By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: Punjab once again leads at the forefront, a specialized Counter Narcotics Force (CNF) has been established to eradicate the menace of drugs from the province. Punjab has set a new history by carrying out institutional administrative measures and constitutional reforms. Punjab has become the first province to establish a specialized force under the 5th constitutional amendment. In 2018, under the 18th constitutional amendment, each province was given the mandate to establish specialized forces.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force, said, “She felt pleased to see the youth personnel of the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force. The future of Pakistan and Punjab seems secure with the formation of the Counter Narcotics Force (CNF) . DG CNF Brigadier Mazhar has established an excellent specialized force in a brief span of time on which I commend his sincere efforts in its establishment.”
She highlighted, “It is clearly visible from the body language of the CNF Force that the menace of drugs will soon be eradicated from Punjab. Pakistan’s population comprises 65 percent youth which need to be protected from the ill effects of drugs. The population becomes the strength of the country only when they stay away from drugs and focus on attaining education and safeguarding their health. Punjab is overjoyed with the establishment of the Counter Narcotics Force.”
She noted, “The establishment of a strong Counter Narcotics Force in a short period of time is highly commendable. Drugs will soon be eradicated from the entire province with the establishment of CNF. When I took an oath for assuming the office of the Chief Minister, I received requests from the parents to protect their children from the menace of drugs. It is highly regrettable and a tragedy that drugs are being transported to every street, neighborhood, every university and every school.”
She added, “The establishment of a specialized force for the eradication of drugs was inevitable. The best talented people have been selected in the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force on 100 percent merit basis. The Punjab Counter Narcotics Force has become functional in all divisions of Punjab, the CNF will become functional in all districts soon. 12 thousand applications were received for the recruitment in Punjab Counter Narcotics Force, out of which 850 soldiers and officers have been selected. I congratulate all the officers, soldiers along with their parents for becaming a part of the CNF.”
She outlined, “Just as every disease cannot be cured with a single pill, similarly crime cannot be eradicated with a single force. There was a dire need for the establishment of a specialized department to solve the problems of a large chunk of population. Whenever any problem arises in Punjab, the Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners are called upon to redress the said grievance at the earliest, on which they leave all their other administrative work and focus their attention towards resolving the assigned task. An institution like PERA has been established to counter inflation, hoarding, encroachments and land mafia. PERA has started working within Lahore Division.”
She revealed, “The Punjab government is establishing specialized forces to eliminate every problem at a swift pace. A specialized crime control department in Punjab Police has controlled and reduced crime rate in a few weeks only. With the formation of CCD, criminals are finding no place to hide and surrendering to the police. The crime rate is going down in the entire Punjab owing to untiring efforts of CCD. Daily crimes have reduced significantly in some districts of Punjab. There was a dire need for the establishment of a specialized department to control crimes in a large population.”
She vowed, “The Punjab Counter Narcotics Force will completely cleanse the streets, neighbourhoods and cities from the menace of drugs. Even a single drug addict in a family immense problem for the entire family. I am hopeful that the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force will discharge its duties with full responsibility and honesty. The Punjab Counter Narcotics Force personnel will rid the menace of narcotics from the youth in every street neighbourhood, district, city and the entire province.” She directed the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force personnel not to succumb to any greed or weakness while discharging their professional duties.
She affirmed, “The Punjab Counter Narcotics Force has to save the coming generations from the scourge of drugs. I am hopeful and earnestly pray that the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force will not onlybecome a pride of Pakistan but Punjab as well. Now, the issues in Punjab will be discussed in a constructive manner. CNF will carry a heavy burden on its shoulders in terms of saving the young generation by falling prey to the menace of drugs. CNF has to display its professional abilities and responsibilities in its true spirits to save the new generation from the scourge of drugs in the province.”
