At least 250 cases were decided by a special court for narcotics control in Lahore in t 2022, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The acquittal of Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah in a 15-kg drug recovery case by a special court remained a big decision of the year.
As many as 20 accused were sentenced to life imprisonment and 80 accused were sentenced to imprisonment from 7 to 10 years for possessing heroin, and hashish. The accused were also fined millions of rupees and their vehicles were confiscated. Four accused had escaped from police custody.
In 2022, the court was moved from the Judicial Complex to a rented building on Lytton Road. The court lacked facilities throughout the year.
Pertinent to note, Special Courts (Control of Narcotics Substances) were constituted under the Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997.
Presently there are six Special Courts including two at Karachi and one each at Lahore, Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta.
Reporter: Shaheen Atiq