• CM Punjab took notice over the usage, sale and purchase of drugs in educational institutes.
• The Punjab Control of Narcotics Substances Act 2022 will be passed to tighten laws.
• The draft legislation proposes minimum two years sentence for drugs usage.

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervez Elahi has expressed serious concern over the increasing trend of using drugs in educational institutions.

The chief minister chaired a meeting to formulate strict legislation to make educational institutions free from drugs.  Former federal minister Moonis Elahi also participated in the meeting.

The provincial government has decided to bring legislation regarding the usage of drugs and narcotics in educational institutes.

The meeting was informed that the Punjab Control of Narcotics Substances Act 2022 has been prepared on the directives of the chief minister.

According to the draft legislation, severe punishments will be given for the use, purchase, and sale of drugs in schools, colleges, and universities.

Chaudhry Parvez Elahi stressed on the need to take effective measures to stop the sale and use of drugs in educational institutions.

He said it has been decided to increase the penalties for the sale and use of narcotics. The minimum sentence is two years imprisonment and the maximum sentence proposed is life imprisonment.

He said an independent agency will be established to deal with narcotics and special courts will be established. He added that anti-narcotics police stations should also be built to deal with the menace.

The chief minister said owners and employees of educational institutions will also be responsible for the sale and use of drugs on premises.

He said the law has been made to protect the new generation from drug usage at all costs. He said the sale of drugs in educational institutes cannot be accepted and those involved will not be able to escape from the grip of the law.

Chaudhry Pervez Elahi issued directives to make the new legislation more effective. He tasked Additional Chief Secretary Interior yo consult all stakeholders before it is implemented.  Secretary Excise and Taxation briefed the meeting about the important aspects of the draft legislation.

Provincial Minister Excise Sardar Muhammad Asif Nakai, Adviser to Chief Minister Aamir Saeed Rawn, Inspector General Police Faisal Shahkar, DG Narcotics Control, provincial secretaries and concerned authorities attended the meeting.

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