ISLAMABAD, April 7: The Senate Standing Committee on Narcotics Control has expressed its concern over the issuance of visas to the Nigerian nationals who were found involved in drug trafficking.

The committee directed the Foreign Office to review its visa policy for Nigeria and increase its coordination with the Nigerian government while issuing visas to their businessmen and other people intending to visit Pakistan.

The committee, which met here with Senator Kalsoom Parveen in the chair, observed that strict visa procedure was required to get rid of those who tarnished the image of the country at the global level.

A participant of the meeting told Dawn that the committee also directed the ministry of foreign affairs and the Anti Narcotics Force to strengthen their coordination to eliminate the sources of this evil business.

Senator Enver Baig and some other members of the committee had drawn the attention of the chairperson of the committee towards the fact that a large number of Nigerian nationals had been arrested in the country on drug charges during recent years and their number was on the rise. The committee expressed surprise why the Foreign Office was not taking up the matter at the government level.

When contacted, Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said visa issuance policy would be reviewed. “Whatever the Senate body has recommended would be fully implemented,” he added.

Senior representatives of the Federal Board of Revenue and the ANF explained their positions on the seizure of acetic-anhydride, a chemical used for processing of heroin. They were directed to submit their point of view on its seizure, so that the committee may give its opinion.

Director general ANF briefed the committee about the steps taken during 2005 and 2006 to stop drug trafficking. He said all-out efforts were being made to eradicate the sources. He said production of opium in a neighbouring country was a constant source of trouble for Pakistan’s law-enforcement agencies as it was attracting many drug barons.

Secretary ministry of narcotics control highlighted various aspects which constantly created problems for the ANF to work smoothly.

The meeting was attended by senators Nisar A. Memon, Sardar Mehmood Khan, Saleem Saifullah Khan, Abdul Raziq, Syed Mohammad Hussain, Abdul Rahim Khan Mandokhail, Saadia Abbasi, Mohammad Enver Baig and Federal Minister for Narcotics Control Nazar Mohammad Gondal.