11 October 2004	Monday	25 Shaban 1425

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 10: Pakistan on Friday called for a multi-pronged strategy to curb the threats posed by drugs, organized crime and terrorism.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly's Committee dealing with Social, Cultural and Humanitarian matters on the issues of crime prevention and criminal justice as well as international drug control, Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Masood Khalid said these crimes transcended national boundaries and threatened regional and international security.

"This entails addressing related menaces of terrorism, money-laundering, violent crimes and such other problems that have a bearing in this regard. Pakistan remains committed to forging effective partnerships at the international level," Mr Khalid said.

Noting that the primary responsibility to prevent and combat crimes rested with individual states, he said: "A befitting response to various forms of crime not only requires political resolve and effective implementation of policies at the national level, but also needs international cooperation."

Mr Khalid said: "Combating money-laundering and criminal economy constitutes a major element of strategies against organized crime. Member States must examine the desirability of a stand-alone instrument against money laundering negotiated under the aegis of the UN."

However, he noted: "Organized crime is exploiting the advances in communication technology and relaxed border controls designed to foster legitimate trade. It is becoming increasingly difficult for states to deal with criminal activity, which takes place beyond their border, yet adversely affects their interests.

This trans-national dimension of crime, therefore, necessitates increased international cooperation." Saying that the United Nations has a central role to play in the international fight against organized crime, Mr Khalid said: "The UN Convention against Trans-national Organized Crime (TOC) and its protocols together with the three conventions on drug control provide a sufficient legal basis for joint international action against various aspects of organized crime under the UN guidance."

"Universal adherence to these treaties and their faithful implementation would remain imperative for success against the twin menace of drugs and crime," he added. Pakistan, he said, had been actively participating in the negotiation on TOC Convention and Convention against Corruption and was also a signatory to both these conventions.

"A number of legal and administrative reforms have been introduced in key areas to prevent and combat criminal activities covered by these conventions," said the representative.