Punjab govt to promote safe campus frameworks across universities: Marriyum Aurangzeb

LAHORE, Jun 13 (APP): Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that educational institutions, parents and society must play a coordinated and collective role to protect youth from drug abuse and mental health challenges.

She said awareness alone is not sufficient unless accompanied by practical and sustainable solutions.

Addressing a ceremony at the Beaconhouse National University (BNU), here on Saturday, where two publications on a “Drug-Free Safe Campus Model” and student mental health were launched, she appreciated the initiative as a pioneering step toward building a compassionate and supportive academic environment.

The event was attended by Provincial Minister for School and Higher Education Rana Sikandar Hayat, vice chancellors of public and private universities, senior officials of the Anti-Narcotics Force and Punjab Counter Narcotics Force, provincial secretaries and mental health experts. Marriyum Aurangzeb said the Punjab government is actively working on multiple initiatives to make educational institutions drug-free and will benefit from successful models introduced by private universities, adding that drug abuse remains a serious challenge affecting families across society. She noted that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif had established the Counter Narcotics Force last year, which is now fully operational across the province, reflecting the government’s commitment to a drug-free academic environment. She stressed that media, civil society, academia and all stakeholders must work together to address the issue collectively.

On the occasion, Rana Sikandar Hayat said the provincial government is providing scholarships to deserving students in both public and private universities and is ensuring merit-based reforms across the education sector, including the appointment of vice chancellors in 32 universities. He said the government is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for students.

BNU Vice Chancellor Dr. Moeed Yusuf described the initiative as a comprehensive institutional framework based on compassion, guidance and student support, noting that peer pressure, family trauma and communication gaps are major factors pushing students toward substance abuse. He urged universities to play an active preventive role and promote positive engagement and mental well-being among students.