ISLAMABAD, October 11 (IN): The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has intensified efforts to ensure a safe, healthy and drug-free learning environment in universities by strengthening prevention, awareness and control measures.In this regard, the HEC organized a meeting at its Secretariat in Islamabad to review reported cases of drug use and supply in educational institutions and devise effective strategies to strengthen preventive measures, institutional monitoring and coordination among relevant agencies.Chairman HEC Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar highlighted the importance of providing students with a safe and healthy academic environment, emphasizing institutional responsibility, preventive awareness and collective efforts to combat drug and tobacco abuse in higher education institutions.
Engr. Saleem Ullah Sohoo, Director General of Research and Analysis Activities (R&AA) at HEC, briefed participants on reported cases during 2025 and the period from January to September 2026. He also outlined initiatives undertaken by the commission and higher education institutions to address the issue.Representatives of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police shared updates on enforcement and preventive measures, stressing the need for coordinated action, institutional accountability and effective awareness campaigns.
The meeting also proposed organizing a roundtable involving heads of public and private higher education institutions in Islamabad and members of their Anti-Drug and Tobacco Committees. The proposed session will review the implementation of existing measures and develop a coordinated strategy to ensure drug-free university campuses.
