RAWALPINDI: A Senate standing committee was informed that synthetic drugs, which are not only harmful to health but also have the potential to cause sudden death, have become a trend in educational institutions across the country.

The Senate Standing Committee on Narcotics Control met on Friday with Senator Hidayatullah Khan in the chair at the old PIPS hall, Parliament Lodges. The committee held discussion on the compliance report about recommendations made at the previous meeting.

The committee also discussed “The Control of Narcotic Substances (Amendment) Bill 2024,” introduced by Senator Mohsin Aziz. “This bill concerns our youth, particularly our students,” Mr Aziz told the meeting.

A press release issued by the Senate Secretariat said the ministry presented data on drug traffickers caught red-handed by law enforcement agencies over the past five years and the status of punishments awarded by sessions courts and high courts across the country.

The ministry officials explained that they had conducted a comparative analysis of the conviction rates in Balochistan and other provinces with a thorough study of the types of drugs being used. They said efforts were underway to ensure all cases were referred to high courts.

The mover of the bill said synthetic drugs had become a trend in educational institutions across the country.

He stated, “This is the reintroduction of a bill that has already been approved by this committee and the Senate. I have made it less severe: if a child is caught once, they will receive a warning, and their parents will be informed. If it happens a second time, a counselor will be notified for treatment. On the third offense, a fine of Rs50,000 will be imposed.” He said for the sake of our future the bill must be passed.

The chairman of the committee explained that the proper procedure for passing the bill was to seek advice from the Ministry of Law and consult all provinces. He suggested allowing more time to properly address the matter with the relevant departments.

He asked why the bill should be limited to schools and colleges in Islamabad. He recommended a time period of 20 days to ensure coordination with the Ministry of Law. Additionally, he said any law we create should apply to all of Pakistan and recommended that in the next session the Ministry of Law come prepared along with representatives from the concerned authorities in all provinces.

Furthermore, the committee members discussed the role and functions of the ministry in the eradication of narcotics in the country. During a briefing, the director of the ANF said that 505 positions had been created in the force and urged the committee to get the salaries of the personnel increased. The chairman of the committee assured that the recommendation would be sent to the ministry.

Senators Naseema Ehsan, Poonjo Bheel, Abdul Shakoor Khan, Dost Mohammad Khan, Falak Naz, Secretary Ministry of Narcotics Control and officials from concerned departments attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2024