Official vows to fight drug menace

PESHAWAR: Commissioner Peshawar Division Riaz Khan Mahsud has declared an all-out war on drugs, terming it a greater threat than terrorism.

At a meeting of the Joint Action Committee on drug eradication, Riaz Mahsud announced a comprehensive strategy to combat drug trafficking and smuggling. He directed the intelligence agencies to identify and apprehend major drug dealers and suppliers and ordered strict action against any complicit government officials.

Deputy commissioners, district police officers and officials of the Excise and Taxation Department, Social Welfare Department, Anti-Narcotics Force, and intelligence agencies from Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mohmand and Khyber tribal districts attended the meeting.

They discussed measures to curb drug supply lines, apprehend smugglers and provide alternative livelihoods for farmers cultivating poppy crops.Riaz Mahsud emphasised the importance of concerted efforts to save the younger generation from drugs and its menace. He announced a public awareness campaign in collaboration with religious scholars and teachers.