Punjab Launches New Counter Narcotics Task Force

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Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force (CNF), a newly established unit aimed at eliminating the growing drug problem across the province, particularly among the youth. Speaking at the launching ceremony, the chief minister said the creation of the force marks a major step toward eradicating narcotics from every street, neighborhood, university, and school in Punjab.

Sharif expressed concern over the widespread availability of drugs and said she had received numerous appeals from parents urging the government to protect their children. “It is a tragedy that drugs are reaching our educational institutions and communities,” she said, calling the issue both urgent and deeply troubling.

The CNF has already become operational in all divisions of Punjab and is expected to expand to every district. Out of 12,000 applications for the force, 850 individuals have been selected following a rigorous recruitment process. According to the chief minister, only the most talented candidates were chosen to join the specialised unit.

Sharif emphasized that no single force or policy can completely eliminate crime or drug use, but said the CNF would be a vital part of a broader strategy. “Just as every disease cannot be cured with a single pill, crime cannot be eradicated with a single measure,” she said.

In addition to the CNF, the Punjab government has also launched specialised forces to combat other critical issues such as inflation, hoarding, land grabbing, and encroachments. The chief minister pointed to the recently established Crime Control Department (CCD) within Punjab Police as an example of success, noting that it had significantly reduced crime rates in just a few weeks.

Sharif reaffirmed her commitment to tackling the province’s pressing problems through the formation of focused, specialized departments capable of acting swiftly and effectively.