PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has passed the Control of Narcotic Substances CNS Amendment Bill, which aims strict punishments for drug trafficking.
The bill was presented by the Provincial Minister for Excise and Narcotics Control, Khaliq-uz-Zaman, which prescribes separate penalties for buying, selling, trading and smuggling of drugs.
Under this bill, different penalties have been proposed according to the quantity and nature of the drugs. An important amendment has been made in clause 9 of the bill.
Under which the penalties for possession of more than one kilogram of drugs have been relaxed. Earlier, the penalty for this crime was death or life imprisonment, but now different penalties have been prescribed according to different types of drugs and their quantity.
According to the bill, possession of ten to twenty kilograms of recreational drugs will be punished with fourteen years of imprisonment, while a maximum of life imprisonment and a fine of two hundred thousand rupees will be imposed for possession of more than twenty kilograms. Similarly, possession of less than one kilogram of opium poppy is punishable by a maximum of four years in prison and a fine of Rs 20,000, while possession of more than 15 kilograms of opium poppy is punishable by a maximum of life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 300,000.
Stricter penalties have also been prescribed for hashish and other narcotics. According to the bill, possession of more than 10 kilograms of hashish will attract a maximum of life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 800,000.
While possession of more than five kilograms of hashish oil is punishable by a maximum of life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 400,000. Similarly, if eight kilograms of opium is found in someone’s possession, life imprisonment will be applicable.
Stricter laws have also been included in the bill regarding heroin and other deadly narcotics. Possession of more than four kilograms of heroin will attract life imprisonment, while possession of more than six kilograms will attract life imprisonment or death.
Strict measures have also been taken regarding cocaine, and if someone is found with more than five kilograms of cocaine, they can be sentenced to life imprisonment or death. Similarly, life imprisonment or death sentence has been prescribed for possession of more than four kilograms of psychotropic substances.
The bill has proposed strict penalties to prevent the use and sale of drugs in educational institutions, so that the educational environment can be made safe.
In addition, twelve types of chemicals and ingredients used in controlled substances have also been identified, which are used in the manufacture of drugs.
The provincial government is of the opinion that through this law, the growing trend of drugs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will think that strict action will be taken against drug dealers.
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