SHC expresses shock on death sentence for hashish possession

Bench seeks arguments from trial court over harsh punishment

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has expressed shock over awarding death sentence in a case pertaining to possession of 12kg of hashish and sought arguments from the trial court.

A bench headed by Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro heard the petition. Petitioner's lawyer took the stance that Shahbaz Khan was arrested from Nazimabad in a cannabis export case. The accused was also sentenced to death beside slapping with a fine of Rs1 million.

Expressing surprise, Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro exclaimed, "death penalty for 12kg of hashish! Isn't there any fear of Allah?"

The court sought arguments from the parties on June 14. A case was registered against the accused in Nazimabad police station.

Recruitment of teachers

Shuaaun Nabi, counsel for the petitioner on application for recruitment of 95 primary school teachers and high school teachers in Kandhkot stated that despite passing written test and interviews, offer letters were not issued to the successful candidates instead recruitments were made through favouritism and bribery.

The counsel pleaded the court that to issue directives to the education department to issue offer letters to the successful candidates.

The court referred the matter to the grievance committee of the education department and said that the committee should review the case and adopt appropriate decision.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2022.