More than 18 tons of confiscated narcotics and over 169,000 liters of liquor were destroyed during the Annual Drug Disposal Ceremony organized by the Anti-Narcotics Department in Sheikhupura, officials confirmed.
Authorities stated that the destruction was carried out in accordance with legal procedures and formed part of the department’s ongoing efforts to dispose of drugs seized during various operations throughout the year. The substances were incinerated using a modern furnace system designed to ensure transparency and prevent environmental pollution.
Senior officials of the Anti-Narcotics Department, along with representatives from government institutions, religious leadership, academia, and civil society, attended the ceremony. Among those present were the Regional Commander Punjab, Brigadier Sikandar Hayat Chaudhry, Regional Police Officer Athar Ismail Amjad, Bishop of Lahore Nadeem Kamran, and representatives from several universities.
According to officials, the narcotics destroyed included cannabis, heroin, methamphetamine commonly known as ice, poppy straw, and bhang. The department emphasized that all seized drugs are disposed of only after the completion of judicial proceedings to ensure they do not re-enter illegal distribution networks.
Addressing the gathering, Brigadier Sikandar Hayat Chaudhry reiterated that building a drug-free society remains the department’s top priority. He stated that anti-narcotics operations would continue without discrimination and stressed that combating drug abuse is a collective responsibility. “The fight against drugs cannot be won by law enforcement agencies alone,” he said, urging citizens to play an active role in protecting communities from the menace.
Official statistics released at the event revealed that 595 alleged drug traffickers have been arrested in Punjab this year, with 463 cases registered. During the same period, courts awarded life imprisonment to 35 convicts, while 132 others received various sentences.
Alongside enforcement operations, the department has also intensified its awareness campaigns. Over 1,000 seminars have been conducted in schools, colleges, and universities across the province this year to educate students about the dangers of drug abuse and to discourage young people from falling victim to addiction.
Officials described the annual disposal ceremony as a demonstration of the department’s dual strategy of strict enforcement and proactive public awareness, aimed at curbing drug trafficking and fostering a safer, drug-free society.
