Karachi: Senior Minister and Minister for Information, Excise, Taxation, Narcotics Control, Transport, and Mass Transit in Sindh, Sharjeel Inam Memon, highlighted the global challenge of drug abuse, emphasizing the imperative of safeguarding the youth across educational institutions.

Memon underscored the significance of protecting the nation's valuable asset, the young generation, from the threats posed by drugs.

Memon reaffirmed the commitment of the Sindh government to continue its crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse until eradication. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of various government departments, notably the Ministry of Home Affairs under Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar, in this endeavor.

Furthermore, Memon noted President Asif Ali Zardari's recent directives during his visit to Karachi, emphasizing special measures to combat the scourge of drugs effectively.

Addressing a press conference at the Social and Electronic Media Directorate of the Information Department in Karachi, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that on the instructions of the President, the Excise and Taxation Department and the Sindh Police, under the special supervision of Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, have taken vigorous actions against drug peddling in the last one and a half months.

Now, there will be even more stringent action, with operations carried out with the assistance of the Police, Rangers, Excise Taxation, and Anti-Narcotics Force. He mentioned that the Sindh government is planning to establish new rehabilitation centers.

He urged parents to pay special attention to their children and requested the media to conduct an awareness campaign against drugs, especially ice (methamphetamine), in the last month and a half, 1550 suspects have been arrested in ongoing operations against drug dealers.

Authorities have seized 236 kg of ice, 900 grams of heroin, and 51,906 kg of hashish from drug dealer, the Department of Excise and Taxation and Narcotics Control has confiscated a large quantity of drugs in an operation against drug dealers. He emphasized that those who lead the youth into drug addiction are national criminals.

Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that those who make the youth addicted to drugs are national criminals. Action will now be taken against unregistered and vehicles pending registration. Starting May 10, the Excise and Taxation Department will initiate action against unregistered vehicles.

We do not want citizens' vehicles to be fined. Citizens should ensure their vehicles are registered. No VIP protocol will be given to anyone; unregistered vehicles will be impounded regardless of influence.

He said that the Excise and Taxation Department has issued registration plates for 44,000 vehicles that have not yet been collected by their owners. Owners should collect their registration plates promptly. Failure to pay vehicle taxes on time will result in fines. Anyone found driving an unregistered vehicle will have their vehicle impounded.

Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Sindh government is planning to conduct random drug tests on students in educational institutions. If any child tests positive, their case will be handled with complete confidentiality.

Additionally, strict action will be taken against those involved in supplying drugs. He said that arrests of individuals involved in drug supply are ongoing, with strict checking at the province's entrances. Approval is pending from the Cabinet for this initiative.

Additionally, the Excise Department is persisting in taking legal action against the sale of liquor.

Sharjeel Inam Memon mentioned that the ongoing operation in Katcha is making progress, with the Sindh Police achieving significant success yesterday. Both the Chief Minister and the Minister of Home Affairs are overseeing the operation in the Katcha area.

Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Sunni Ittehad Council had not submitted the list for reserved seats. He emphasized that the country operates under the constitution of Pakistan, and it cannot run based on anyone's wishes.

He added that if a party participating in the election has not submitted the list of reserved seats before the election, it has no constitutional right to demand reserved seats. In response to a question, he mentioned the shortage of employees in the Narcotics Control Department.

He explained that an advertisement was issued for hiring new staff, and the process of providing jobs was supposed to follow. However, he noted that there is currently a stay order, which has halted the hiring process.

This situation has led to frustration among job applicants and has resulted in a shortage of employees in the department. He mentioned that President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed his intention to hold a monthly meeting to review the performance of the provincial government.

In response to a question, the senior minister remarked that the head of the government, who had been constitutionally removed from office, is currently incarcerated yet still managing to publish articles in international magazines. This suggests foreign interest in his schemes against country institutions. He reflected on the events of May 9, highlighting that those who once slandered institutions and humiliated the memorials of national martyrs are now imprisoned.

Furthermore, he noted the irony that the offspring of those who misled innocent citizens for their own agendas are now residing comfortably in London. The senior minister said that the instigators of illegal activities are actually guilty of misleading their workers, and the workers should not follow them.

Sindh Secretary of Excise and Taxation, Saleem Rajput, Secretary of Information, Nadeem ur Rehman Memon, and other relevant officers were also present on this occasion.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 07 2024

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