LAHORE: The government’s decision to set up special anti-narcotics police stations in all divisions of Punjab is still far from realisation, even after more than three years of work.
A special committee was formed to supervise the progress but the project of public interest is still in the pipeline.
The Punjab government had decided to establish these special police stations in Gujranwala, Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi, DG Khan, Bahawalpur and Faisalabad.
This important decision was taken to control drugs trade in the province.
According to project details, the excise police stations would be fully authorised to investigate the cases against drug mafias and to take them to courts.
Funds were also allocated for this purpose by the Punjab government to purchase necessary instruments for establishing checkpoints at the entrances and exits of the large cities.
The government had issued the funds to purchase furniture, office material and even vehicles for the officers.
These special funds were approved by the government after receiving feasibility reports from Excise and Taxation Department. A special committee was made in August 2014 by the department to take necessary action for the establishment of these police stations.
Years have passed but no serious step has been taken by the government in this regard.