July 29, 2008	Tuesday	Rajab 25, 1429

KARACHI, July 28: The Sindh government has formulated a strategy to ensure elimination of drug trafficking from the province amid complaints by the officials concerned that the highway police and motorway police were hindering their efforts in this regard. The officials told a meeting of the provincial narcotics committee here on Monday that there were instances where the police did not allow them to discharge their duties at their check posts.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Fazal-ur-Rehman, was attended by the federal secretary of the Narcotics Control Division, IG Sindh, DGs of the Rangers, Maritime Security Agency and Coast Guards, ASF commander, directors of the customs intelligence and the Anti-Narcotic Force and provincial secretaries of the home, health, criminal prosecution, excise & taxation and social welfare departments.

The chief secretary stressed the need for evolving a joint strategy by involving all the law-enforcement agencies to check drug trafficking effectively.

It was observed that narcotics were being smuggled into the province via upper Sindh in trucks, trailers and other such vehicles with cavities meant to conceal the contraband.

The meeting decided to set up a high level coordination committee and activate the monitoring system along the highway routes and the areas falling on the inter-provincial borders. The monitoring teams and the personnel deployed at check posts would be equipped with modern gadgets for inspection of suspected vehicles.

The meeting also decided to chalk out a joint plan and execute it in a coordinated manner to make the narcotics control strategy a success. For the purpose, all the law-enforcement agencies should share information on every operation to check drug smuggling in any part of the province, the participants stressed.

It was decided to educate excise officials about narcotics laws and enhance their knowledge about the modus operandi of drug traffickers. Incentives, in addition to sophisticated weapons and vehicles for their speedy movement, would be offered to excise officials to meet the challenge.

The participants of the meeting highlighted the need for the appointment of law officers at the level of district headquarters to pursue the day-to-day prosecution of suspected traffickers and peddlers.

The chief secretary said that the NGOs possessing a good track record in the field of narcotics control would be extended full cooperation with regard to the operations against drug traffickers.

Rehabilitation of addicts

The chief secretary also said that the strategy included rehabilitation of drug addicts. The Lyari General Hospital would be equipped with all the required facilities for the treatment of addicts, who would eventually be given proper training in the fields of their interest under the skill-development programme and engaged in some productive and gainful activities, he added.

He emphasised on effective measures to be taken in close coordination between the health department and the Anti-Narcotics Force to ensure the desired results.