NA Body Raises Alarm Over Drugs Use in Educational Institutions

News Desk

Islamabad: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurance on Thursday voiced grave concern over the growing use of narcotics in educational institutions and directed the Ministry of Federal Education and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to frame a comprehensive policy to combat the menace.

The committee, chaired by MNA Nuzhat Sadiq at Parliament House, stressed that HEC must enforce a zero-tolerance policy and hold institutional heads accountable wherever drug use is reported. Members underlined that it was a moral responsibility to safeguard youth from the scourge of narcotics.

Briefing the committee, HEC officials said the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) had intensified operations, seizing 189 kilograms of narcotics from areas around educational institutions in Islamabad, along with major recoveries in other parts of the country.

They added that legal action was underway against drug peddlers, while awareness sessions were being organized to educate students about the harmful effects of drug abuse.

The committee also reviewed other pending assurances from various ministries. On encroachments over Evacuee Trust property in District Nankana Sahib, it directed authorities to adopt a strict zero-tolerance approach against illegal occupants and called for provincial cooperation in eviction drives.

Regarding complaints about the National Highways Authority (NHA), the committee summoned its chairman for the next meeting to explain delays in construction and rehabilitation of highways in Sindh. It also sought details of toll plazas set up at short intervals, revenue generated, and expenditure on roadworks.

The panel expressed dissatisfaction with Karachi Electric (KE), observing that unannounced load-shedding and over-billing persisted despite assurances from the company’s management. It called for a comprehensive briefing in early September from the Minister for Power and NEPRA, and suggested that allowing another electricity supplier in Karachi could encourage competition and improve service quality.

On gas shortages affecting tail-end consumers in Malir, Kemari and Lyari, the committee instructed Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) to expedite rehabilitation work. SSGCL officials assured that the project would be completed by October, easing supply constraints in the affected localities.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, MNAs Asiya Ishaque Siddique, Raja Qamar ul Islam, Shagufta Jummani, Shahida Rehmani, Hameed Hussain, Muneeba Iqbal, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani, and Sofia Saeed Shah, alongside secretaries of relevant ministries and senior officials.