IHC warns of action against Principals over drug supply in educational institutions

ISLAMABAD: Justice Inam Amin Minhas of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has said that if anyone is found involved in the supply of drugs to educational institutions, action will be taken against the principal concerned.

The remarks came during the hearing of a case related to complaints of drug supply in federal educational institutions. During the proceedings, the police submitted a detailed report to the court.

According to the report, the federal police registered 1,314 drug-related cases this year and arrested 1,408 suspects. Around educational institutions, 22 drug peddlers were apprehended, and 3 kilograms of heroin, 3 kilograms of ice, and 18 kilograms of hashish were seized.

The police and government representatives informed the court that the federal police had launched an awareness campaign titled “Nasha Ab Nahi” to combat drug use in schools and colleges. The committees have been formed in educational institutions, seminars conducted, and awareness programs initiated.

Justice Minhas questioned how these school committees were being formed and directed that their performance reports must be submitted to the court.

He further stated that no event or external item should enter a school without the principal’s permission, adding that if any drug supply incident is reported, the principal will be held accountable. “Fines are not a solution — the regulator must ensure compliance,” he remarked.

The judge observed that drug smuggling is extremely dangerous and involves various methods. He directed police to interrogate arrested individuals about which schools they were supplying drugs to and to include this procedure in their standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Justice Minhas instructed the authorities to inspect all educational institutions where such cases have been registered and submit a report, stating:

“If drugs are reaching schools, colleges, or universities, their administration will be held responsible.”