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LAHORE, Dec 12 (APP):Punjab Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat on Friday visited the headquarters of the Counter-Narcotics Force (CNF) Punjab and received a detailed briefing on the province-wide strategy to curb the spread of narcotics, enhance surveillance around educational institutions, and dismantle drug dealers and smuggling networks through modern mechanisms.
According to a CNF spokesperson, Director General CNF Punjab Mazhar Iqbal briefed the minister on the force’s operational model, identification of sensitive locations, establishment of red zones and technology-based surveillance systems. He said that a vigorous crackdown on street-level drug networks is underway across the province, with intelligence-based operations being carried out on a daily basis. The DG added that funds have been approved for establishing force units at the district level, which will significantly enhance operational capacity and accelerate inter-district actions.
The minister praised the professional performance of CNF, stating that educational institutions serve as the first line of defense against narcotics, and the Punjab government fully recognises this responsibility. He said that curricular and co-curricular activities would be used as effective tools to raise awareness among students, while counseling services would be made mandatory in all educational institutions. He added that teacher training and modern protection protocols would ensure student safety, whereas the “Drug-Free Campuses” initiative would be further strengthened and integrated with new digital tracking tools.
Rana Sikandar directed that there must be no leniency in implementing the Punjab government’s zero-tolerance policy against drugs, and stressed strong coordination between the School Education Department and the Home Department. He said institutional cooperation is essential for the elimination of narcotics, and assured full support from the Education Department for CNF’s school outreach, awareness campaigns, and community engagement programmes.
The minister was also briefed on the initial outcomes of the “Safe Campus” policy and ongoing awareness initiatives. He termed the CNF’s operational measures crucial for safeguarding the future of the province.