-Urges nation to fight against drug menace alongside ANF, police
-Directs to take all necessary steps to improve energy sector
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday urged the nationals to fight against the drug menace alongside the Anti-Narcotics Forces (ANF) and police forces as it is the collective responsibility of the society.
PM Imran Khan, while addressing an event at ANF headquarters after inaugurating the new building today, said that narcotics affect the discipline of society and no one had shown seriousness in past to eliminate the menace of drugs from the country.
The premier said that he heard about narcotics in Pakistan during the anti-Soviet Afghan ‘jihad’ and those making money by drug trafficking had not been considered as criminals. He added that the consumption of drugs is spreading like cancer in society as around 7 million people became drug addicts in Pakistan.
He criticised the past rulers for not paying attention to the menace of drugs. He said that in Pakistan, politicians were used to running their election campaigns by using money collected through corrupt practices and drug trafficking.
He added that Islamabad police chief apprised him about the rise in consumption of drugs in schools. He said that narcotics act like a silent killer which has now spread out to universities from schools.
‘Not only ANF but society should have to play its role to fight against narcotics. It is not only the responsibility of police forces to fight the crime but it is the duty of a society too.”
Earlier, PM Imran Khan visited ANF headquarters to inaugurate its new building. He also laid floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada.
Meanwhile Monday, Mr Khan directed to take all necessary steps to bring improvement in the energy sector in the country.
Presiding over a meeting on reforms in the power sector, PM Imran Khan directed all the stakeholders to fulfill their responsibilities in this regard.
“A mechanism be evolved so that the subsidy on electricity is only available to the poor and deserving people,” the prime minister added.
Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Information Minister Shibli Faraz, Advisor to PM on Commerce and Textile Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Planning Minister Asad Umar and others were present in the meeting.
Earlier on July 20, stressing the need for reforms in the ‘subsidy system’, Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed to ensure that the benefit of subsidies reached only the poor and needy people.
Presiding over a meeting of an economic think-tank, PM Imran had ordered to review the entire subsidy system, adding, “The government subsidies are aimed at providing relief and assistance to poor and deserving people.”
The premier had directed his finance adviser to set up a special cell to review the subsidies provided by government in various fields and make comprehensive recommendations to enhance their effectiveness.
