Court drama as Pinky hurls veiled threats

Says 'we are drowning, darling, we will drown everyone with us'

KARACHI:

A not-so-veiled threat echoed through the City Courts on Saturday, as Anmol, alias Pinky, a high-profile suspect in several narcotics and murder cases appeared before several judges as the alleged inter-provincial drug network continues to unfold and spring surprises. She uttered, "We are drowning, darling, we will drown everyone with us."

The statement, described in court circles as either a metaphorical outburst or a veiled threat, set the tone for a series of tense courtroom appearances in which Pinky repeatedly clashed with proceedings, raised allegations of custodial abuse, and drew strong reactions from police officials managing her production across different courts.

Pinky was produced before courts in District South, Central, and Malir under strict security arrangements, with female police personnel accompanying her throughout. She is facing a total of 16 FIRs registered in various police stations in the metropolis, including Gizri, Darakhshan, Baghdadi, Garden, SIU Central, and Sachal.

Of these, 14 cases relate to narcotics trafficking, one to murder, and another to illegal weapons possession, according to prosecution records presented in court.

During proceedings at the City Court, Pinky appeared visibly agitated upon being brought before the media. She raised her voice, alleging she was being tortured in custody, forced to name individuals, and threatened along with her family.

She claimed she had been arrested from Lahore nearly 20 days earlier and later transferred to Karachi police custody after an extended period of detention. She further alleged that false cases were being registered against her as part of coercive pressure.

Court officials maintained order and assured her that no harassment would take place inside the courtroom. She was also provided water during the proceedings as tensions escalated.

The prosecution informed the court that the accused is allegedly linked to an organised narcotics network operating across provincial boundaries. Investigators claimed that financial transactions worth millions - and in some accounts, billions of rupees - had been traced through digital payment systems connected to individuals associated with the case.

The investigation officer further stated that drugs recovered in certain cases were linked to leads provided during investigation, and that more arrests were expected as the probe expanded.

The defence strongly rejected these allegations, arguing that the accused was being falsely implicated and that no direct recovery had been made from her in key cases. Defence counsel also alleged that statements were being extracted under pressure during custody.

In District South, the court granted a two-day physical remand in a murder case while placing the accused Pinky on judicial remand in other connected FIRs. The court observed in its written order that initial evidence justified further investigation, though it remarked that no formal complaint of custodial torture was substantiated on record.

In District Central, the SIU produced the accused in a narcotics case and sought further physical remand. The defence opposed the request, citing procedural grounds and arguing that the accused had previously been declared a proclaimed offender under Section 512 of the CrPC, questioning the legality of repeated remand extensions.

After hearing arguments, the court granted remand with directions to the investigation to produce previous court orders and submit a detailed progress report.

Meanwhile, the Malir court sent the accused to judicial custody in a separate narcotics case registered at Sachal police station and directed police to submit a challan within 14 days. The prosecution has indicated it will challenge this order through revision proceedings.