Government plans dedicated narcotics force as committee examines ‘Pinky’ drug case
KARACHI:
As the high-profile ‘Pinky’ drug trafficking case continues to unfold, the Sindh government has decided to create a dedicated narcotics force and is considering setting up a drone unit to strengthen anti-drug operations across the province.
The Sindh Assembly’s standing committee on home affairs on Thursday reviewed the progress made in the case and discussed a series of measures to strengthen the province’s anti-narcotics efforts, including the creation of a dedicated narcotics force and a drone unit.
During a briefing, the Sindh Police informed the committee that the main suspect, Anmol alias Pinky, had frequently traveled to and from Nigeria. Police said a Nigerian handler linked to the network was arrested in Lahore and claimed a cocaine manufacturing factory associated with the suspect was also operating there.
Officials clarified that media reports regarding Pinky’s arrest were inaccurate, adding that 13 passengers allegedly involved in supplying narcotics for the network had been arrested. Police have denied reports suggesting the involvement of high-profile political or public figures in the case.
Opposition MPs, however, demanded that the names of any influential people linked to the affair be made public. The commission also discussed the legal ambiguities of the anti-gutka law. MP Qadir Patel pointed out that the existing definition could unintentionally include products such as paan and naswar, as it largely refers to substances containing tobacco and lime. He also noted that the law uses the word “lime” rather than the more specific term “limestone.” The Minister of the Interior assured the committee that the legal text would be reviewed and corrected if necessary.
Talpur also sought information on reports of opium cultivation in Qambar Shahdadkot and Dadu districts. DIG Sukkur Nasir Aftab informed the committee that access to some areas remained difficult and authorities were using drones to spray and destroy illicit crops.
