Islamabad, July 18, 2025: The Punjab government has officially approved the formation of the anti-drug force, Punjab Counter Narcotics Force (PCNF) through the newly passed Punjab Control of Narcotics Substances Act 2025.
As mentioned in the law passed by the Provincial Assembly’s Standing Committee, the PCNF will be supervised by a Director General, who can be a current or retired member of the military. This special unit will have the same powers as the police, including the right to carry out investigations, make arrests, and conduct raids without needing a court warrant.
Formed to actively fight drug selling and use—especially near schools and colleges—the law allows the PCNF to take possession of items or property tied to drug crimes. These items can then be sold through auctions to help fund the agency.
One important part of the new law is that forensic reports from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency will now be accepted as valid proof in courts for drug-related matters.
To improve local-level action, Narcotics Control Stations will be set up in every district and tehsil. Officers will wear specific uniforms and be given secret budgets to carry out their duties effectively.
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The law also calls for a single, shared database and requires strong coordination between provincial and federal departments for a united effort. Moreover, the provincial government now has the right to update or add new drugs to the list of banned substances whenever needed.
To ensure fairness, any officer who is found guilty of filing a fake drug case will be punished under the law.
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The law follows international standards for drug control and includes past actions taken under older drug laws. It also gives the government the power to make rules, change sections, and give official explanations for better implementation.
The start of the PCNF shows a major shift in Punjab’s plan to fight drug use and drug selling, proving its strong dedication to public health and safety.
