National crime syndicates are essential because crime and related activity is the largest sector of the world (international) economy.

Assuming the current international GDP at US $100 trillion, 30 percent is crime related — US $ 30 trillion from organised and unorganised crime. To tap into this mouth-watering bonanza of US $ 30 trillion, a nation needs various special purpose vehicles, including organised crime syndicates or you will be left behind – it’s a dog eat dog world. In many cases, a country’s national security can be impacted by how well-oiled are the crime syndicates.

A recent book, McMafia by Misha Glenny, exposes how crime syndicates control swathes of business activity in Europe, especially in the Balkans and Caucus regions.

Pakistan lags behind. Although crime prevails, there is no overlord. Large mafias, small mafias but no central command. Time for crime gangs to enter the big league. Intel agencies, worldwide, have close connections with crime syndicates. The “dirty tricks depts” are outsourced to ensure deniability.

In the past, the intel agencies had, at times, made use of crime syndicates. “The gangs of Karachi” that emerged in the 90s were a passing phenomenon.........

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