Drug convict's sentence set aside

RAWALPINDI:

A division bench of Islamabad High Court has acquitted Bhadur Khan, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined Rs300,000 in a case involving the alleged supply of 1,000 grams of heroin and 285 grams of ice (crystal methamphetamine).

The bench set aside the conviction and sentence, ordering the accused's release from Adiala Jail. Advocate Raja Haseeb Sultan, counsel for the appellant, argued that Tarnol police had falsely implicated his client by arresting him and planting heroin and crystal methamphetamine on him at the police station.

He contended that the trial court had convicted the accused solely on the basis of the FIR, despite serious doubts about the alleged recovery. The defence counsel also challenged the forensic laboratory report, describing the prosecution witnesses as unreliable and pointing to inconsistencies in their statements.