ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) organised a meeting on drug prevention, awareness and control measures in educational institutions at the HEC Secretariat, Islamabad.
The meeting was chaired by Ms Rabia Naseem Farooqi, MNA, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. It reviewed reported cases of drug use and supply and discussed steps to strengthen preventive measures, institutional monitoring, awareness initiatives and inter-agency coordination.
Chairman HEC Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar (S.I.) emphasised the importance of a safe and healthy learning environment. He reinforced the need for institutional responsibility, preventive awareness and coordinated efforts to address drug and tobacco abuse in higher education institutions.
Engr Saleem Ullah Sohoo, Director General, Research and Analysis Activities (R&AA), HEC, briefed the chair on reported cases during 2025 and January to September 2026. He also informed the meeting about initiatives undertaken by HEC and higher education institutions to address drug and tobacco abuse.
Representatives of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police shared updates on enforcement and prevention measures. They emphasised coordinated action, institutional accountability and awareness campaigns.
The meeting also proposed holding a roundtable with heads of public and private higher education institutions in Islamabad and members of their Anti-Drug and Tobacco Committees. The proposed roundtable would review implementation and develop a coordinated way forward.
