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Islamabad: The Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) of the National Assembly of Pakistan held a detailed briefing session today with the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control at Parliament House, Islamabad, to review key initiatives targeting drug abuse prevention and narcotics trafficking, with a special focus on youth-centric interventions.The session was chaired by the President of YPF, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, MNA, and attended by numerous Members of the National Assembly, including representatives from the Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), reflecting strong cross-caucus parliamentary engagement on this critical national issue.Brigadier Syed Imran Ali, Director Enforcement, delivered a comprehensive briefing on behalf of the Secretary, Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control. Senior officials present included Lt. Col. Taimur Niazi, Joint Director Enforcement; Mr. Shahzad Durrani, Joint Secretary; and Mr. Muhammad Tariq, Director (Law).In her opening remarks, President YPF Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar emphasized that drug abuse and narcotics trafficking are not only law-and-order challenges but also serious social, public health, and national security concerns, disproportionately affecting Pakistan’s youth. She highlighted that with young people comprising nearly two-thirds of the population, sustained, coordinated, and evidence-based responses are imperative.Brigadier Syed Imran Ali outlined the Ministry’s preventive, rehabilitative, and enforcement strategies, including awareness campaigns, community-based interventions, treatment and rehabilitation mechanisms, and measures against organized narcotics trafficking networks. He also highlighted emerging challenges such as the rise of synthetic drugs, poly-drug use, cross-border trafficking, and the misuse of digital platforms for narcotics-related activities.During the discussion, Members raised issues related to the availability and reach of rehabilitation facilities, post-rehabilitation reintegration, inter-agency coordination, and federal–provincial collaboration under the post–18th Amendment framework.
WPC members underscored the indirect but significant impact of drug abuse on women, children, and families, advocating for gender-sensitive and youth-responsive policies.President YPF reaffirmed the Forum’s commitment to supporting national efforts through legislation, parliamentary oversight, budgetary scrutiny, and constituency-level advocacy, emphasizing the importance of sustained parliamentary–executive engagement to strengthen policy outcomes.The session concluded with mutual appreciation and a shared commitment to continue collaboration through regular briefings and coordinated actions to effectively tackle drug abuse and narcotics trafficking in Pakistan.The briefing was also attended by the Minister of State for Law & Justice, Barrister Aqeel Malik; Secretary of Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, Syeda Shahida Rehmani; and MNAs including Mr. Ahmed Atteeq Anwar, Mr. Ammar Ahmad Khan Leghari, Ms. Kiran Imran Dar, Ms. Shamaila Rana, Ms. Akhtar Bibi, Ms. Shaista Khan, Ms. Ghazala Anjum, Mr. Muhammad Usman Awaisi, Ms. Zainab Mehmood Baloch, Ms. Neelum Kumari, Ms. Mah Jabeen Khan Abbasi, Ms. Natasha Daultana, Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani, Syed Ali Qasim Gillani, Mr. Salahuddin Junejo, Syed Murtaza Mahmud, Mr. Ali Jan Mazari, Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, Nawabzada Mir Jamal Khan Raisani, Mr. Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Mr. Muhammad Saad Ullah, Mr. Awais Haider Jakhar, Mr. Amjad Ali Khan, Ms. Sabheen Ghoury, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Ms. Naeema Kishwer Khan, Ms. Huma Chughtai, Mr. Khurram Shehzad Virk, Ms. Rabia Naseem Farooqi, and Mr. Muhammad Bilal Badar.
