Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif officially launched the Punjab Counter-Narcotics Force on July 22, making her province the first in Pakistan to establish a specialized drug enforcement unit under the 18th Constitutional Amendment. The launch took place in Lahore and included a ceremonial march-past, flag handover, and an inspection of the CNF’s tech-equipped vehicles and trained personnel.
A Powerful Response to a Growing Drug Crisis
CNF will operate alongside other provincial units such as the Wildlife Force, Environment Force, Forest Force, and the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority. Importantly, this new agency is specifically tasked with combating drug trafficking and abuse, implementing a strict “zero tolerance” policy toward drug dealers and traffickers.
During the ceremony, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized the seriousness of the issue, pointing out that drugs are infiltrating neighborhoods, schools, universities, and colleges across the province. She described this as a national tragedy, affecting nearly 65% of Punjab’s youth population.
Furthermore, she announced that the Anti-Narcotics Force Academy in Rawalpindi has already trained 866 CNF personnel through an intensive 12-week program. Currently, CNF units operate in all provincial divisions, and importantly, there are plans underway to expand their presence down to the district level. This step aims to strengthen the fight against drugs even further and ensure effective enforcement throughout Punjab.
Institutional Reform and Broader Security Implementation
This move reflects a broader strategic approach to law enforcement reform under CM Maryam Nawaz. It complements the recently launched Crime Control Department within Punjab Police, aimed at reducing organized crime, and matches initiatives like the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority for regulatory oversight .
These newly created forces signify a shift toward specialized enforcement, with CNF focused on narcotics, CCD on crime syndicates, and PERA on public welfare law enforcement. Together, they aim to modernize and strengthen provincial law enforcement frameworks.
Working Together With Other Provinces and Federal Agencies
The Chief Minister made it very clear: Punjab cannot win the war against drugs on its own. Traffickers smuggle and distribute drugs through a vast network that spans borders, regions, and communities making the crisis a nationwide issue, not one confined to a single city, district, or province.
To make the new Counter-Narcotics Force more effective, Punjab will actively coordinate and collaborate with other provincial governments, including Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In addition, it will work closely with federal law enforcement agencies such as the Anti-Narcotics Force , the Federal Investigation Agency , Pakistan Customs, and Border Control Forces.
This collaborative approach aims to create a unified front against drug trafficking, ensuring that efforts across provincial and federal levels are well synchronized.
By sharing intelligence, resources, and strategies, the CNF and its partners hope to dismantle complex drug networks that operate across multiple regions, thereby enhancing overall enforcement and prevention measures throughout the country.
The CM said
“Drug dealers do not respect borders. If we want to stop them, we must work as a team with our neighboring provinces and the federal government. Together, we can block the entire supply chain and cut off the sources.”
This bold move by the Punjab Chief Minister shows a strong commitment to saving lives and building a safer society. The success of the Counter-Narcotics Force will depend on strong leadership, public cooperation, and honest enforcement. Many are hopeful that this initiative will bring real change and give the youth of Punjab a brighter, drug-free future.
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