CB seeks answers on campus narcotics

The Constitutional Bench (CB) of the Supreme Court has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and provinces to submit written replies to a petition filed against the sale and use of narcotics in educational institutions of the country.

A five-member CB led by Justice Aminuddin Khan on Monday resumed hearing various constitutional cases including one related to use of drugs by students.

During the hearing, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar asked the relevant authorities as to what measures they had taken to counter the menace. He noted that a report submitted to the court claimed that there was no use of heroin at the educational institutions in Balochistan.

"Have people consumed all the heroin there?" he asked.

Justice Musarrat Hilali also expressed her disbelief over the report, wondering as to whether the report was referring to use of "heroin" or "heroine".

Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, who belongs to Balochistan, said he was both happy and astonished at the claim made in the report.

Justice Hilali said narcotics are being supplied even in colleges. "The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is the most affected by this plague. Why are the K-P officials silent?" Justice Mandokhail stated that the K-P and Balochistan are actually the provinces worst affected by narcotics.

Justice Musarrat Hilali said there is a need for the ANF to establish a system of espionage to stop the sale and use of narcotics at educational institutions. The court later asked the relevant authorities to submit a mechanism in the court for eradication of narcotics in educational institutions.

The CB also sought a report from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) regarding the provision of pneumonia and hepatitis medications.

The court noted that the report must clarify whether the issue of medicine shortages has been resolved. The bench stated that after receiving the report, they would decide how to proceed with the matter.

It disposed of a case against former federal minister Azam Swati, noting that alternative legal forums are available for any aggrieved parties. It also closed the Bhong Interchange construction case due to its irrelevance.

In a hearing concerning the formulation of rules for the Exit Control List (ECL), Additional Attorney General Aamir Rehman informed the court that establishing ECL rules is a prerogative of the federation. The court subsequently disposed of the petition.

Regarding the harassment of journalists by the FIA, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail emphasized that criticism is acceptable but should remain respectful and avoid personal attacks. The court directed the FIA to submit a detailed report on the matter.