CHITRAL: Police have expedited operation against drug peddlers in Lower Chitral and claimed to have arrested 13 persons and recovered a huge amount of hashish from their possession in different areas.

The district police officer of Lower Chitral, Ikramullah Khan, told this scribe on Tuesday that Chitral was a crime-free area but drugs peddling threatened its peace, social harmony and the future of the youth. He added that a full-fledged action was required to uproot the menace.

He said that zero-tolerance formed the basis of their strategy against drugs.

He said that police got initial success against the drugs abuse during which the network of drug pushers was busted and many notorious peddlers were sent behind bars.

Mr Khan said that strict vigilance was being kept on the possible routes including Lowari Pass in the south and Garam Chashma in the west through which charas was being smuggled into the district.

He urged civil society members to lend their full support to the police force by timely informing it about the nefarious activities of drug pushers in their areas.

Meanwhile, three more leaders of Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) were arrested by police for holding unlawful assembly in Denin village on October 5 to celebrate the birthday anniversary of their party chief Imran Khan.

An official of City police station said that PTI leaders Aminur Rehman, also chairman of Singoor villagecouncil, Irshad Hussain and Jameeghullah were sent to judicial lock-up by court.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2023