Religious leadership's role vital to anti-drug campaign: Abdul Khabir Azad

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jul, 2026) Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Pakistan Chairman and Khateeb of the Badshahi Mosque, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, on Friday stressed the need for stronger collaboration between religious leaders, law enforcement agencies and civil society to protect the younger generation from the menace of drugs.

He expressed these views during a visit to the headquarters of the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force (CNF), where he met Director General and Commander Punjab CNF Brigadier Mazhar Iqbal.

The meeting discussed measures to curb the growing use of synthetic drugs, including ice, as well as conventional narcotics, and explored ways to strengthen public awareness campaigns.

The participants agreed that effective coordination among law enforcement agencies, religious scholars, educational institutions, parents, media and civil society was essential to make the anti-narcotics campaign more effective and ensure wider public participation.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Khabir Azad said islam strictly prohibited all acts that harmed human life, intellect and society, adding that drug abuse was destroying the future of youth, destabilising families and undermining social values.

He said religious scholars could play a key role in the moral and spiritual guidance of young people and pledged to raise awareness about the harmful effects of narcotics through Friday sermons and other religious gatherings.

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He appreciated the professional performance and anti-narcotics operations of the CNF and assured his full support for its awareness initiatives.

He also described the establishment of the force under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif as a timely and effective step towards a drug-free Punjab.

Brig. Mazhar Iqbal said the CNF was working with professional commitment to realise the chief minister's vision of a drug-free province. He said the fight against narcotics was a collective national responsibility that required the active participation of religious leaders, parents, teachers, media and civil society.

He said mosques served as an effective platform for spreading awareness at the community level and expressed confidence that the cooperation of religious scholars would further strengthen the CNF's public awareness campaign.

At the end of the meeting, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad offered prayers for the success, steadfastness and safety of the officers and personnel of the CNF. Mazhar Iqbal presented him with a commemorative souvenir on behalf of the force.