SC directs Air Force to review appeal of driver dismissed in drug smuggling case

The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday directed the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to review the appeal of the driver dismissed from service on the charge of drug trafficking, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

A two-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial, heard the appeal of the driver.

The petitioner’s lawyer told the court that his client had been dismissed on the charge of hashish smuggling.

“2,200 grams of hashish have been recovered from him, sir,” the CJP said to the petitioner’s lawyer.

On the inquiry of Justice Athar Minallah, the deputy attorney general said that the hashish had been recovered by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) from Peshawar. He added when a uniformed officer was arrested, he was handed over to his institution.

“Where has it been written in the law that a case cannot be filed against a uniformed officer? The ANF has been guilty of misconduct. The air force has exceeded its authority by conducting the drug inquiry. How is it possible that no case should be registered over the recovery of drugs?” Justice Athar Minallah remarked.

“The hashish was sent to the air force after the forensic test,” the additional attorney general told the CJP upon being questioned.

“How can the air force keep hashish? Such matters should be resolved by the air force on its own. We give a change to the air force to resolve the matter itself,” the CJP stated.

The court adjourned the hearing of the case for an indefinite period.

 

Reporter Amanat Gishkori