Senate panel orders probe into ‘prime minister-level’ protocol for drug suspect ‘Pinky’

ISLAMABAD: A Senate panel on Monday demanded an inquiry into the extraordinary protocol allegedly provided to high-profile narcotics suspect Anmol, alias “Pinky,” saying her security detail rivaled that of the prime minister.

The sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, lashed out at law enforcement officials over the handling of “Pinky,” a suspect at the center of one of Karachi’s most high-profile criminal investigations.

“Around 20 police mobile vans drive behind Anmol Pinky,” Abro said during the committee meeting. “Even the prime minister does not receive this level of protocol. Forget a senator, this woman appears more important than the entire Parliament.”

The committee demanded a thorough probe into the suspect’s alleged political or bureaucratic backing, questioning why an accused criminal was being afforded such unprecedented state protection.

Senator Abro told the meeting that the chairperson of the provincial assembly’s standing committee had also convened a meeting on the matter, during which police informed the committee that ‘Pinky was arrested from Lahore.

Karachi Police DIG South Syed Ali Raza told the committee that the suspect was actually arrested in Karachi.

The committee sought details of the alleged security protocol provided to the suspect and stressed the need for a further investigation into the matter.

Viral Video Sparks Backlash

The controversy erupted following the May 13 arrest of Pinky during a joint raid by police and a civilian intelligence agency at her apartment in Karachi’s Garden neighbourhood.

Later that day, the investigating officer produced her before a judicial magistrate in connection with narcotics and unlicensed weapons possession charges. However, video footage of her walking through the court corridor without handcuffs, wearing sunglasses, and casually carrying a water bottle went viral on social media and national television networks.

The footage showed her investigating officer walking behind her, seemingly acting as a guide.

The public outcry prompted Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar to order an immediate disciplinary action.

Authorities subsequently suspended three officers, including the investigating officer, the Garden Station House Officer (SHO) and the Investigation Officer (IO).

Earlier, an internal police inquiry, conducted by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) West Irfan Baloch, exposed deep institutional failures and deliberate attempts to obstruct the investigation.

The inquiry report, which included statements from 17 police officials — including City Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ali Hassan and the SP Investigation City — held the district SSP, the Garden SHO, and the SIO directly responsible for the lapses.

Most notably, the report revealed that CCTV footage capturing the suspect’s arrival and subsequent transfer to court had gone missing from the Garden police station.

According to the findings, the “special protocol” severely damaged the reputation of the police force. The inquiry recommended separate legal and departmental action against Garden SHO Hanif Siyal.

The report also noted that the two female officers assigned to escort Pinky were entirely untrained for high-profile cases and had not been briefed on her background.

Furthermore, it said, the operations police branch failed to complete her criminal record office (CRO) processing after her arrest, transferring her case without properly informing the investigation wing.

Cartel Connections and Intelligence Collusion

The scope of the investigation has since widened from local police negligence to potential collusion within elite counter-terrorism units.

Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) earlier launched a separate inquiry against two of its own personnel posted at the CTD Civil Lines unit. Assistant Sub-Inspector Kafeel and Constable Ali Qureshi are under investigation for allegedly maintaining regular contact with the suspect.

Police investigators previously stated that Pinky is facing at least 18 separate cases across multiple police jurisdictions.

Investigators are currently trying to map out a wider narcotics distribution network operating across Karachi, focusing on its supply chains, financial links, and undisclosed associates.

The suspect has since been remanded to judicial custody inside Central Jail Karachi.

Earlier court appearances had been marked by high courtroom commotions and allegations from the suspect that she was tortured and coerced in custody — claims that police investigators had vehemently denied.

Earlier, Sindh Police Inspector General (IG) Javed Odho said on Tuesday that alleged drug suspect Anmol alias “Pinky” mostly resided in Lahore, urging the public and media not to “glamorise” the suspect, warning against turning accused drug traffickers into public celebrities.