| Case ID |
141ed404-778e-4524-86a0-d81dacf3db63 |
| Body |
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| Case Number |
Criminal Appeal No. 177 of 2022 |
| Decision Date |
Jun 27, 2022 |
| Hearing Date |
Jun 27, 2022 |
| Decision |
The case involved the appellant being caught with 1650 kilograms of poppy straw while driving a truck. Evidence presented included testimonies from official witnesses that were consistent and credible. The Supreme Court maintained the conviction of the appellant under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997, but reduced the sentence from life imprisonment to time already served due to insufficient evidence regarding the percentage of morphine in the seized substance. The judgment highlighted the importance of credible witness testimonies from law enforcement officials in narcotics cases, emphasizing that such testimonies can be as reliable as private witnesses unless proven otherwise. |
| Summary |
In the Supreme Court of Pakistan, a significant case was adjudicated involving the possession of a large quantity of narcotic substances under the Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997. The appellant, Zafar Iqbal, was apprehended with 1650 kilograms of poppy straw, leading to his conviction. The court's decision underscored the reliance on testimonies from official witnesses, which are considered credible unless there is evidence of bias or animus. The ruling also focused on the legal definitions surrounding narcotic substances, particularly regarding the characteristics of poppy straw and the legal implications of its possession. The case serves as a critical reference point for future narcotics prosecutions, particularly in establishing the reliability of witness testimonies and the evidentiary standards required for convictions. The decision to reduce the sentence reflects a nuanced understanding of the law, emphasizing the need for precise chemical analysis in narcotics cases. This ruling is particularly relevant in today's discussions about drug enforcement and the legal standards for narcotics possession, making it a notable case for legal practitioners and scholars alike. |
| Court |
Supreme Court of Pakistan
|
| Entities Involved |
Not available
|
| Judges |
IJAZ UL AHSAN,
MUNIB AKHTAR,
SAYYED MAZAHAR ALI AKBAR NAQVI
|
| Lawyers |
Muhammad Amjad Iqbal Qureshi,
Syed Rifaqat Hussain Shah,
Zafar Ahmed Khan
|
| Petitioners |
ZAFAR IQBAL
|
| Respondents |
THE STATE
|
| Citations |
2022 SLD 994,
2022 SCMR 1375
|
| Other Citations |
Zulfiqar alias Zulfa v. The State 2021 SCMR 531,
Muhammad Imran v. The State 2011 SCMR 1954
|
| Laws Involved |
Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997
|
| Sections |
9(c),
2(t),
2(t)(iii)
|