KARACHI: The Standing Committee on Home Affairs of the Sindh Assembly on Thursday urged the law-enforcement agencies to ensure effective action against the networks involved in synthetic drugs, cocaine and online drugs delivery business.

The standing committee meeting, chaired by Chairperson Faryal Talpur, reviewed the progress of area-wise action plans against drug trafficking and directed authorities to intensify crackdown, particularly around educational institutions, on drugs business.

Chairperson Talpur said that a coordinated strategy was essential to make anti-narcotics operations more effective and result-oriented. “The sale and use of drugs in the vicinity of educational institutions will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” she said.

The standing committee chairperson added that protecting the youth from the menace of drugs was among the top priorities of the provincial government and relevant institutions.

Faryal Talpur says sale and use of drugs near educational institutions will not be tolerated

She directed the law-enforcement agencies to ensure effective action against the networks involved in synthetic drugs, cocaine and online drug delivery business.

Ms Talpur also asked for a regular review of the implementation and outcomes of the area-wise action plan, and ordered stricter checking at entry and exit points at border areas.

Briefings were given on operations against synthetic drugs, cocaine and online delivery of narcotics, as well as on actions taken so far against drug peddling near schools and colleges.

The committee was informed that the Anti-Narcotics Force and the provincial government had performed well.

Ms Talpur sought details on the number of narcotics cases registered, arrests made, conviction rates, and the performance of the excise and narcotics department so far.

Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar informed the meeting participants that operations were being aligned with modern requirements to ensure an effective crackdown on drug trafficking.

He said that a zero-tolerance policy would be enforced against drug dealers operating near educational institutions and that coordinated action against networks dealing in synthetic drugs, cocaine and online delivery was imperative.

The home minister directed all relevant departments to keep the standing committee fully informed about the progress and results of the anti-drug operations and further strengthen the coordination among police, the ANF, the excise and narcotics department and other agencies.

He added that operations would be made more effective and integrated across all divisions of the province, including Karachi.

The minister said that new courts were being established under the new narcotics law and that a mechanism for their establishment had been finalised.

“The purpose is to bring narcotics cases to a logical conclusion at the earliest and ensure punishment for offenders,” he said.

DIG Irfan Baloch, head of the task force, told the meeting that that 105kg of charas and over 6 tonnes of gutka and mawa had been set on fire for the first time in the history of the provincial police. “40kg of ice was also seized,” he added.

According to the DIG, as many as 132 suspects had been arrested in 57 operations so far.

“During actions near educational institutions, 78 suspects were arrested, while 41 convicts are currently serving sentences in jails,” he added.

Briefing the meeting, Brig Umar of the ANF said that the crackdown on drugs was continuing in collaboration with the provincial police. “Comprehensive operations are under way across the province on the directives of the home minister,” he added.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2026