The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to ensure that television channels air anti-drug awareness campaigns during prime-time hours, not late at night, as part of efforts to combat drug abuse in educational institutions.
During the hearing on a case concerning the elimination of drugs from educational institutions, Justice Raja Inam Ameen Minhas remarked that airing awareness campaigns at 1 a.m. defeats their purpose and instructed that such content be broadcast during prime-time slots to reach wider audiences.
The court further directed the Islamabad Police chief, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), Private School Regulatory Authority (PEIRA), and other stakeholders to jointly develop a comprehensive mechanism to curb drug use among students.
A report submitted by PEIRA stated that strict action would be taken against the heads of educational institutions if drugs are found in possession of students, staff, or canteen workers. The report also confirmed that complete entry bans have been imposed on delivery boys and courier services inside schools to prevent the smuggling of narcotics.
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According to data presented in court, the ANF registered 51 drug-related cases in Islamabad’s educational institutions during 2025, while the police recorded 22 similar cases of drug recovery.
The petitioner’s counsel, Kashif Ali Malik, appeared before the court, which has adjourned the hearing for two weeks while instructing authorities to finalize a coordinated strategy to combat the growing menace of drugs in educational spaces.
