Pakistan- UNODC Collaboration: A Lasting Partnership

Established in 1977 and headquartered in Vienna, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the main UN body on matters related to the global fight against drugs and transnational organized crime. With thematic areas ranging from corruption to cybercrime and drug trafficking to money laundering and terrorism, UNODC serves as a central hub for promoting international collaboration to combat these challenges. UNODC assists UN membership, inter alia, through its research and analytical work in relation to various aspects of drugs, crime, and terrorism prevention, providing normative support and technical advice and undertaking capacity-building initiatives at global, regional and national levels.

UNODC serves as Secretariat to the two international legal instruments in the area of corruption and transnational organized crime, namely the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). UNODC also has a critical role in its capacity as Secretariat of the two important functional Commissions of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), namely the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) and the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ). The Office maintains a field presence in different regions of the world, including in Islamabad.

UNODC and Pakistan

UNODC holds special significance for Pakistan given that it is one of the main stakeholders in the UN-led global policy to counter drugs and crime. Pakistan's collaboration with the UNODC can be traced back to its commitment to international conventions and agreements related to crime prevention, drug control, and terrorism. The establishment of UNODC and its mandate to assist member states in combating transnational challenges provided a framework for joint efforts. Pakistan's dedication to addressing these issues through international cooperation set the stage for fruitful collaboration with UNODC.

Pakistan, being situated at a crossroads of regional trade routes, has faced significant challenges in combating transnational crimes, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and terrorism. Pakistan actively engages with UNODC to strengthen its institutional capacity, enhance law enforcement capabilities, and address the root causes of these challenges. Pakistan is a party to the three UN Conventions on Drugs, UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) as well as the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). These Conventions provide the legal framework for international cooperation in addressing these transnational challenges. The collaboration with UNODC allows Pakistan to access technical assistance, expertise, and resources necessary to effectively implement these conventions at the national level.

UNODC has a dedicated Country Office in Islamabad, which is considered to be one of its main field offices both in terms of human and financial resources. Up until 2010, UNODC’s capacity-building work in Pakistan was project-based. Since 2010, that work has been consolidated under a comprehensive approach and framework of the Country Programme. The first UNODC Country Program for Pakistan was launched for the period 2011-2016.

In December 2016, Pakistan and UNODC signed the second UNODC Country Programme II for the period 2016-19, with an estimated budget of around US$ 75 million. The third Country Program covers the period 2022-2025. In line with UNODC Strategy 2021-2025, Country Programme-III is composed of 4 interlinked pillars, which are focused on illicit trafficking and border management; criminal justice system and legal reforms; and drug demand reduction, prevention, and countering terrorism. The Country Programme-III localizes the UNODC Strategy 2021-2025 to the needs and priorities of the Government of Pakistan.

At the regional level, Pakistan is part of the UNODC’s Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries for the period 2022-2025. The Regional Program comprises of eight member countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Coun­tries is UNODC's key mechanism to support the countries of West and Cen­tral Asia to develop regional and international joint responses to counter the harmful impact of illicit narcotics trafficking and transnational orga­nized crime on security, governance and social and economic development.

Focused Areas of Cooperation

The collaboration between UNODC and Pakistan has been instrumental in addressing transnational challenges effectively, aligning with UNODC's comprehensive strategy for the years 2021-2025. Through capacity-building initiatives, legislative reforms, and technical assistance, UNODC has played a vital role in strengthening Pakistan's criminal justice system, enhancing its ability to combat transnational crime, and promoting justice, security, and sustainable development. This collaborative effort has also facilitated the development and implementation of specialized training programs for law enforcement agencies, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle emerging challenges. By working together, UNODC and Pakistan are making significant strides in their shared commitment to combating transnational crime and creating a safer and more just society.

Pakistan’s Country Program is headed by Country Representative, Mr. Troels Vester, n Danish national. He joined UNODC Country Office Pakistan in November 2024. He is also a Senior Programme Coordinator for the regional programme.

Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) was established by the Economic and Social Council as one of its functional Commissions on 16 February 1946. The Commission assists the Economic and Social Council in supervising the application of international drug control treaties. It also advises the Council on matters pertaining to the control of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and their precursors. CND also reviews and analyses the global drug control situation, considering the interrelated issues of prevention of drug abuse, rehabilitation of drug users, and supply and trafficking of illicit drugs. It takes action through resolutions and decisions.

Pakistan’s last membership for the term 2020 to 2023 expired in December 2023. Pakistan will be contesting the election to Membership of the Commission for the term 2026-29, for which the elections are expected to be held in April 2025 in ECOSOC. Previously Pakistan has served on the membership of the Commission from 1969-99, 2002-2005, and 2008-2019. 

Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)

The Commission acts as the principal policymaking body of the United Nations in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. CCPCJ's mandates and priorities include improving international action to combat national and transnational crime and the efficiency and fairness of criminal justice administration systems. The CCPCJ also offers Member States a forum for exchanging expertise, experience, and information in order to develop national and international strategies, and to identify priorities for combating crime. Pakistan is currently a member of the CCPCJ for the term expiring in December 2027.

The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC)

The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the main international instrument in the fight against transnational organized crime. It was adopted in December 2000 through a UN General Assembly Resolution. Currently, 192 states are Party to the Convention. Pakistan acceded to the Convention in December 2010.

The Convention is further supplemented by three Protocols, which target specific areas and manifestations of organized crime: the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children; the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air; and the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition. Countries must become parties to the Convention itself before they can become parties to any of the Protocols.

International Centre for Migration Policy Development. (ICMPD)

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is an international entity which is working in the thematic area of migration. The Centre was established by Austria and Switzerland in 1993 to manage the irregular movement of people to Europe after breakup of the Soviet Union and related political developments in Eastern Europe. Since its inception, the Centre has retained its European origin and policy orientation, with 18 European countries as its members. ICMPD enjoys an observer status at the United Nations. Importantly, the Centre also functions as the Secretariat of the Budapest Process, which is one of the regional inter-governmental consultative mechanisms on migration, in which Pakistan also participates.

 ICMPD started collaborating with the Government of Pakistan within the framework of the Budapest Process (BP) in 2010. This partnership further evolved through projects such as “Support to the Silk Routes Partnership for Migration under the Budapest Process” and the new Budapest Process project “Improving Migration Management in the Silk Routes Countries.”

Some of the prominent activities of ICMPD in Pakistan include: (i) support to Pakistan’s Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD) in development of a National Emigration and Welfare Policy for Overseas Pakistanis; (ii) public awareness-raising about dangers associated with illegal migration and pre-departure orientation for Pakistan migrant workers at the Migration Resource Centres (MRCs); (iii) capacity building of FIA Academy and its development into a Centre of Excellence as a law enforcement training institute at the regional level; and, (iv) assisting Government of Pakistan for training officials to effectively implement the new laws on trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling, passed in 2018.

 MOPHRD, Labour Department Punjab and ICMPD operate two Migrant Resource Centres (MRC) in Islamabad and Lahore. The MRCs’ fundamental goals are to help people make informed decisions about migration, as well as raise awareness on the benefits of safe and regular migration, and the dangers and consequences of irregular migration.

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