ISLAMABAD: Marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to eradicating the narcotics trade, declaring the protection of the nation’s youth from addiction a paramount national priority.
In his message for the observance, President Zardari affirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the global community in confronting the profound social challenge posed by substance abuse and trafficking networks.
Addressing this year’s theme—”World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses”—the President noted that the slogan captures the shifting, complex dynamics of the global drug crisis and the urgent need for coordinated, innovative strategies.
He emphasized that Pakistan remains resolute in tackling all narcotics-related threats, including the emergence of novel synthetic substances, the expansion of illicit trafficking syndicates, and the increasing accessibility of drugs among young people.
On eve of International Day Against Drug Abuse, PM calls for united action to build drug-free generation
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz called for a comprehensive national response to counter the escalating threat, stressing that prevention, awareness, rehabilitation, and collective action are essential to shield the youth from narcotics-related harm.
The Prime Minister warned that alongside traditional narcotics, a new generation of highly dangerous synthetic drugs has surfaced in recent years. He highlighted that criminal networks are increasingly leveraging modern communication technologies and digital platforms to scale operations, connect buyers with sellers, and evade law enforcement.
He also raised alarm over the growing use of cryptocurrencies and alternative digital payment channels to finance illicit drug activities outside conventional financial oversight.
Drawing attention to the role of social media and mobile applications, the Prime Minister observed that harmful substances are frequently glamorized—portrayed as fashionable, harmless, or synonymous with success and social acceptance. These narratives, he said, are deliberately engineered to target adolescents during a critical phase of personal and social development.
The Prime Minister underscored that the consequences of drug abuse extend far beyond the individual, inflicting deep damage on families, communities, and the broader social fabric.
