Islamabad High Court Judge Inam Ameen Minhas commented during a hearing that if drugs were found in any school, college or university, the administration would be held responsible.
The court was informed, through a police report, that so far this year, 1,314 drug-related cases have been registered in the Federal Capital, which led to the arrest of 1,408 suspects. According to the report, 22 cases were registered around educational institutions, resulting in the arrest of 22 drug traffickers.
Police also recovered three kilograms of heroin, three kilograms of ice and 18 kilograms of hashish in these areas. Judge Inam Ameen Minhas heard the case regarding the spread of drugs in federal educational institutions.
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During the hearing, DSP Legal Sajid Cheema submitted the report, informing the court that the Islamabad Police had launched the campaign titled “Nasha Ab Nahin” (“No More Drugs”) earlier this year.
The advocate for the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) informed the court that seminars were held and committees were formed in schools to combat drug abuse.
Judge Minhas questioned the formation of such committees, calling the matter “very sensitive” and ordered that performance reports of these committees be submitted.
The court also sought clarification on the monitoring mechanism within educational institutions. The judge instructed that, for any event or activity within schools or colleges, prior permission must be obtained from the principal.
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The petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Kashif Malik, said that the police report consisted of only two pages and recommended that if any institution or staff member is found to be involved in the distribution of drugs, it should be blacklisted and reported to the police immediately.
Justice Minhas ordered that if any staff member is found to be involved, strict action must be taken against the director.
“Fines are not a solution,” the judge stressed, stressing that regulators must ensure strict supervision, since drug smuggling poses serious risks. He further said that the arrested suspects should be interrogated to identify which schools were supplied with drugs.
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Advocate Malik reminded the court that during the dengue outbreak in Rawalpindi, school administrations were booked under similar circumstances.
The court ordered PEIRA to include in its SOPs that in case of complaints, action would be taken against the school principals and owners. The police were directed to visit educational institutions where drug cases had been reported and submit a detailed report.
Judge Minhas noted that if drugs were found in any school, college or university, the administration would be held responsible.
The court will issue a detailed written order at the next hearing and adjourn further proceedings.
