An important meeting of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs, chaired by the committee’s chairperson Faryal Talpur, was held at the Sindh Assembly on Wednesday. Detailed discussions were held on key issues, including narcotics, street crime, law and order, the Kutcha operation and the Sindh Forensic Science Laboratory.
Faryal said drugs are destroying the younger generation, and every segment of society must play their role in combating this menace. She directed the police to take effective measures to eliminate drugs, and to carry out an indiscriminate and vigorous crackdown against drug mafias.
She emphasised ensuring strict and organised checking in border areas, saying that random checking should be aimed at preventing the transportation of narcotics. She also said the crackdown should be conducted in a manner that makes police a symbol of fear for drug dealers.
She also appreciated the performance of the Sindh police in the operation against Kutcha dacoits, saying that the courage and bravery of the officers are commendable. She said that establishing law and order in the riverine areas, providing a peaceful environment to the public and restoring basic facilities are among the top priorities of the government, and all possible measures would be taken in this regard.
Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said work is under way to establish a special court for speedy trial of drug-related cases, aimed at ensuring exemplary punishment for the accused at the earliest.
Lanjar said that a province-wide crackdown against narcotics is ongoing, while joint camps comprising Anti-Narcotics Force, Customs, excise and police officials are active in border areas.
He said the Kutcha operation has yielded positive results. He also said strict action is ongoing against dacoits and their facilitators, adding that they have been almost eliminated. He pointed out that development projects under the Annual Development Programme would be launched to improve infrastructure in the Kutcha areas.
He also announced civil awards for outstanding performance for Larkana DIG Nasir Aftab, SSP Samiullah Soomro, Kashmore SSP Murad Ghanghro, SSP Shahzeb Chachar and Ghotki SSP Anwar Khetran.
Sindh IGP Javed Alam Odho told the meeting that 133 suspects have been arrested in major drug cases, while 145 FIRs have been registered. He said that 107 accused are currently in jail, adding that drug mafia networks are being dismantled through systematic crackdowns, and strict action against them continues.
Odho said that as a result of successful operations in the Kutcha areas, there are currently no cases of kidnapping for ransom, the roads are open, and the law and order situation has significantly improved, which would be maintained.
Committee members appreciated the performance of the Sindh police in the Kutcha operation, and also acknowledged the services of Home Special Secretary Saeed Ahmed Shaikh. Later, talking to the media outside the assembly, Odho said drugs are not cultivated on a large scale in Sindh, adding that synthetic drugs also come from outside the province.
He said that there are many routes for the import of raw drugs into Sindh, adding that work is under way with other institutions on combating the drugs menace along the 600km-long border.
He pointed out that police officers are also involved in the drugs menace, and action against them was taken recently. He said they are putting their house in order, and action has also been taken against drug dealers, following which improvement can now be expected.
“We are trying to further improve our work. There are gutka factories here. Now gutka factories have been built in small rooms. Police will take action under the government’s policy.” He admitted that action is not taken at the top level. He said police are working on the instructions of the government. “Senior police officers are also involved in this. You will see that strict action is being taken. It is suggested that drug tests also be conducted.”
