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Law enforcement and online delivery companies have agreed to tighten measures against the rising use of delivery riders for drug trafficking, a senior Karachi police official said.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South, Syed Asad Raza, told Dawn that he met with representatives from leading food delivery and ride-hailing services to tackle the misuse of rider networks for transporting illegal drugs.
“Some people were found using fake uniforms, helmets, and company bags to pose as delivery riders and carry drugs,” DIG Raza said.
To prevent this, companies and police have agreed on stricter screening and background checks for riders. Registration procedures will also be improved, and regular briefings will be held to ensure legal compliance.
The companies assured the police of support in identifying and removing unverified or suspicious rider accounts. They also agreed to monitor repeated orders from specific locations to detect illegal activities.
Authorities will work together to identify those using fake identities or posing as employees for illegal deliveries.
Earlier in March, police and education officials had announced a joint strategy to combat rising drug use in Karachi. In May, the Islamabad High Court banned all direct food and courier deliveries to students in federal educational institutions, citing concerns over drug smuggling through delivery services.
