The meeting discussed efforts to curb drug trafficking and maintain law and order in Karachi and other major cities of Sindh.
Sindh Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi meet in Islamabad. SCREEN CAPTURE
KARACHI:
Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Sindh Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Thursday agreed that effective coordination and cooperation between the federation and provinces is the best way to address national challenges and resolve public issues, an official statement said.
The understanding was reached during a meeting in Islamabad, where the two leaders discussed a number of important issues, including law and order, inter-provincial cooperation, narcotics eradication and improvements in public services.
The meeting also included detailed discussions on efforts to curb drug trafficking and maintain law and order in Karachi and other major cities of Sindh.
Speaking on the occasion, Memon said effective coordination and cooperation between the federal and provincial governments were the most effective means to address national challenges. He added that all institutions and governments should work together on matters of national interest.
The chief minister said the Sindh government would further intensify its efforts to eliminate crime, maintain law and order and ensure protection of citizens.
During the meeting, Naqvi congratulated the Sindh government for its successful operations against robbers and criminal elements in the riverine (katcha) areas.
The Home Minister assured the Sindh government of the full support of the federal government in maintaining peace and combating narcotics. He also praised the Sindh Police for displaying bravery, professionalism and determination under difficult circumstances, and for playing a commendable role in restoring law and order.
On May 12, Karachi police arrested Pinky, accused of operating one of the most organized narcotics supply networks in the city. The suspect was arrested during a joint operation carried out by municipal police and a civilian agency at an apartment in the Garden area.
Investigators say she ran a sophisticated cocaine processing and delivery operation with links that extended beyond Karachi to Lahore, Islamabad and other cities. According to police, Pinky not only supplied narcotics to wealthy neighborhoods, including DHA and Clifton, but also personally prepared high-quality cocaine and arranged deliveries through women and online platforms.
Read: Sharjeel urges joint action against drug menace
His arrest highlighted the magnitude of narcotics trafficking in Sindh, where substances such as methamphetamine (ice), hashish, opium, cannabis, gutka, mawa and mainpuri were reportedly sold openly in several areas. Authorities said multiple arrests were made, while the provincial government vowed to intensify its crackdown on drug trafficking networks.
Apart from the narcotics issue, Sindh also faced a long-standing security challenge in its riverine “katcha” belt. The region’s dense forests, stretching along the Indus River, shifting river banks and limited access, had historically provided safe havens for heavily armed robber gangs. These groups were involved in kidnappings, extortion and violent crimes, undermining state authority and hindering local development.
In response, Sindh police have intensified operations against these gangs since late last year. Inspector General Javed Alam Odho announced in February that a katcha force dedicated to policing the roughly 400-kilometre stretch would be reactivated, backed by aerial surveillance and better inter-provincial coordination.
Several coordinated operations were carried out with Punjab Police and military units, including ground raids, drone surveillance and strategic negotiations with armed groups.
In October last year, the Sindh cabinet also approved a policy allowing robber gangs in riverine areas to hand over their weapons in exchange for guarantees of protection for their families, rehabilitation support and livelihood assistance. Since the introduction of this policy, dozens of militants have laid down their arms.
