IHC proposes schools to check student’s lunch boxes

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday proposed that lunchboxes of students might have to be searched as a part of initiatives to stem the increasing trend of drug use in schools.

The matter was heard by Justice Raja Inam Ameen Minhas on a petition moved by a private organisation, Lucky Foundation. The Ministry of Interior, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), and Islamabad Police were ordered by the court to present, within two weeks, a detailed progress report for January to September 2025.

Police officials provided figures from January to April 22, 2025, as per which 255 kilograms of heroin and 126 kilograms of hashish were seized from various parts of Islamabad. 689 cases were filed, and 709 suspects were detained. Ministry officials further informed that an awareness campaign had also been initiated in schools on the orders of the previous courts.

Justice Minhas emphasized, though, that awareness was not sufficient and proper monitoring had to be done. He explained that the lunchboxes of children needed to be inspected in order to keep drugs or dangerous substances from being brought into school.

The judge also observed that slogans against drugs by the police were not enough, and practical measures were needed. He stressed that station house officers (SHOs) had a responsibility to keep their areas under watch actively instead of waiting for petitions to be filed.

A lawyer for the Private Schools Association (PEISA) told the court that the authority had already given directions to schools for preventing drug intake.

The court postponed the hearing by two weeks, allowing the authorities to file their reports.