Sindh government enforces ban on sale of drug-related items to curb narcotics use

Sale of wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, and ceramic pipes, roach clips, chillums, bongs, and pipes banned.

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The Sindh government has imposed a ban on the sale of items commonly used in the consumption of drugs, in a bid to curb narcotics use across the province.

Following instructions from Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Karachi’s commissioner issued a notification enforcing Section 144, which prohibits the sale of wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, and ceramic pipes, roach clips, chillums, bongs, and marijuana pipes.

Station House Officers (SHOs) at local police stations are authorised to register cases against violators under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

According to the PPC, Section 188 pertains to the punishment for disobedience to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant.

“This ban is an important step in our ongoing fight against drug use in Sindh,” said Senior Minister Memon. “Our aim is to discourage the availability of tools that facilitate narcotics consumption.”

He added that the provincial government will continue taking strict measures to protect the public, particularly the youth, from the dangers of drug addiction.

In another case, Sindh Police arrested Riasat Ali, also known as Jadgaal, from Karachi’s Lyari, exposing his alleged role as a major narcotics supplier.

The suspect made startling revelations of daily narcotics transactions amounting to a staggering Rs5 to Rs6 million.

The investigation report unveiled Ali's confession of dealing in ice, crystal, hashish, and other illicit substances.

The modus operandi reportedly involved Ali's brother, Abid, who smuggled narcotics from Iran and other countries, while Ali oversaw the distribution within Karachi.

Last month, Pakistan Customs officials in Karachi seized over Rs10 million worth of drugs in a major operation.

According to Express News, Deputy Collector Customs Raza Naqvi reported on Sunday that two separate actions led to the recovery of nine kilograms of high-value narcotics.

The operation, based on confidential intelligence, targeted the transportation of drugs from Balochistan to Karachi via passenger buses.