Karachi:
Police and leading online delivery companies have agreed to tighten measures to prevent the growing misuse of delivery networks for drug trafficking in Karachi, a senior police official confirmed on Wednesday.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South, Syed Asad Raza, told Dawn.com that a high-level meeting was held with representatives from major food delivery and ride-hailing platforms to address rising concerns over the illegal use of rider services.
“Delivery companies shared reports with us that certain individuals were caught using fake uniforms, helmets, and branded delivery bags to impersonate genuine riders and transport illegal drugs,” DIG Raza revealed.
To tackle this, he said all stakeholders had agreed to strengthen security checks, including rigorous rider screening, background verification, and stricter registration processes to ensure that only verified personnel are allowed to operate.
“Regular briefings will also be held to educate riders on legal compliance and safety protocols,” he added.
Company officials assured police of full cooperation, including assistance in identifying unregistered or suspicious riders and immediately deactivating their accounts to prevent misuse.
“They further agreed to monitor repeated suspicious orders originating from particular locations to identify and dismantle organised illegal networks,” DIG Raza said. Authorities will also work with delivery firms to trace individuals using fake identities or posing as company staff for such illicit activities.
Earlier this year, in March, Karachi police and heads of educational institutions formulated a joint strategy to combat the increasing spread of narcotics in the city. Meanwhile, in May, the Islamabad High Court imposed a ban on direct courier and food deliveries to students within federal educational institutions amid fears that drugs were being smuggled into campuses disguised as food orders or packages.
