(Karachi) Minister of State for Narcotics and Control Shahryar Afridi said the government has devised a strategy to make drug tests mandatory for school staff and students. He expressed these views while delivering a speech during the session of Senate Standing Committee on Narcotics Control on Thursday in Islamabad.
The minister said that those responsible for providing drugs to the students will not be spared even if it’s a parliamentarian or a government official. Afridi pointed out that the government was taking measures to make legislation for punishing those involved in the drugs business, especially ice.
He mentioned that the government has compiled a list of more than 250 drug dealers and money launderers from different international law enforcement agencies.
On the occasion, Narcotics Control Secretary Anwar Javed Saleemi briefed the session on steps being taken to curb the menace of drugs. He said that the record of those entities involved in this trade was being furnished in a bid to nab and punish them.
Drug trade in Pakistan is a major challenge for the government. The sale of illicit drugs has been on the rise despite efforts to curb it. The most affected group from drug trade has been the youth of the country and the numbers continue to surge. So far, the government has failed to tackle the situation and punish those involved in illegal trade.