Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on 5 July 2024 conducted a meeting on the dangers of narcotics and ordered the strengthening of the provincial narcotics wing to control the drug menace.
Officials said the government had decided to strengthen the Excise and Narcotics Control Department in order to protect the new generation, especially children, from the dangers of drugs.
This decision was made during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shah at the CM House. Senior Minister for Information and Excise and Narcotics, Sharjeel Memon, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Secretary of Excise and Taxation Saleem Rajput, DG Narcotics Control Usman Siddiqui, and others attended the meeting.
Memon briefed the CM and said he had controlled drug peddling in Hyderabad and had taken strict measures in Karachi to stop its penetration in educational institutions and even in the slum areas.
At this, the CM said the penetration of synthetic drugs into educational institutions was a serious threat to children. “I want to stop it once and for all, for which the police, ANF, and Excise and Narcotics Department would have to work together,” he said.
The senior minister announced the establishment of excise and narcotics check posts in the bordering areas of Sindh with other provinces. He mentioned that the check post at Hub, which was abolished in 2007, would be revived to control drug smuggling into Sindh.
In response to a question, it was stated that the Excise and Narcotics Control Department has 47 police stations, including six in Karachi, 11 in Hyderabad, eight in Sukkur, 10 in Larkana, five in Mirpurkhas, and seven in Shaheed Benazirabad. It was disclosed that the department also has check posts, three each in Karachi and Larkana, and two each in Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Shaheed Benazirabad divisions.
Shah directed the excise minister to strengthen the narcotics police with the necessary equipment, vehicles, and gadgets so that they could work at full capacity. Meanwhile, on the instructions of Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon, the establishment of excise narcotics control check posts at the entry points of Karachi began.
The excise narcotics control force will commence a series of snap checks at various locations starting Friday. Discussing the establishment of the excise narcotics control check posts, he stated that the purpose of setting up these check posts is to enhance the system for preventing drug trafficking.
He mentioned that the deployment of forces at various strategic locations will be effective immediately. The Sindh government is determined to strengthen the narcotics control wing for more effective operations against drug trafficking.
Acknowledgment: Published in The News Daily on 6 July 2024.
