By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a comprehensive initiative to protect students and the younger generation from the dangers of drug abuse, officials said.
Alongside a zero-tolerance policy against drug mafias, dealers, smugglers and sellers, the government has begun organizing awareness sessions and seminars in universities and other educational institutions to educate students and society about the social and health risks associated with drugs.
Provincial Minister for Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Syed Fakhar Jehan visited the University of Peshawar to formally inaugurate the campaign and to initiate a series of visits to educational institutions across the province.
The Provincial Minister chaired a joint meeting at the Vice Chancellor’s Office of the University of Peshawar, attended by officers from the Excise Department, Vice Chancellors of the four major universities on the campus, and other senior administrators. Key participants included Secretary Excise Taxation and Narcotics Control Khalid Ilyas, Vice Chancellor University of Peshawar Professor Dr. Johar Ali, Vice Chancellor Islamia College University Professor Dr. Ahmad ur Rehman Saljuqi, and senior officials from the University of Agriculture and the University of Engineering and Technology (UET).
During the meeting, detailed discussions focused on organizing awareness programmes for university students about the dangers of drug abuse and on measures to be taken by university administrations against individuals involved in drug-related activities.
It was unanimously agreed that all Vice Chancellors would take strict action against drugs within their respective institutions. Students found involved in drug abuse or related activities will face firm measures, including expulsion. The provincial government assured universities of full support in this regard, and a dedicated awareness programme will be organized at the University of Peshawar.
Alongside enforcement measures, the awareness campaigns aim to inform students about the hazards of drug addiction and preventive strategies to safeguard themselves from this social menace. A joint committee, headed by the Secretary Excise and including relevant university officials, will be constituted to strengthen coordination between universities and the Excise Department in anti-narcotics efforts.
Addressing the meeting, Provincial Minister Syed Fakhar Jehan said a 15-day campaign would sweep across Peshawar, including urban and rural areas, through both small and large-scale operations. He urged Vice Chancellors and senior university officials to play an active role in protecting students from drugs.
“We have to save our nation, our younger generation and humanity, as this ruthless curse is destroying families,” he said. He added that the misuse of crystal meth (ice) is part of a deliberate attempt to weaken the nation, and those involved will not be spared.
The Vice Chancellors welcomed the initiatives, assuring that internal monitoring mechanisms within universities would be strengthened. They reiterated that smoking is already banned on campuses and that no leniency would be shown to anyone involved in drug-related activities.
#KhyberPakhtunkhwa #AntiDrugCampaign #UniversityAwareness #DrugFreeYouth #StudentSafety #StopDrugAbuse #CrystalMethAwareness #YouthEmpowerment #KPUniversities #EducationMatters #DrugPrevention #ExciseDepartment #UniversityInitiatives #SafeCampus #ProtectOurYouth #SocialResponsibility #DrugAwarenessSessions #PakistanEducation #HealthyGeneration #NarcoticsControl
