Sindh Police Chief Javed Alam Odho acknowledged on Wednesday that incidents of mobile-phone snatching have surged in Karachi this year. He also revealed that the police are formulating a strategy to combat drug trafficking, particularly amid reports of drug spillover from Balochistan.

Following a meeting with the Sindh Assembly’s standing committee, Odho disclosed that a major drug supplier was killed the previous night. He plans to discuss the issue of drug manufacturing facilities in Balochistan with the province’s inspector general of police soon. However, he did not disclose the identity of the supplier or provide further details about the incident.

To address drug use among youth, the police intend to collaborate with the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) to implement programs within schools. This initiative aims to curb the growing drug problem at an early stage.

Regarding the Mir Raza murder case, Odho stated that he has spoken to police officers whose names surfaced in connection with alleged threats to Karachi Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed. However, he refrained from commenting further due to an ongoing judicial commission investigation. He emphasized that any statements would depend on the commission’s findings.

Dr. Summaiya informed the commission on Tuesday that she faced threats and surveillance after questioning inconsistencies in the initial post-mortem report of 25-year-old businessman Mir Raza Ali. She reported being followed by motorcyclists for two days, and that personal information about her family and residence was circulated on social media. She also filed a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).

Mir Raza, owner of Wafflix, went missing on July 28, and his body was discovered the next day in Gulistan-i-Jauhar with a gunshot wound. His family has insisted he was murdered, rejecting the initial suicide theory. Dr. Summaiya had pointed out discrepancies between the first medico-legal report and photographs of the body, leading to the exhumation and a second post-mortem. This later examination revealed multiple injuries and, her testimony, ruled out suicide.

During her testimony, Dr. Summaiya alleged that when she raised concerns about the first autopsy report with a police officer, she was told police might be lenient during interrogation if she did not oppose findings suggesting suicide. She further claimed that DIG Crime and Investigation Amir Farooqi attempted to influence her conclusions. These remain allegations before the commission and have not been confirmed against the officers.

The judicial commission, led by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial, is investigating the circumstances of Mir Raza’s death and potential lapses in the inquiry. It has also examined the police handling of the FIR, CCTV footage, and other evidence. The proceedings have continued to surface new allegations.

On Tuesday, Mir Raza’s family counsel, Jibran Nasir, told the commission that the victim’s father received a late-night phone call from an unidentified individual who mentioned Ferozabad SHO Adil Afzal and claimed to have communicated with DIG Amir Farooqi before questioning the father about suspects in the case. This allegation was presented before the commission and remains unverified.

When questioned about the reported abduction of a former provincial lawmaker and an incident involving a police officer at the Sindh High Court, Odho stated that police were aware of the circumstances. He described the former case as a dispute involving unlawful detention by one party.

On Monday, armed men allegedly abducted former provincial lawmaker Ali Hassan Chaniho from his residence in Khipro, Sanghar. Eyewitnesses reported that assailants in two vehicles entered Chaniho’s home, assaulted and confined his security guards, and took him away. Sanghar SSP confirmed police had been informed and indicated the incident appeared to stem from a financial dispute, with investigations ongoing. Odho directed officers to show no leniency in this matter.

Regarding the police officer incident at the Sindh High Court, Odho did not provide details or identify the officer involved.

Odho asserted that Karachi’s overall law and order situation has improved, with police continuing efforts to reduce crime and protect citizens. Despite progress, the rise in mobile-phone snatching remains a concern, alongside ongoing measures to tackle drug trafficking and consumption.

Later, Odho inaugurated a Crime Monitoring and Task Force Cell at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry. He stated this initiative would enhance cooperation between police and the industrial and business sectors. Protecting traders and maintaining security in industrial areas remain top priorities for Sindh police, and he stressed that effective communication with the business community is vital to preventing crime and improving public safety.