The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has stepped up efforts to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment in higher education institutions by strengthening drug prevention, awareness and control measures.
A meeting on Drug Prevention, Awareness and Control Measures in Educational Institutions was organized by HEC at its Secretariat in Islamabad to review reported cases of drug use and supply and to strengthen preventive measures, institutional monitoring and inter-agency coordination.
Chairman HEC Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar emphasized the importance of a safe and healthy learning environment, reinforcing the need for institutional responsibility, preventive awareness and coordinated efforts to address drug and tobacco abuse in higher education institutions.
Engr. Saleem Ullah Sohoo, Director General, Research & Analysis Activities (R&AA), HEC, briefed the participants on reported cases during 2025 and January-September 2026, along with the initiatives undertaken by HEC and higher education institutions to address the issue.
Representatives of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police also shared updates on enforcement and prevention measures, emphasizing coordinated action, institutional accountability and awareness campaigns. The meeting also proposed a roundtable with heads of public and private higher education institutions in Islamabad and members of their Anti-Drug and Tobacco Committees to review implementation and develop a coordinated way forward for ensuring drug-free campuses.
COMSTECH, IDF
OIC-COMSTECH and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) have agreed to expand cooperation in diabetes prevention, research, healthcare capacity-building and professional training across OIC member states, with plans to sign a memorandum of understanding to formalise the partnership.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary and IDF President Prof. Dr. Peter Schwarz at the COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad.
The meeting was also attended by Prof. Dr. Abdul Basit, Secretary General of the Diabetic Association of Pakistan, representatives of Riphah International University and Indus Hospital & Health Network, and senior COMSTECH officials.
Following a presentation on COMSTECH’s health-related programmes and initiatives, the two sides identified priority areas for collaboration, including halal health products, expansion of the Faith-Based Diabetes Prevention Programme, professional training through the COMSTECH Expert Service Programme and promotion of safer and healthier environments. It was also agreed that OIC-COMSTECH and IDF would work, in collaboration with Indus Hospital & Health Network and the Diabetic Association of Pakistan, to send healthcare experts to African OIC member states, particularly countries in the Sahel region, for diabetes prevention, professional training and capacity-building programmes.
Under the proposed initiative, a first group of 20 experts will be mobilised to support local health professionals and institutions in strengthening diabetes prevention and control, community awareness and professional capacity.
The two sides also discussed research collaboration, knowledge-sharing and preventive healthcare approaches aimed at addressing the growing burden of diabetes and related non-communicable diseases in OIC countries. Prof. Choudhary said international partnerships could help connect scientific expertise, professional training and community-based interventions with the healthcare needs of member states, particularly countries facing limited technical and institutional capacity.
Prof. Schwarz emphasised the importance of prevention, professional training and wider institutional cooperation in reducing the burden of diabetes and improving long-term health outcomes.
The meeting further agreed that the possibility of OIC-COMSTECH obtaining transnational membership of the International Diabetes Federation would be considered at the federation’s forthcoming meeting in April 2027. The proposed MoU is expected to provide an institutional framework for joint training, expert missions, research, prevention programmes and wider cooperation in diabetes control across OIC member states.
AIOU extends enrolment deadline till Oct 19
In a major relief for continuing students, Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has extended the enrollment deadline for its Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programs for the Autumn 2026 semester.
On the special directions of the Vice Chancellor, AIOU, the last date for enrollment of continuing students has been extended till October 19, 2026.
The decision was taken to facilitate thousands of old students who were unable to complete their enrollment formalities within the earlier deadline.
According to the official notification, the extension applies to all ODL programs offered in Autumn 2026.
The university clarified that continuing students can now complete their course registration process through the CMS Portal.
AIOU is one of the largest distance learning universities in Asia, catering to more than a million students across Pakistan. The university regularly issues such extensions to ensure no student is deprived of education due to time constraints.
The administration has advised all continuing students to avail this final opportunity and register their courses immediately to avoid any further inconvenience.