ISLAMABAD, 17 Nov 2025: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) has warned that Pakistan’s online drug markets are expanding rapidly, necessitating a coordinated and technology-driven response from law enforcement agencies.
This was stated during a session at the Institute of
Regional Studies (IRS) on “Dark Web and E-Commerce in Pakistan: Emerging
Tactics of Drug Trafficking and Law Enforcement Responses,” organized by the
IRS Cyber Security Program led by Ms. Alina Fayaz.
The discussion brought together diplomats, government
representatives, and international experts to examine rapidly evolving digital
threats.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President IRS, opened the session
by noting that while online platforms offer significant opportunities, their
ease of access also exposes young people to criminal activities, including the
online purchase and sale of drugs.
He stressed the urgent need to strengthen state capacities,
train cyber domain specialists, and upgrade investigative agencies such as the
FIA. He also underlined the importance of inter-agency collaboration and
knowledge-sharing to counter increasingly sophisticated digital
drug-trafficking techniques.
Troels Vester, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes(UNODC) Country Representative, highlighted the
Dark Web’s growing role as a sophisticated enabler of cybercrime, providing
anonymity for a widening range of illicit activities. He noted that messaging
applications are being misused for drug distribution and that criminal networks
are adopting e-commerce–style operating models, making trafficking more
organized and harder for authorities to detect.
He warned that Pakistan’s online drug markets are expanding
rapidly, with sellers using encrypted channels and digital payments to evade
law enforcement. These developments, he emphasized, demand a coordinated,
technology-driven, and well-resourced response.
Oliver Gadney, Programme Coordinator GPML at UNODC Headquarters, shared insights into technological tools, investigative methodologies, and global best practices for countering dark-net-based crime. He highlighted growing challenges in tracing online trafficking networks and stressed the need for strong inter-agency cooperation, including efforts to disrupt the financial foundations of such criminal enterprises.
He further noted that law enforcement must continually adapt
to fast-evolving digital ecosystems while maintaining compassion toward
individuals struggling with drug use.
Amb. Mansoor Khan, former Chair of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), pointed out that Afghanistan and Pakistan remain among the largest producers and transit routes for opiates fueling regional drug flows.
He warned that educational institutions are increasingly
vulnerable, with students becoming major targets for distribution networks.
Citing alarming figures, he noted that nearly 70% of
Pakistan’s drug users are under 30, driven by stress, peer pressure, and
accessibility. He added that despite the ANF’s dedicated efforts, sophisticated
digital networks and established maritime, land, and air routes continue to
enable trafficking.
Concluding the session, Amb.
Saleem stressed that a holistic approach—combining stronger border
controls, enhanced monitoring mechanisms, promoting awareness and coordinated
institutional responses—is essential to effectively counter emerging digital
and transnational drug-trafficking threats.
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