Abu Dhabi (GNP): Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Shafqat Ali Khan, presented the country’s national statement at the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, taking place in Abu Dhabi from September 26 to October 1, 2026. He thanked the UAE for hosting the gathering and praised its hospitality and organization.
Describing a changing global crime landscape, Khan said economic and social inequality, underdevelopment, and the misuse of digital and artificial intelligence technologies are generating new threats. He urged renewed dedication to the Sustainable Development Goals, pointing to the mutually reinforcing link between development and the rule of law.
Pakistan pressed for deeper international cooperation, stronger national capacity, and meaningful technical assistance and technology transfer for developing countries. Khan also stressed that emerging technologies should be developed and used safely, securely, and responsibly.
Restating Pakistan’s resolve to fight transnational organized crime and the global drug problem, he cited the country’s long record of counter-narcotics work, including large drug seizures and its poppy-free status. He raised concern about a possible expansion of opium cultivation and synthetic drug production in Afghanistan, and about the growing link between narcotics and terrorism, which he said carries consequences for regional security.
The Ambassador called for firmer international action against corruption, money laundering, and illicit financial flows, including effective asset recovery and steps to deny criminals safe havens. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to tackling human trafficking and migrant smuggling, adding that safe, regular, and affordable migration pathways can help address these problems.
Voicing alarm over rising Islamophobia, racism, and xenophobia, Khan urged credible measures to counter hate speech, strengthen legal protection for victims of Islamophobia, and foster mutual understanding and respect.
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The UN Crime Congress, held every five years, is the organization’s main global forum on crime prevention and criminal justice, bringing together states and stakeholders to strengthen international cooperation against crime.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
