KARACHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over the growing number of drug-related cases pending disposal in the special courts for the control of narcotic substances and directed the authorities to establish two more control of narcotic substances (CNS) courts in the city.

Headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed, a two-judge bench of the apex court gave the directions while hearing bail application of an accused in narcotics possession case.

The bench that also comprised Justice Sajjad Ali Shah asked the counsel appearing for the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) why thousands of narcotics-related cases were pending disposal in the CNS courts.

Over 5,000 cases pending disposal in Karachi

The ANF counsel informed the judges that there were two CNS courts in the city where over 5,000 cases were pending disposal, while one court was lying vacant due to non-appointment of a presiding officer.

The bench observed that the court had already ordered the ministry of law and justice to increase the CNS courts “but it seems that authorities had no concern about the pending cases”.

The court directed the ministry of law and justice to appoint presiding officer for the vacant court and establish two more new courts within two months.

It may be pointed out that the special CNS courts-I and II were constituted in 2000 and 2003 respectively for dispensation of speedy justice to the masses, but the objective remained unachieved as most cases are being decided after a protracted delay.

Before the promulgation of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997, all cases of narcotics were tried by district and sessions judges.

However, the cases were mostly decided after extraordinary delays because district courts were already overburdened with civil and criminal cases.

For quick disposal of narcotics cases, special courts were established by promulgating the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997.

Powers were conferred on district and sessions judges to try narcotics cases where special courts for the control of narcotic substances were not established under the act.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2018