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The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has revealed that an alarming 17 million students aged 18 to 31 are grappling with drug addiction across Pakistan.
This figure was presented to the Senate’s Functional Committee on Human Rights during a meeting chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri.
Officials said the data emerged from a nationwide drug awareness campaign launched in 237 universities in February 2024, following directives from the Prime Minister.
The campaign uncovered widespread drug use, resulting in the arrest of 31 drug dealers and the seizure of 140 kilograms of illegal substances.
Committee members raised concerns over the lack of scientific research explaining the root causes of drug use among students.
Senator Zehri criticized the Ministry’s media silence, stating no significant campaigns have been seen to educate the public. She also flagged the rising sale of vapes in Islamabad, calling for urgent regulation.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC), suggested early awareness initiatives involving schools, parents, and teachers, noting a lack of recreational outlets may be fueling addiction rates.
Representatives from the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) reported on efforts in 432 Islamabad schools, including random drug testing, mental health programs (in partnership with Taskeen App and Umre Rawan), and anti-drug curriculum additions.
The committee directed the FDE to submit all drug awareness materials in the next session for review.
Providing law enforcement data, DIG ICT said that since 2023, 735 suspects had been arrested in 78 drug-related cases, with 131 kilograms of narcotics confiscated. He also highlighted the “Friends of Police” initiative, which enlists civil society to promote youth awareness.
UNICEF Pakistan’s Sharmeela Rassool updated the committee on collaborative programs with the Punjab government to improve child welfare, including nutrition and safety campaigns.
