RAWALPINDI: Police have decided to launch an inquiry and take departmental action against police officers and officials responsible for acquittal of accused in narcotics cases since the trend is undermining Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s initiative to make Punjab a drug-free province.

The objective of the inquiry is to obtain details that led to the acquittal of the accused and to identify any potential lapses in the investigation, handling of cases or production of witnesses in courts.

As part of the inquiry, a list of narcotics cases along with details of the accused persons acquitted and charges filed against them has been sent to the concerned senior police officers seeking the identification of any police officer or official whose actions oversight or decisions by the court may have contributed to the unfavourable outcome.

The chief minister has taken the initiative to make Punjab drug-free as a police campaign against narcotics has been ongoing to protect the young generation from drug addiction. However, on part of police investigations, the outcomes have been quite discouraging in terms of convictions.

Trend of acquittals undermines chief minister’s initiative to make Punjab a drug-free province, says official

According to official sources, due to various reasons, more than 55 accused arrested by the police in drug-related cases were acquitted from the courts of additional sessions judges Rawalpindi in Taxila, Gujar Khan and Kallar Syedan from September 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Investigation Saba Sattar had also expressed her concern over the acquittal of accused in drug related cases, especially during September-October 2024 and sought reports with reasons behind the acquittals from SPs of Rawal, Saddar and Potohar divisions.

The SSP also sent to higher authorities the details of accused acquitted, suggesting departmental action against police officers/officials if found responsible for it.

The trend of acquittal of accused in narcotics cases continued in the current year as the superintendent of police expressed concerns over it.

In his directive, he said it has been observed that majority of the accused in drug cases were being acquitted from the courts of law due to poor police investigation and production of witnesses. Due to the acquittal, the accused after being released from jail resumed their illegal business.

The police investigating officials have been asked that after completion of the challan of drug-related cases it should be handed over to the concerned SHO who will verify before putting his signature on the report. All SDPOs have been directed to monitor the investigation of drug-related cases to avoid acquittal of the accused from courts.

A police spokesman said on Friday that as part of the ongoing “Drug Free Punjab” drive, police have rounded up eight persons from different parts of the garrison city during the last 24 hours and recovered more than nine kg ‘hashish’ from their possession.

In early 2022, the then government had launched a similar campaign, “Save a Life”, in a bid to protect youth from drug addiction and engage them in healthy activities.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2025