Senate panel defers narcotics control bill

Proposed law seeks punishment for officials misusing narcotics law

ISLAMABAD:

The Senate Standing Committee on Narcotics Control on Wednesday deferred the "Control of Narcotics Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021" till the next meeting for further deliberation.

The committee which met at the Parliament House under the chair of Senator Ejaz Choudhary deferred the "Control of Narcotics Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021" moved by Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed till the next meeting. The bill was aimed at checking the misuse of narcotics law, and increasing the punishment (imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of five hundred thousand rupees) about vexatious entry, search, seizure, and arrest made by the empowered person under section 20 and section 21 of the Control of Narcotics Substances Act 1997.

Humaira Ahmad asked the sponsor of the bill, Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmad, to withdraw the bill as the empowered person if found exercising his power above the given mandate is treated as per the existing law of the ministry. To which, Maqbool said the bill has been brought after the unfortunate incident that took place with Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah in the past.

Maqbool observed that the high court in its decision in the case has asked for further inquiry into the case but no inquiry has been initiated yet. "I will withdraw the bill if further inquiry is instigated into the case as per directions of the high court." He stressed further investigation into Sanaullah's case and if he is found innocent then justice should be done.

Humaira Ahmad said that the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has no objection to the amendment bill but the matter regarding the imposition of a fine on the empowered person under sections 20 and 21 of the Narcotics Control Substances Act 1997 has not been decided yet and asked for more time to look into the matter. "We will revert to the committee after the CII finalises its deliberation and table the report in the committee,” she said. The committee chairman directed the officials concerned to present details of the case related to Sanaullah within 30 days.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2022.