Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Thursday appealed to the media not to make the Anti-Narcotics Force controversial by its media trial.
Talking to reporters after attending a ceremony here, she said a section of the media is presenting a one-sided picture of the case and giving an impression that the ANF has some personal grudge against Rana Sanaullah of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
She said Rana Sanaullah’s physical remand was not taken as he was caught red-handed by the ANF officials with heroin in his possession. Moreover, it is a general practice that only a sample of the confiscated contraband is sent for laboratory test, she said. The ANF, she said, will file an appeal in the Supreme Court (SC) against the bail granted to Rana Sanaullah by the Lahore High Court.
The special assistant said after a thorough examination of the apex court verdict in the chief of army staff’s extension case by government’s legal team, the government has filed a review petition. The decision was taken to the effect after the legal team pointed out some legal loopholes in the verdict, she said, adding that the option of legislation through the parliament on the matter will still remain available to the government.
About laying the foundation stone of Jalalpur-Kundwal Canal project by Prime Minister Imran Khan, she said the project will be built at the cost of Rs 48 billion and completed by year 2024. The canal originating from Rasool Bridge will terminate in Khushab after passing through Pind Dadan Khan, and bring around 170,000 acres of land under cultivation. About half a million people of districts Jhelum and Khushab will benefit from the canal.
