Ephedrine case: Non-bailable arrest warrant issued for Shahabuddin

Same warrant also issued against son of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

RAWALPINDI: Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) Magistrate Shafqatullah Khan on Thursday issued a non-bailable warrant for the arrest of Pakistan Peoples Party’s candidate for the prime minister’s post, Makhdoom Shahabuddin for his involvement in the ephedrine case, Express News reported.

The same warrant was also issued for the arrest of the son of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Member of National Assembly (MNA), Ali Musa Gilani. The court ordered for the accused to be arrested and presented in court within a week.

During the hearing at the magistrate’s court, ANF Commander Brigadier Faheem and Investigating Officer (IO) Abid Zulfiqar presented a report stating they had evidence and witness testimonies proving the direct involvement of former health minister Shahabuddin and Member of National Assembly (MNA) Ali Musa Gilani in providing illegal quota of banned chemicals to a laboratory in Multan.

Forwarding a request to be an immunity-granted witness, former director general (DG) Health Dr Rasheed Jumma verified in his statement to the investigation team that it was Shahabuddin who approved the 2,500kg ephedrine quota allotment to Berlex Lab International and 6,500kg to Danas Pharma.

He added that Ali Musa Gilani pressed for the allotment of the quota as well.

The magistrate approved the request of Brig Faheem and IO Abid and issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against the two accused.