Youth must be guided towards positive activities: LCCI PresidentEducation institutions are top priority in drug prevention: Masood Mukhtar

By Muhammad Shahzad
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: Secretary Excise & Taxation and Narcotics Control Department Masood Mukhtar has said that the growing trend of drug abuse poses serious threats to society, warning that the presence of drugs even in top universities reflects the alarming spread of narcotics within communities.
He expressed these views while addressing a seminar titled “Narcotics Free Punjab” held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). The event was attended by LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, DG Punjab Counter Narcotics Force Brigadier Mazhar Iqbal, Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh, former President Mian Anjum Nisar, Executive Committee members Amina Randhawa, Ali Imran and Ahsan Shahid, along with members of the business community and civil society.
LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said that drugs not only destroy individuals but also damage society as a whole. He noted that Pakistan’s 65 percent youth population is the country’s greatest asset and must be directed towards positive and constructive activities.
He said drug abuse is increasingly spreading in schools and colleges, stressing the need to engage youth in sports and healthy recreational activities. He informed participants that the LCCI is organizing sports events, including a paddle tournament, to encourage positive engagement among young people.
Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol appreciated the Punjab government’s zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking but cautioned that industrial chemicals legally used in industries are increasingly being misused in the production of narcotics, requiring immediate attention from authorities.
Secretary Masood Mukhtar said all stakeholders are being taken on board in the fight against drugs while ensuring that the dignity of educational institutions is maintained during enforcement operations. He said the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force was established on the directions of the Chief Minister and is currently operational in 25 districts, with expansion to all districts expected by the end of the month.
He revealed that authorities have recovered 2.5 tons of narcotics so far, arrested 450 individuals and secured convictions of 10 accused persons without bail being granted. He further said that a 1012 helpline has been established where the identities of informants are kept strictly confidential.
DG Punjab Counter Narcotics Force Brigadier Mazhar Iqbal said the force is a new initiative aimed at making Punjab drug-free and secure. He stated that operations began in October 2024 and more than 1,150 operations have been conducted so far.
He added that strict action is being taken on motorways, highways and during snap checking, resulting in the recovery of narcotics and 128 weapons. He also disclosed that 154 kilograms of ice (methamphetamine) has been seized during various operations.
Brigadier Mazhar Iqbal said drug trafficking methods are rapidly evolving, including the use of courier services and dead drops, while quadcopters once used for cross-border smuggling are now being used for drug deliveries within cities.
He further said that awareness campaigns under the non-kinetic strategy have been conducted in 160 colleges and universities across Punjab. “Narcotics Free Punjab, Safe Punjab” is the vision of the force, he added, stressing that educational institutions remain their top priority in anti-drug efforts.