Ulema should highlight the role of religion in eliminating drug abuse from society, along with other concerned agencies and bodies, said Punjab Religious Affairs & Auqaf Minister Syed Saeed-ul-Hassan. He was talking to a team of NGOs representatives led by anti-narcotics consultant Syed Zulfiqar at his office here on Monday, according to a handout issued here.
He said Islam has prohibited all intoxicants as these leads to anti-social behaviour, and observed that religious leaders should help create public awareness from the pulpit in this regard.
The minister observed that peer pressure was the main factor in smoking cigarettes or taking drugs among the youth, and urged parents to keep a vigilant eye on the company kept by their offspring.
He told the NGOs to benefit from the government infrastructure in helping create a drug-free society, and urged the co-operation of religious leaders as well as the media in achieving the objective.