The Punjab government’s campaign “Nashian Virudh Yudh” (War Against Drugs) has once again come into focus with the formal launch of its second phase. The drug menace continues to remain one of Punjab’s gravest social and public health challenges, affecting families across rural and urban areas alike. Any initiative aimed at confronting this crisis is important and deserves attention. However, as the government moves ahead with Phase Two, it becomes equally necessary to pause and critically examine the outcomes of Phase One, which was launched with great urgency and public commitment.
The first phase of Nashian Virudh Yudh was introduced with the promise of decisive action against drug traffickers, stronger enforcement of narcotics laws, expanded de-addiction facilities, and preventive outreach to protect Punjab’s youth. Police operations were intensified, raids were conducted across districts, and several arrests and seizures were reported. Awareness programs were also highlighted as part of the broader strategy, signaling an understanding that the problem of drugs cannot be solved by policing alone.
However, despite the scale of activity during Phase One, the government has not yet placed a comprehensive and transparent assessment of its achievements before the public. While sporadic figures have been shared through statements and media briefings, there has been no consolidated official report detailing what was truly accomplished. The people of Punjab deserve to know how many major trafficking networks were dismantled, how many convictions were secured, how effective rehabilitation efforts proved to be, and whether drug availability has meaningfully declined at the ground level.
Transparency is not a criticism; it is a foundation of democratic governance. Declaring the achievements of Phase One would help build public trust, counter misinformation, and demonstrate that the campaign is driven by results rather than rhetoric. It would also allow independent experts, civil society organizations, and community leaders to assess which strategies worked and which areas require improvement. Without such clarity, public confidence risks erosion, and the fight against drugs risks being perceived as cyclical rather than transformative.
With the beginning of Phase Two, the Punjab government has emphasized greater community participation, local vigilance, and people-driven initiatives. This shift is welcome, as drug abuse is deeply rooted in social, economic, and psychological factors that cannot be addressed by enforcement alone. Village-level involvement, youth engagement, and family-based prevention can play a crucial role in sustaining long-term change. Yet, for Phase Two to succeed, it must be informed by the lessons and data of Phase One.
Punjab’s drug crisis has already cost the state dearly in terms of lost lives, broken families, and damaged futures. The youth of Punjab cannot afford repeated campaigns without clear accountability and measurable outcomes. The government must therefore place facts before the people—acknowledging successes where they exist and shortcomings where improvement is needed.
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) supports every genuine and sustained effort to eradicate drugs from Punjab. At the same time, NAPA strongly urges the Punjab government to officially declare and publish the achievements of the first phase of Nashian Virudh Yudh. Honest evaluation and transparency will not weaken the campaign; they will strengthen it. Only through clarity, accountability, and collective participation can Punjab move toward a future free from the shadow of drug addiction.