LAHORE: Anti-Narcotics Force( CNF) Punjab conducting 280 operations resulting in the seizure of nearly 14 tons of narcotics, the registration of 168 FIRs, and the arrest of multiple high-risk criminals during the last four months.
This was disclosed by Secretary Excise, Taxation & Anti-Narcotics Punjab, Masood Mukhtar, and Director General Counter Narcotics Force (CNF) Punjab, Mazhar Iqbal in a joint press briefing here on Wednesday.
Providing a detailed overview of the ongoing coordinated operations against narcotics in the province and the progress achieved so far Secretary Excise, Masood Mukhtar, said that, for the first time, prompt and stringent legal action against drug traffickers has resulted in 14-year prison sentences, marking a significant milestone in the fight against the narcotics menace. He emphasized that effective implementation of the Punjab Control of Narcotics Substance Act 2025 is being ensured, and the establishment of the Counter Narcotics Force is a key step in this direction. The rising use of narcotics, particularly locally produced ice, highlighted the need for a dedicated force to control drugs. Given that the Excise Department has other responsibilities, a separate directorate was established for narcotics control. He expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for recognizing the gravity of the issue and for proposing and providing the necessary resources for the establishment of CNF Punjab.
He further added that the establishment of CNF offices at the divisional level across the province within a short span of one year is a significant achievement, and these offices are now being expanded to the district level. District-level offices will enhance the effectiveness of CNF operations, allowing better monitoring of internal routes and improved control over inter-provincial smuggling.
In response to a question, he clarified that the establishment of CNF is not unwarranted in the presence of ANF; both institutions have their distinct mandates, and joint operations are conducted wherever necessary. He also noted that Punjab is not the only province with a dedicated force, as other provinces have also established their own provincial narcotics control agencies according to local requirements.
Director General CNF Punjab Mazhar Iqbal, told that the Counter Narcotics Force is currently conducting intelligence-based operations. Special narcotics courts have been established across the province to ensure that all CNF cases are handled transparently. While the force’s current capacity is limited, it is being gradually enhanced, and the scope of operations will expand accordingly.
The DG further explained that awareness sessions are being held in colleges and universities to educate youth, while public participation is being encouraged through a dedicated helpline. He assured that the identities of citizens reporting narcotics-related information are kept strictly confidential. Additionally, the involvement of parliamentarians in awareness campaigns and drug prevention initiatives is being ensured to strengthen collective efforts against narcotics.
In response to another question, he said that ice usage reached alarming levels in Lahore and Rawalpindi, with over 105 kilograms of ice seized solely from Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Major narcotics networks extending to South Punjab and Sindh have also been dismantled. Over the past four months, the total value of seized narcotics exceeds PKR 375 million, and in several operations, weapons were also recovered from traffickers.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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