KARACHI: The Sindh police has approached the provincial home department to fix “head money” on the arrest of five drug dealers operating in the city, it emerged on Friday.

Officials told Dawn that Karachi police chief Dr Ameer Ahmed Shaikh had moved a request to Inspector General of Police Syed Kaleem Imam seeking announcement of Rs1 million cash reward on the arrest of the five notorious drug dealers, who were not only supplying drugs in educational institutions but also involved in street crimes.

The home department was asked to notify Rs1m “head money” on the arrest of Ahmed Ali Magsi of PIB Colony, Farooq alias Roorha of Chanesar Goth, Syed Badshah of Landhi, Taj Mohammad Khan, who originally hailed from Hayatabad, Peshawar and is presently living in Korangi, and Farman alias Malongi of Manghopir.

The city police chief sees ‘nexus’ between peddlers and street criminals

In a letter to the IGP, the city police chief stated that there was a “strong nexus” between the narcotics dealers and criminal elements.

“It has been revealed during the course of interrogation of arrested accused, especially street criminals, that most of them are narcotics addicts,” the letter said, adding: “They commit robberies to meet the expenses of intoxication.”

He further stated that the menace of drugs had also penetrated into educational institutes.

“It has been found that both men and women are using various psychoactive substances in colleges and universities,” the letter reads.

He observed that the drugs were destroying the society, particularly youths. “Keeping in view the gravity of the situation, Karachi police has initiated a campaign against narcotics peddlers.”

Dr Shaikh pointed out that there were certain known drug peddlers who were responsible for spreading narcotics in the society. “They are involved in the narcotics business and running this evil business by using poor addicts.”

“It is requested that the home department may be moved to announce head money of Rs1 million (each) for apprehension of the dealers,” the letter concluded.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2018