Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has announced that the provincial government will conduct rapid random drug testing in schools across Sindh, in a major step to tackle the growing problem of narcotics use among children.
Speaking to the media in Karachi on Sunday, Memon expressed serious concern over the rising drug abuse among young people, saying the issue had unfortunately not been taken seriously enough in the past. He acknowledged that drug abuse has become a global problem and is now a major concern across Pakistan.
The minister said several rehabilitation centres are being developed to help those affected, but admitted that the situation remains a serious challenge for the government. He referred to a disturbing recent incident in Karachi where a drug-addicted child had opened fire on his own family members — highlighting just how dangerous the problem has become.
“When these people become zombies due to narcotics, they go beyond anyone’s control,” Memon said bluntly.
He pointed out that many individuals have turned the drug trade into a highly profitable business and stressed that breaking up these networks is a direct responsibility of the government. Without naming anyone specifically, he said there is an entire organized network behind the drug supply — adding that naming individuals publicly would only result in social media memes rather than real action.
Memon also made a pointed reference to a suspect identified as Anmol alias Pinky, describing her as a woman involved in selling what he called “poison” that is costing precious lives every single day.
He urged the media to avoid glamorizing the issue and called on parents to play their most important role yet — protecting their children from falling into the trap of drug abuse.
“I am not talking about one government alone, but the entire country,” Memon said, making it clear that tackling this crisis requires a collective national effort.
