Daily Times

LAHORE: Justice Ali Akbar Qureshi of Lahore High Court ordered to implement the laws putting ban on smoking at public offices, public places and educational institutions in letter and spirit.

The judge has also summoned Social Welfare director general in person today (Tuesday).

The judge was hearing a petition on Monday which was seeking strict action and implementation over the laws which banned smoking at public places.

The judge directed the Punjab chief secretary to hold a meeting in this regard and issue notices to the educational institutions.

The petition is filed against 18 respondents including Federation of Pakistan through its principle secretary, secretaries for ministry of interior and narcotics control, narcotics control division, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, Anti Narcotics Force through its DG, Higher Education Commission (HEC) through its chairman, education secretary, Punjab government and others.

Petitioner’s Counsel Muhammad Azhar Siddique said that smoking was hazardous especially for youth. He said that it was very harmful as it would lead for use of narcotics and drugs.

He said that the tradition of smoking in educational institutions was not only creating bad impact but also affecting the health of innocent students. He submitted that smoking was causing different diseases in public offices while the students are becoming addicts in educational institutions but the concerned authorities are rendering a role of silent spectators.

He also submitted that the report prepared by the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime claiming more than 800,000 people between the age of 15 and 64 are addicted to use heroin on a regular basis in Pakistan.

He submitted that there was need to educate the people about harms of smoking and the hazard of drugs.

He also said that the government should take strict steps against drug dealers and should authorise law by increasing the police labour. He submitted that universities, private and government schools as well as colleges should hold those students accountable who were found abusing drugs.

He said that there was dire need of these institutions to educate students on the adverse effects of these drugs on them, their future and their families. He asserted that the government should make an example of the criminals who were involved with drug distribution and playing with the future of Pakistan.

He pointed out that the government, administration and those who police the narcotics had their job to do, as responsible citizens, education policy makers, school administrators, educators, teachers and philanthropists to play a key role at their respective platforms to fight the menace of drug usage in youth. He submitted that it could be done through identifying the root cause, bringing in relevant rules and policies, adopting preventive measures through placing physical barriers and improving integration within the student community at all levels.

He said that the HEC should formulate proper policy framework which have to be developed by the ministry of education/higher education that covers schools to university level education, identifying the use of preventive measures, tools and techniques in conjunction with the law enforcing and policing agencies which already have such guidelines available. He said that the school and university management have to incorporate relevant measures not only to prevent but to identify and eliminate the problem to the root level that involves use of drugs.

He requested to direct the respondents to make striking move against the illicit medications exercises in each alcove and corner as it is viewed as the first legitimate obligation on the part of government to shield the general public from human misfortune as well as a regulatory authority was need of the day for the purposes of taking care of the right and obligations of drug addicts, in view of Article 9 & 14 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, so, as to provide free of cost rehabilitation facilities to drug addicted including right to education, right to livelihood, provision of all basic facilities, such as health facilities, in view of Article 38 of the Constitution of Pakistan. He also requested to direct the respondents to provide free of cost rehabilitation facilities to drug addicts and adopt appropriate measures to prohibit drug trafficking, in the interest of justice, equity and fair play.

He requested to direct the respondents to counter the increasing drug use and abuse, particularly in educational institutions, strict action must be taken against schools turning a blind eye to drug abuse.

Published in Daily Times, October 2^nd 2018.