The Punjab government officially launched the Provincial Counter Narcotics Force on Tuesday, aiming to combat the growing drug menace across the province. The initiative was inaugurated by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during a ceremony held in Lahore.
While addressing the event, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized the urgent need for such a force, stating that eliminating drugs is a top priority for the provincial administration. She declared a strict zero-tolerance policy against drug dealers, asserting that there is no place for them in Punjab. “Every possible measure will be taken to ensure the province is free from the curse of drugs,” she affirmed.
During the ceremony, Maryam Nawaz inspected a formal parade by the newly formed force and presented the official flag to a designated officer of the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force.
In a separate but related development, the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has advanced Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s vision of a digitally connected province by significantly expanding the public Wi-Fi network. The number of free Wi-Fi access points in Lahore has increased from 230 to 430. This service, once limited to 11 districts, now covers 22, including cities such as Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Gujrat, Jhelum, Attock, Hasan Abdal, Sahiwal, Okara, and Murree.
These enhancements are part of an ongoing effort to improve digital infrastructure in both urban and semi-urban areas. Gujrat was recently added to the list of cities with public Wi-Fi access.
According to PSCA data, over 37.22 million people have benefited from the free internet service so far, with a total data usage exceeding 905 terabytes. The growing demand highlights the importance of accessible and reliable internet services in public spaces across Punjab.
