The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has allocated Rs320m for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts in Peshawar as part of the "Drug-Free Peshawar" initiative. A high-level meeting was held at the Finance Department to discuss Phase III of the "Drug-Free Peshawar" project. The meeting was attended by Finance Advisor Muzammil Aslam, Excise Minister Mian Khaliq-ur-Rehman, Excise Secretary Fayaz Ali Shah, Social Welfare Secretary, and Peshawar Commissioner Riaz Mehsud. Muzammil Aslam, Finance Advisor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, announced that preparations for launching Phase III of the "Drug-Free Peshawar" initiative are complete. The project aims to rehabilitate 2,000 drug addicts, with an estimated cost of PKR 160,000 per patient over four months. The advisor further stated that private rehab centers will be engaged for the project, and advertisements will soon be issued to hire quality rehabilitation services.

The Social Welfare Department, Excise Department, and Peshawar Commissioner’s Office will work in coordination to ensure timely execution. During the first two phases of the "Drug-Free Peshawar" project, 2,397 patients were treated, including 170 individuals from Punjab and Sindh. The project also provided treatment for 19 women and 104 children. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government plans to continue the project to include those needing further rehabilitation. Commissioner Peshawar, Riaz Mehsud, highlighted that the initiative is among the best of its kind globally, noting that Punjab and Sindh have contacted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to follow the project's model. He emphasized that providing health, education, and rehabilitation is a governmental responsibility.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan