The Ministry of Narcotics Control admitted to the Senate Standing Committee on Interior Affairs that it could not provide updated data on drug addiction in Pakistan, as no survey has been conducted in the past 12 years.
During a meeting chaired by Faisal Saleem, officials revealed that the last survey, conducted in 2013, reported over 6.7 million Pakistanis aged 15 and older were addicted to drugs, with more than 4 million using substances like cannabis, heroin, and prescription drugs.
They stated that no follow-up surveys were conducted until 2024, but the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) plans to conduct the next survey in 2025.
In the meantime, health experts and law enforcement officials estimate that 10.5 million Pakistanis are currently battling drug addiction. An investigation covering over 3,000 educational institutions and 2,000 workplaces also highlighted the growing vulnerability of young people to drug abuse.