THE recent tragic murder of Dr Akash Ansari — a revolutionary poet, a fearless journalist and an unwavering voice of the oppressed — in Hyderabad cast a sombre shadow over much of Pakistan. Shockingly, his adopted son has confessed to the heinous crime, citing deep-seated resentment under the influence of drugs.

This tragedy is not an isolated incident. It is part of an alarming pattern of drug-induced violence that has claimed or destroyed far too many lives. The chilling murders, like that of, say, Noor Mukadam, remain fresh in our collective memory. Such cases — marked by betrayal, brutality, and heinous acts committed in drug-induced haze — reveal the profound impact of narcotics on moral judgement and devastating consequences of unch-ecked drug proliferation in our society. Recently, the nation was shaken by the brutal murder of 23-year-old Mustafa Amir. The influence of drugs in the case cannot be ruled out.

Similarly, Dr Ansari’s murder at the hands of his own son underscores the devastating impact of drug addiction on families and society at large. These are not mere coincidences; they are symptoms of a deepening crisis that threatens our social fabric.

The proliferation of lethal substances, like ice, sheesha and crystal meth — smuggled through sophisticated net-works — has wreaked havoc, particularly among the vulnerable youth. These drugs are not just destroying individuals, but destabilising communities, fuelling crime and corroding the moral core of society.

Drug cartels operate with alarming audacity and resourcefulness, evading detection and detention through sophis- ticated smuggling techniques.

International courier services have become conduits for narcotics, while, within Pakistan, traffickers exploit young boys and girls as couriers, preying on their naivety and economic vulnerab-ilities. Police negligence, inefficiency and, in at least some cases, complicity have enabled the trade to flourish. The rampant availability of narcotics raises damning questions about the effectiveness of our law-enforcement agencies. Despite millions of taxpayer rupees allocated for anti-drug efforts, the failure to stem the tide of narcotics flooding our streets is glaring.

Drug proliferation is not merely a crisis; it is a war that demands decisive action. We must enhance capabilities of anti-narcotics agencies through advanced trainings, resources and technological support, seeking global alliances to monitor and disrupt international drug routes.

Public awareness campaigns across cities and educational institutions should be launched about the horrors of drugs. Rehabilitation centres offering medical and psychological support are needed to reintegrate the addicts into society.

Swift prosecution and strict punish-ments for those involved in drug trade may help in the elimination of this menace.

Eradication of drug cartels and the restoration of a drug-free society require unwavering political will, coordinated efforts among law-enforcement agencies, and active participation from all sectors of society. We must fight this battle with force and relentless determination, treating this crisis with the urgency it demands.

Qamer Soomro
Shikarpur

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2025