QUETTA: The Balochistan government has launched a comprehensive province-wide mission for the rehabilitation of drug addicts, pledging to continue the effort until society is cleansed of the menace.
Parliamentary Secretary for Social Welfare Haji Wali Mohammad Noorzai announced the campaign, stating it is being pursued on the direct and urgent instructions of Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti. He commended the role played by private rehabilitation centers, NGOs, and police, assuring full government cooperation.
A key feature of the new policy is the establishment of technical and skill development centers alongside rehabilitation facilities. The aim is to make recovered addicts self-sufficient by teaching them marketable skills so they can earn a respectable livelihood.
In a significant logistical upgrade, it was decided in a recent meeting with the Chief Minister that every registered rehabilitation center in the province will be provided with one ambulance to ensure the timely transfer of patients to hospitals.
Noorzai made the announcements at the ‘Best Performance Award 2025’ ceremony organized by the Fazal Muhammad Foundation and Right Way Drug Centre. He described the treatment of addicts as “the real and great service,” warning that drug trafficking continues to eat away at society like termites.
Director of Social Welfare Muhammad Hanif Rind affirmed the department’s day-and-night efforts, stating the check-and-balance system in centers is being made more effective. Organizer Fazal Mohammad Noorzai noted that 24 centers are currently participating in the rehabilitation project.
Meanwhile Balochistan Chief Secretary CS Shakeel Qadir Khan on Thursday directed the immediate processing of temporary appointments in the Education Department to reactivate all inactive schools across the province.
The orders were issued during a high-level conference of divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners held via video link. The meeting, attended by top provincial secretaries, aimed to devise a comprehensive public welfare and development strategy.
CS Khan emphasized that providing relief to citizens is a core responsibility of the administration. He mandated all commissioners and deputy commissioners to hold regular public open courts for the immediate resolution of pressing issues related to water, electricity, health, and education. “Open courts are the best means of fulfilling this responsibility,” he stated.
