Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday resumed hearings on a petition seeking the eradication of drugs from educational institutions, where the federal police presented an interim report highlighting large-scale arrests and seizures. The case, filed by the Lucky Foundation, has drawn widespread public attention as concerns grow over the penetration of narcotics into schools, colleges, and universities across the federal capital.
During the hearing, Justice Inaam Amin Minhas reviewed the progress report submitted by the Islamabad Police, covering the period from January 1 to April 22, 2025. According to the report, law enforcement registered 689 cases during this time and arrested 709 suspects linked to narcotics trafficking. The police also claimed to have recovered 255 kilograms of heroin and 126 kilograms of hashish in multiple operations across the city.
The statistics, though significant, sparked critical remarks from the bench. Justice Minhas questioned whether the efforts were making any practical difference inside educational institutions, where young students remain the most vulnerable targets of drug peddlers. The judge emphasized that “awareness campaigns alone will not suffice; continuous monitoring is necessary.” He suggested stricter measures, including random inspections of students’ lunch boxes and stricter checks at school gates to prevent drugs from being smuggled in.
The Ministry of Interior also submitted its response, informing the court that awareness campaigns had been conducted in schools following earlier judicial directions. However, the court expressed dissatisfaction, pointing out that the issue required sustained preventive strategies rather than symbolic steps.
A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP Legal) added that the Islamabad Police had recently launched a new anti-narcotics slogan to strengthen public messaging. But Justice Minhas dismissed slogans as insufficient, stating: “The whole country hears your slogans; what matters is visible action.”
During proceedings, the lawyer representing the Private Schools Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) informed the court that directives had been issued to private schools to adopt stronger safeguards against narcotics infiltration. While acknowledging these steps, the court maintained that practical enforcement would be the real test.
The hearing highlighted a broader concern about the growing drug culture among youth. According to various civil society reports, narcotics dealers increasingly target students, luring them with easy access to substances such as hashish, synthetic drugs, and in some cases, crystal meth. Experts warn that the proliferation of drugs in educational institutions poses not only health risks but also long-term social consequences, including crime and addiction.
The IHC has now directed the Ministry of Interior, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), and Islamabad Police to submit a comprehensive progress report covering the period from January to September 2025. The court has given a two-week deadline for these institutions to detail not just seizures and arrests but also preventive and monitoring mechanisms inside schools and colleges.
Observers believe the judiciary’s intervention could act as a wake-up call for law enforcement and policymakers. Pakistan has long struggled with narcotics trafficking due to porous borders, organized smuggling networks, and limited rehabilitation facilities. While large seizures and arrests are frequently reported, critics argue that most enforcement actions focus on small-time dealers rather than dismantling the larger supply chains.
Parents’ associations and educationists have welcomed the court’s proactive stance. Many have urged authorities to extend drug-testing initiatives, deploy undercover monitoring near campuses, and strengthen collaboration between schools, parents, and police. Social activists have also emphasized the need for rehabilitation programs for students who fall victim to addiction, arguing that punitive measures alone cannot address the crisis.
The IHC’s firm position underlines the urgency of the problem: despite arrests in the hundreds and seizures worth millions, the menace of drugs continues to seep into Pakistan’s youth circles. The upcoming detailed report from the Interior Ministry, ANF, and police is expected to shed more light on whether existing strategies are sufficient or whether a stronger, more holistic approach is required.
For now, the case remains adjourned for two weeks, but with the court signaling impatience over cosmetic measures, authorities are under pressure to demonstrate concrete progress in making educational institutions drug-free zones.
