SHC dissatisfied over police action against gutka sellers

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction over ‘police crackdown’ on tobacco sellers and sought comprehensive report in this regard, ARY News reported.

Hearing the case regarding sale of gutka across the city, the SHC bench asked the police counsel to furnish evidence that crackdown was bearing fruits.

The court said: “how long it will take to initiate action against gutka sellers?’.

The police was directed to launch decisive crackdown on gutka sellers to end the menace once and for all.

Station house officers of all the zones also submitted their report regarding action against gutka dealers in their respective remits.

The court adjourned the hearing, seeking comprehensive report of the police action by Nov 13.

The Rangers in June this year had issued a statement, claiming to have foiled a bid to smuggle Indian gutka into the metropolis.

The spokesperson of the paramilitary force said they were conducting snap checking on Mauripur Road in Lyari when they spotted five pickups.

“We stopped the vans and searched them. During the search, we found 5,000 kilogrammes of gutka hidden inside them. Its estimated value is about Rs six million,” the official said.

“The gutka reached Afghanistan from India. From there, it was [brought] into Pakistan through Balochistan. When it was caught, it was being taken to Jodia Bazaar and old city areas of Kharadar from Yousuf Goth bus terminus,” he added.

Gutka is a locally made tobacco consisting of betel nuts, lime water and opium and it has a sweet and peppermint taste, and highly hazardous to health.