Sindh govt, ANF sign MoU to run two drug rehab centres

In Pakistan, total number of drug addicts as per UN report are 7.6 million

KARACHI:

Sindh government and Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) on Monday signed MoU to run two drug rehabilitation centres in Karachi.

Social Welfare Department Secretary Dr Shereen Mustafa and ANF Joint Director Lt Col Anwar Hussain signed the MoU in the presence of Social Welfare Minister Sajid Jokhio and ANF Commander Brig Viqar Rizvi.

As per the agreement, ANF will manage the drug rehabilitation centres to be established at KMC Leprosy Hospital Manghopir and Youth Development Centre at Malir.

According to Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, the establishment of drug rehabilitation facilities across Sindh would be carried out through public-private partnerships.

He said this today while presiding over an important meeting regarding establishing a centre for rehabilitating drug addicts in Sindh.

Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon, IG Ghulam Nabi Memon, Secretary School Education Ghulam Akbar Laghari, Secretary Social Welfare Department Dr Shereen Mustafa, DG Public Private Partnership Assad Zamin and representatives of Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) participated in the meeting.

Rajput said that the provincial government would provide funds, buildings and other facilities, and the private party will manage the drug rehabilitation centre as per international practices.

“The government will establish the centre, and a well-reputed private partner will run it,” he said.

He directed Public-Private Partnership Director General Assad Zamin to prepare all the necessary documents. He said private institutions for the partnership would be provided through a competitive bidding process.

Rajput further said that a campaign related to drug usage would be launched on media and social media to make the masses aware.

He said besides the two rehab centres to be managed by ANF, all other private drug rehabilitation centres in the province will be regulated through Sindh Healthcare Commission.

IG Memon told the meeting that said the police are taking action against drug dealers along with other agencies in the province. All the province’s SSPs have been tasked with taking action against drug dealers. He further said that an SSP of a district had been given a certificate of appreciation for action against drug dealers while a senior officer is facing department enquiry in this regard.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2022.