Karachi: Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Sunday launched a citywide crackdown targeting drug addicts occupying roads, sidewalks, and other public spaces. The move follows a surge in thefts from bridges, public buildings, electric poles, and boundary walls, which officials say are linked to individuals with substance abuse issues.
Under the Mayor’s orders, drug addicts found in public areas will first be relocated to the City Wardens Headquarters before being transferred to rehabilitation centres. The initiative aims not only to clear public spaces but also to address the root causes of repeat offenses through structured rehabilitation.
Dedicated City Warden teams have already been deployed across all districts to ensure the process is carried out safely, humanely, and efficiently, according to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) spokesman Daniyal Siyal. He emphasized that the initiative is being handled with a focus on long-term reintegration rather than mere displacement.
The issue has been a recurring topic in high-level meetings chaired by the Mayor, especially amid rising concerns over damage to public infrastructure. To support the effort, the KMC has allocated land for the establishment of large-scale rehabilitation centres, making the crackdown part of a broader, long-term strategy.
“These individuals are not only damaging critical infrastructure through theft but are also tearing at the social fabric of our city,” Siyal stated. “For the sake of a few rupees, they are putting the beauty, safety, and public property of Karachi at risk.”
The KMC reiterated its commitment to preserving public assets, restoring order in the city, and supporting the social reintegration of affected individuals through comprehensive rehabilitation programs.
