Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Government Assurances convened at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Ms. Nuzhat Sadiq, MNA, expressing serious concern over the use of narcotics in educational institutions. The committee directed the Ministry of Federal Education and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to develop a policy to combat the issue. Additionally, the committee urged the HEC to adopt a zero-tolerance approach and hold educational institution heads accountable where drug use is reported.
During the meeting, HEC officials reported that the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) had seized 189 kg of drugs near educational institutions in Islamabad. Similar actions were conducted in other areas, with significant legal measures taken against drug peddlers. The HEC and ANF have also been conducting advocacy sessions to educate youth on the dangers of drug use.
The committee also addressed the issue of encroachment on Evacuee Trust property in District Nankana Sahib. It called for a no-tolerance policy towards illegal occupation of government property and criticized provincial authorities for their lack of support in eviction efforts. The Secretary of the Evacuee Trust Property Board briefed the committee on the ongoing encroachments and actions taken.
Further discussions included the National Highways Authority’s (NHA) delayed construction and rehabilitation of highways in Sindh. The committee plans to summon the NHA Chairman to the next meeting for a detailed discussion on toll plaza policies and financial burdens on commuters. The committee also requested details on toll collections and expenditure for highway maintenance in Sindh.
The committee highlighted ongoing issues of unannounced load-shedding and over-billing by Karachi Electric Supply Company. Despite assurances from management, these problems persist, prompting the committee to schedule a comprehensive briefing with the Minister of Power and NEPRA in the first week of September. The committee suggested that introducing another electricity provider in Karachi could foster competition and improve service delivery.
In response to gas shortages in Karachi’s Malir, Kemari, and Lyari areas, the committee directed the Sui Southern Gas Company to complete network rehabilitation as promised. The SSGCL representative assured the committee that the work would be completed by October, improving gas supply to the affected regions.
The meeting was attended by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, several MNAs, and senior officials from relevant ministries and departments.