ISLAMABAD, March 24 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday day conferred Hilal-i-Pakistan upon Ronald K. Nobel, Secretary General Interpol, during a special investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-i-Sadr.Senator A. Rehman Malik, Federal Minister for Interior, M.Salman Faruqui, Secretary General, Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar were present during the ceremony besides senior officials.The citation read on the occasion said that Mr. Nobel has rendered marked services and played a very positive role in projecting Pakistan’s viewpoint towards international policing issues.
Furthermore, the honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan has appreciated the role of Interpol in bringing culprits to justice by harnessing international police cooperation and assistance. In recognition of his services with special reference to Pakistan, the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan has been pleased to confer Hilal-i-Pakistan on Ronald K. Noble, it said.
Later, during their meeting, the President appreciated tireless services of Ronald K. Nobel for promoting cooperation between Interpol and Pakistan law enforcing authorities.
The President also appreciated the role of Interpol in dealing with the menace of drugs trafficking, human trafficking, criminal organizations, high-tech crimes, terrorism and fighting corruption.
He congratulated Noble on assuming his five years term as Secretary General and hoped that his vision of making the agency a key player in the war against terrorism would be realized.
Discussing war against terrorism, the President reiterated his call for putting a complete end to the drug trafficking and said that this was critical for durable peace, stability and socio-economic development of the region.
He said that the drugs were being used as a weapon for funding and equipping the militants and there was an urgent need for the international community to especially focus on putting an end to drug trafficking. He said that an integrated approach including promoting alternative livelihood, agriculture development, eradication and reducing drugs consumption be adopted to check the menace – Ftpapp
