Minister vows to end ice, drug menace
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Caretaker Minister for Finance and Excise Taxation and Narcotics Control, Ahmed Rasool Bangash, has vowed to combat the issue of illegal drugs, specifically “ice,” across the province.
Recognizing the pivotal role played by the Excise Department in generating revenue for the region, Bangash emphasized that special measures would be implemented to enhance the department’s performance further.
During his first meeting with the department since assuming the role of caretaker minister for excise, Bangash presided over an introductory session at the Directorate General of Excise. In attendance were key officials, including Director General Excise Akmal Khan Khattak and various excise officers.
The meeting delved into a comprehensive overview of the department’s administrative affairs, revenue recovery, and ongoing reform initiatives. Bangash underscored the department’s significance in the province’s revenue collection and outlined plans to boost excise efficiency in all districts.
He set a clear mandate for all officers to meet revenue targets by June and emphasized the importance of integrity and diligence in their work. Bangash highlighted a commitment to a rigorous system of rewards and consequences, pledging to allocate resources to uphold merit and eliminate corruption.
Bangash articulated a vision of the excise department as a model of efficiency and responsiveness, striving to provide maximum relief and essential services to the people. He demonstrated unwavering determination to combat the drug menace plaguing society.
During the meeting, Bangash issued directives for comprehensive operations against narcotics and “ice.” Salahuddin, Director Revenue; Engineer Dr. Eid Badshah, Director Litigation; Muhammad Nauman, Deputy Director Audit and Accounts; Faisal Khursheed Barki, ETO-1st Motor Registering Authority (Private Vehicle); Ijaz Khan, ETO-V Motor Registering Authority (Commercial Vehicle); Zahid Iqbal Khan, Excise and Taxation Officer (Narcotics Control); along with other officers actively participated in the discussions.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2023.