Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Syed Fakhar Jehan on Thursday directed the department's Narcotics Control Wing to intensify intelligence-based operations against drug traffickers, reiterating the provincial government's zero-tolerance policy towards narcotics. He issued the directives while chairing a performance review meeting of the Narcotics Control Wing of the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department in Peshawar.
Performance Review Meeting
The meeting was briefed on anti-narcotics operations and measures undertaken across the province from January to May 2026. Secretary Excise Khalid Ilyas, Director General Excise Abdul Haleem Khan, anti-narcotics officers, circle officers and station house officers (SHOs) of Excise police stations from across the province attended the meeting.
Minister's Directives
During the session, the minister instructed officials to further improve the effectiveness of anti-narcotics operations, stating that eliminating the menace of drugs remained one of the department's foremost responsibilities. He directed all Excise police stations and operational squads to ensure coordinated, intelligence-led actions against drug dealers and networks involved in narcotics trafficking.
Accountability Measures
Mr Jehan also gave officers a one-month deadline to demonstrate tangible improvement in performance, warning that stricter accountability measures would follow if operational targets were not achieved. He said the provincial government would provide all necessary resources to strengthen the department's anti-narcotics capacity.
New Police Stations and Staff Welfare
The minister further disclosed that eight additional Excise police stations had been established across the province to reinforce anti-drug operations, adding that measures were also being taken to improve salaries and facilities for departmental staff.
Zero-Tolerance Policy
Referring to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leadership, Mr Jehan said the provincial government, under the vision of PTI founder Imran Khan and the leadership of the chief minister, was pursuing a firm zero-tolerance policy against narcotics and would show no leniency towards those involved in the drug trade. Officials of the Excise Department also appreciated the provincial minister's support for the establishment of new police stations aimed at strengthening anti-narcotics enforcement across the province.
