Bangladesh, Pakistan sign pact to strengthen fight against drug trafficking

Bangladesh and Pakistan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in preventing the illegal trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

The agreement was signed on Friday at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Pakistan Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi.

Under the MoU, both countries will strengthen information sharing and technical cooperation to combat drug trafficking, money laundering linked to narcotics and other transnational crimes. 

They will also exchange intelligence on suspected individuals, organized criminal networks, trafficking routes and emerging smuggling methods.

The agreement includes provisions for joint efforts to identify drug trafficking organizations and to conduct coordinated operations, including controlled delivery missions when necessary, based on mutual requests between intelligence agencies.

Both sides also agreed to cooperate in training and retraining law enforcement personnel, as well as sharing scientific research and expertise. Technical know-how on drug detection, including the use of specialized equipment and sniffer dogs, will also be exchanged.

Bangladesh’s Department of Narcotics Control and Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) will serve as focal agencies for implementing the agreement, which also emphasizes strict confidentiality of shared information and documents.

The MoU will remain in effect for 10 years and can be extended by mutual consent. 

Officials expressed hope that the partnership will strengthen public health and security in both countries.

Pakistan Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi is currently on a two-day visit to Dhaka, marking the first ministerial visit from Pakistan since the recent elections.

SH