ISLAMABAD: Senators from the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) have alleged that law enforcement organisations do not act against notorious drug dealers and that drug money “was used in the elections”.

The senators made the allegations during Monday’s meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, which was chaired by PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokar. The meeting was informed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that around 11,000 Pakistanis are in jail abroad on charges of drug trafficking.

Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldini from the BNP-M said there were a number of notorious groups involved in drug trafficking that no one bothered to take action against.

“Everyone is aware of those dealers, and they even participate in influential personalities’ events and functions. No one, including democratic and martial law governments, could take action against them,” he said, adding that if Iran could take strict action against such elements, why couldn’t Pakistan?

Drug dealers have reached the Balochistan, KP assemblies and are there today, PkMAP senator claims

PkMAP Senator Mohammad Usman Khan Kakar added that drugs have been smuggled through Pakistan International Airlines, and while some individuals have been arrested no one is ready to take responsibility.

“Everyone knows about notorious drug dealers, but no one takes action against them. There have been a number of incidents in which poor people, including women, were offered free Umrah. These people were also given free goods, but after reaching Saudi Arabia it was revealed that there were drugs in those goods,” he said.

“Drug dealers have reached the provincial assemblies of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and are in the assemblies even today. Drug money is used in elections, and no one takes action despite the fact that everyone is aware of it,” Senator Kakar claimed.

“We speak and criticise the crimes of the around 11,000 Pakistanis who are facing charges of drug trafficking and are in jail in different countries,” he added.

A representative from the foreign affairs ministry had earlier informed senators that some 11,000 Pakistanis are facing drug trafficking and criminal charges abroad. He said the former prime minister had approved $480,000 to pay the fines of 161 Pakistanis in various jails, but said it should be considered whether fines imposed on those involved in heinous crimes such as murder and drug trafficking should be paid.

The representative also asked the committee to play a role in the release of $480,000 from the Ministry of Finance.

He also said that 35,000 Pakistanis travelled to Turkey without visas last year, and another 23,000 travelled there this year. Consular access is being provided to Pakistanis so that they return, he said.

“However, it is a fact that a large number of Pakistanis refuse to return, as they go there after selling all their property and continue efforts to obtain bail or political asylum.

“This year, 90 migrants drowned when a boat capsized off the coast of Libya, of which some were Pakistanis. After that, we learned that another group of people including Pakistanis were in Libya and were planning to go to Europe by boat. We contacted them, but they refused to return to Pakistan,” the official said.

The punishment for human trafficking has been increased to Rs14 years, with a fine of Rs2 million, to stop human trafficking, the official said.

Committee chairman Senator Khokar has decided to call the interior secretary to the next meeting so the matter can be considered and a proper line of action prepared.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2018