Karachi: In a decisive move, the Sindh government has announced significant enhancements to the Excise and Narcotics Control Department, aiming to curb drug trafficking and protect the youth from the proliferation of synthetic drugs.

According to Chief Minister Sindh, the strategy involves reinforcing the narcotics wing with additional resources, including the re-establishment of check posts and modernizing equipment for the narcotics police. This decision follows a detailed briefing to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah by Senior Minister for Information and Excise and Narcotics Sharjeel Memon, who highlighted recent successes in controlling drug trafficking in Hyderabad and efforts to prevent drug penetration in Karachi’s educational institutions and slums.

The Chief Minister expressed grave concerns over the introduction of synthetic drugs in schools and colleges, declaring a zero-tolerance policy and calling for coordinated action among the Police, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), and Excise and Narcotics Department to eradicate this threat permanently.

Further details revealed in the meeting include the restoration of the Excise and Narcotics check post at Hub, closed since 2007, to tighten the control over drug smuggling into Sindh. The province currently operates 47 Excise and Narcotics police stations, with plans to equip them better to enhance their operational effectiveness.