KARACHI, Feb 28: Drug peddlers have resumed their nefarious activities in parts of Lyari. Abject poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, lack of civic amenities and years of neglect turned Lyari into a breeding ground for social evils and drug addiction being the most pernicious among them.

Parts of Chakiwara, Singu Lane, Rangiwara and Shah Beg Lane union councils are the hub of the activities of drug pushers where addicts could be seen wandering in narrow lanes to buy white powder.

According to rights activists, these areas abound not only drugs but also pushers whose nefarious activities pose threat to the health and well-being of the youth and their families.

The activists argue that efforts to cleanse the localities of numerous crimes had not been very successful because of ‘high connections’ of the drug mafia. They say the authorities have never given a serious thought to the issue and examine the situation in totality to see whether the anti-drug drive could be successful without a simultaneous move to gradually change the living conditions in the whole area.