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KARACHI: An Additional District and Sessions Court in Karachi has acquitted Anmol alias Pinky in three drug cases registered at Gizri Police Station. The court announced the decision on Thursday after hearing arguments from the defence. Pinky was arrested by Karachi police in May during a joint operation with a civil agency at an apartment in the Garden area. Police had accused her of operating an organised narcotics supply network in Karachi. Investigators alleged that the network was involved in processing and distributing cocaine and had links with other major cities, including Lahore and Islamabad. According to police, the three cases against Pinky were registered at Gizri Police Station in 2020, 2021 and 2022. She had remained a fugitive in the cases before her arrest. During Thursday’s hearing, Pinky’s defence counsel argued that two other accused persons in the cases had already been acquitted. The lawyer told the court that co-accused Ali and Fehmida were acquitted in 2024. He argued that Pinky had subsequently been implicated on the basis of statements attributed to the acquitted co-accused. The defence maintained that after the acquittal of the two co-accused, there was insufficient legal basis to convict Pinky in the cases. The court accepted the defence arguments and acquitted her in all three cases. Before her acquittal, investigators had made several allegations about Pinky’s alleged role in the narcotics trade. Police claimed she supplied drugs to customers in affluent areas of Karachi, including DHA and Clifton. Investigators also alleged that she personally prepared cocaine and used female riders and online platforms to facilitate deliveries. Police further claimed that her alleged network extended beyond Karachi to cities including Lahore and Islamabad. During interrogation, investigators attributed statements to Pinky regarding the quality and sale of cocaine. Police alleged that two categories of cocaine were being sold through the network at different prices. Pinky, however, made separate allegations during interrogation. She claimed she was being pressured to name politicians and members of the entertainment industry. She also alleged that she had been subjected to physical mistreatment during questioning and accused an investigation officer of threatening her.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said drainage projects carried out across the province have helped reduce the impact of monsoon rains. She said areas that previously remained submerged for days, weeks or even months were now seeing rainwater cleared within hours. The chief minister made the remarks during a meeting with Punjab Assembly members from Vehari. The meeting reviewed development schemes, political matters and initiatives aimed at improving public services in the district. Maryam said the Punjab Development Programme was promoting more balanced development across the province. She added that the government was focusing on projects designed to address long-standing problems faced by residents. According to the chief minister, improved drainage infrastructure had made a noticeable difference during the current monsoon season. She said the government was working to ensure that heavy rainfall did not cause prolonged water accumulation in populated areas. Maryam also highlighted several initiatives for farmers and students in southern Punjab. She said farmers were benefiting from the Kisan Card programme, while students were receiving laptops and Honhaar Scholarships. The Vehari lawmakers appreciated the government’s development work in the district. They particularly highlighted the reconstruction and expansion of the Vehari-Multan Road. The lawmakers said the previously narrow and deteriorated road had been transformed into a modern dual-carriageway. They described the project as an important development for the region. They said residents of several districts would benefit from improved connectivity between Vehari and Multan. The upgraded road is expected to facilitate travel, transportation and commercial activity in the area. The lawmakers also welcomed the launch of an electric bus service connecting Vehari with Burewala and Tibba Sultanpur. They said the service had provided residents with a new public transport option. Free travel facilities for students, women and senior citizens were also appreciated during the meeting. The MPAs further said development schemes worth around Rs21 billion had been initiated in Burewala, Mailsi and Vehari. They described the projects as a major step towards improving infrastructure and public facilities in the region. They also pointed to the beautification of Vehari Rail Bazaar, saying the project had helped improve the appearance and overall environment of the city. Separately, Maryam Nawaz praised security forces for their recent operation against militants in Balochistan. She commended the personnel for their efforts and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. According to the information shared by the chief minister, 15 terrorists were killed during the operation and a significant quantity of weapons was recovered.

Sindh Senior Minister for Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that 80 to 85 per cent of the work on the corridor along Karachi’s University Road has been completed. He said the remaining work is expected to be finished by September 15, after which the road project will be fully completed. Sharjeel Memon made the remarks during a visit to the BRT Red Line project. He reviewed the ongoing construction work and the traffic situation along University Road. The minister said traffic is currently moving smoothly on the road and that there are no major disruptions to the flow of vehicles. He also announced that a large number of double-decker buses are expected to arrive in Karachi next month. Electric vehicles will also be introduced as part of efforts to improve the city’s public transport system. According to the minister, the Sindh government has already approved 500 electric buses. He added that Pink Scooties would soon be made available for women as part of initiatives aimed at improving mobility and transportation options. Sharjeel Memon said the provincial government was working on several public service projects across different sectors. He maintained that the Pakistan Peoples Party comes to power through the public mandate and focuses on completing development and welfare projects after assuming office. Speaking about Thar, the minister said the region has extensive coal reserves that can be used to generate relatively inexpensive electricity. He said Thar coal could also be utilised to meet the energy requirements of power plants across Pakistan. He further highlighted what he described as the Pakistan Peoples Party’s contribution to the country, including its role in Pakistan’s development as a nuclear power. Discussing the performance of the Sindh government, Memon said work was continuing around the clock in different departments. He said significant progress had been made on a housing programme aimed at constructing 2.1 million homes, with a large number of houses already completed. The minister described the housing initiative as one of the largest projects of its kind in the world. He also referred to the Shahrah-e-Bhutto, saying heavy traffic on the newly constructed road demonstrated its importance and success. He claimed Sindh was the only province focusing on practical development rather than political propaganda. On Karachi’s transport needs, Memon said public transport services would be expanded across the city without discrimination. He said voters could support any political party, but the government would continue to provide transport facilities in every part of Karachi. The minister also highlighted developments in Sindh’s healthcare sector. He said the provincial government was providing free and modern medical facilities and had introduced several initiatives before similar measures were adopted elsewhere. Memon also pointed to the province’s air ambulance service, saying the facility had already been operational for some time.