An unchecked narcotics epidemic has made Karachi the second-most drug-impacted metropolis globally after New York, directly fueling a surge in street crime and affecting nearly one in every four households.
This was asserted by Advocate Hasnain Ali Chohan, a senior lawyer and leader of the Insaf Lawyers Forum Karachi in a statement today.
In a scathing critique of government and law-enforcement failures, Chohan expressed grave concern over the open sale of illicit substances, stating that drugs like hashish, mawa, and various forms of gutka are readily available from shops and kiosks in neighbourhoods across the city. He alleged this trade persists due to the complicity of police officials who remain silent after allegedly taking hefty bribes.
The senior lawyer underscored that rising thefts, robberies, and street crimes are a direct consequence of the growing influence of narcotics, which has already destroyed countless young lives.
He noted that the problem of addiction is no longer confined to low-income localities but has also permeated the city’s affluent areas, with online drug dealing making the situation “even more alarming.” Chohan termed the presence of narcotics within educational institutions a deeply disturbing development requiring urgent preventive measures.
Citing national statistics, Chohan stated that an estimated seven million people in Pakistan use drugs, contributing to hundreds of deaths daily from related complications. “Despite this, government action remains limited to announcements and restrictions, while practical measures are nowhere to be seen,” he added.
Advocate Chohan urged the Inspector General of Sindh Police to launch a decisive crackdown against drug traffickers and their online networks. He also called for the establishment of specialized government centres for the rehabilitation of drug-addicted individuals, enabling their return to society as healthy and productive members.
He concluded that a successful campaign to eliminate drugs would lead to a significant reduction in crime and a marked improvement in the city’s overall law-and-order situation.