Crackdown on extortionists, drug peddlers ahead of Muharram

PESHAWAR: With Muharram just around the corner, the provincial chief minister on Wednesday called for a comprehensive security drive in the province, with a special crackdown against extortionists and drug peddlers.

To clamp down on the spread of synthetic drugs, the chief minister said that a draft bill is expected to be passed soon.

This was stated by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan while chairing a high-level meeting on the law and order situation in the province.

During the meeting, CM Mahmood was told that 1,902 cases have been registered against drug traffickers while 2,060 suspected drug traffickers have been arrested thus far. Moreover, some 3.5 tonnes of hashish, 217 kilogrammes of heroin, 10 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamines (also known as Ice) and 167 kilogrammes of opium have been seized.

Crackdown against drug peddlers ordered

Further, as many as 81 cases have been registered against terrorists from May 1 to date in which 64 suspected terrorists have arrested while 10 were killed during operations. Another 44 suspected terrorists were arrested in 21 joint operations from August 11 to date.

Mahmood said that rehabilitation centres have been established in various districts of the province for drug addicts while efforts are underway to set up detoxification stations in these centres.

Moreover, he said that the acquisition and distribution of chemicals used in the synthesis of Ice should be sternly regulated to curb the menace at its source. He hoped that once passed, the draft bill against synthetic drugs will curb the spread of Ice.

He directed the police department to take strict measures for ensuring security during Muharram.

“Peace has been restored at a hefty cost and now we must ensure the sustainability of peace and security which is vital for progress and development,” Mahmood said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd, 2019.