutor General Ameer Zaman Jogezai.
The Netherlands government contributed USD 2.5 million for a four-year programme with the Balochistan government, which ended on December 31, 2016, targeting drug and crime issues, with UNODC as the implementing partner.
UNODC’s Country Programme (2010-16) targets three critical and interdependent areas of development assistance: trafficking and border management, criminal justice and drug demand reduction (HIV/AIDS). In order to counter trafficking, strengthen border management and improve the criminal justice system, UNODC works with the government to assist Pakistani law enforcement and regulatory agencies to reduce trafficking, improve the management of borders and enhance the criminal justice system in order to increase security and prosperity.
