Meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Narcotics Control was held here at Parliament House on Wednesday with Senator Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhary in the Chair

The senate body discussed the Bill titled “Control of Narcotics Substances (Amendment) Bill 2022” introduced by Senator Mohsin Aziz. He stated that the Bill aims to restrain the students of universities and colleges from indulging in drugs and envisaged punishment for the culprits. Officials of Anti-Narcotics Force apprised the committee that there primary responsibility of force is to conduct raids and apprehend the drug peddlers, testing of students for drug abuse does not come under the ambit of ANF. Senator Jam Mahtab Hussain Dahar told that Health and Education departments should be roped in for this task of curbing the menace of drugs. Nawabzada Shazain Bugti, Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, informed that consultations are already on going with health and education ministries and more time is needed for the necessary amendments in the bill.

Furthermore, the senate body stated that the report of high profile cases accused of drug trafficking which are currently pending in the courts shall also be shared. Major General Aneeq Ur Rehman Malik, DG Anti-Narcotics Force, questioned that the term ‘High Profile’ needs to be defined whether it is exclusively limited to politicians or whether it can be defined on the quantum of punishment. He further added that the report will be shared in the next meeting.

Additionally, the implementation status on the recommendations made by committee in the previous meetings was reviewed. In the previous meeting senate body directed the ministry of Narcotics Control to deal the Rana Sana Ullah case in accordance with directions of High Court. However, officials of Anti-Narcotics Force remarked that the fresh inquiry cannot initiated on the matter subdujice before any court.Humaira Ahmed, Secretary Ministry of Narcotics Control, sought one month time to present a comprehensive reply after due deliberation.

The committee also discussed the Bill titled “Control of Narcotics Substance (Amendment) Act 1997” introduced by Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed. He remarked that as the bill is related to Rana Sanaullah case so it should be discussed after the final report of the ministry.

The meeting was attended by Senator Dost Muhammad Khan,Senator Falak Naz,Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed,Senator Atta Ur Rehman,Senator Jam Mahtab Hussain Dahar,Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen,Senator Mohsin Aziz,Federal Minister for Narcotics Control Nawabzada Shazain Bugti, Secretary for Ministry of Narcotics Control Humaira Ahmed,DG Anti Narcotics Force Major General Muhammad Aneeq Ur Rehman Malik and other concerned officers were also in attendance

Source: Senate of Pakistan