LAHORE: In a first of its kind initiative in Pakistan’s history, the Punjab government has formally brought more than 76,000 registered imams and khateebs on board as part of a comprehensive province wide campaign against narcotics, seeking to harness the influence of mosque pulpits to combat rising drug abuse and trafficking.
The “Drug-Free, Peaceful Punjab” awareness campaign, launched on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, represents the government’s most extensive social mobilisation effort against narcotics to date, involving religious scholars, teachers, youth groups, civil society organisations, healthcare professionals, psychologists and law enforcement agencies under a coordinated strategy.
Senior official told Daily Jang that the decision to involve mosque imams on such a scale marked a major policy shift, with the government recognising the influential role of religious leaders in shaping public opinion and community behaviour, particularly among the youth.
Under the initiative, imams have been requested to address the dangers of drug addiction and trafficking during Friday sermons and regular religious lectures, while educating worshippers about Islam’s clear prohibition of intoxicants in the light of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
