Islamabad High Court judge Inam Ameen Minhas remarked during a hearing that if drugs were found in a school, college or university, the administration would be held responsible.
The court was informed, through a police report, that 1,314 drug-related cases have been registered so far this year in the federal capital, leading to the arrest of 1,408 suspects. According to the report, 22 cases were registered around educational institutions, leading to the arrest of 22 drug peddlers.
Police also recovered three kilograms of heroin, three kilograms of ice and 18 kilograms of hashish from these areas. Justice Inam Ameen Minhas heard the case regarding the spread of drugs in federal educational institutions.
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During the hearing, DSP’s legal advisor Sajid Cheema presented the report, informing the court that the Islamabad police had launched the campaign titled ‘Nasha Ab Nahin’ (‘No more drugs’) earlier this year.
The Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) lawyer informed the court that seminars had been organized and committees formed in schools to combat drug abuse.
Justice Minhas questioned the formation of such committees, calling the matter “very sensitive” and ordered that performance reports of such committees be submitted.
The court also sought clarification on the monitoring mechanism within educational institutions. The judge said that for any event or activity in schools or colleges, prior permission must be obtained from the principal.
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The petitioner’s lawyer, advocate Kashif Malik, said the police report consisted of only two pages and recommended that if any institution or staff member was involved in drug distribution, it should be blacklisted and reported to the police immediately.
Justice Minhas ordered that if any staff member was involved, strict action should be taken against the director.
“Fines are not a solution,” the judge remarked, emphasizing that regulators must ensure strict monitoring because drug trafficking poses serious risks. He added that arrested suspects should be questioned to identify which schools were receiving drugs.
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Lawyer Malik reminded the court that during the dengue outbreak in Rawalpindi, school administrations were saturated under similar circumstances.
The court asked PEIRA to include in its SOPs that in case of complaints, action would be taken against the principals and owners of the schools. The police were asked to visit educational institutions where drug cases had been reported and submit a detailed report.
Justice Minhas noted that if drugs were found in a 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.
