KARACHI, Oct 24: An appellate bench of the Sindh High Court, on Wednesday, set aside the sentence of Muhammad Ali alias Saleem, challenging his conviction awarded by an Anti-Narcotic Court in a drug-trafficking case.

The bench comprising Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Muhammad Ashraf Leghari ordered jail authorities to release the appellant forthwith if not required in any other crime.

On May 21, 2001, Judge Ali Nawaz Pirzada of Special Court awarded him five years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs10,000 on charges of possessing 1kg heroin.

According to prosecution, a police party of the Ferozabad police station, on Nov 8, 1998, arrested appellant from Liberty roundabout, Tariq Road, and recovered two bags containing 0.5kg heroin each. Later, the police submitted accused for Challan in trail court.—PPI