Ephedrine case: SC orders resumption of prosecutor funding
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry criticised Luk saying that he was the reason why the investigation was not transparent and also held him responsible for problems associated with it, adding that he was not going to let people get slandered just because their names were in the list.
Earlier during the hearing, secretary narcotics issued offending statements, accusing the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) of fabricating cases after he was accused by the ANF lawyer of hampering the investigation and trying to save the accused at all costs.
In retort, Luk accused ANF of fabricating cases and implicating innocent people adding that he had proof of the matter and if the accusations he was making were untrue, he would resign.
Luk went one step further, saying, “Tomorrow ANF might even incriminate the prime minister by planting heroin in his car.”
The chief justice held Luk responsible for problems pertaining to the investigation.
Despite directives from his father, Ali Musa Gilani, son of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani failed to return to Pakistan to take part in the hearing.
Earlier, Gilani in a statement had asked his son to come back to the country immediately and be party to the investigations of the Ephedrine case.
According to Express News, the Supreme Court has directed Sheikh Rasheed, who pleaded to be party to the case, to contact ANF in this regard.
Rasheed, while talking to the media said that the legal quota for these companies is only 330g each of the banned chemicals used, whereas, he claims they have been allotted 12kg quota each.
He also claimed that these companies, in addition to ephedrine, have been given quota for other banned chemicals including Prazolam, Buprine, Tramadol and Pantazol.
The case regarding the illegal sale of ephedrine was registered on October 10 last year, after two pharmaceutical companies were accused of obtaining export quotas for the drug in collusion with the health ministry officials that exceeded the limits fixed by the INCB.
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@mirza musa is an absconder a flight risk a prima faciathe reason he as avoided sc
actually masses just believe on media news..as ANF had not probing five more companies to why issued a quotas..as 18000 kg.. and other is more then this in 2008,2009.n 2010..who was the responsible for that..
What is shocking & shameful is that how PM Gilani is intimidating the ANF officers for carrying out duties with honesty. Shame on him and kudos to CJ Iftikhar for cancelling the transfer orders of Acting Secy of Narcotics against these officers. Now President should award these ANF officers for their dedication to Pakistani People and than cheats like Raja Pervaez, Rehaman Malik...''
SHAME ON PM & his sycophant team.
May Almighty award these brave ANF officers for their honesty and dedication.
@Mirza Why dont you step up and defend Ali Musa Gillani aka Chemical Ali, if you firmly believe what you saying is true. I dont, so please stop loathing around. Weaker politicians you say, how about I challenge you if prove Mush was corrupt (and dont come up with silly arguments that I supp dictator or whatever, just prove me wrong)
@Lala Gee: I am not endorsing any of the seven companies who have imported more than their quota. They all did not follow the rules and must be equally punished/dealt with. The justice must be blind (no favourites) and should "appear" to be fair. Even if the PM, or army chief owns any of the company they must be equally fined. I cannot type the whole story, but here is a news in ET, that I am surprised you missed. It would give you the names and their owners who are fighting their position in the courts. http://tribune.com.pk/story/367371/special-case-other-labs-with-much-larger-quotas-overlooked-by-anf/ Thanks for keeping it civil, and regards, Mirza
Here are some facts: Ephedrine has been a common cold and allergy medication that has been used in over the counter medicines for generations throughout the world. I myself have been using it for over three decades and can be bought in stores and via mail without prescription. A few years ago the bulk sales of this medicine have been restricted in North America because some people were converting it into hard drug which was termed as “poor man’s cocaine”. However, one can still buy Ephedrine over the counter, in dollar stores and everywhere without a hitch. The only thing one has to do now is to provide their ID when buying a bulk pack. Having said that, there is no need to use this legally imported medicine in Pakistan and convert it into anything else, when the “real thing” is easily and cheaply available. All drugs are pushed and smuggled for money and Ephedrine’s conversion into poor man’s drugs is not beneficial to the importers. In short calling the import of this medicine from genuine suppliers as drug case is far from the truth. The only issue here is that some companies imported more medicines from their allotted quota, which is not right and must be investigated. In fact there were seven companies who have imported higher amounts but only two have been targeted by ANF and the PCO SC. To show fairness all these 7 firms investigated and fined for importing more than their limit and any other punishment according to the law. Not targeting one or two companies for political mileage.
@oneofpakistanivictim: @john smith: You want Musa resign only on charges that have not been proven yet in any court of law? Pakistan is a country where the SC has taken oath of obedience each time the army took over. These sitting judges have not taken oath under 1973 constitution but Gen Mush's PCO. When they tried to make one decision against Mush's multiple acts of high treason, the Gen threw them with their families in detention. They would still be there if Mush were not sent away. Nothing happened to Mush and there are no active cases of high treason against him in the SC. The SC only beats up on the weaker political leaders not the extremists, terrorists and generlas. Of course Musa should be in jail after the final judgement not before. Regards, Mirza
When Yousaf Raza Gillani was serving jail time during Musharraf reign, he wrote a book "Chah-e-Yousaf" wherein he tells that he was so broke that he had to sell his watch in order to pay the school's tuition fee of the same son. As soon as he stepped-in the Prime Minister House, suddenly all the deprivations vanished and the riches started pouring in like a storm in Monsoon; very apparent from the stark change in their life style and from the newly possessed ultra expensive limited edition luxury cars, most expensive watches worth millions each, platinum and gold jewelry set in priceless gems, and designer suites each worth his full year's pay. I wonder if they had discovered a Solomon Treasure hidden underneath the PM House.
@ john smith...gentleman you are at mistaken, there is no word of dignity in the dictionary of politicians in paksitan
shamr on the media! why isnt media demanding musa resign as a member of ppparlliament his father if he had an gram of dignaty would resign as they have brought the nation into disrepute with there criminal behaviour why as media not? as to how gilani left when the court informed interior ministry who helped him? these are valid questions why arent they being asked media is in correlation with zardari no question
Son of PM will never appear in the court..Pakistan's elite have no respect for court. PM son if proved guilty should be punished like any other narcotic paddler. But this only happens in democratic country. Pakistan is ruled by wadaras and peers.
Guys Mr Luc is son in law of Ch Shujaat's brother. Dont you understand his attitude now.
Hang him! Please
everyone knows that how gillani family is looting the nations` money, i am deem sure this culprit would not charge for his corruption...
I just can't understand how these kids come up multi-billion rupees scheme.. wow! How to earn billion of rupees in just one deal!
The next generation of our politicians will surely sell what ever is left of Pakistan. Look at their guts and shameless activities. They should be knocked out before take off.
Sheikh Rashid speaks the truth, and truth will prevail one day.
Despite directives from his father, Ali Musa Gilani, son of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani failed to return to Pakistan to take part in the Ephedrine case hearing on Friday,
These directives were for public consumption only
why supreme court is relaying on people like sheikh rasheed? is it not an example of bad taste! product of 1985 party less elections, people like sheikh rashid r icons of political bribe, corruption and dictatorships. is court is indulging herself in tit-for-Tate situation? court should give a shut-up call to people who were part of pervaiz musharaaf govts.
Can some one identify the identity of Sh Rasheed Ahmed , of his master voice fame.
His history is full of decipt & betrayal starting from Ch Zahoor Elahi to Zia ul Haq to Nawaz Sharif to Musharraf
Its nice way to stay in headlines. Keep it up Mr. Sheikh. May be you will get international media attention too.