Punjab Orders Faster Crackdowns as Drug Trade Reportedly Shifts to Online Payments and Dead Drops

Overview

• Daily Pakistan, citing unnamed sources, reports dealers are using online payments, ride‑hailing or bike couriers, and dead‑drop pickups to evade arrests, and authorities urged the public to report suspicious deliveries or retrievals.
• Inspector General Dr. Usman Anwar directed accelerated, impartial action under revised traffic rules with immediate enforcement against nonstandard number plates, helmet violations, one‑way breaches and overloading.
• Additional IG Special Branch Rao Abdul Karim said his unit is regularly monitoring drug activity as well as traffic incidents and offenses to guide operational responses.
• DIG Traffic Waqas Nazir reported official gains including zero recorded traffic accidents in 23 districts and an 82% drop in head injuries attributed to helmet compliance.
• Separately, Auqaf Punjab instructed the Data Darbar hydraulic‑canopy project to stay on schedule, specifying installation of 20 automated 8.5‑meter by 8.5‑meter units in the mosque courtyard.