The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has demanded a comprehensive report from the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) provincial government on rehabilitation facilities for children suffering from drug addiction. The directive came during a hearing on Wednesday regarding a petition for the admission of 10-year-old Musa, a drug-addicted child, into a proper rehabilitation center.
Chief Justice Expresses Concern Over Release Policies
Chief Justice took strong notice of the matter and questioned why drug-addicted children are released back to their parents from centers like Zamong Kor before completing treatment. "Why do you release children addicted to drugs back to their parents?" the Chief Justice asked. He further observed that even street children are exploited by contractors in the area, with people coming from Punjab to Peshawar to use children for begging. The Chief Justice emphasized that children undergoing rehabilitation should not be released until their treatment is fully completed.
Details of Musa's Case Presented in Court
During the hearing, Zamong Kor focal person Umar and Additional Advocate General Nomanul Haq Kakakhel appeared before the court. The focal person informed that Musa was previously undergoing treatment at Zamong Kor for drug addiction. However, his mother took him away during Eid, after which he relapsed into addiction. The Chief Justice again questioned the policy of handing over such vulnerable children to parents. The focal person replied that parents often come with court orders, leaving the organization with no choice but to release the children.
Court Seeks Data on Rehabilitation Centers
The PHC has directed the K-P government to provide a detailed report on the number of rehabilitation centers for drug-addicted children and the facilities available in them. The court has also sought information on the standard operating procedures for admission and discharge of children. The next hearing is expected to take place after the report is submitted.
