ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Narcotics Control on Friday passed the Control of Narcotic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2020, aimed to control the menace of drugs and to get Pakistan out from Financial Action Task Force (FATF) "grey list".

The committee, which met with MNA Salahuddin Ayubi, passed the amendment after detailed discussion. Majority of the members of the committee supported the bill, except independent MNA Mohsin Dawar and PML-N MNA Rana Mubashir Iqbal, who said that some sections of the bill were debatable and the bill should be delayed for discussion till the next meeting.

Federal Minister for Narcotics Control Muhammad Azam Khan Swati told the committee the main objectives of the bill were to further strengthen the law to eradicate the menace of drug from the country as it badly affected our young generation. Due to shortcomings in the existing law, several drug smugglers and dealers got acquittal from court during the last year, he said.

Secretary Ministry of Narcotics Control Allah Dino Khowaja said in the existing law all kinds of drugs were treated similarly but in the current bill all the drugs have been classified. He said that special punishments have been proposed for those who are selling drugs in education institutions. In the amendment bill, punishment has been enhanced for those who repeat the offence, he said.

According to statements of objects and reasons of the bill, Control of Narcotics Substance (CNS) Act 1997, completely covers the offence relating to narcotics drugs, psychotropic substances and controlled substances. The illegal possession, manufacturing, sale, purchase, distribution etc of narcotics drug, psychotropic substances, and controlled substances is an offence under Section 6 of CNS Act 1997, and punishable under Section 9 of CNS Act 1997. The financing of the trafficking of narcotics drugs, psychotropic substances and controlled substances is an offence under Section 8 of CNS Act 1997, and punishable under Section 9 of CNS Act 1997.

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) directed the federal government to make strict legislation to curb the use and sale of methamphetamine popularly known as ice and crystal meth, since this dangerous drug is destroying our young generation. It is also mentioned that the proposed amendment in CNS Act 1997, cover adequate and reasonable punishment for illicit trafficking of methamphetamine a psychotropic substance.

Moreover, the punishment for all other illicit drugs has also been reviewed, keeping in view the substance and quality of drugs. In addition the punishment for sale of drugs in educational institutes has also been enhanced.

MNA Guldad Khan, Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Mohsin Dawar, Muhammad Ameer Sultan, Rana Mubashir Iqbal, Uzma Riaz, Shahida Akhtar Ali, Nusrat Wahid, and Andleeb Abbas, and senior officials attended the meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020