ICT educational institutes : IHC asks police to eradicate drug menace

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday came down hard on the capital’s top police official for failing to formulate a strategy to eradicate illicit drug use from educational institutions, dismissing the excuse of being busy with law and order.

A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Islamabad, to personally hold a meeting with relevant authorities, including the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA), and present a clear framework within two weeks.

During the hearing, the bench was informed that despite previous court orders, a crucial meeting between the IGP and other stakeholders had not yet taken place.

At this the IHC bench expressed its annoyance over their failure of holding the meeting and remarked: “While law and order is a major issue, the issue of eradication of drugs in educational institutions is also of a very important nature.”

The judge referred to the recent explosion at district courts as an example of ongoing security challenges, but stressed that the drug menace should not be ignored.

When the Deputy Attorney General, Faisal Irfan, stated that the IGP was preoccupied with the law and order situation but would convene the meeting soon, the court was unimpressed.

Expressing his anger at the delay, Justice Minhas stated, “It is a one-hour task for the IG to sit with the relevant authorities and formulate a practical strategy.”

The court also raised serious questions about the performance and capacity of PEIRA.

A representative from the authority informed the court that there are approximately 1,400 private educational institutions in the federal capital, but only three officials are deployed to monitor them.

The court was astonished by this revelation. “At this rate, it will take you four years,” Justice Minhas remarked, highlighting the impossibility of effective oversight with such meagre resources.

The hearing was attended by the petitioner’s lawyer, Sohaib Advocate, and ANF Prosecutor Rana Azeem, alongside the Deputy Attorney General.

Later, the court directed the relevant authorities to ensure the meeting and a concrete plan before the next hearing. The case was subsequently adjourned for two weeks.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025