By: Iffat Rauf TWA ______________ Taxila – On the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, former President of the Bar Association Taxila, Advocate Malik Sajjad Hussain, emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive action against the drug menace in Pakistan. Addressing a gathering as the chief guest, he highlighted that drug-related issues are not only critical but also highly sensitive. “Special laws like the Hudood Ordinances (1979) and the Control of Narcotic Substances Act (1997) were introduced due to the grave nature of this crime,” he noted. He urged the government to impose a strict ban on drug production industries, enact swift and effective legislation, improve police investigation protocols, and ensure transparent handling of drug cases. “The eradication of drugs is only possible through decisive state action,” he added.

A joint declaration proposing comprehensive legislative reforms has been finalized and will be presented to the federal cabinet. This initiative is being supported by key segments of civil society and will be submitted via Barrister Aqeel Malik, Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, with the backing of the Pakistan Youth League Volunteer Forum. In her presidential address, Advocate Farhana Qamar Rana, a Supreme Court lawyer, warned that Pakistan ranks among the top global consumers of drugs. “Educational institutions have become prime targets of drug mafias,” she said. She criticized the imbalance in the educational system and the distortion of Islamic teachings, stating that drug abuse is not just a legal or health issue — it is a spiritual and social crisis.

She also stressed the importance of reconnecting with the Holy Qur’an to regain moral clarity and national direction. “Justice will remain elusive as long as the police manipulate cases for personal revenge and institutions fail to function with honesty and integrity,” she concluded.