LAHORE: The Punjab Excise and Taxation Department is going to establish police stations in the province, besides revival of check posts at the province’s entry and exit points, to curb the flow of narcotics.
Narcotics Director General Raja Zahid was actively working to establish the police stations after being directed by Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in this regard, it was reported.
According to an Excise and Taxation Department official, arrangements were underway to initially set up excise police stations in Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Mianwali.
He further said that the government also approved the formation of provincial narcotics control committee in this regard, whereas the station in Rawalpindi would start working in March.
An Excise and Taxation Officer (ETO) would be in charge at the police station with an Assistant ETO, four inspectors and 15 junior officers.
The official said special excise check-posts which were earlier in 2004, would also be revived. The check posts would be set up at eight to nine entry points of the province, including Mianwali, DG Khan, Raheem Yar Khan, and Attock districts.
He said a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the police stations and checkpoints had also been finalised.
The provincial government had planned to establish the excise and narcotics police stations at divisional headquarters, besides setting up special check-posts at all the entry and exit points of the divisions to curb the flow of the narcotics across the province.
The department had also sent detailed feasibility reports to the government for the purpose after the provincial government had allocated special funds for purchasing the official vehicles and furniture as well.
