Latest news with #ControlofNarcoticSubstancesAct
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Senate committees present key reports
Reports of various Senate standing committees on important legislative bills were presented in the Upper House on Tuesday under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate. Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control Chairman Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman presented the committee's reports on three significant amendment bills. The senator first presented the report on the bill further to amend the Societies Registration Act, 1860 [The Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2025]. He also submitted the report of the committee on the bill further to amend the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997.
Express Tribune
26-03-2025
- Express Tribune
LHC affirms Rangers' authority
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has rejected the impression that Pakistan Rangers have no authority to make arrests or detain the offenders under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997 (CNSA 1997). The development came as LHC's Justice Muhammad Amjad Rafiq dismissed the post-arrest bail of a drug peddler for allegedly having 1060 grams of heroin. The arguments of counsel for petitioner Maqbool Ali, who is also the accused, revolved around the claim that Pakistan Rangers have no authority to arrest and detain the offenders under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997 (CNSA 1997). He further implored the court that the petitioner, being the owner in possession of adjacent lands, had once resisted interference with his property rights by the Rangers, who then retaliated by falsely implicating him in this case. He argued that a story was concocted, claiming two accused managed to run away from the crime scene, which was not believable, given the strength and arms available to the Rangers. Officers from Pakistan Rangers were carrying a notification dated December 1, 2010, issued by the Government of Pakistan (Revenue Department) Federal Board of Revenue. This notification entrusted officers of Pakistan Rangers and the Frontier Corps (Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including FATA) operating within their respective jurisdictions with the functions of Customs officers under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1969. Such functions shall be limited to a 20-kilometre radius from the international borders. Thus, they claim the authority to inspect any suspected person within this area. A review of the notification shows that it was ordered to remain in force until June 31, 2011, and thereafter, it was to be reissued or extended subject to the satisfactory performance of the aforementioned departments. However, Rangers officers claim that it is still operative. Justice Rafiq observed that the claim made by the counsel for the accused that the arrest by a sub-inspector of Pakistan Rangers had vitiated the entire proceedings could not be upheld for two substantive reasons. Firstly, with all just legal exceptions, officers of various categories within Pakistan Rangers are also authorized to exercise powers under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1969, in light of the 2010 notification. Secondly, after arresting, searching, and seizing narcotics, officers of Pakistan Rangers handed over the petitioner to the local police, a power that is available even to private individuals under Section 59 of the CrPC. Thus, no illegality has been observed, particularly since the case was investigated by the police.
Express Tribune
21-03-2025
- Express Tribune
Armughan's father arrested, drugs, arms recovered
The Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) of police has arrested Kamran Qureshi, the father of Armughan Qureshi, a prime suspect in the high-profile kidnapping and murder case of Mustafa Amir. The AVCC also recovered 200 grams of ice (crystal methamphetamine) and a 9mm pistol along with 10 live rounds of ammunition from Kamran's possession. Kamran was taken into custody during a raid on his residence, located in DHA Phase V, Khyaban-e-Momin. Police confirmed that a case has been registered against Kamran under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act and for the possession of unlicensed weapon. AVCC SSP Anil Haider Minhas said that they are investigating to trace the origins of the pistol and to determine who purchased it. Initial findings suggest that Kamran bought the 9mm pistol from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Investigators have also recovered videos from Kamrna's mobile phone, which show him firing the weapon prior to its purchase. SSP Minhas further stated that Kamran will also be questioned regarding his potential involvement in his son Armughan's suspected illegal business dealings. Should new evidence come to light during this investigation, it may be used to further probe the circumstances surrounding the murder of Mustafa Amir. Meanwhile, a video statement of Kamran Qureshi has surfaced after his arrest. In the video, Kamran Qureshi apologises to media representatives for his behaviour. He mentioned that as a father, he was worried about his son. The media was covering the case in their own way, and he was viewing the case from his perspective. If, during this entire situation, he hurt the feelings of any media person, he asks for their forgiveness. He appealed to the media representatives for forgiveness.
