Drugs on campus irk senators

Seek explanation from the finance ministry, establishment division

ISLAMABAD:

A Senate panel on Wednesday expressed concerns over the rising use of drugs in educational institutions, noting an ‘invasion’ by drug dealers, while the anti-narcotics force claimed that they are hamstrung from a lack of manpower.

This was discussed during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Narcotics Control which met at the Parliament House on Wednesday with Senator Sardar Shafiq Tareen in the chair.

The panel also discussed the issues related to the commercial production of hemp in the country.

During the meeting, the panel expressed concerns about the surge in drug smuggling in the country.

At this, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Director General (DG) Maj Gen Arif Malik told the panel that they were implementing the ministry’s directions whereby they are targeting drug supply and demand.

However, the official decried a lack of manpower apart from financial constraints to achieve their purpose.

The committee was told that some 3,148 posts had been approved for the force but so far only 2,172 posts were filled.

Maj Gen Malik said that they had to seek approval from the establishment division for recruits. Further, he said that the ANF was not provided with the requisite funds for new hirings and instead were asked to wait until next year.

The official told the panel that ANF had originally sought some 10,000 new posts which had received the support of the committee as well. Despite that, they were only allowed to hire just 500 people.

Federal Minister for Narcotics Control Azam Swati said the government had allocated Rs7.8 million for organising workshops and seminars on drugs.

This is a problem concerning the country's future. If the youth are not stopped from using drugs, it will spell a disaster for the country, he added.

"Synthetic drugs are very dangerous and they are being prepared in Pakistan as well. However, they can be controlled in the presence of an efficient workforce," Swati said.

The federal minister demanded a briefing from the special advisor to the prime minister on finance, the finance ministry’s secretary and the establishment division secretary on the issue of releasing requisite funds and allowing recruits.

Moreover, the situation in Afghanistan - which is a major source of drugs flowing into the country - is also common knowledge.

Senator Sabir Shah said that drugs are used openly in educational institutions across the country and termed it a conspiracy of the country’s enemies to destroy its young generation. Drug dealers have invaded the country and it is more dangerous than nuclear-tipped arch-rivals India attacking Pakistan, Senator Shah expressed.

He recalled that the committee had in its last meeting decided to summon stakeholders to review drug abuse amongst youngsters.

At this, the committee chairman said that he had spoken to the Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani but he recommended getting a briefing from the relevant ministry first.

Issues related to the commercial production of hemp were also discussed in the meeting. The panel was informed that a pilot project for the production of industrial hemp will commence after two government departments clear the project. They added that the final decision on commercial production will be taken after a detailed review.

The committee was further told that industrial hemp and cannabis are two separate plants.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2020.