The Director General of the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force, Brigadier Mazhar Iqbal, today described narcotics use as a serious national security issue, stressing that anti-drug awareness messages must urgently reach all segments of society.
He expressed these views on Wednesday while addressing an awareness seminar titled ‘Youth against Drugs’ at Al Raazi Hall. The event was jointly organised by the University of the Punjab’s Anti-Narcotics Committee, the Directorate of Students Affairs, and the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force.
Brigadier Iqbal emphasised that drug addiction destroys lives and futures, and that eliminating the menace of narcotics is a collective societal responsibility. He urged students to actively report drug-related activities and contribute to awareness efforts within their own communities.
Present at the seminar were Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, Director Enforcement Colonel Furqan, Chairman of the PU Anti-Narcotics Committee and Dean of the Faculty of Quality and Industrial Systems Engineering Prof Dr Muhammad Shafiq, Director Students Affairs Dr Shahzeb Khan, Clinical Psychologist Dr Sadia Khan, along with faculty members and a large number of students.
Addressing the participants, Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood remarked that while institutions are making concerted efforts to eliminate this societal problem, it remains the collective duty of responsible citizens to support government initiatives and anti-narcotics agencies in their mission.
Earlier in the day, Brigadier Mazhar Iqbal met with PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali in his office. During the meeting, the Vice Chancellor underscored the importance of curbing substance use among young people through sustained awareness campaigns.
Prof Dr Ali commended the efforts of the university’s Anti-Narcotics Committee in striving to maintain a drug-free campus and appreciated the organisers for hosting the significant seminar. The meeting concluded with the Vice Chancellor presenting a souvenir to Brigadier Mazhar Iqbal.