ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to submit a report on measures taken to overcome drug use in universities and educational institutions across the federal capital.A single bench, headed by Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas, heard a petition filed by the Lucky Foundation, represented by counsel Kashif Ali Malik, seeking effective steps to eliminate drug use in educational institutions in Islamabad.
The court also directed the Ministry of Education to have rules related to drug eradication approved by the federal government. The HEC was instructed to include the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and police in its monitoring committee. The court further directed the media to run awareness campaigns against drugs during prime time and sought a report from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) in this regard.
During the proceedings, Kashif Ali Malik informed the court that a drug case in Karachi had also highlighted the involvement of riders and delivery boys in drug trafficking.
Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas remarked that drugs were being transported through riders and delivery boys. HEC officials informed the court that they had designated specific areas within educational institutions for delivery riders, where all arrivals were checked.
The counsel further submitted that drugs had now become common in schools as well as universities and colleges, with children as young as seventh and eighth grade reportedly using drugs. The court ordered that regular monitoring be conducted in educational institutions and reports be submitted. The Islamabad district administration was also directed to take anti-narcotics measures and ensure monitoring. Islamabad Police was similarly instructed to take steps against drugs and ensure effective surveillance. The court adjourned further proceedings until the last week of June.
