Curbing menace of narcotics

Speaking at inaugural function of “Life App”, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed deep concern over the spreading menace drugs addiction to educational institutions of all levels. He said that its use initially started from universities and gradually went down to schools and cellular phone is major source of this spread effect. The Prime Minister said that a single government organisation of narcotics control cannot eradicate its entry into the country by way of smuggling and sale and its use by the youth. It needs collective fight by the government, parents, teachers and ulema.

The scourge of drugs like heroin entered Pakistan during the Afghan war against the Soviet forces in 1980s and onward. Prior to the occupation of Afghanistan by the Soviet troops poppy which was grown in Pakistan and Afghanistan had not been used for manufacturing heroin. The lethal impact of drugs addiction on the society as whole and young generation in particular was not realised. Consequently, drugs mafia flourished. Narcotics control division was established and afterwards Anti-Narcotics Force was set up as an attached agency of this division. This division was declared as full-fledged ministry in 2001. The expansion of institutional framework was not backed up by legal framework on time. A federal law in the shape of Narcotics Substance Control Act was passed and enforced in 1997. The law provides maximum punishment of 7 years imprisonment plus fine for the person found involved in drugs trade. However, because of faulty investigation process conviction rate of drugs smugglers and sellers is not appreciable one.

A new brand of narcotics methamphetamine or Ice is now being smuggled into Pakistan and the drug lords supply it to educational institutions through their peddlers. Khyber Pukhtunkhwa government took cognizance of this more lethal drug and a strict law titled Control of Narcotics Substance Act 2019 was passed. The law has increased the extent of punishment to life imprisonment plus fine up to one million but not less than half million on the seizure of heroin or ice in big quantity. In case the quantity of heroin or Ice seized is one kilogram or more then the law provides death sentence or life imprisonment of 14 years for the accused proven involved in the smuggling or supply of these brands of drugs. The legal fraternity of the province is critical of this legislation because of including severe punishment and being in conflict with the feral law of Narcotics Substance Control Act of 1997.

Why the laws of narcotics control have not produced the desired results? The answer lies in political patronage of the big fish as mostly the peddlers are arrested and convicted. It merits mention that in 1992 BBC Television had aired a revealing documentary on MirzaIqbalBaig, a drug baron in Lahore who had been referred to as being politically influential. Moreover, the investigation process needs improvement through capacity building of investigation offices.