ISLAMABAD: The Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) has named the prime minister’s younger son, Ali Musa Gilani, as an accused in its investigation report on the illegal allocation of import quotas for a controlled drug, DawnNews reported.
In the 23-page investigation report prepared for the Supreme Court, the ANF’s Regional Director (Rawalpindi) Brig Faheem Ahmed Khan has informed the SC of eight new suspects in the Ephedrine quota case, including Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s principal secretary Khushnood Akhtar Lashari and Ministry of Narcotics Control Secretary Zafar Abbas Luk.
Other suspects include National Assembly member Mian Abdus Sattar and his colleague, Anjum Shah, Drug Controller Sheikh Ansar as well as the Deputy Drug Controller, Abdus Sattar Suhrani.
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), an international body monitoring the implementation of the United Nations’ (UN) drug control conventions, permits Pakistan to import a total 22,000 kgs of Ephedrine a year – a limit it exceeded by nine tons when the devolved ministry of health allocated 30909.55kg in 2010.
A pharmaceutical company from Multan, namely Berlex Labs, was allocated a quota of 6,500 kgs, while another company from Islamabad, Danas Pvt Ltd, was allocated a quota of 2,500 kgs.
Ali Musa Gilani is being probed in the case for his alleged role in the illegal allocation of quota for the chemical’s import.
“Documentary evidence shows that Lashari, in the presence of Ali Musa Gilani, used to allocate quotas for Ephedrine. It can be safely assumed that this (Ephedrine) was issued for him (Ali Musa Gilani),” said ANF’s Colonel (retd) Syed Akhtar Abbas in an exclusive interview with Dawn.
Akhtar Abbas alleges that around Rs7 billion had been profited from the illegal allocation of the controlled substance.
The PM’s son, who is currently in South Africa, denies any involvement in the case, and says he is being wrongly implicated.
Moreover, according to a statement by the PM House Wednesday, Gilani has asked his son to cut short his visit and return to Pakistan for the investigations.
“Musa Gilani is returning to join the Supreme Court proceedings on April 19,” a counsel for the prime minister’s son had said on Sunday.
Ephedrine, which is also known as “poor man’s cocaine”, is a chemical also used in the manufacturing of medicines for common cold, flu and asthma.
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