ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday sought a report from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) regarding measures against drug use in the federal capital’s universities.
It directed the Federal Ministry of Education to get regulations related to drug eradication approved by the Federal Government.
The court also directed the HEC to include the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and police officials in the monitoring committee formed to oversee anti-narcotics measures in educational institutions.
It also directed the media to run anti-narcotics awareness campaigns in prime time and sought a report from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) in this regard.
Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas was hearing a petition seeking measures to eliminate drug use in educational institutions in the federal capital.
During the hearing, lawyer Kashif Ali Malik, representing the petitioner organization Lucky Foundation, informed the court that a drug-related case was under trial in Karachi in which horsemen and delivery boys were also allegedly involved.
Justice Minhas noted that from day one he had said that drugs were being transported through riders and messengers.
HEC officials informed the court that designated areas had been allotted in educational institutions for riders and delivery staff. They said every rider or messenger who entered the premises was checked before being allowed entry.
Advocate Malik argued that after universities and colleges, drugs had now also become common in schools and even students of class seven and eight were using drugs.
The court ordered that continuous monitoring be carried out at the educational institutions and that a report be submitted. It also directed the Islamabad district administration to take action against narcotics and ensure surveillance.
The IHC further directed the Islamabad Police to crack down on narcotics and conduct surveillance in this regard. Later, the court adjourned further hearings to the last week of June.
