Justice Ali Akbar Qureshi of Lahore High Court on Thursday sought compliance report from the Punjab government on implementation of laws putting ban on smoking at public offices, public places and educational institutions in letter and spirit. The judge directed the Punjab chief secretary to submit a compliance report next week. 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 narcotic control, narcotics control division, ministry of national health services regulations & coordination, anti narcotics force through its director general, higher education commissioner through its chairman, secretary education, 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 a bad impact but also affecting the health of students. He submitted that smoking was causing different diseases in public offices while students are becoming addicts in educational institutions but the concerned authorities are rendering a role of silent spectators. He said that there was dire need that all these institutions should 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 the integration within the student community at all levels. He said that the Higher Education Commission (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 the 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 provide free of cost rehabilitation facilitates 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. He prayed that the ministry and concerned departments should be directed to impose strict laws to control drug use in schools and track down the drug dealers supplying drugs to students as well as directions may be issued to the government and HEC to formulate a policy and ensure its implementation across the country to deal with this menace efficiently. Published in Daily Times, October 26th 2018.