IHC rejects appeals seeking dismissal of drug provisions in ephedrine case

Last updated on: 25 August,2020 04:01 pm

IHC rejects appeals seeking dismissal of drug provisions in ephedrine case

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday has rejected appeals seeking dismissal of drug provisions in ephedrine quota case.

While announcing the decision, the court has directed to carry on trial against Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and former Prime Minister (PM) Yousaf Raza Gillani’s son Ali Musa Gillani and former health minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin. 

Earlier, an anti-narcotics court had issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Ali Musa Gillani over his absence in the case. In April 2012, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) had submitted a 23-page report before the court formally naming eight accused Ali Musa Gilani for alleged allocating 6,500kg of ephedrine to Berlex Lab International in Multan and 2,500kg to Danas Pharma (Pvt) Ltd, Islamabad during 2010 to 2011.

ANF officials stated that the accused wanted to export ephedrine to Iraq and Afghanistan whereas 20 other companies were also waiting for allocation of 5,710kg.

In September 2012, Ali Musa Gilani was arrested by ANF at Supreme Court’s gate but he was granted bail over surety bonds of Rs 100,000 in July 2012.

Ephedrine is a medication and stimulant which is used to prevent low blood pressure during spinal anesthesia. It has also been used for asthma, narcolepsy, and obesity but is not the preferred treatment.