LAKKI MARWAT: The district chapter of Jamat-i-Islami organised a protest rally in Karak on Sunday against failure of police to take action against drug peddlers and anti-state elements in the district.

JI district emir Mohammad Zahoor led the rally, which appeared from Piruddin Shah Mosque and converged at Saddam Chowk after passing through various bazaars. Along with party activists, traders, members of civil society and people from different walks of life participated in the rally.

They were holding banners inscribed with messages urging people to make joint efforts to eliminate the menace of drug abuse. The protesters also blocked the urban road to vehicular traffic.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohammad Zahoor, Maulana Mehboob, Abdul Sadiq, Gul Razi of Anjaman Tajiraan, Hafiz Fazal Wahab, Sadiqullah Shaheen and others said that the district was in the grip of lawlessness, forcing people to stay indoors after evening.

They showed concern over excessive use of narcotics especially ice by youth and students. They said that police should take action against drug peddlers.

“A few days ago, a drug addict killed four members of his family and injured as many. Such incidents will occur in future if authorities don’t wake up,” they said.

They demanded of the government to take stern action against the people involved in illegal trade as they were destroying the future of youth. “It is the prime responsibility of government to improve law and order and ensure protection of people’s lives and properties,” said Zahoor Khan.

He said that drug abuse in educational institutions reached an alarming level and there was urgent need to curb the menace effectively. He alleged that injectable drugs were being sold at medical stores without any check by authorities.

The JI leaders said that their party would extend full support to police and local administration to purge the society of drugs and other evils.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2024