LAHORE: The arrest of alleged drug trafficker Anmol alias Pinky by Sindh Police has triggered fresh action in Punjab, where authorities are now revisiting three old narcotics cases registered against her and her brothers in Lahore over the past several years. Punjab Police are reportedly preparing to seek her custody from Sindh authorities for further interrogation.
The renewed attention followed Pinky’s appearance in a Karachi court, videos of which circulated widely on television and social media, along with revelations allegedly made during her interrogation.
The development has also placed Punjab Police under scrutiny after reports emerged that certain officers from the former Crime Investigation Agency (CIA), now renamed the Crime Control Department (CCD), allegedly accepted bribes and avoided arresting the suspect despite her nomination in multiple cases.
According to police records, separate FIRs were registered against Pinky and her brothers, Nasir and Riaz Baloch, at Liaqatabad Police Station in 2019, Iqbal Town Police Station in 2020 and Kot Lakhpat Police Station in 2022.
One of the key cases, registered in 2022, stated that police conducted a raid in Lahore’s Shadab Colony after receiving intelligence reports about drug smuggling activity. During the operation, officers intercepted a black SUV allegedly carrying narcotics. Police claimed a man later identified as Riaz Baloch exited the vehicle while a woman driving the SUV managed to flee after allegedly attempting to run over officers.
Investigators said cocaine, heroin and charas were recovered during the raid, and Riaz allegedly identified the fleeing driver as his sister, Anmol alias Pinky.
Officials believe the information uncovered during Karachi investigations, along with details contained in the Lahore FIRs, could lead to questioning of several Punjab Police officers accused of negligence or deliberate inaction in arresting the suspect.
A senior police official alleged that Pinky and her brothers operated a narcotics network stretching from Lahore to Karachi. He further claimed that some former CIA officials remained in contact with her and allegedly used the relationship for financial benefits. According to the official, a retired police officer reportedly received a double-cabin vehicle and a house from the suspect. Reports also suggested that the retired officer may have been detained for questioning, though authorities have not officially confirmed this.
DIG Investigation Zeeshan Raza confirmed that challans had already been submitted in two of the Lahore cases involving Pinky’s brothers. He stated that Punjab Police were now seeking legal permission to formally arrest Pinky in the pending narcotics cases.
“We are approaching the relevant courts for permission to arrest Anmol alias Pinky,” the DIG said in a statement, adding that Punjab Police would request her custody from Sindh Police for interrogation in Lahore.
He further revealed that special police teams had been formed to bring the suspect from Karachi to Lahore and confirmed that departmental proceedings had been initiated against investigating officers accused of failing to arrest her earlier.
There were also unverified reports that Pinky had briefly been detained in 2024 based on information provided by members of the so-called Jordan Gang. However, despite her alleged arrest, she was reportedly never declared a proclaimed offender, while investigations in related cases were completed without securing her custody. Her brother, Riaz Baloch, was later acquitted, reportedly due to weaknesses in the investigation.
Former CIA Lahore chief DIG Imran Kishwar denied claims linking Pinky to the Jordan Gang. Speaking to Dawn, he clarified that the gang consisted of six family members led by Mohammad Ayub, alias Jordan, and operated internationally from regions including Central Asia, Mexico, Canada and the United States.
He insisted that the gang had no connection to Anmol Pinky.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has reportedly sought a detailed report on the matter. Observers say the case may become a major test for the Punjab government’s efforts to improve accountability within Lahore Police’s investigation wing, particularly amid allegations that officers failed to act despite multiple cases against the accused.
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