ANF challenges Hanif Abbasi’s acquittal in ephedrine case

ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has taken the legal route to contest the acquittal of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi in the ephedrine case.

The ANF has filed a plea in the Supreme Court, challenging the Lahore High Court’s decision of acquittal of Hanif Abbasi on October 18.

In its petition, the ANF has requested additional time to adequately prepare its case and gather pertinent documents. Acknowledging this request, the Supreme Court Registrar Office has granted a 14-day extension to the ANF for the submission of their appeal.

LHC acquits Hanif Abbasi in ephedrine quota case

Hanif Abbasi had previously been given a life imprisonment by a trial court, but the Lahore High Court overturned this ruling, prompting ANF to pursue further legal action.

Abbasi, who had been facing charges of smuggling and misuse of ephedrine, had persistently contested the life imprisonment verdict after the prosecution had substantiated the allegations.

Previously, the Control of Narcotics Substances (CNS) court in Rawalpindi had handed down a life sentence to Abbasi. Subsequently, an appeal had been filed against this verdict, and in the interim, the LHC had suspended the enforcement of the sentence, ultimately leading to Abbasi’s release