LCCI hosts seminar on Narcotics Free Punjab

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th May, 2026) Punjab Excise & Taxation and Narcotics Control Department Secretary Masood Mukhtar said on Wednesday that growing trend of drug abuse has created serious threats for society. If drugs are present in even top universities, one can easily imagine the situation in local communities.

He was speaking at a seminar titled “Narcotics Free Punjab” held here at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). The event was attended by LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, Punjab Counter Narcotics Force DG Brigadier Mazhar Iqbal, Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh, former LCCI president Mian Anjum Nisar, and members of Executive Committee including Amina Randhawa, Ali Imran, and Ahsan Shahid, along with other business and social figures.

LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said that drugs do not destroy individuals alone but damage the entire society. He said that Pakistan’s 65 percent youth population is its biggest asset and must be directed towards positive and constructive activities.

He added that drug use is spreading into schools and colleges, and youth must be engaged in sports and healthy activities. He informed that LCCI is organizing sports events including a padel tournament to promote positive engagement among youth.

He appreciated the Punjab government’s zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking but warned that industrial chemicals used legally are increasingly being misused in drug production, which needs immediate attention.

Secretary Masood Mukhtar said that all stakeholders are being taken on board in the fight against drugs, while special care is being taken in educational institutions to ensure their dignity is not harmed.

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He said the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force was established on the direction of the Chief Minister and is now active in 25 districts, with expansion to all districts expected by the end of the month.

He revealed that 2.5 tons of drugs have been seized so far, 450 people have been arrested, and 10 have been convicted with no bail granted. He also said that a 1012 helpline has been established where informants’ identities 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 safe. He said operations started in October 2024 and over 1,150 operations have been conducted so far.

He added that strict actions are being taken on motorways, highways, and during snap checking, resulting in the recovery of drugs as well as 128 weapons. He said 154 kg of ice (methamphetamine) has also been seized.

He further stated that drug trafficking methods are evolving, including the use of courier services and dead drops. Even quadcopters, once used for cross-border smuggling, are now being used for drug delivery within cities.

He said awareness campaigns under the non-kinetic strategy have been conducted in 160 colleges and universities. He added that “Narcotics Free Punjab, Safe Punjab” is their vision, and educational institutions remain the top priority.