Pakistan

Minister wants protection for witnesses in Sanaullah drug case

Afridi says LHC should either shift narcotics case to Rawalpindi or conduct the trial in the prison

Haseeb Hanif October 19, 2019

Rana Sanaullah. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Narcotics Control Shehryar Afridi on Saturday said the lives of the witnesses in the Rana Sanaullah drug case may be in danger and requested Lahore High Court (LHC) chief justice to transfer the case to Rawalpindi or hold the trial in prison.

ANF arrests Rana Sanaullah for carrying drugs

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, the minister also asked the Inspector General (IG) of Punjab to provide protection to the witnesses in the high-profile case.

He further said that the hearing of the narcotics case against the PML-N leader should be conducted daily.

The Anti-Narcotics Force's (ANF) Lahore team had arrested Sanaullah – while he was travelling from Faisalabad to Lahore – in July this year. The ANF had allegedly recovered 15-kilogramme heroin from his vehicle, a claim Sanaullah denied.

“Rana Sanaullah was caught red-handed with 15-kilogrammes of heroin. There are witnesses and evidence against the PML-N leader. Statements have been recorded under Section-342,” said the minister during the press conference.

“Sanaullah’s source of income is also unknown. He did not even declare his assets. From where did he earn billions of rupees?” asked Afridi.

Comparing Sanaullah with the Mexican drug lord El Chapo, Afridi said: “Since the ANF got a hold of the PML-N leader, a media trial is going on instead of Sanaullah's.”

“Suspects are indicted as soon as a challan is presented in court, but it is the first trial in the country, where no witness has so far been summoned.”

The minister also claimed that as per the Constitution, a uniform-clad force could not even be criticised in the parliament. “Sanaullah is threatening ANF authorities and the lives of witnesses in his case are in danger,” Afridi added.

Enough evidence to prosecute Rana Sanaullah: Shahryar Afridi

He termed Sanaullah’s case a test for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

The minister also urged the authorities to take notice of the threats being given to the ANF officials.