DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control, Syed Fakhar Jehan, on Wednesday ,briefed the media on the department’s performance during the first one and a half months after assuming office, stating that exemplary actions had been taken with firm resolve to protect the young generation, educational institutions and society from the menace of drugs.
The minister said a zero-tolerance policy had been adopted against drug peddlers, dealers, smugglers and facilitators.
From November 4, 2025 to January 15, 2026, a total of 91 operations were conducted, resulting in the recovery of 1,762 kilograms of narcotics and the arrest of 112 accused.
Sharing details of the operations, he said 91 FIRs were registered during the period, leading to the seizure of 47 kg ice (crystal meth), 1,702.74 kg hashish, 12 kg heroin, 1.2 kg opium, seven bottles of liquor, and 911 narcotic tablets, while 112 suspects were taken into custody.
Addressing the media at the Ittla Cell, Civil Secretariat Peshawar, the provincial minister said that such a large quantity of narcotics had never been seized in the province’s history.
He added that laws relating to narcotics were being further strengthened and fines increased to ensure that those destroying future generations could not escape punishment and would remain behind bars.
He announced that new Excise Police Stations were being established across the province and warned that any officer or official found involved in drug-related activities would be booked.
The minister said anti-drug awareness programmes would be launched in universities, and strict action would be taken against those responsible if drug peddling or drug-addicted students were found in any educational institution.
He noted that there had previously been no rehabilitation mechanism within the Excise Department, but efforts were now underway to ensure that drug-dependent individuals were referred to rehabilitation centres through the department.
He warned that strict action would be taken against any rehabilitation centre or hospital found pursuing purposes other than treatment, including action against the concerned staff.
Syed Fakhar Jehan further said that clear directives had been issued during the online open court held today to take indiscriminate action against both small and large drug traffickers.
Presenting a comparative review of revenue and tax recovery for November and December, the provincial minister said that besides curbing narcotics, the Excise Department also played a key role in provincial revenue collection.
Due to improved strategy, transparency and effective field performance, revenue collection during November–December 2025 reached Rs 1,013 million, reflecting an increase of Rs 113 million (12.52%) compared to the same period last year.
He expressed confidence that the department would exceed the Rs 7.4 billion target set for the financial year 2025–26, Insha’Allah.
On legal reforms and public facilitation, he said the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department was introducing multiple legal and digital initiatives to ensure public convenience, transparency, good governance and increased revenue.
These measures aim to provide fast, easy and transparent services to the public while strengthening revenue collection for the national exchequer. In this regard, a personalized registration mark system has been introduced.
He added that an online property tax software and mobile application had been implemented, while work on online software and a mobile app for professional tax was progressing rapidly.
