KARACHI: The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) in a unique way by engaging vintage cars for a ‘Say No to Drugs’ exhibition and walk at the Frere Hall grounds here on Monday.

According to Lt Col Anwar Hussain of the ANF, the idea behind observing the day with vintage cars was “to help the youth develop an interest in sports culture and healthy activities while diverting their attention from narcotics.”

However, for some strange reason he was linking vintage cars to sports culture. Perhaps he was confusing vintage cars with racing cars.

There were around 10 to 12 vintage cars in attendance including at least three Ford Mustangs, two Rolls Royces, one Volkswagen Beetle, several Mercedes, one MG TD and one Jaguar E-Type. The other cars included new Japanese models, many Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) with a restored CJ-7 Jeep thrown in here or there.

Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Motor Association president Nadeem Khan said that drug use was beginning to be a big problem in Pakistan.

“We don’t want to see drugs in our country, in our city, in our educational institutions. Young people here do drugs at school, at friends’ parties and at home. If our children are doing drugs then our future is completely dark,” he said.

Actor Behroze Sabzwari, also present on the occasion, also stressed on saying no to drugs. “I urge parents to watch their children and not give them huge sums of pocket money. Just give them as much as they would need for their school or college tuck shops. Don’t give them Rs5,000 to Rs10,000 every day as then they spend the extra money to buy drugs,” he said.

Off-road racing start Ronnie Patel said that he was there in solidarity with the cause. “Someone with a healthy hobby will not be interested in something unhealthy such as drugs,” he said.

Mohammed Aslam, the oldest driver there, who had come there with his Toyota Land Cruiser Cygnus, also said that he has heard of so many young kids wasting away their college and university years getting high on drugs. “It is the saddest and most painful thing to observe. So we are here to do whatever is needed to take our youth’s minds off narcotics,” he said.

Later, holding up little Pakistan flags, the vehicle owners and ANF personnel walked around the Frere Hall grounds.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2023