ISLAMABAD:
The Senate Standing Committee on Interior rejected a proposed bill aimed at curbing drug use in educational institutions on May 19, despite strong opposition from the bill’s mover, Senator Mohsin Aziz, who vowed not to withdraw the legislation even if the committee disapproved of it entirely.
The meeting was chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem at the Parliament House. Senator Aziz tabled a bill proposing compulsory drug testing of students in educational institutions.
Senator Aziz tabled a bill proposing compulsory drug testing of students in educational institutions.
Under the proposed legislation, a student testing positive for drug use would be issued a warning on the first instance, suspended for 15 days on the second violation and penalised or punished upon a third offence.
The ANF officials noted that children are generally treated as affected parties in drug-related issues, while the actual criminals are those involved in the sale and supply of narcotics. They said scanning operations had been completed in 80% of educational institutions. However, drug testing of students does not fall within the ANF’s jurisdiction.
Raising objections to the bill, Senator Shahadat Awan argued that such legislation would encroach upon provincial authority.
News published in the Express Tribune on 21st May 2025
