Islamabad (Web Desk): Minister of State for Narcotics Control Shehryar Afridi on Saturday demanded that the hearing of drug case against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah should be shifted to Rawalpindi to protect the lives of the witnesses.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, Afridi said Rana Sanaullah was caught red-handed by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) with 15 kilograms of heroin and every evidence in this regard will be presented to the court when trial begins.
The minister requested the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court (LHC) to either shift Rana Sanaullah's case to Rawalpindi or the trial be conducted in the prison for ensuring protection of the witnesses.
“Evidence against the accused was presented in the court but the lives of our witnesses are in danger. I demand the case be shifted to Rawalpindi to protect the ANF witnesses and a daily trail should be allowed be conducted in jail,” Afridi said.
He added that Sanaullah was openly targeting ANF personnel and that notice should be taken of the threats.
The minister also asked the Inspector General (IG) Punjab to provide protection to the witnesses.
He said the prosecution should be allowed to present evidence before the court.
Afridi regretted the media trial of the Anti-Narcotics Force saying it is an exceptional force and working tirelessly to nab the drug mafia.
The minister said that the performance and sacrifices of the ANF have also been acknowledged by international organisations, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.