LAHORE: A delegation of senior Iranian police officers met Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) retired Capt Arif Nawaz Khan at his office on Wednesday.

Law Enforcement and Anti-Narcotics Lt-Gen Umaid Sarwari led the Iranian delegation.

Both sides discussed issues pertaining to international drug smuggling and other matters of mutual interest. The meeting also agreed on mutual sharing of information between Punjab Police and Iranian Anti-Narcotics Police.

The IGP told the visiting officials that elimination of criminals involved in international smuggling and dealing of drugs and well-connected and coordinated sharing of information was the need of the hour. It will help boost the process of breaking the supply chain and network of drugs pushers, he added.

“The elimination of drug peddlers who compelled the youth to plunge into the curse of drugs was top priority of the Punjab police,” claimed Mr Khan.

He added that joint operations of Punjab Police and Anti-Narcotics Force were in full swing in different districts of the province.

The provincial police chief also announced the appointment of Additional Inspector General (Operations) Inaam Ghani as a focal person for close coordination with the Iranian Anti-Narcotics Police.

The Iranian delegation briefed the IGP about the modus operandi and modern surveillance system of its force and said that units of anti-narcotics, cyber crime and anti-riots have been established in Iran to counter crime, adding that the units were successful in maintaining peace, law and order and supremacy of the law in society.

The delegation further informed the IGP that mutual coordination of both forces will be helpful in breaching the chain of supply and network of persons involved in drugs smuggling.

The Iranian police officers acknowledged and praised the sacrifices of martyred police officers of Punjab and their struggle to eliminate terrorism.

At the end, memorials shields were exchanged between the IGP and Iranian police officers.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2019