Ministry, IIU agree on joint efforts for narcotics control

Islamabad : The International Islamic University (IIU) and Ministry of Narcotics Control on Wednesday agreed on joint efforts for narcotics control besides sensitisation, research and dialogue for the purpose.

The agreement came during a visit of a delegation of the Ministry of Narcotics Control headed by Federal Secretary Captain (r) Akbar Hussain Durrani on the IIU’s new campus where it held a meeting with IIU Rector Dr. Masoom Yasinzai along with university Vice Presidents Dr. N.B. Jumani, Dr. Ayaz Afsar, provosts and Students Advisors of the university. The ministry’s delegation was also joined by Senior Joint Secretary Sabino Sikandar Jalal and Section Officer Muhammad Riaz Haral.

Both sides agreed on the occasion that university’s constituent units such as Iqbal Institute for Research and Dialogue, Islamic Research Institute and Dawah Academy, through their scholars and researchers can play a vital role in disseminating awareness with the support of Islamic teachings and constructive dialogue.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Ministry of Narcotics Akbar Hussain Durrani said that there must be zero tolerance for narcotics in the society and the same is being pursued by the ministry as universities are being contacted and also being assured of cooperation and support for narcotics free campuses.

He added that addicts need rehabilitation instead of hate. "Society must discourage the drugs but there is also an equal responsibility to bring the addicts in the mainstream."

The secretary called upon the educational institutions to announce and convey in black and white as well that narcotics use and presence shall not be tolerated.

He also suggested that parents be taken on

board and be contacted time and again to ensure that the youth are not involved in any such negative activity.

Dr. Masoom Yasinzai said the university had taken extraordinary steps for a narcotics and smoking free campus.

He added that the university was also working to launch a special diploma for the drug psychologists to produce the human resource that may help in sensitization against the menace.

Dr. Masoom said the society’s eyes were focused on the universities, it’s time to pay back, societal issues such as prevalence of narcotics must be addressed by researchers and experts of higher education.

He promised the maximum support for research and dialogue in this regard as well as he also agreed that every single decision to curb the menace would be implemented in letter and spirit in the campuses of the university.