Sindh to set up dedicated narcotics force to combat drug trafficking

KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said on Thursday that the Sindh government has decided to establish a dedicated narcotics force and an autonomous drone unit to combat rampant drug trafficking and street crime.

Speaking to journalists after a session of the Sindh Assembly’s Standing Committee on Home Affairs, Lanjar outlined an aggressive provincial strategy targeting cross-provincial drug networks, particularly those operating inside educational institutions.

He said that the provincial cabinet has finalized the blueprint for a specialized narcotics force that will operate in tandem with the Sindh Police.

According to Lanjar, the legislative body also deliberated on extending dedicated policing powers to the provincial excise and narcotics department to streamline raids, investigations, and prosecution.

The huddle focused heavily on the high-profile arrest of a female inter-provincial drug kingpin Anmol alias “Pinky” in Karachi, who Lanjar revealed is currently facing 28 criminal cases across multiple jurisdictions.

“Of the total, 12 cases are registered against the suspect in Sindh, five in Punjab, and one by the federal Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF),” Lanjar said.

“No elements or facilitators involved in this network, regardless of their influence, will be spared.”

The Sindh home minister noted that the administrative crackdown stems from strict directives issued by senior Pakistan People’s Party leader Faryal Talpur, who has demanded absolute zero-tolerance against drug cartels in Sindh.

High-power panel for academic institutions

In response to rising intelligence reports regarding contraband distribution on education campuses, Lanjar announced the formation of a high-powered committee tasked specifically with securing universities and colleges.

The panel, he said, will formulate a comprehensive security and counter-narcotics grid for academic premises across the province.

Drone force to receive allocation in upcoming budget

He said that to counter street crime and monitor inaccessible terrain, the home department is set to operationalize a specialized drone force.

Lanjar confirmed that a dedicated financial layout has been proposed for the upcoming provincial budget to fund the procurement of advanced surveillance drones and high-tech equipment.

The new specialized aerial wing will function directly under the administrative control of the Sindh home department.