WASHINGTON, May 30 A Pakistani citizen, Mir Yaqub Bizenjo, has appeared on a White House list of the world's four leading drug barons.

On Friday evening, the White House issued an order signed by President Barack Obama, seeking sanctions against four alleged drug smugglers from Pakistan, Colombia, Venezuela and Afghanistan under a federal law known as the Kingpin Act.

The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a notice saying that Mr Bizenjo had two given names, Mohammad Hyat or Mir Yaqub. But he was better known by his alias, Imam Bheel.

He operates from Jiwani, Turbat and Gwadar while he has two dates of birth, one showing that he was born in 1946 while the other indicating that he was born in 1956. He uses both in his travel documents.

The US Treasury identifies him as a Pakistani national. Related data identify him as a drug baron of Makran, who has been a traditional ally of the BNP. In 2002, Mr Bizenjo also vowed to work for the success of General Musharraf through front-page ads in newspapers.

Also on the list is Haji Juma Khan of Afghanistan, Daniel Rendon Herrera of Colombia and Walid Makled Garcia of Venezuela.

Opinion

Enter the deputy PM

Enter the deputy PM

Clearly, something has changed since for this step to have been taken and there are shifts in the balance of power within.

Editorial

All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...
Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...