A seven-member larger bench headed by Justice Ejaz-ul-Hasan heard the case in the Supreme Court regarding the sentences of drug accused.
While ordering the judicial assistants to submit written submissions, the Supreme Court said that the Senate committee was enacting legislation on drug offenders, and the court should be apprised of the developments in this regard.
Judicial Assistant Khawaja Harris told the bench that the punishment would vary depending on the nature of the drug.
Expressing happiness over the statement of Khawaja Harris, the bench said that if cannabis and heroin are being punished separately, it is welcome. On occasion, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah remarked that cannabis is less dangerous than heroin.
Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi said that cannabis could cure many diseases; it refreshed human nerves. Justice Mazahir Ali remarked that cannabis is used as medicine in different countries.
Justice Mando Khel also said that now the government has also formulated a policy on cannabis.
Judicial Assistant Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan sought permission from the esteemed judges to narrate an incident and, after getting approval, described it in the courtroom.
Aitzaz Ahsan said, “In 1988 when I was Home Minister, Nawaz Sharif came to Islamabad with thousands of people for Zia-ul-Haq’s death anniversary. ‘
“When we were contacted, the IG told us that the passengers on the buses were cutting cannabis,” he said. There was laughter in the courtroom after the incident of Aitzaz Ahsan.
The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of the case till the last week of January and directed to make legislative progress at the next hearing.
