Abandoned shrine becomes hub of drugs and addicts

Drug mafias are ruling the roost at a shrine near sugar market in Sabzi Mandi allegedly in connivance with the police high-ups as it is located at a stone-throwing distance from Sabzi Mandi Police Station, it has been learnt reliably.

South-western end of the city’s popular Sabzi Mandi has long been the country’s largest wholesale market for fruits and vegetables, but the 32-year-old market, established in I-11/4, has become a hub not only of drug addicts but also for those looking out to procure an array of fatal drugs in large quantities merely 500 meter distance from the police station, which is supposed to maintain law and order at 12km area (in rectangular).

A shrine near Madni Mosque, Sugar Mandi has five graves, but curiously one with walls around had been constructed with rear of the grave pointed towards Khana Kaba – which is prohibited in Islam – have become a point for buying and selling of drugs at mass level in connivance with the local police. It can be said that the abandoned shrine is now home to drug addicts.

“I acknowledge that some gangs are running their business of drugs in Sabzi Mandi area, police during past months have registered 12 cases against them, and we are trying our best to get rid of this menace,’ said Sabzi Mandi SHO Asjad Mehmood. He further added that although, graves, shrines did not come under his jurisdiction, but still he will send the police officials there to probe into the matter.

This gruesome reality was first exposed beyond the boundaries of the mandi, potato shelter, near bus depots, and mechanic shops, where people using intravenous drugs can be spotted throughout the day.

The widespread drug abuse in the area is facilitated by easy availability of drugs, both in small and large quantities. Under one shrine near sugar market, three men in their late 20’s arrive at their favorite “shoot-up” spot. They inject narcotics into each other’s blacked out veins corroded by years of drug abuse and smoked cigarettes filled with marijuana.

Shopkeeper Usman Abbasi at Murree Plastic Shop disclosed that he witnessed every day that the drug addicts snatch mobile phones, cash, and wallets from the visitors of Sabzi Mandi corner to main road. He said that police have lost their writ in Sabzi Mandi area.

When this scribe talked to a drug addict, Muhammad Kashif aka Kashi, 26, said that he waas using these drugs for the last 12 years. ‘One normal cigarette costs Rs 50 and a good one is of Rs 100,’ he said.

Kashi further revealed that two police-officials in civil uniform come and store their bags full of drugs in a half-constructed room, back side of shrine with the front at Naala-Lai. Small packets of marijuana are easily available here, costing Rs 100-120.

Another shopkeeper near Nazr Universal Store said that the drug users get together in evening and stay there for nights. “Police, Huh! They after acknowledging the situation say that they are killing their lives not committing crime. They are Darveshs, let them enjoy their remaining lives,” he said.

While talking to Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Capt (retd) Mushtaq Ahmad said that the authority also formed a special team to trace the roots of drug peddling and curb this menace. “I am not aware of that shrine, though, I can check it thoroughly. If any police official including station house officer would found involved or showed leniency towards them, strict action would be taken against them,” he said.

Saru, 31, a drug mule, said that the people involved in this ill-fatten business have very strong backgrounds. They have links everywhere. ‘I was assured that if I was caught, my drug boss will bail me out immediately. Only people with no families are generally involved in it,” he said.

When contacted, SHO Sabzi Mandi Police Station said that anyone, even the reporter can register complaint in this regard, so we can act accordingly.

While talking to Pakistan Today, SSP Operations Sajid Kiyani said that any such activity at any shrine was not in his knowledge. He said that he will assign the concerned SP to investigate and if any police official was found guilty of conniving with the criminals, strict action will be taken against him, he concluded.