HEC officials say formal monitoring system introduced to curb drug use and smoking in institutions
ISLAMABAD:
A worrying increase in suspected drug-related cases was reported in universities across Pakistan: during 2025, 365 cases were recorded in 58 higher education institutions, 10 of them involving support staff.
According to documents obtained by The express PAkGazettethe highest number of cases were recorded in universities in the federal capital with 153, followed by Punjab with 130, Sindh with 75 and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with seven.
The report showed that 28 students were involved in alleged cases of drug abuse in universities in Punjab, 10 in federal institutions and eight in universities in Sindh. No case involving faculty members was reported, while no case involving female students was recorded in KP.
Higher Education Commission (HEC) officials said a formal monitoring system has been introduced to curb drug use and smoking in educational institutions. Under this policy, “Anti-Drug and Tobacco Committees” have been established in 245 public and private universities and higher education institutions throughout the country.
Read: Substance addiction increases on campuses
These committees are actively involved in enforcing drug laws, conducting awareness campaigns, and mentoring students. HEC officials added that sub-campuses of universities have also been directed to set up such committees to improve coordination within and outside campuses.
The committees have been empowered to investigate and take action against the use, sale and distribution of drugs.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education has sought detailed reports on reported drug cases, preventive measures taken and existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to drug control in educational institutions.
The committee directed authorities to take more effective measures to prevent drug use in educational institutions to protect the younger generation from the menace.
