Makhdoom Shahabuddin can be arrested at any time in drug case’
Islamabad: Makhdoom Shahabuddin Qureshi, who has been short-listed as one of the candidates for the prime minister’s slot by the Pakistan People’s Party after the disqualification of Yusuf Raza Gilani, is likely to be arrested anytime by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) in connection with the ephedrine case, country’s leading English daily The News International reported on Wednesday.
Quoting a well placed source in the army-led ANF the newspaper said “Qureshi’s arrest is a matter of time and He can be taken into custody anytime”.
The ANF has been investigating into the drug case also involving the son of outgoing PM, Ali Musa Gilani.
The paper said a Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, had already directed the ANF to arrest Shahabuddin, who had approved the ephedrine quota. Shahabuddin is being considered for the slot together with Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar and Syed Khursheed Shah, with majority betting on him as he belongs to south Punjab.
it said the investigators had undeniable evidence of Shahabuddin’s involvement in the ephedrine case. “He was the man who being the health minister issued quota to Danas Pharma,” The News quoted the official as saying.
The ANF last summoned Shahabuddin in May for interrogation and he admitted issuing a quota but pleaded innocence, saying he was unaware of the purpose and persons behind the move.
Hearing the ephedrine case on June 7, the Supreme Court questioned Brig Faheem of the ANF as to why Shahabuddin had not been arrested even after it was established that he had approved the illegal ephedrine quota.
Brig Faheem had told the court that bureaucracy was creating hindrances for the ANF to proceed against the suspects in the case.
‘PM-hopeful Makhdoom Shahabuddin can be arrested at any time in drug case’ | The News Tribe