RAWALPINDI: The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has agreed to establish composite teams, comprising all its agencies, to launch a crackdown on drug traffickers in educational institutions.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) headquarters with Major General Ghulam Shabbir Narejo in the chair. During the meeting, the secretary of the IATF presented a performance report about various agencies on drug seizures during the year 2021.

Pakistan Coast Guards’ director general and other officials informed the meeting that no entry permit to any person was given by these agencies from the sea route.

The meeting also discussed the effects of methamphetamine, amphetamine/crystal and Ice on human health with focus on youth/students and decided to launch a crackdown against drug dealers/peddlers targeting educational institutions by incorporating all IATF agencies.

It was also proposed to form teams, comprising ANF, police and ISI officials, to act against drug traffickers in educational institutions.The ANF director general also showed concern over the spread of drugs and the current situation at the Pak-Afghan border.

The representative of Islamabad Capital Territory police proposed that the drug demand be reduced through awareness campaigns. The meeting was informed that a separate directorate had already been working on the awareness measures at the ANF headquarters.

The chair emphasised effective monitoring of lower staff, and it was reported that instead of giving the reward money to the source a share of narcotics/drugs was given to them.

The meeting also agreed that the reward money may be given to the source/informer at the time of seizure instead of giving a share of narcotics to them.

It was decided that the case for sanction of secret funds may be processed with authorities concerned for approval so that reward money may be given to the source/informer at the time of seizure.

It was also agreed in the meeting to arrange a separate meeting with Airport Security Force to address the legal/procedural issues so that pending cases could be settled at the earliest.

It was emphasised that access to accused held with IATF agencies be given to ANF for interrogation and backtracking so that drug trafficking organisations could be busted.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2022