Peshawar – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control, Syed Fakhar Jehan, has said that the Excise Department and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police will launch joint anti-narcotics operations across the province as part of the provincial government’s intensified campaign against drug trafficking.
He reaffirmed that the government is pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against drug dealers, smugglers, and elements involved in narcotics-related crimes, emphasizing that protecting the younger generation from the menace of drugs remains one of the government’s highest priorities.
The minister made these remarks while addressing an Open Public Forum (Khuli Kachehri) in Abbottabad. The event was attended by Secretary Excise Khalid Ilyas, Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad Sarmad Saleem, District Police Officer Haroon-ur-Rashid, Director General Excise Abdul Haleem Khan, senior officers of the Excise Department, representatives of the business community, real estate sector, local elders, and members of the public.
During the open forum, the minister listened to citizens’ complaints, suggestions, and concerns regarding the services of the Excise Department and anti-narcotics measures.
Addressing the gathering, Fakhar Jehan said he has visited Abbottabad under the directions of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Suhail Afridi to ensure prompt resolution of public issues. He informed participants that Abbottabad has already been included in the provincial government’s Safe City Project and that implementation work will commence in the near future.
The minister announced that two dedicated squads from the Excise Department and two squads from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police are being constituted to conduct joint intelligence-based operations against drug traffickers and smugglers. He said these coordinated operations would significantly strengthen the province’s anti-narcotics campaign. Reaffirming the government’s resolve, Fakhar Jehan said that the complete elimination of drug trafficking is a key priority of the provincial government.
The minister said that narcotics, particularly crystal meth (“Ice”), are destroying the future of young people and undermining the social fabric of society. He further said that anyone believing they could escape the law through bribery was mistaken. “If any official of my department is found involved in corruption or any illegal activity, strict disciplinary action will be taken, including dismissal from service and criminal prosecution,” he said.
Fakhar Jehan assured participants that the public would witness tangible improvements within one month as a result of the decisions taken during the open forum. He said that the provincial government had allocated more than Rs14 billion to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police during the current fiscal year to further strengthen the force’s operational capacity for maintaining law and order and combating crime.
The minister said that the Health Card programme had provided significant relief to ordinary citizens by reducing the financial burden of medical treatment and reflected the vision of a welfare-oriented state.
Later, Fakhar Jehan visited the Abbottabad Press Club, where he congratulated the newly elected President and members of the cabinet and extended his best wishes for their successful tenure.
