Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) directed Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) to continue independent and fair investigations into the banned chemical quota case. The court also issued notice to Zafar Abbas Lak, Director General of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to appear in the next hearing to present his viewpoint in black and white.

Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Director-General Brigadier Faheem’s counsel Akram Sheikh told the three member-bench hearing of the ephedrine case that no judicial orders except the quashing of transfers were implemented. On this, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry asked him, “Identify which part of the order was not implemented.”

The ANF’s investigation officer Brig. Faheem said some hurdles are being poked even now, as the list of visitors at the Prime Minister is not being made available to him.

Directing the ANF’s official to move the law against such impediments in consultation with his counsel, the Chief Justice Chaudhry remarked the law empowers him (Faheem) to elicit all concerning details.

Chief Justice Chaudhry said the court had already gave a go-ahead to Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Director-General Brigadier Faheem to accomplish the probe; the challan should have been produced by now after the completion of the investigations.

The apex court barred Zafar Abbas, who is currently functioning as Secretary Narcotics, from interfering into the case and warned that his powers will be curtailed if he does not keep himself away from the involvement.

Brig. Faheem told the court that ephedrine import quota for Pakistan is 13,500 kilograms; but, over 22500-kg of chemical was imported, which gave rise to suspicions internationally.

Justice Jawwad S. Khwaja remarked that the FIA has nothing to do with this case; even if it recorded some statements, they enjoy no legal status.

The court made Ali Musa Gilani’s statement part of record. The hearing was adjourned for three weeks. SAMAA

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