Government plans dedicated drug force as committee reviews ‘Pinky’ case
KARACHI:
As the high-profile ‘Pinky’ drug-trafficking case continues to unfold, the Sindh government has decided to establish a dedicated narcotics force and is considering setting up a drone unit to strengthen anti-narcotics operations across the province.
The Sindh Assembly Standing Committee on Home Affairs on Thursday reviewed the progress in the case and discussed a number of measures aimed at strengthening 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 dealer linked to the network had been arrested in Lahore and claimed a cocaine-making facility linked to the suspect also operated there.
Officials clarified that reports circulating in the media about Pinky’s arrest were inaccurate, adding that 13 riders allegedly involved in supplying drugs to the network had been arrested. Police dismissed reports suggesting the involvement of prominent political or public figures in the case.
However, opposition lawmakers demanded that the names of all influential people linked to the case be made public. The committee also discussed legal ambiguities in the anti-gutka law. MNA Qadir Patel pointed out that the existing definition could inadvertently include products like paan and naswar because it broadly 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 Home Secretary assured the committee that the legal wording would be reviewed and corrected where necessary.
Talpur also sought a briefing on reports of opium cultivation in Qambar Shahdadkot and Dadu districts. DIG Sukkur Nasir Aftab informed the committee that access to certain areas remained difficult and authorities were using drones to spray and destroy illegal crops.
