ANF working to eradicate use of drugs in varsities: DG

ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) told the Senate Committee on Narcotics Control that that in coordination with the Higher Education Commission, efforts have been initiated to curb the prevalence of narcotics in universities with a focus on 255 institutions.

The meeting of the Senate Committee on Narcotics Control was held with Senator Hidayatullah Khan in the chair at the Parliament House on Tuesday.

The ANF director general mentioned that each of the listed universities has established a separate anti-drug and tobacco committee. It was told that from September 11 to 29, 56 culprits have been arrested from various universities.

The ANF director provided an update on initiatives for decline in drug demand, highlighting that they are offering free-of-charge rehabilitation treatment and approximately 27,000 patients have already been treated at the rehabilitation centres.

It was highlighted that Pakistan has maintained a poppy-free status since 2021, and a total of 622.034 metric tons of drugs have been seized since 2023.

Furthermore, it was reported that 14,509 awareness activities have been conducted since 2023, with 37 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed with different countries and an additional 29 MoUs were under process.

The Ministry of Narcotics Control joint secretary presented an overview of the organisational structure and functions of the ministry and its attached departments.

He emphasised that the ministry has established various bilateral agreements with multiple countries to combat narcotics in Pakistan.

The total allocated budget was reported as Rs7.59 billion of which Rs265.1 million was allocated to the Ministry of Narcotics Control and Rs7.32 billion to the ANF. The national funds balance was reported as Rs401.133 million.

The ANF director general highlighted the department’s shortage of manpower.

Emphasising the importance of collaborative efforts to protect future generations, he stressed that combating the spread of narcotics should be treated as a national emergency.

“With political support the issue can be controlled,” he noted.

Senator Abdul Shakoor Khan expressed concern that Gulistan Tehsil has become a hub for narcotics, with the prevalence of drug use now 1,000 times higher than it was three years ago.

He recommended that the committee request a five-year record detailing how many offenders were apprehended and punished in both session court and high court.

The panel chairman remarked that we should all pledge to rid the country of all forms of narcotics, and we must strive to eliminate this menace as it causes significant harm to our nation.

“It is particularly damaging to our youth, who, as a result, lose their ability to understand or comprehend anything,” he said.

“We should address this issue with the spirit of jihad. In universities, even our youth are no longer able to perform to their potential due to the influence of drugs,” he said.

He further stated that he would urge the prime minister to provide the ANF with all necessary facilities to effectively curb this problem.

In attendance were Senator Dost Muhammad Khan, Senator Abdul Shakoor Khan, Senator Mir Dostain Khan Domki, Senator Manzoor Ahmed, the Ministry of Narcotics Control joint secretary, the ANF DG and director and senior officials from the ministry.