PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has postponed amendments to the Narcotics Act due to political pressure. The proposed changes aimed to eliminate the death penalty for drug-related offenses.
Sources indicate that the provincial cabinet returned the proposed bill following unfounded allegations connecting the Chief Minister to drug dealers. The Excise and Narcotics Control Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa prepared these amendments, which were based on the unanimous recommendations of both the cabinet committee and a subcommittee.
The amendments suggested converting the death penalty to a life imprisonment sentence. Currently, the law mandates the death penalty for possession of 3 kg of heroin, cocaine, or ice. The new bill proposes a sentence of 24 years and a fine of Rs 4 million instead of the death penalty. Additionally, the punishments and fines for other drug-related offenses were also made stricter.
The law department has confirmed that the proposed amendment bill is constitutionally and legally sound.
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