The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the persistent flow of drugs into Pakistani cities, with a two-member bench expressing frustration over inadequate enforcement by government agencies.
The hearing was presided over by Justice Jamal Mandokhail, who along with a fellow judge, reviewed a bail petition in a high-profile drug case. During proceedings, Justice Mandokhail sharply criticized authorities for failing to curb the supply of narcotics.
“Drugs are reaching cities unchecked. Why are they not stopped at the borders?” Justice Mandokhail asked, emphasizing that shipments often consist of tons of narcotics, not just a few kilos. He pointed out that while small seizures are common, the real challenge lies in cutting off the supply lines, a responsibility he said falls to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF).
The judge also highlighted a shift in production, noting that Taliban crackdowns in Afghanistan forced local cultivation and drug factories to appear in Pakistan, particularly in three districts of Balochistan.
“Everyone knows this is happening, but no one takes significant action,” he remarked, stressing that small operations by city police do not address the root of the problem. Justice Mandokhail also described the drug menace as a legacy of Zia-ul-Haq’s era.
The court later adjourned the bail hearing of a manager from Cornier Company, instructing the ANF to submit CCTV footage related to the accused.
