The Islamabad High Court (IHC) was informed on Wednesday that a special intelligence wing of the Special Branch has been formed to prevent drugs in educational institutions. The Islamabad Police submitted a report to the IHC in which it was stated that a special unit of the Federal Police has also been established. The report stated that plainclothes Intelligence Wing personnel would monitor educational institutions and their surroundings. The wing will collect intelligence on drug-related activities. According to the report, the personnel will maintain contact with schools, colleges and universities for immediate action. The Special Investigation Unit is investigating drug cases, collecting evidence and monitoring them. IHC’s Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas heard a case related to the eradication of drugs in educational institutions, in which Islamabad Police, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) submitted their reports regarding the implementation of the court orders. During the hearing, Director Legal of the IG Office Tahir Kazim informed the court that two important meetings of stakeholders were held under the chairmanship of the IG Islamabad on the court order, in which a joint strategy for the eradication of drugs in educational institutions was considered. Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas remarked that the government should form a joint task force itself to eradicate drugs. He said that the aim of the court was that all the relevant institutions should sit together and work practically in this campaign, just calling meetings is not enough, but their implementation should also be seen. ANF Prosecutor Rana Zulfiqar told the court that a focal person has been appointed in each private educational institution to eradicate drugs and regular meetings will be held every month in this regard. The PEIRA officials informed that an awareness campaign against drugs is being conducted in educational institutions and a special awareness session was held on December 9, by calling a team consisting of representatives of 100 schools. They told the court that a committee consisting of a focal person has been formed in each school. On this occasion, the court also mentioned the advertising of the awareness campaign on drug eradication by PEMRA on channels, however, it remarked that he had not seen any such report being broadcast yet. The court summoned the concerned officer of PEMRA for the next hearing regarding the implementation of the drug eradication campaign. During the hearing, Director Legal IG Office Tahir Kazim, ANF Prosecutor Rana Zulfiqar and DSP Legal Sajid Cheema appeared in the court. The court adjourned the hearing of the case till January 27, with further instructions.
ATC sends PTI activist to jail on14-day judicial remand
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday sent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist Mian Akram Usman to jail on 14-day judicial remand in a case related to an attack on Islamabad Police at Zaman Park. The accused was produced before ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill after completion of his six-day physical remand. The investigating officer sought additional physical custody, stating that further interrogation was required. However, the court dismissed the request, after hearing arguments by the parties and remanded the accused to judicial custody. A case was registered at Race Course Police Station under FIR No. 410/23. The Islamabad Police had visited the residence of the PTI founder at Zaman Park to execute summons when the PTI workers allegedly turned violent, hurled petrol bombs, and injured police personnel.