The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday reviewed compliance reports submitted by relevant authorities in a case concerning the elimination of drugs from educational institutions.
The hearing was conducted by Justice Raja Inam Amin Minhas. During the proceedings, Director Legal of the Inspector General of Police Office Tahir Kazim, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Prosecutor Rana Zulfiqar, and DSP Legal Sajid Cheema appeared before the court.
The Islamabad Police, the Anti-Narcotics Force, and the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority submitted their implementation reports in compliance with earlier court orders.
Director Legal IG Office Tahir Kazim informed the court that, on the court’s directions, two key meetings of stakeholders had already been held under the leadership of the Inspector General of Islamabad to develop a joint strategy for eradicating drugs from educational institutions.
Justice Raja Inam Amin Minhas remarked that the government itself should establish a joint task force to effectively combat drug use in educational institutions. He observed that the court’s objective was for all relevant departments to work together in a practical manner, adding that merely holding meetings was not enough and visible implementation was required.
ANF Prosecutor Rana Zulfiqar told the court that a focal person had been appointed in every private educational institution to address drug-related issues and that regular monthly meetings would be held in this regard.
Officials of the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority informed the court that awareness campaigns against drugs were being conducted in schools, and that a special awareness session involving representatives of 100 schools was held on December 9.
The authority further stated that committees comprising focal persons had been formed in every school. During the hearing, Justice Raja Inam Amin Minhas also referred to the role of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority in airing public awareness advertisements on drug prevention, but observed that no such campaigns had so far been seen on television channels.
The court summoned the relevant PEMRA official for the next hearing to review progress on the awareness campaign. The Islamabad High Court adjourned further hearing of the case until January 27 with additional directions.
