Govt bans sale of drug-related items to curb narcotics use

Sales of wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, ceramic pipes, roach clips, chillums banned

KARACHI:

The Sindh government has imposed a ban on the sale of items commonly used in the consumption of drugs, in a bid to curb narcotics use across the province.

Following instructions from Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Karachi's commissioner issued a notification enforcing Section 144, which prohibits the sale of wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, and ceramic pipes, roach clips, chillums, bongs, and marijuana pipes.

Station House Officers (SHOs) at local police stations are authorised to register cases against violators under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

According to the PPC, Section 188 pertains to the punishment for disobedience to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant.

"This ban is an important step in our ongoing fight against drug use in Sindh," said Senior Minister Memon. "Our aim is to discourage the availability of tools that facilitate narcotics consumption."

He added that the provincial government will continue taking strict measures to protect the public, particularly the youth, from the dangers of drug addiction.