Pakistan’s authorities have embarked on a series of sweeping enforcement drives across the country in early December 2025, targeting everything from wedding extravagance to traffic violations and the persistent scourge of narcotics. These campaigns, launched by provincial and federal governments, reflect a determined push for law and order, social responsibility, and international cooperation—though not without raising questions about their scope, impact, and the challenges that lie ahead.
In Punjab, the provincial government initiated a province-wide crackdown on December 6, 2025, focusing on violations of the “One Dish” policy and the illegal use of loudspeakers during weddings and social events. According to Dunya News, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif issued strict instructions to all commissioners and deputy commissioners, demanding full compliance with the One Dish rule at all wedding functions and gatherings. The move, she said, aims to curb unnecessary extravagance, food wastage, and loud noise, maintaining social order and discipline.
“Unnecessary extravagance, food wastage and loud noise must be controlled to maintain order and discipline,” Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif declared, as reported by Dunya News. Her directive is not just about enforcing rules, but also about fostering a sense of community responsibility. The government’s orders are clear: decisive legal action will be taken against any illegal use of loudspeakers, and this includes events such as Qawwali nights, concerts, and private gatherings. No exceptions are to be made, and farmhouses and open grounds are now subject to the same regulations as traditional wedding halls. Loudspeaker usage is restricted, and the One Dish policy is mandatory across all venues.
Officials have stated that clear guidelines have been issued to ensure the law is implemented uniformly throughout Punjab. Monitoring teams are being formed, and strict oversight of event timings is now in place. Venues must adhere to closing hours, and government officers are explicitly barred from attending functions where these rules are flouted. The campaign, the provincial authorities emphasized, is not just about law enforcement—it’s about promoting social responsibility and community welfare. “The aim of these measures is to curb noise pollution and control unnecessary expenditure while ensuring better discipline during public events,” Dunya News reported, echoing the government’s position.
Meanwhile, in Sindh, the focus has shifted to the roads. On December 4, 2025, Sindh’s Inspector General of Police, Zubair Nazir Ahmed Shaikh, issued a province-wide directive targeting vehicles operating without number plates and motorists driving without valid licenses. According to the official order, as reported by provincial authorities, a “considerable number of vehicles” are plying roads across Sindh without registration plates, and many are being driven by individuals lacking proper licenses.
The crackdown, which covers Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad, instructs police officers to take strict action under the Motor Vehicles Ordinance and relevant rules. Daily reports are now required from police units, detailing the number of vehicles seized, FIRs registered, and vehicles taken into custody under Section 550 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The order, marked as “Most Urgent,” underscores the need for strict compliance with traffic laws and has been forwarded to senior police officials for immediate implementation.
This traffic enforcement effort is not simply about paperwork or bureaucratic oversight. It’s about restoring order on the roads and ensuring that all drivers and vehicles are accounted for—a goal that, while ambitious, has drawn both support and skepticism from citizens. Some see it as a much-needed measure to improve road safety and accountability, while others worry about the potential for overreach and the burden on ordinary motorists.
On the national stage, the fight against narcotics has reached new heights. On December 6, 2025, officials revealed that Pakistan had seized 134 tons of narcotics, arrested 2,001 suspects—including 75 foreign nationals—and confiscated drugs worth $12.8 billion during its annual counter-narcotics campaign. This sweeping effort, as reported by The Express Tribune, was reviewed in a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker.
The campaign’s reach has been extensive. Authorities in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh detained 110 Afghan nationals and cleared 40,659 acres of poppy cultivation, maintaining the poppy-free status of vast regions. The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has played a central role, with its operations earning praise from US officials. “We are strictly implementing a zero-tolerance policy against narcotics,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated, as quoted by The Express Tribune. He warned that drugs originating from Afghanistan continue to reach multiple countries, posing a global threat to youth.
The discussions with US officials centered on expanding intelligence sharing, strengthening operational coordination, and jointly tackling drug trafficking networks. Naqvi emphasized that Pakistan had adopted a “clear and firm policy” against illegal immigration, with action against human smugglers and undocumented migration continuing “without exception.” Narcotics detection at airports remains a top priority, he said, noting that modern scanning machines are being installed at major airports to bolster screening capacity.
In a bid to streamline and enhance the country’s counter-narcotics efforts, the government is moving swiftly to establish the National Narcotics Coordination Centre, following the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s counter-narcotics and border management initiatives, highlighting the “special importance” the United States attaches to its ties with Islamabad. The meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides, including the interior secretary, the ANF director general, and US Embassy representatives.
These enforcement drives, while distinct in their immediate focus, share a common thread: a determination to impose order, promote public welfare, and address persistent challenges through a combination of legal action, oversight, and international cooperation. In Punjab, the crackdown on wedding extravagance and noise is framed as a step toward social responsibility. In Sindh, the traffic campaign is about restoring discipline on the roads. Nationally, the fight against narcotics is being waged with renewed vigor and a commitment to international partnerships.
Yet, the path forward is not without hurdles. Ensuring uniform law enforcement across diverse regions, preventing the misuse of authority, and maintaining public trust will test the resolve of officials at every level. The campaigns’ success will ultimately depend on transparent implementation, sustained oversight, and the willingness of citizens and officials alike to embrace the spirit of these reforms.
As Pakistan’s leaders push for greater discipline and accountability, the coming months will reveal whether these ambitious crackdowns can deliver lasting change—or if new challenges will emerge to test the country’s resolve once again.