Islamabad, September 14, 2026: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training has expressed grave concern over the growing menace of narcotics in educational institutions and called for coordinated and result-oriented action to curb drug use and supply among students.
The 26th meeting of the committee was held under the acting chairmanship of MNA Anjum Aqeel Khan at Parliament House on Monday.
The committee stressed the need for an effective coordination mechanism among the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), police, Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) to identify sources of drug supply and prevent the involvement of criminal elements in and around educational institutions.
It emphasised that ensuring a safe and drug-free learning environment required coordinated action by educational institutions, law-enforcement agencies and regulatory authorities, with clear responsibilities, effective monitoring and strict enforcement.
The committee sought comprehensive and verified data on reported cases of drug use and supply in educational institutions, including the nature and number of cases, action taken, inter-agency coordination mechanisms and penalties imposed on those found involved.
It observed that merely establishing committees and formulating policies would not be sufficient without effective implementation, regular monitoring and visible action against those supplying narcotics to students.
The committee was informed that Anti-Drug and Tobacco Committees had been established in higher educational institutions to monitor and address drug and tobacco use among students. It stressed that these mechanisms should be strengthened and linked with law-enforcement and regulatory authorities for timely reporting, investigation and action.
The committee also reviewed the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) training programmes and stressed the need to make them more outcome-oriented and aligned with international labour market requirements.
It highlighted the changing global employment landscape, particularly in the Middle East, and called for regular assessment of demand for skilled manpower in international markets. NAVTTC was urged to update its programmes to provide Pakistani youth with market-relevant skills, internationally recognised qualifications and better employment opportunities abroad.
The committee was also briefed on the NCLEX Nursing Training Programme. Beneficiaries who had successfully qualified the programme shared their experiences and said they would complete remaining requirements, including visa screening and other formalities, to pursue employment opportunities abroad.
On the issue of dyslexia, the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) informed the committee that several measures had been introduced to facilitate students with dyslexia during examinations, including additional time and assistance in reading question papers.
The committee stressed the need for regular psychological support and trained remedial teachers to identify learning difficulties at an early stage and provide appropriate classroom assistance.
A committee member pointed out that the Punjab Assembly had also enacted legislation relating to dyslexia and called for a comprehensive and uniform approach to addressing the educational needs of children with the condition.
The Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) informed the committee that it would take up the matter with educational boards across the country to promote uniform measures and ensure appropriate facilities and support mechanisms for students with dyslexia.
Regarding the reported leakage of Cambridge examination papers, the committee was informed that the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), after examining the matter, found no evidence that the leakage had originated from Pakistan.
The committee was further informed that the NCCIA did not have direct access to servers located abroad, limiting its ability to independently trace the source and mechanism of any alleged leakage involving overseas servers.
The committee also discussed approximately 200–250 pending cases involving Grade-14 teachers and called for their expeditious disposal. The Ministry assured the committee that necessary steps would be taken to resolve the cases at the earliest.
The committee deferred the government bill titled the “Hyderabad Institute for Technology and Management Sciences (Amendment) Bill, 2026” until its next meeting.
The meeting was attended by MNA Anjum Aqeel Khan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, Syed Sami-Ul-Hasan Gilani, Zeb Jaffar, Farah Naz Akbar, Abdul Hakeem Baloch, Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, Mussarat Rafique Mahesar, Abdul Aleem Khan, Sabheen Ghoury, Aliya Kamran and Rabia Naseem Farooqi, Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training.
Officials from the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, HEC and other concerned departments also attended the meeting.
