Daily Times

Civil society and residents of Muzaffarabad staged a protest against drug trafficking and counterfeit cigarette trade in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir.

The protesters demanded of the government ensure immediate arrest of drug pushers and counterfeit cigarette manufacturers. The protest demonstrators demanded of the local administration to take quick action against all those involved in this heinous business as they are playing with the future of the young generation. The protesters also carried banners and placards inscribed with slogans and demands denouncing drug trafficking in the area and against trade of counterfeit cigarette makers and sellers.

The people demanded of the government to keep check on these elements involved in this heinous business and urged all relevant departments to carryout action against drug pushers and sellers of counterfeit cigarette to save the future of the younger generation.

According to details, civil society and the people of Muzaffarabad took to the streets in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir, to protest against open sale of drugs and trade of cigarettes in the market by a company called Way Ward.

Protesters gathered outside the commissioner’s office included lawyers, political and social leaders, leaders of student organizations, civil society representatives and people belonging to different sections of society including Syed Ali Raza Advocate, Majid Awan, Shaukat Javed Mir, Syed Waris Gilani and former Government Minister Hanif Awan, Imran Khurshid and others also attended the protest demonstration. Protesters have called on the government, administration and police to take immediate action against drug dealers and counterfeit cigarette factories to save the lives of the younger generation.

The civil society representatives also wanted that if the government does not take immediate action against counterfeit cigarette factories and drugs trafficking, civil society itself will come to the fore against the sellers for which the entire responsibility will fall on the government, the administration and the police. They stated that youths in the area could be easy prey of these mafias, therefore government and local authorities should clampdown these elements without any further delay.