Alam Zeb Khan
Islamabad: The Ministry of Narcotics launched its newly automated Precursor Management System (PMS), an online portal for registering and applying ‘No Objection Certificate (NOC)’ ahead of importing controlled precursor chemicals by the industry. This newly automated system has the technical backing of UNODC, through funding support from the Government of Japan.
Addressing the participants, Federal Minister for Narcotics Control Nawabzada Shazain Bugti thanked UNODC for its continued technical support, which led to design and automation of Pakistan’s Precursor Management System. He said that the upgradation was the centerpiece of Government of Pakistan’s modernization drive, and it has greatly contributed to Government’s long-term goals and objectives.
He added that the Government of Pakistan was committed to strengthening its precursor control regime, in pursuance of the commitments to address the World Drug Problem, under the principle of shared and common responsibility.
This upgradation has enabled the Ministry of Narcotics Control in drug regulation, and countering drug abuse and associated health issues affecting the young Pakistani strata, particularly in educational settings.
In his welcome address, Dr. Jeremy Milsom, Representative UNODC Country Office in Pakistan highlighted that the new web-based Precursor Management System has significantly increased capacities of these national authorities, to collect, receive, process, interpret data and approve requests relevant to import and legitimate industrial usage of controlled precursor chemicals, in a better and more secure and real-time manner.
Dr. Milsom further said that This technical capacity-building initiative will improve Pakistan’s precursor control regime and improve ‘ease-of-doing business’ for the Pakistani chemical and pharmaceutical industry. He added that this capacity development has paved the way for attaining objectives of Government of Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Policy 2019, and our shared aspirations under the provisions of UNODC’s Pakistan Country Program III (2022-2025).
The Online Portal
While delivering a comprehensive presentation on the PMS, Senior Joint Secretary Ministry of Narcotics Control Sabino Sikandar Jalal apprised the participants design and functioning of web-based information management and application processing system, replacing manual processing system, focusing public companies’ registration, requests for importing controlled precursor chemicals for industrial usage, issuance of ‘No Objection Certificate’, and submission of utilization details of imported controlled chemicals.
In her remarks, Humaira Ahmed, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Narcotics Control highlighted that the newly automated Precursor Management System was a manifestation of Government of Pakistan’s broader vision, and to automate the entire process of registration and issuance of ‘No-Objection Certificate (NOC)’ to the chemical and pharmaceutical industry to import, export and utilize controlled precursor chemicals.
She further said that the requests for grant of NOC can now be generated electronically and all the required steps (including document submission, utilization details and import licenses) have also been properly automated while adding that it will also significantly improve transparency and trust among the public-private stakeholders concerned”, she further said.
Despite limited resources and technological and research gaps, the Government of Pakistan has been taking concrete measures both at the policy and operational levels.
Pakistan’s National Anti-Narcotics Council is chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, that includes several federal and provincial ministries and law enforcement agencies. Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Policy 2019 envisions strong drug demand reduction, supply reduction, and international cooperation. The Policy also envisions developing an effective drug monitoring and intelligence system – for undertaking necessary supply and demand reduction activities in the affected areas and communities.
