Islamabad (Online): Keeping in view the alarming situation of drug addiction particularly among the students, the Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control Senator A. Rehman Malik declared “WAR ON DRUGS” which was fully endorsed by the committee.
According to handout a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control was held on 19th October, 2016, at 11.00 a.m. in Committee Room No.4, Parliament House, and Islamabad.
The meeting was presided over by Senator A. Rehman Malik, Chairman of the Committee and former Interior Minister of Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by its members Senator Shahi Syed, Senator Saleh Shah, Senator Talha Mehmood, Senator Ch. Tanvir, Senator Mukhtar Dhamrah and Senator Syed Shibli Faraz, and Dr. Maria Sultan DG SASSI attended the meeting as Special Invitee.
The ANF authorities gave a detailed briefing on figure of addicts in schools, measures taken to check drugs sale to the students.
Committee expressed grave concerns over the increase in figures of drug addicts in educational institutions. It was briefed that the figure of addicts in Schools is not available as no survey has been conducted in this regard.
The recent survey conducted in 2013 by UNODC in collaboration with NCD and SBP, named as “Drug Use in Pakistan 2013” also did not show such statistics. However the ANF authorities being cognizant of the danger have taken strict measures against the drug suppliers.
Senator A. Rehman Malik proposed to launch an awareness campaign and the committee along with other participants like NGOs and Media representatives will arrange an Awareness Walk in Constitutional Avenue formally declaring the WAR ON DRUGS.
He said that it is the need of the hour to fight against the evil elements that are devastating our new generations through drugs.
He said Afghanistan on one hand is supplying us death in shape of terrorism and on the other hand in collaboration with India is involved in drugs.
Expressing grave concerns over the supply of drugs in reputable educational institutions in the capital city, Senator A. Rehman Malik said that strict actions to be taken against those schools and owners where drugs is being supplied easily. He said that drug is second big threat to our nation security after terrorism and fierce actions like we are taking in Zarb-e-Azb against terrorists are needed against drug mafia.
Chairman Senate Committee on Interior Senator A. Rehman Malik said that he is shocked to know that an eight years old child was found drug addicted during a survey. In this backdrop, the committee recommended that more strict measures be taken by the government, and strict legislations should be done in this regard.
Senator A. Rehman Malik proposed and recommended that it should be made mandatory for every public and private School, college and university to have a drug test of every student at least twice a year and the report should be checked by ANF.
The Schools, Colleges and Universities should take strict measures to have a check on drug related activities on the campuses and should be made responsible to report to ANF authorities, said Senator A. Rehman Malik.
In case any institution fails to keep a drug free environment, must be shut with heavy fine and punishment, committee recommended.
The committee also recommended that Afghan Transit Trade must not assist the drug dealers and the Narcotics Division should be kept on board while planning and implementing the CPEC. Senator A. Rehman Malik said that ANF should be empowered like other forces and manpower to be enhanced as soon as possible.
Chairman Senate Committee Senator A. Rehman Malik tasked Senator Mukhtiar Ahmed Dhamrah Aajiz to coordinate with the provincial authorities in implementing the recommended measures by the committee.
The committee recommended that the provincial Chief Secretaries along with the IG’s and Home Secretaries are directed to attend the next meeting and brief the committee about the provincial programmes / planning in combating the menace of drug addiction in youth.
Senator A. Rehman Malik said that the situation could not be ignored anymore. The committee also directed the Secretary Narcotics Division and the Secretary Interior Division to brief the committee about the innocent baby taken from Islamabad to Uramchi, China as a carrier of drug.
The committee directed that an investigation be initiated and the result be brought before the committee in this regard.
