HEC and ANF Join Forces to Tackle Rising Drug Abuse in Universities

In a bid to combat the growing issue of drug abuse among university students, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) have announced a strengthened collaboration. This decision was solidified during a meeting between Major General Abdul Moeed, Director General ANF, and Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of HEC, where both leaders expressed grave concern over the alarming increase in drug-related incidents within higher education institutions.

The meeting was attended by key figures including Dr Zia Ul-Qayyum, Executive Director HEC, Dr Bushra Mirza, Member (R&I) HEC, Brig. Rashid Mahmood, Director ANF, and Dr Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani, Consultant Quality Assurance HEC. The discussion primarily revolved around implementing strategies to curb the rising trend of drug use among students, faculty, and university staff.

Major General Abdul Moeed highlighted the troubling rise in arrests related to drug offenses within university environments. “ANF has recently intensified its efforts to curb drug supply to higher education institutions,” he stated, adding that hundreds of individuals, including students, teachers, and administrative staff, have been apprehended as part of these efforts.

HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to addressing this issue, emphasizing the importance of robust preventive measures on university campuses. “HEC will ensure that universities implement strong strategies to prevent drug abuse on campuses,” Dr Ahmed stated. He also announced plans for a virtual session with vice chancellors, faculty, deans, and security officials to further discuss and refine these strategies.

Additionally, Dr Ahmed revealed that HEC will collaborate with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) to raise awareness among the youth about the dangers of drug abuse. This partnership aims to foster a safer and healthier learning environment across Pakistan’s higher education institutions.

In his remarks, Major General Abdul Moeed underscored the importance of institutional collaboration in eradicating drug abuse from educational settings. He also mentioned that ANF plans to harness the influence of social media and engage celebrities and influencers to spread awareness about the harmful effects of drugs.

This enhanced cooperation between HEC and ANF marks a significant step towards creating drug-free campuses across Pakistan, ensuring that students can pursue their education in a safe and healthy environment.

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