Islamabad, Sep 13 (IANS) Pakistan and India have signed a pact to check cross-border drug trafficking.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed Monday, Dawn reported from Rawalpindi.

Prior to the signing, an 11-member delegation from India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) led by its director general O.P.S. Malik, held talks with Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) headed by its director general, Major General Syed Shakeel Hussain.

During the meeting, the Indian team expressed concerned over drug smuggling from Pakistan and sought its reduction. It, however, lauded Pakistan`s efforts in reducing poppy cultivation.

‘There must be coordinated efforts from both the sides to check the drug trafficking. The menace of drugs must come to an end in the subcontinent and it is possible if India and Pakistan make coordinated efforts to stop the cross-border traffic,’ Malik was quoted as saying.

Hussain said poppy cultivation in the tribal areas of Pakistan had come an end due to a military operation.

He added that the MoU would help in ending the cross-border drug trafficking between India and Pakistan.

Islamabad, Sep 13 (IANS) Pakistan and India have signed a pact to check cross-border drug trafficking.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed Monday, Dawn reported from Rawalpindi.

Prior to the signing, an 11-member delegation from India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) led by its director general O.P.S. Malik, held talks with Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) headed by its director general, Major General Syed Shakeel Hussain.

During the meeting, the Indian team expressed concerned over drug smuggling from Pakistan and sought its reduction. It, however, lauded Pakistan`s efforts in reducing poppy cultivation.

‘There must be coordinated efforts from both the sides to check the drug trafficking. The menace of drugs must come to an end in the subcontinent and it is possible if India and Pakistan make coordinated efforts to stop the cross-border traffic,’ Malik was quoted as saying.

Hussain said poppy cultivation in the tribal areas of Pakistan had come an end due to a military operation.

He added that the MoU would help in ending the cross-border drug trafficking between India and Pakistan.