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

Editorial

Token austerity
Updated 11 Mar, 2026

Token austerity

The ‘austerity’ measures are a ritualistic response to public anger rather than a sincere attempt to reform state spending.
Lebanon on fire
11 Mar, 2026

Lebanon on fire

WHILE the entire Gulf region has become an active warzone, repercussions of this conflict have spread to the...
Canine crisis
11 Mar, 2026

Canine crisis

KARACHI’S stray dog crisis requires urgent attention. Feral canines can cause serious and lasting physical and...
Iran’s new leader
Updated 10 Mar, 2026

Iran’s new leader

The position is the most powerful in Iran, bringing together clerical authority and political and ideological leadership.
National priorities
10 Mar, 2026

National priorities

EVEN as the country faces heightened risks of attacks from actual terrorists, an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi...
Silenced march
10 Mar, 2026

Silenced march

ON the eve of International Women’s Day, Islamabad Police detained dozens of Aurat March activists who had ...