Anti-Drug Meeting Calls for Stronger Action Against Drug Network in Swat -

TIMES REPORT

SWAT: An important consultative meeting on combating drug abuse was held at the hujra of Noorul Hadi, Chairman of Qaumi Aman Jirga Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and former Director Information, in Barikot, Swat.

The meeting was chaired by Fida Muhammad Khan Grangi, President of Qaumi Jirga Tehsil Barikot.

Participants expressed deep concern over the growing spread of drugs in Swat, particularly in Tehsil Barikot, and the easy availability of narcotics to young people and students. They stressed the need for the Director General of Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to further strengthen and activate the Narcotics Intelligence system.

The participants also called for effective coordination among the Police, Excise and Narcotics Control Department, district administration and other relevant institutions to ensure joint and coordinated action against the entire drug supply network.

The meeting was attended by Ali Sher Khan, General Secretary of Qaumi Islahi Tehreek Tehsil Barikot and former Principal; Wahid Karam Khan; former Ghalegay Nazim Haider Ali Khan; Irshad Ali Khan, President of Ghalegay Welfare Organization; Naeem Khan; Amanullah Khan; Zahoor Ahmad Khan; Wazir Muhammad Khan; Faseehullah Khan; Gohar Ali Khan; Abdul Razzaq Khan and other prominent elders.

The participants emphasized that action against small-scale drug sellers alone would not be sufficient to eradicate the menace. They stressed the need to identify and take effective action against major drug dealers, suppliers, facilitators, smugglers and all those involved in the drug supply chain.

It was decided that special awareness programmes would be organized in schools, colleges and universities to make the anti-drug campaign more effective. The programmes would be conducted with the cooperation of educational institutions, teachers, parents, religious scholars, jirgas, and social and reform organizations.

The participants also agreed to establish local committees at the village level to help prevent the spread of drugs, protect young people, identify suspicious activities in a timely manner, and develop an effective system of community monitoring and public awareness.