ISLAMABAD, Dec 12: Minister for Narcotics Control Ghous Bux Maher on Tuesday said that the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) had arrested 648 Nigerians on charges of drug trafficking since 2001.

He disclosed this while talking to Nigerian National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Chairman Alhaji Amadu Giade, who met the minister here at his office.

According to a ministry official, the two sides discussed ways to curb drug trafficking. Mr Maher said on the occasion that effective measures needed to bring drug trafficking to an end. He said 1,492 Nigerians were arrested in Pakistan since 1990 on drug-related charges.

The minister said that in September 1998 Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding with Nigeria on the prevention of illicit traffic in narcotics, psychotropic substances and other such material.

He said that in a joint ministerial meeting of the two countries held in 2004, ANF had suggested that every Nigerian travelling to Pakistan should obtain an NOC from NDLEA to prevent drug trafficking.

“We have requested our ministry of foreign affairs to explore possibility of signing an extradition treaty with Nigerian government for dealing with those involved in narcotics trafficking,” Mr Maher added.—APP